DRT 335 · 3(2-3-5) · Year/term 3/2

Autopilot and Control Technology

เทคโนโลยีออโตไพลอตและระบบควบคุม

Progress
Notional hours: 150 h (online/self-study 75 · in class/lab 75)

Course description

Autopilot and flight-controller operation, installation, configuration, flight modes, stability control, control tuning, flight-data monitoring, and performance analysis.

Thai description

การติดตั้งและตั้งค่า Autopilot/Flight Controller โหมดการบิน การควบคุมเสถียรภาพ การปรับค่าควบคุม การตรวจสอบ Flight Data และการวิเคราะห์สมรรถนะระบบ

Description source: Curriculum draft (25 Sep 2026)

Course learning outcomes (CLO)

CLOOutcomePLO
CLO1Analyse autopilot cascade control structuresPLO1PLO2
CLO2Estimate state and diagnose the EKFPLO2PLO4
CLO3Tune and verify control performance from logsPLO2PLO4

Learning modules

1Autopilot architecture
Weeks 1–3 · 30 h
1 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

2Cascade control
Weeks 4–6 · 30 h
1 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

3State estimation and EKF
Weeks 7–9 · 30 h
2 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

4Log-based tuning
Weeks 10–12 · 30 h
3 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

5Failsafes and geofences
Weeks 13–15 · 30 h
2 KU

Online (before class) · 15 h

Study the assigned knowledge units in advance, review media and take the module quiz

In class / field · 15 h

Lab or field practice from worksheets with a safety checklist

Learning evidence: Checked worksheets and quiz results

Assessment (draft)

Labs and worksheets35%
Module quizzes10%
Midterm examination20%
Mini-project or practical exam35%

Knowledge domain

Key references

  1. Beard, R. W., & McLain, T. W. (2012). Small unmanned aircraft: Theory and practice. Princeton University Press.
  2. PX4 Autopilot. PX4 user and developer guide. link
  3. ArduPilot Dev Team. ArduPilot documentation. link
  4. Groves, P. D. (2013). Principles of GNSS, inertial, and multisensor integrated navigation systems (2nd ed.). Artech House.