The Nonlinear Systems Lab (NSL)

NSL equipment:

  • Two dSPACE DS1103 data acq. and control systems
  • Assorted benchtop nonlinear control systems
  • Two custom eSPAARO fixed-wing unmanned aircraft
  • Assorted COTS fixed-wing and multirotor aircraft
  • Assorted avionics systems (autopilots, multi-hole and vaned air data units, RTK GPS units, etc.)
  • Four Inertial Labs RESEPI units with LIVOX Lidar
  • One (shared) RemTech PA-XS Sodar

 

This variable-speed control moment gyroscope simulates a spacecraft actuator.

VSCMG
This variable-speed control moment gyroscope simulates a spacecraft actuator.

The VT Underwater Glider uses a buoyancy lung powered by compressed air.

VT Underwater Glider
The VT Underwater Glider uses a buoyancy lung powered by compressed air.

A spinning planar pendulum with controllable offset.

Spinning pendulum
A spinning planar pendulum with controllable offset.

Other resources and affiliations:

The eSPAARO unmanned aircraft can carry a 10 lb payload for 45 minutes.

eSPAARO Unmanned Aircraft
The eSPAARO unmanned aircraft can carry a 10 lb payload for 45 minutes.

An RMRC Mako equipped with a 5-hole probe to measure 3-component air velocity.

Mako with Air Probe
An RMRC Mako equipped with a 5-hole probe to measure 3-component air velocity.

Multicopters such as this 3DR Solo serve a variety of roles in NSL research.

3DR Solo
Multicopters such as this 3DR Solo serve a variety of roles in NSL research.
dSPACE DS1103
A dSPACE DS1103 Data Acquisition and Control System allows Matlab/Simulink-based control design and implementation.

A more complete list of facilities available within the Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering can be found here: http://www.aoe.vt.edu/research/facilities.html