• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.489-496
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• 2022

This paper introduces the system for KAU-SPUAV, which is designed and developed by Korea Aerospace University, and verifies its performance through flight test. Specification of two versions of KAU-SPUAV, avionics system, and Ground Control System (GCS) are introduced. Three missions are performed with suggested UAVs: LTE signal mapping, circumnavigation of Jeju island seashore, and long endurance flight. Each mission consists of long distance and long endurance flight which takes advantage of KAU-SPUAV. Research team of KAU-SPUAV confirmed its versatility through suggested flight data. Also based on flight results, the team found the potential of performance improvement of KAU-SPUAV.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.433-440
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• 2022

High Altitude Long Endurance(HALE) solar powered UAV is the vehicle that flies for a long time as solar power energy sources. It can be used to replace satellites or provide continuous service because it can perform long-term missions at high altitudes. Due to the property of the mission, it is very important for HALE solar powered UAV to have maximum flight time. It is required for mission performance to fly at high altitudes continuously except a return for temporary maintenance. Therefore mission availability time analysis is a critical factor in the commercialization of HALE solar powered UAV. In this paper, we presented an analytic model and logic for available time analysis based on the design parameters of HALE solar powered UAV. This model can be used to analyze the possibility of applying UAV according to the UAV's mission in concept design before the UAV detail design stage.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.479-487
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• 2022

This paper presents the control and guidance algorithm of a KAU-SPUAV(Korea Aerospace University - Solar Powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) which is designed and developed in Korea Aerospace University. Aerodynamic coefficients are calculated using the vortex-lattice method and applied to the aircraft's six degrees of freedom equation. In addition, the thrust and torque coefficients of the propeller are calculated using the blade element theory. An altitude controller using thrust was used for longitudinal control of KAU-SPUAV to glide efficiently when it comes across the upwind. Also describes wind estimation technic for considering wind effect during flight. Finally, introduce some guidance laws for endurance, mission and coping with strong headwinds and autonomous landing.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.471-478
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• 2022

This paper is about research and development of Korea Aerospace University's Solar-Powered UAV System that named of KAU-SPUAV, and describes the design process of the 4.2 m solar UAV that succeeded in a long flight of 32 hours and 19 minutes at June 2020. In order to improve the long-term flight performance of the KAU-SPUAV, For reduce drag, a circular cross-section of the fuselage was designed, and manufactured light and sturdy fuselage by applying a monocoque structure using a glass fiber composite material. In addition, a solar module optimized for the wing shape of a 4.2 m solar drone was constructed and arranged, and a propulsion system applied with the 23[in] × 23[in] propeller was constructed to improve charging and flight efficiency. The developed KAU-SPUAV consumes an average of 55W when cruising and can receive up to 165W of energy during the day, and its Long-term Endurance was verified through flight tests.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.908-914
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• 2013

This study has developed a small solar powered UAV and performed its flight tests. In daylight, a solar powered UAV flies by using some of electricity generated from solar cells, and stores the remainder into battery. At night it flies by using electricity from battery. A solar powered UAV should have aerodynamically efficient configurations, light-weight, strong wing and fuselage. Its electric propulsion system and solar power system should also be very efficient. In the present study the solar powered UAV and its solar power system are developed for 12 hour continuous flight and the flight tests are performed to verify its performance. The flight tests performed in fall and winter to prove the present solar powered UAV is successful in four-season 12 hour flight.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.10-17
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• 2023

This paper describes the research and development of a 3.0 m Solar-Powered UAV system for mission flight that is based on the 4.2 m Solar-powered UAV. Both the Solar-Powered UAVs were lightened in weight by applying a composite fuselage and solar charging system. Also, a deep stall landing application and airbag module were installed for usability in mission performance. The flight performance of the Solar-Powered UAV system was verified through flight test. In particular, the 3.0 m Solar-Powered UAV performed continuous flight along the coastline of Jeju Island for 147 km in 3 hours and 50 minutes, and its performance as a mission flight was also confirmed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2012

A MDO study of a midium-sized solar powered High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAV has been performed, focused on energy balance. In the MDO process, Vortex Lattice Method(VLM) is employed for the aerodynamic modeling of the vehicle, of which structural weight is estimated with the modeling proposed by Cruz. Tail volume ratios have been set as constants, while the location of tail surfaces is determined from longitudinal static stability criterion. By balancing the available energy from solar cells, battery, and altitude, with the energy-requirement of the vehicle, the possibility of continuous flight over 24-hours has been investigated. The solar radiation level is set as that of summer at the latitude of $36^{\circ}$ north. During the daytime, the aircraft climbs using solar energy, accumulating potential energy, which supplements energy balance during the night. Optimizations have been sought in size of the vehicle, its weight distribution, and flight strategy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.468-477
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• 2014

In this research, how a solar powered HALE (high altitude long endurance) UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) can climb and reach mission altitude, 18km, starting from the ground using only solar energy. A glider type aircraft was assumed as a baseline configuration which has wing area of $35.98m^2$ and aspect ratio of 25. Configuration parameters, lift and drag coefficients were calculated using OpenVSP and XFLR5 that are NASA open source programs, and climb flights were predicted through energy balance between available energy from solar power and energy necessary for a climb flight. Minimum time climb flight was obtained by minimizing flight velocities at each altitude and total time and total energy consumption to reach the mission altitude were predicted for different take off time. Also, aircraft moving distances due to westerly wind and flight speed were calculated.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.401-407
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• 2016

This paper introduces 3-dimensional path planning and guidance including power model for high altitude long endurance (HALE) UAV using solar energy. Dubins curve used in this paper has advantage of being directly available to apply path planning. However, most of the path planning problems using Dubins curve are defined in a two-dimensional plan. So, we used 3-dimensional Dubins path generation algorithm which was studied by Randal W. Beard. The aircraft model which used in this paper does not have an aileron. So we designed lateral controller by using a rudder. And then, we were conducted path tracking simulations by using a nonlinear path tracking algorithm. We generate examples according to altitude conditions. From the path tracking simulation results, we confirm that the path tracking is well on the flight path. Finally, we were modeling the power system of HALE UAVs and conducting path tracking simulation during 48hours. Modeling the amount of power generated by the solar cell through the calculation of the solar energy yield. And, we show the 48hours path tracking simulation results.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2014

In this research, the initial sizing of a HALE(High Altitude Long Endurance) UAV which uses solar power and hydrogen fuel cell as an alternative energy was performed. Instead of a wing box type, a glider type was chosen since it is relatively easy to get a data thanks to many researches abroad. Maximum takeoff weight is around 150Kg and the propulsion system is composed of motor, propeller, solar cell, and hydrogen fuel cell which can be recharged through electrolysis. Maximum takeoff weight was estimated as aspect ratio, wing span, wing area change while considering energy balance of required energy which is necessary for flight during the entire day and available energy which can be taken from the solar cell.