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Autonomous Aerospace Systems

Alfredo Renga, Domenico Accardo, and Giancarmine Fasano

The course aims to provide the knowledge needed to design and develop efficient driving and navigation solutions for autonomous vehicles.

Driving can be strategic or tactical while navigation is the function that provides information about the position, speed and orientation of the vehicle. It is made by integrating measurement from different sources, such as sensors and receivers.

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What's inside

Syllabus

System Representation of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). UAS System Architecture. Simulation Models
Introduce the concept of Unmanned Air Vehicle UAV and Unmanned Aircraft System UAS
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Recommended for anyone interested in autonomous vehicles
Taught by instructors with impeccable reputations in autonomous vehicle research
Provides a strong foundation for beginners in autonomous vehicle development
Covers the latest principles and techniques in autonomous vehicle navigation
Focuses on practical applications, making it relevant to industry professionals
Hands-on exercises and projects reinforce the learning experience

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Reviews summary

Robust foundation in aerospace autonomy

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and robust foundation in Autonomous Aerospace Systems, making complex topics like integrated navigation (GPS/INS), obstacle detection, and autopilot design accessible. Students often praise the clarity of the explanations and the instructor's expertise. While the course provides strong theoretical understanding, some reviews indicate that a solid background in mathematics and control systems is beneficial for fully grasping the advanced concepts. The course is largely seen as highly relevant for professionals in the field, though a few wish for more practical hands-on examples or software demonstrations.
Requires prior knowledge in math and control systems.
"A strong background in mathematics and control systems is definitely recommended to fully benefit from this course."
"I struggled a bit with some of the more advanced topics, realizing I needed to brush up on my differential equations and control theory first."
"While the course is great, I would advise anyone taking it to have a solid foundation in linear algebra and system dynamics."
Highly relevant for professionals in aerospace and robotics.
"As an aerospace engineer, I found the content directly applicable to my work in UAV development."
"This course is highly relevant for anyone looking to work in autonomous vehicles or drone technology."
"The topics covered are very current and essential for understanding modern aerospace automation."
Instructor effectively explains complex topics with great clarity.
"The instructor was excellent at explaining complex topics clearly, making it much easier to follow the material."
"I found the lectures on GPS/INS and dead reckoning particularly clear and easy to understand thanks to the instructor."
"The professor's ability to break down difficult concepts into digestible parts really helped my learning process."
Course provides a strong theoretical grounding in autonomous systems.
"This course provides a very solid theoretical background on autonomous aerospace systems, which I found invaluable."
"I appreciated the depth of the concepts covered, especially regarding guidance models and integrated navigation."
"The theoretical underpinning of UAS architecture and autopilot design was very well explained, giving me a strong foundation."
Course emphasizes theory, with less hands-on practical application.
"While excellent theoretically, I wished for more practical, hands-on examples or simulations of autonomous systems."
"The course is very strong on the 'how it works' conceptually, but could use more 'how to implement it' in practice."
"I was hoping for more coding examples or software demonstrations to apply the concepts learned directly."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Autonomous Aerospace Systems with these activities:
Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Gain a comprehensive overview of autonomous vehicle technology and its policy implications for a deeper understanding of the field.
View Autonomous Vehicle Technology: A Guide for... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book to gain foundational knowledge
  • Summarize the key concepts
Compile notes and assignments for review
Improve retention and understanding by organizing and reviewing course materials.
Show steps
  • Gather notes, assignments, and quizzes
  • Organize and categorize the materials
  • Review the materials regularly
3Blue1Brown series on linear algebra
Watch the 3Blue1Brown series on linear algebra to strengthen your understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts used in path following and guidance.
Browse courses on Linear Algebra
Show steps
  • Watch the videos in order
  • Take notes on the key concepts
  • Pause the videos to work through examples
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Participate in peer discussions on system representation of unmanned aircraft systems
Gain multiple perspectives on system representation in UAS by engaging in discussions with peers.
Show steps
  • Join online forums or discussion boards
  • Pose questions and share insights on system representation
  • Review and respond to discussions
Create a presentation on integrated navigation systems
Develop a deep understanding of integrated navigation systems by creating a presentation on their components and operations.
Show steps
  • Research different types of integrated navigation systems
  • Design a presentation outline
  • Create visual aids and supporting materials
  • Practice presenting the material
Follow tutorials on obstacle detection and tracking
Enhance knowledge of obstacle detection and tracking by exploring tutorials and applying them to simulation scenarios.
Browse courses on Obstacle Detection
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials on obstacle detection and tracking
  • Select a tutorial and follow its instructions
  • Apply the techniques learned in the tutorial to simulation scenarios
Flight Simulation and Analysis
Explore flight simulation platforms and analyze real-world flight data to gain insights into aircraft behavior and control
Browse courses on Flight Simulation
Show steps
  • Explore flight simulators (e.g., X-Plane, Microsoft Flight Simulator) and their capabilities.
  • Import real-world flight data (e.g., from NASA or EUROCONTROL) and analyze it.
  • Correlate simulator behavior with actual aircraft performance to identify areas for improvement.
Practice path following algorithms
Practice path following algorithms to improve your understanding of how to guide autonomous vehicles along desired paths.
Show steps
  • Implement a basic path following algorithm
  • Test the algorithm on different path shapes
  • Compare the performance of different algorithms
Perform practice drills on autopilot design
Practice designing autopilots to improve understanding of control systems in autonomous aircraft.
Show steps
  • Review principles of autopilot design
  • Develop simulations for different autopilot designs
  • Test and compare the performance of different autopilot designs
Design and Simulation of an Autopilot System
Develop and simulate an autopilot system to enhance your understanding of control theory and aircraft dynamics
Show steps
  • Design an autopilot system using MATLAB/Simulink or other suitable software.
  • Implement control algorithms for guidance, navigation, and control.
  • Simulate the autopilot system under various flight conditions.
  • Evaluate the performance and stability of the autopilot system.
Design a navigation system for a specific autonomous vehicle
Design a navigation system for a specific autonomous vehicle to apply your knowledge of sensor integration, obstacle detection, and path planning.
Show steps
  • Identify the requirements of the navigation system
  • Select and integrate appropriate sensors
  • Design a path planning algorithm
  • Implement and test the navigation system
Mentor a team of students in an autonomous vehicle project
Mentor a team of students in an autonomous vehicle project to reinforce your knowledge and develop leadership skills.
Browse courses on Autonomous Vehicles
Show steps
  • Identify a team of students to mentor
  • Provide guidance on project planning and execution
  • Review and provide feedback on their work
  • Support them in troubleshooting and problem-solving

