Case Study: Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University implements and validates Arduino-based UAV flight control with MathWorks Simulink

Embry-Riddle Students and Gulfstream Engineers Design and Implement Embedded Flight Control Systems on the Arduino Platform

Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University needed a way for aerospace students to apply guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) theory in real flight tests without spending an entire semester on low‑level C programming and sensor interfacing. Working with MathWorks tools—MATLAB and Simulink—the team (including Gulfstream engineers studying at Embry‑Riddle) confronted the challenge of integrating and calibrating ArduPilot/Arduino sensors while still delivering a complete flight control design, simulation, and implementation within a single course.

Using MathWorks’ Simulink and its support for target hardware, the students and engineers implemented an ArduPilot Mega Simulink blockset that wraps sensor interface code and enables model‑based design, closed‑loop simulation, and direct deployment to Arduino‑compatible ArduPilot hardware. With MathWorks tools they completed iterative Simulink-in-the‑loop simulations, refined controllers from flight data, flew six test flights and demonstrated autonomous navigation through a 12‑waypoint course. The project restored focus on core GNC concepts (no C required for students), allowed control laws to be verified in simulation before flight, and is now used in Embry‑Riddle courses and research.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Hever Moncayo

Assistant Professor