Flapping Wing MAV Design Software Suite

AVID LLC, in partnership with Dr. Rick Lind of the University of Florida, proposes development of an integrated design suite for flapping wing MAVs. Such a tool fills a void present in the existing MAV development process, where new concepts are rarely subject to rigorous engineering analysis and design optimization before construction. Existing software will be extensively leveraged to yield a highly capable tool by the end of Phase I. During Phase I, three main areas will be addressed. First, AVID will develop an aerodynamic analysis tool based on an existing unsteady vortex lattice code with corrections for boundary layer and flow entrainment effects. Second, Dr. Lind will develop a flight dynamics and closed-loop control model, again using existing simulation components. Finally, AVID will integrate the aerodynamics and control modules using the existing AVID OAV vehicle design framework. Flight simulation output will also be linked to the AVID SPOT sensor evaluation tool.