Backstepping-Based Trajectory Control for a Three-Rotor UAV: A Nonlinear Approach for Stable and Precise Flight

Ensuring precise trajectory tracking and stability in unconventional UAVs is a critical challenge in aerial robotics. This paper investigates a three-rotor UAV with complex underactuated dynamics and develops a nonlinear backstepping controller. The UAV model highlights the essential role of onboard sensors, since position and angular velocity measurements are fundamental for feedback and must be continuously exploited by the control law. Using these sensor-based signals in simulation, the proposed controller achieves accurate trajectory tracking, fast convergence, and stable behavior. The study emphasizes that sensor integration is crucial for enabling reliable autonomous flight of unconventional UAVs.