Unmanned helicopters are increasing their capabilities daily at the time they are becoming able to perform a wide range of industrial and research operations. This technology permits the performance of professional operations in a more efficient and safe way than manned systems, making it a perfect solution to optimize production and yield in many industries.

Veronte for all unmanned helicopter layouts

Veronte Autopilot has been designed for the autonomous control of any aircraft layout, including the most diverse configurations of unmanned helicopters. Thanks to the flexibility available on flight phase and control channel configuration, Veronte Autopilot permits to control helicopter type aircrafts in any of its configurations. Some of the most common configurations of unmanned helicopters compatible with Veronte Autopilot are:

Standard Configurations

This is the most common and best known type of helicopter. It installs two rotors: the main rotor is installed in horizontal position over the helicopter and provides the required lift and thrust, while the tail rotor is installed in vertical position in the tail of the unmanned helicopters, counteracting the torque exerted by the main rotor and enabling left and right yaw control.

Double Rotor in Tandem

These helicopters are intended for operation with relatively heavy loads. It has two horizontal main rotors that provide more powerful thrust and lift than are available in unmanned helicopters with a single main rotor. The helicopter torque effect is neutralized because the two rotors rotate in opposite directions, and the left or right yaw control is controlled by tilting rotors in opposite directions.

Double Intermeshing Rotors

This kind of helicopter also provides high vertical force, which permits the transport of heavy loads. The main advantage of these systems is that both rotors are close and superimposed with “V” axes, having a very precise intermeshing to avoid that both rotors collide. Torque and yaw control is achieved just as in tandem-rotor unmanned helicopters.

Coaxial Rotors

This kind of helicopter includes two main rotors sharing the same axis. It can maneuver in small spaces where other helicopters can’t. Vertical thrust is in between non-coaxial bi-rotors and single main-rotor helicopters. Torque control is achieved in the same way it is achieved on unmanned helicopters with tandem or intermeshing rotors, while left and right yaw control is achieved by changing the inclination of leaves.

Hybrid Helicopters

These unmanned helicopters can fly horizontally, like an airplane, and vertically, like a helicopter. It is able to maneuver, land, and take off in difficult access spaces in the same way a helicopter would at the time; it has the high speed and autonomy of fixed-wing aircraft. This versatility can be achieved in various ways: retractable wings and one main rotor, wing installing rotors with full wing rotation, rotor rotation,… In this case, torque and yaw control is achieved with the combination of the above methods and custom devices installed on aircraft.

Advanced Functionalities in the Control of Unmanned Helicopters

Veronte Autopilot 1x provides advanced functionalities and an easy-to-use system for aircraft and payload control, improving the capabilities of unmanned helicopters. Veronte permits the installation of different types of infrared, multispectral, and vision cameras in order to perform monitoring and surveillance functions in industries such as construction, mining, gas and oil pipelines, etc.

Through the Veronte Pipe user interface, the operator can configure the autopilot to adapt performance to the specific needs of the operation and to the unmanned helicopter layout. Configurable flight phases make it possible to define custom behaviors in the system. The autopilot or operator will switch among them during the operation. Some of the most common flight phases are: takeoff, landing, climb, cruise, hover, flight in fixed direction,… The system also permits to define PIDs and control channels so it becomes possible to customize the control for each platform. Veronte permits to define the different control variables, as well as the actuators that must act to control each of them, maximizing system capabilities.

VTOL aircraft applications may require different performance, making control of Yaw a key factor in achieving mission objectives. Versatility in Veronte Autopilot permits to define yaw control in unmanned helicopters, being some possible examples: Fixed yaw in a given magnetic direction, variable yaw in the direction of the path, variable yaw pointing a moving target,…

Available adaptive control in Veronte plays a very important role in the control of unmanned helicopters for the transport of relatively heavy loads. On applications such as parcel delivery or the dispersion of plant protection agents, adaptive control permits the system controller to automatically adjust during the flight so it always works at the optimal rate for the cargo loaded in the helicopter.