Design of a Waypoint Tracking Control Algorithm for Parachute-Payload Systems

This paper describes the development of an automatic control algorithm and a waypoint navigation approach for a parachute payload system. A model is developed and the effectiveness of the controller architecture using classical control methods and waypoint navigation is demonstrated. Simulation results show that an introduced waypoint update criteria for the heading reference allows to obtain sufficient waypoint tracking. Simulation results are performed under varying wind conditions.