Career center

Learners who complete Autonomous Aerospace Systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Systems Engineer
A Systems Engineer is responsible for managing the development and implementation of new systems within an organization. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course, with its focus on topics such as system representation of unmanned aircraft systems and autopilot design, can be highly valuable to a Systems Engineer working with autonomous aerospace systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineers design, develop, and test aircraft, spacecraft, and other related systems. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course can provide Aerospace Engineers with the knowledge they need to design and develop autonomous aerospace systems. The course covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, develop, and test robots and autonomous systems. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course can provide Robotics Engineers with the knowledge they need to design and develop autonomous aerospace systems. The course covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer
Control Systems Engineer
Control Systems Engineers design and develop control systems for a variety of applications, including autonomous vehicles. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course can provide Control Systems Engineers with the knowledge they need to design and develop control systems for autonomous aerospace systems. The course covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Control Systems Engineer
Mechatronics Engineer
Mechatronics Engineers design and develop systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course can provide Mechatronics Engineers with the knowledge they need to design and develop autonomous aerospace systems. The course covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and test software systems. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Software Engineer working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to an Electrical Engineer working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design, develop, and test mechanical systems. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Mechanical Engineer working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer
Computer Engineer
Computer Engineers design, develop, and test computer systems. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Computer Engineer working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Engineer
Avionics Engineer
Avionics Engineers design, develop, and test avionics systems for aircraft. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to an Avionics Engineer working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Avionics Engineer
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts analyze and design systems to meet the needs of an organization. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Systems Analyst working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems in a variety of industries. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to an Operations Research Analyst working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Data Scientist working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze business processes to identify areas for improvement. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Business Analyst working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Management Analyst
Management Analysts study and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations. The Autonomous Aerospace Systems course may be helpful to a Management Analyst working on autonomous aerospace systems, as it covers topics such as driving and navigation solutions, guidance models, and integrated navigation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Management Analyst

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Autonomous Aerospace Systems.
Cover image
Aircraft Control and Simulation
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the guidance and control of aerospace vehicles. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Aircraft Control and Simulation: Dynamics, Controls...
Hardcover
$$$$
Aircraft Control and Simulation: Dynamics, Controls...
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Small Unmanned Aircraft
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Small Unmanned Aircraft: Theory and Practice
Hardcover
$$$
Small Unmanned Aircraft: Theory and Practice
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Jet Engines
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the aerospace propulsion systems. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Jet Engines: Fundamentals of Theory, Design and...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Robot Modeling and Control
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the control of robot manipulators. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Robot Modeling and Control
Hardcover
$$$
Robot Modeling and Control
Kindle Edition
$$$$
Cover image
Robotics, Vision and Control
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the robotics, vision and control. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Robotics, Vision and Control: Fundamental...
Paperback
$$
Robotics, Vision and Control: Fundamental...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Computer Vision
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the computer vision. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Computer Vision
Paperback
Check
Computer Vision
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Concurrent NumPy in Python
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the deep learning for computer vision. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Concurrent NumPy in Python: Faster NumPy With BLAS,...
Paperback
$$
Concurrent NumPy in Python: Faster NumPy With BLAS,...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Reinforcement Learning, second edition
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the reinforcement learning. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An...
Hardcover
$$$
Reinforcement Learning, second edition: An...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Flight Simulation Software
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of flight simulation. It valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous aerospace systems.
Flight Simulation Software
Paperback
Check
Flight Simulation Software
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
2-3 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
Università di Napoli Federico II
Instructors
Alfredo Renga
Domenico Accardo
Giancarmine Fasano
Language
English
This course belongs to a collection called Autonomous Vehicle Engineering. It's comprised of three courses:
  1. A quick tour on Big Data and Business Intelligence
  2. Modelling and simulation of mechanical systems
  3. Autonomous Aerospace Systems (viewing)
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Recommended for anyone interested in autonomous vehicles
Taught by instructors with impeccable reputations in autonomous vehicle research
Provides a strong foundation for beginners in autonomous vehicle development
Covers the latest principles and techniques in autonomous vehicle navigation
Focuses on practical applications, making it relevant to industry professionals
Hands-on exercises and projects reinforce the learning experience
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