Large Parafoil Guidance Navigation & Control Algorithm Simulation

There are two ways to verify the flying path of parafoil using certain control algorithm: one is plane drop test and the other one is simulation. Using the method of drop test can fetch the precise data of flying path for parafoil, but the cost of human labor and material is very high, while the simulation has the advantages of low cost and less difficulty. But the simulation result will be different from the data fetched by real airdrop experiment because of the uncertainty of atmosphere and parafoil pneumatic characteristic. If the pneumatic model of parafoil can be established by using data fetched by real airdrop test, the accuracy of simulation result will be improved tremendously. Therefore it is an optimal method to verify the accuracy of parafoil control algorithm. The method of simulation analysis for parafoil returning control algorithm was researched in this paper, and the validity and feasibility was illustrated by comparing the simulation data and real drop test data. The wind effect on flying path of parafoil was studied by simulation with different wind directions and velocities. The result shows that the method can improve the design of parafoil for guidance and navigation algorithm. And it's a cost-effective method which is easy to apply. It can provide good reference for the validation, analysis and improvement of control algorithm.