Design and implementation of a rudder and propulsion control system for a USV prototype for the Hydrocontest international competition

Abstract

This paper describes the considerations taken into account in order to design and build an electronic control system to be used on an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), in an effective, versatile and economic way, using Commercial Off-The-Shelf elements, with the intention to participate in one of the most important academic contest in the maritime and nautical network – the Hydrocontest. The control architecture design is based on the requirements imposed by the contest, which is the exclusive use of a 48V Sony® battery to provide energy to a 1.4KW Watt & Sea® engine provided by the organization.

Keywords

• USV
• Hydrocontest
• control system
• electronic control
• steering
• propulsion
• throttle