Lidé na fakultě
Ing. Tomáš Malich

2024, IEEE Access, 12, p. 109806-109821), ISSN 2169-3536

The increasing diversity of multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) designs poses significant challenges in evaluating their flight characteristics and performance parameters. This is particularly true for commercially available UAVs whose control units do not provide users with data that could be used, for example, to estimate the operational and flight limits of the flight device itself. This study introduces the concept of a mountable device designed to track and assess the flight parameters of quadcopters, independent of the UAV's systems. Specifically, it involves independent monitoring of rotations, flight speed, air pressure, temperature, and drone orientation in space. The device validation involved real flight tests with the IRIS+ quadcopter using the Pixhawk control system, whose data were taken as a benchmark for validation. To demonstrate the applicability and benefits of such a device, the study also created a concept of an operational envelope for the drone, i.e. dependence of thrust on weight, angle of attack and speed. This concept was created using robotic simulation in the Gazebo environment. In the simulations, the IRIS+ device was used to simulate flights with different payload weights (0.9-2.9 lb, approximately 0.4-1.3 kg) and twenty flight speeds (1-20 ms-1), while simultaneously monitoring the angle of attack and motor revolutions (subsequently converted to thrust). The created operational envelope was subsequently validated using data from real flights. The overall results demonstrated the successful validation of the designed device and the accuracy of the measurement of critical flight parameters, with rotation measurement errors ranging between 100-200 RPM, angle of attack error at 4.25°, and altitude measurement error based on pressure at 0.56 m. Additionally, within this concept, the measurement of indicated airspeed was introduced, reflecting the expected flight speed values. In the context of validating the operational envelope, the results showed that the parameters of real flights fell within the predicted area of the created operational envelope for the IRIS+ drone. Independent monitoring devices like this can benefit operational limit determination and other testing purposes, especially for UAVs lacking data-sharing control units.

Článek v periodiku excerpovaném SCI Expanded

2022, 2022 New Trends in Aviation Development (NTAD), Prague, Czechoslovakia Section IEEE), p. 206-212), ISBN 979-8-3503-2036-7

Ergonomically appropriate placement of flight instruments reduces the crew’s workload and reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation of displayed information. There are established instrument layout standards adapted by aircraft manufacturers that allow pilots to more easily transition from one aircraft to another. However, in certain phases of the flight, increased attention of the crew to the external environment is required. However, the instruments are located on the dashboard and the pilot must still switch between the instruments and the view from the cockpit. This problem is partially solved by the Head-mounted display located in front of the windshield. It is thus possible to follow the displayed information while looking ahead. In this respect, the existing Head-mounted display technology could be surpassed by technology implementing augmented reality into glasses (in some cases into a helmet) as a head/helmet-mounted display. The aim of this article is therefore to design an instrument layout for head-mounted devices. An important part is the conducted pilot testing and evaluation of feedback, which was evaluated using a questionnaire survey. The results point to the possibilities of flight information presentation, which could be configured within the possibilities of the available software and at the same time meet the ergonomic concepts and requirements of the pilots.

Stať ve sborníku z prestižní konf. (Scopus)

2021, 2021 International Conference on Military Technologies (ICMT), Praha, IEEE Czechoslovakia Section), ISBN 978-1-6654-3724-0

Simulation technologies have significantly evolved in recent years. Devices providing high fidelity simulation are becoming widely available in many sectors. In transportation, simulators have proven successful in personnel training, modeling nonstandard situations and even in development and research. The primary use of simulation is still focused on educational purposes. The simulated environment provides grounds for monitoring and assessment of trainees' behavior. However, in addition to simulation technologies, other tools must be deployed. These tools record the physiological functions of the trainee and assess psychophysiological conditions. Specific events, such as a stressful situation, can be detected. Similar scientific-related activities may also lead to assessment of perception. This is a complex problem for both evaluation and data collection. Additionally, it puts specific demands on experimental equipment. The presented article describes the development of a flight simulation device that enables the evaluation of the pilots' perception. This solution is based on X-Plane flight simulation engine with virtual reality (VR) and employs eye-tracking, brain activity monitors and heart activity monitors. The cockpit has a modular design and can be adapted to several aircraft types. VR-Gloves are used to interact with actual aircraft controls such as control yoke, thrust levers and even overhead panel switches. This setup creates a real-feel concept when controlling the aircraft. The presented solution is a technology demonstrator and is being tested with aviation training scenarios.

Stať ve sborníku z prestižní konf. (Scopus)

2021, 2021 International Conference on Military Technologies (ICMT), Praha, IEEE Czechoslovakia Section), ISBN 978-1-6654-3724-0

New requirements for classifying unmanned aerial vehicles are forcing institutions as well as manufacturers to devise established procedures and methodologies for testing vehicles. A new possibility of dynamic testing of performance parameters of multicopters is offered in addition to conventional software modeling of flight characteristics and static tests in wind tunnels. This alternative is currently hampered by the problem of flight data collection. This work deals with the design of a complex measuring device specially designed for the testing of the flight characteristics of unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposed modular device provides the user with a flight record containing time-synchronized data showing the linear and angular accelerations achieved by the vehicle during flight, three-axis roll, flight altitude, magnetic course, multicopter speeds, and revolutions of each power unit separately. This work further defines the conditions imposed on the type of tested multicopter (load capacity) and the subsequent need for its balancing. The output of this work is to support the experimental research of dynamic quantification of multicopter performance properties during flight.

