Design and real-time implementation of a robust backstepping non-singular integral terminal sliding mode attitude control for a quadrotor aircraft

This paper concerns the problem of robust attitude control of a quadrotor aircraft subjected to modeling inaccuracies and wind disturbances. First, the model dynamics and state space representation of the quadrotor system are designed by considering the impact of disturbances and uncertainties. Then, a novel robust backstepping non-singular integral terminal sliding mode control (BNITSMC) is synthesized for the quadrotor attitude with the aim of enhancing the tracking accuracy. To strengthen the system’s robustness and guarantee the reachability of the sliding surface while reducing chattering, the supertwisting algorithm (ST) is used. Closed-loop stability and state convergence are guaranteed via the Lyapunov theory. Some experimental flight tests have been executed to validate the workability of the developed flight control. The obtained results prove that the recommended technique can provide improved performance in terms of stabilization and tracking precision.