UAV feasible path planning based on disturbed fluid and trajectory propagation

In this paper, a novel algorithm based on disturbed fluid and trajectory propagation is developed to solve the three-dimensional (3-D) path planning problem of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in static environment. Firstly, inspired by the phenomenon of streamlines avoiding obstacles, the algorithm based on disturbed fluid is developed and broadened. The effect of obstacles on original fluid field is quantified by the perturbation matrix, where the tangential matrix is first introduced. By modifying the original flow field, the modified one is then obtained, where the streamlines can be regarded as planned paths. And the path proves to avoid all obstacles smoothly and swiftly, follow the shape of obstacles effectively and reach the destination eventually. Then, by considering the kinematics and dynamics equations of UAV, the method called trajectory propagation is adopted to judge the feasibility of the path. If the planned path is unfeasible, repulsive and tangential parameters in the perturbation matrix will be adjusted adaptively based on the resolved state variables of UAV. In most cases, a flyable path can be obtained eventually. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.