Stať ve sborníku z prestižní konf. (Scopus)

2021

Cílem projektu bylo vytvoření konceptu měření, analýzy a vyhodnocení psychofyziologické kondice pilotů jako potenciálního indikátoru selhání v závěrečné fázi přiblížení a přistání na letišti, s hlavním ohledem na analýzu variability srdečního rytmu, kvantifikaci EEG a modelování vizuální percepce. Koncept cílil na zvyšování bezpečnosti letecké dopravy tím, že umožní vyhodnocení psychofyziologické kondice a kognitivních schopností posádky ve fázi letu, která patří mezi nejrizikovější a nejvíce náchylné na nedostatky leteckého personálu. Dosažení konceptu umožní další zlepšování úrovně provozní bezpečnosti v letectví pomocí snížení rizika souvisejícího s jednotlivými úkony při přistání na letišti. Pro tyto účely byl vytvořen simulátor, který je schopen prostřednictvím virtuální reality simulovat let se společným sledováním pohybu očí ve scéně a sběr fyziologických dat. Výzkumná zpráva ukazuje na aktivity spojené s realizací tohoto zařízení, předzpracování zaznamenaných dat/signálů, jejich význam, způsob interpretace těchto dat a v neposlední řadě nastavení experimentálních měření a jejich evaluaci. Projekt probíhal od 06/2019 do 05/2021. V rámci řešení projektu vzhledem k pandemii Covid-19 neměl řešitelský tým kontinuální přístup na pracoviště a nebylo tak možné realizovat některé aktivity v plném, zamýšleném rozsahu. Tato situace trvala od 03/2020 do 03/2021 a dopadla především na měření zahrnující lidské subjekty, jejichž realizace nebyla možná vůbec nebo za velmi omezených podmínek. I přes uvedené problémy, vynaložil řešitelský tým značné úsilí pro úspěšné ukončení projektu a splnění všech závazků s ním spojených.

Oponovaná výzkumná zpráva v češtině

2020, AIAA/IEEE Digital Avionics Systems Conference - Proceedings, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.), ISBN 9781728198255, ISSN 2155-7195

In this paper, we present a complex solution for flight data gathering, analyzation, and visualization. This solution can be used for the Competency-Based Training of pilots in general aviation. For the data gathering, we are introducing a concept of an embedded device. For data analyzation, we are introducing the approach for algorithmic detection of flight maneuvers based on the recorded flight data. There is a multiplatform software application for data visualization. We are also describing the reasons for creating such solutions and potential future uses of our hardware and software products. This paper is mostly describing the important requirements and their implementation regarding the future usage for Competency-Based Training of pilots in general aviation. We are not describing a lot of technical details to keep this paper straightforward and we are mostly focusing on passing the whole idea and benefits of our products.

Stať ve sborníku z prestižní konf.

2019, SAMI 2019 IEEE 17th World Symposium on Applied Machine Intelligence and Informatics - PROCEEDINGS, Prague, Czechoslovakia Section IEEE), p. 181-186), ISBN 978-1-7281-0250-4

This study presents the issue of fatigue and its quantification by the means of psychophysiological indicators. For the purpose of the study, 24 hours experiment was proposed consisting of eight about an hour long simulated IFR flights. Eight students of the Department of Air Transport, Faculty of Transportation Sciences, Czech Technical University in Prague participated in the study, all with comparable theoretical and practical skills. During individual flights, ECG curve was recorded as a heart activity signal. From the ECG signal, individual RR intervals were extracted and subsequently an analysis in three areas was performed: time and frequency analysis and analysis by the means of Pointcaré plot. The acquired data were statistically evaluated and compared. Based on Friedman ANOVA and subsequent post-hoc analysis, statistically significant differences between first and sixth measurement were identified, which corresponded to the circadian low. It is also possible to claim that Pointcaré plot appears as a suitable means for fatigue quantification.

Stať ve sborníku z prestižní konf.

2019, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Military Technologies, Prague, Czechoslovakia Section IEEE), ISBN 978-1-7281-4593-8

The aim of the article is to present a software design for the design and adaptation of flight routes and spaces, or respectively, of the Air Traffic Control sectors. Presented system uses the means of virtual and augmented reality. The functional and non-functional requirements that led to the software design of the introduced system were defined. Functionality has been verified by a partial implementation in C# language. With regard to real visualization in 3D, the future use of the system in air traffic control training is intended. There are also several visions of the future that could fairly change the air traffic control rules. Therefore, it is also intended to make the system flexible enough to be expanded for further applications.

Stať ve sborníku z prestižní konf. (Scopus)