Tugrul Oktay, Metin Uzun and Ozturk Ozdemir Kanat
The purpose of this study is to increase maximum lift/drag ratio (Emax) of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (TUAVs) via applying novel small aerodynamic modifications.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to increase maximum lift/drag ratio (Emax) of tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (TUAVs) via applying novel small aerodynamic modifications.
Design methodology/approach
A TUAV is manufactured in Erciyes University, Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Model Aircraft Laboratory. It has both passive and active morphing capabilities. Its nosecone and tailcone shapes are redesigned to improve Emax. Moreover, active flow control is also built on its wing for improving Emax.
Findings
Using these novel small aerodynamic modifications, considerable improvement on Emax is obtained.
Research limitations/implications
Permission of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey is required for testing TUAVs in real-time applications.
Practical implications
Small aerodynamic modifications such as nosecone-tailcone shape modifications and building active flow control on wing are very beneficial for improving Emax of TUAVs.
Social implications
Small aerodynamic modifications satisfy confidence, high performance and easy utility demands of TUAV users.
Originality/value
The study will enable the creation of novel approaches to improve Emax value and therefore aerodynamic performance of TUAVs.
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This study aims to simultaneously and stochastically maximize autonomous flight performance of a variable wing incidence angle having an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and its…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to simultaneously and stochastically maximize autonomous flight performance of a variable wing incidence angle having an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and its flight control system (FCS) design.
Design/methodology/approach
A small UAV is produced in Iskenderun Technical University Drone Laboratory. Its wing incidence angle is able to change before UAV flight. FCS parameters and wing incidence angle are simultaneously and stochastically designed to maximize autonomous flight performance using an optimization method named simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation. Obtained results are also benefitted during UAV flight simulations.
Findings
Applying simultaneous and stochastic design approach for a UAV having passively morphing wing incidence angle and its flight control system, autonomous flight performance is maximized.
Research limitations/implications
Permission of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkish Republic is necessary for real-time flights.
Practical implications
Simultaneous stochastic variable wing incidence angle having UAV and its flight control system design approach is so useful for maximizing UAV autonomous flight performance.
Social implications
Simultaneous stochastic variable wing incidence angle having UAV and its flight control system design methodology succeeds confidence, excellent autonomous performance index and practical service interests of UAV users.
Originality/value
Creating an innovative method to recover autonomous flight performance of a UAV and generating an innovative procedure carrying out simultaneous stochastic variable wing incidence angle having UAV and its flight control system design idea.
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This research study aims to minimize autonomous flight cost and maximize autonomous flight performance of a slung load carrying rotary wing mini unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e. UAV…
Abstract
Purpose
This research study aims to minimize autonomous flight cost and maximize autonomous flight performance of a slung load carrying rotary wing mini unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e. UAV) by stochastically optimizing autonomous flight control system (AFCS) parameters. For minimizing autonomous flight cost and maximizing autonomous flight performance, a stochastic design approach is benefitted over certain parameters (i.e. gains of longitudinal PID controller of a hierarchical autopilot system) meanwhile lower and upper constraints exist on these design parameters.
Design/methodology/approach
A rotary wing mini UAV is produced in drone Laboratory of Iskenderun Technical University. This rotary wing UAV has three blades main rotor, fuselage, landing gear and tail rotor. It is also able to carry slung loads. AFCS variables (i.e. gains of longitudinal PID controller of hierarchical autopilot system) are stochastically optimized to minimize autonomous flight cost capturing rise time, settling time and overshoot during longitudinal flight and to maximize autonomous flight performance. Found outcomes are applied during composing rotary wing mini UAV autonomous flight simulations.
Findings
By using stochastic optimization of AFCS for rotary wing mini UAVs carrying slung loads over previously mentioned gains longitudinal PID controller when there are lower and upper constraints on these variables, a high autonomous performance having rotary wing mini UAV is obtained.
Research limitations/implications
Approval of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Republic of Türkiye is essential for real-time rotary wing mini UAV autonomous flights.
Practical implications
Stochastic optimization of AFCS for rotary wing mini UAVs carrying slung loads is properly valuable for recovering autonomous flight performance cost of any rotary wing mini UAV.
Originality/value
Establishing a novel procedure for improving autonomous flight performance cost of a rotary wing mini UAV carrying slung loads and introducing a new process performing stochastic optimization of AFCS for rotary wing mini UAVs carrying slung loads meanwhile there exists upper and lower bounds on design variables.
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Tugrul Oktay, Seda Arik, Ilke Turkmen, Metin Uzun and Harun Celik
The aim of this paper is to redesign of morphing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using neural network for simultaneous improvement of roll stability coefficient and maximum…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to redesign of morphing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using neural network for simultaneous improvement of roll stability coefficient and maximum lift/drag ratio.
