Advanced Control Strategies for Securing UAV Systems: A Cyber-Physical Approach

• Published in: Applied system innovation 2024-10, Vol.7 (5), p.83
• Main Authors: Ale Isaac, Mohammad Sadeq, Flores Peña, Pablo, Gîfu, Daniela, Ragab, Ahmed Refaat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptive algorithms; Adaptive control; Adaptive systems; Algorithms; Analysis; Anomalies; Communication; Control algorithms; Control stability; Control systems; Control theory; cyber-physical approach; Cybersecurity; Data integrity; Denial of service attacks; Drone aircraft; Drones; Energy consumption; Fault tolerance; Field tests; Jamming; Laws, regulations and rules; non-linear control; Real time; Reconfiguration; Robust control; Safety and security measures; Security; Simulation; Simulation methods; Sliding mode control; SMC; Spoofing; Surveillance; Systems stability; Threat evaluation; Threats; UAV; Unmanned aerial vehicles
• ISSN: 2571-5577; 2571-5577
• DOI: 10.3390/asi7050083

This paper explores the application of sliding mode control (SMC) as a robust security enhancement strategy for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. The study proposes integrating advanced SMC techniques with security protocols to develop a dual-purpose system that improves UAV control and fortifies against adversarial actions. The strategy includes dynamic reconfiguration capabilities within the SMC framework, allowing adaptive responses to threats by adjusting control laws and operational parameters. This is complemented by anomaly detection algorithms that monitor deviations in control signals and system states, providing early warnings of potential cyber-intrusions or physical tampering. Additionally, fault-tolerant SMC mechanisms are designed to maintain control and system stability even when parts of the UAV are compromised. The methodology involves simulation and real-world testing to validate the effectiveness of the SMC-based security enhancements. Simulations assess how the UAV handles attack scenarios, such as GPS spoofing and control signal jamming, with SMC adapting in real-time to mitigate these threats. Field tests further confirm the system’s capability to operate under varied conditions, proving the feasibility of SMC for enhancing UAV security. This integration of sliding mode control into UAV security protocols leverages control theory for security purposes, offering a significant advancement in the robust, adaptive control of UAVs in hostile environments.