Controllability of heterogeneous networked systems for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles

We investigate the controllability of heterogeneous networked systems for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) which are distributed-cooperatively controlled in the leader-follower configuration and with the local distributed communication topology. On the basis of the homogeneous networked control consistency, the dynamic models of the multi-UAV networked systems are obtained. The algebraic graph theory and the traditional control theory are respectively applied to each form of dynamic models for obtaining the controllability condition, and the relations between the controllability and the communication topology in the networked systems. Feasible methods for improving the system controllability are also analyzed and presented. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the correctness of the proposed methods.