Design/methodology/approach
Redesign of a morphing our UAV manufactured in Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Erciyes University is performed with using artificial intelligence techniques. For this purpose, an objective function based on artificial neural network (ANN) is obtained to get optimum values of roll stability coefficient (Clβ) and maximum lift/drag ratio (Emax). The aim here is to save time and obtain satisfactory errors in the optimization process in which the ANN trained with the selected data is used as the objective function. First, dihedral angle (φ) and taper ratio (λ) are selected as input parameters, C*lβ and Emax are selected as output parameters for ANN. Then, ANN is trained with selected input and output data sets. Training of the ANN is possible by adjusting ANN weights. Here, ANN weights are adjusted with artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm. After adjusting process, the objective function based on ANN is optimized with ABC algorithm to get better Clβ and Emax, i.e. the ABC algorithm is used for two different purposes.
Findings
By using artificial intelligence methods for redesigning of morphing UAV, the objective function consisting of C*lβ and Emax is maximized.
Research limitations/implications
It takes quite a long time for Emax data to be obtained realistically by using the computational fluid dynamics approach.
Practical implications
Neural network incorporation with the optimization method idea is beneficial for improving Clβ and Emax. By using this approach, low cost, time saving and practicality in applications are achieved.
Social implications
This method based on artificial intelligence methods can be useful for better aircraft design and production.
Originality/value
It is creating a novel method in order to redesign of morphing UAV and improving UAV performance.
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The purpose of this paper is to improve autonomous flight performance of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having actively sweep angle morphing wing using simultaneous UAV and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve autonomous flight performance of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having actively sweep angle morphing wing using simultaneous UAV and flight control system (FCS) design.
Design/methodology/approach
An UAV is remanufactured in the ISTE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Laboratory. Its wing sweep angle can vary actively during flight. FCS parameters and wing sweep angle are simultaneously designed to optimize autonomous flight performance index using a stochastic optimization method called as simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA). Results obtained are applied for flight simulations.
Findings
Using simultaneous design process of an UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design, autonomous flight performance index is maximized.
Research limitations/implications
Authorization of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey is crucial for real-time UAV flights.
Practical implications
Simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design process is so beneficial for recovering UAV autonomous flight performance index.
Social implications
Simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design process achieves confidence, high autonomous performance index and simple service demands of UAV operators.
Originality/value
Composing a novel approach to improve autonomous flight performance index (e.g. less settling and rise time, less overshoot meanwhile trajectory tracking) of an UAV and creating an original procedure carrying out simultaneous UAV having actively sweep angle morphing wing and FCS design idea.
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Gayatri Panda, Manoj Kumar Dash, Mahender Singh Kaswan and Rekha Chaudhary
The study aims to analyze the relationship between teachers’ information and communication technology (ICT) efficacy and the ICT environment in teaching-learning. For this, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyze the relationship between teachers’ information and communication technology (ICT) efficacy and the ICT environment in teaching-learning. For this, the current research attempts to explore and understand the role of ICT factors in higher education and develop a framework for future researchers to gain a substantial understanding of the teachers' ICT efficacy and ICT environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Teachers’ ICT efficacy has been analyzed in three domains, i.e. technological, content and pedagogical. The ICT environment is measured on training aspects, ICT tools and administrative support. The researcher adopted purposive sampling as a part of the non-probability sampling technique. The questionnaire was circulated among the experts through e-mail to collect the required response sheets. The experts are working in different academic institutes in India, primarily from premier institutes of the country. It covers all the regions of the country, and 22 experts are taken in the research study for collecting the data. The study uses the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method to explore the link among identified factors and criteria through the expert’s opinion method to achieve the set objectives within the Indian context.
Findings
The results indicate that the content efficacy of a teacher is pivotal to providing sound teaching-learning using digital tools and techniques. The developed model, measuring the cause-effect relationship based on the role of ICT efficacy of teachers in delivering teaching, will enable academic organizations to frame policies and strategies that will focus on enhancing teachers' competencies towards self and organizational growth.
Originality/value
The present research is one of the pioneering works that investigates the factors of ICT in higher education.
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Mahmoud Ahmad Mahmoud, Shuhymee Ahmad and Donny Abdul Latief Poespowidjojo
The purpose of this study is to extend the existing literature on the relationship between psychological empowerment and individual performance (IP) through the mediating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to extend the existing literature on the relationship between psychological empowerment and individual performance (IP) through the mediating role of intrapreneurial behaviour (IB). Therefore, the empowerment theory (ET) and psychological entrepreneurship theory (PET) were integrated to nurture the IP of medium enterprises (MEs) production/operations managers by analyzing the mediating influence of IB on the psychological empowerment–IP relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey method was engaged by means of self-administered questionnaire. Data were collected from a sample of 355 MEs production/operations managers and analysed with partial least square (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
According to the results, Psychological empowerment (PE) has a significant direct relationship with both IB and IP. Equally, IB has a positive significant impact on IP. Moreover, the mediating influence of IB on the psychological empowerment–IP relationship was established.
Practical implications
The result implies that MEs can stimulate the IP of production/operations managers by encouraging IB through psychological empowerment–IP relationship. Therefore, the psychological empowerment–IP relationship will manifest better when IB is invigorated among production/operations managers.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to examine the mediating influence of IB on the psychological empowerment–IP relationship, which revealed a significant contribution to both entrepreneurship and organizational behaviour literature. The IB literature is relatively lacking, particularly among developing countries and in particular Nigeria.