Dr Boyang Li

Dr Boyang Li

Lecturer in Aerospace Systems Engineering

School of Engineering

Career Summary

Biography

Dr Boyang Li is currently a Lecturer in Aerospace Systems Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Newcastle. Between 2020 and 2023, he was a Research Assistant Professor at the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), where he founded the Autonomous Aerial Systems Laboratory (AASL). Before that, he had been a postdoctoral researcher at the Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI), Nanyang Technology University (NTU), Singapore and the Soft Systems Group, University of Edinburgh, UK during 2019 and 2020. He received a PhD degree at the High-speed Thermo-fluid and MAV/UAV Laboratory (HTML) of PolyU, Hong Kong and the B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), China.

Dr Li's scholarly pursuits are characterized by a commitment to innovation and advancement in uncrewed aerial vehicle/uncrewed aircraft systems (UAV/UAS) technology. His exploration spans the following areas:

  1. Nonconventional UAV Configurations: Dr Li is interested in pioneering new frontiers in UAV design, with a particular emphasis on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configurations like tail-sitter, which push the boundaries of aerodynamic engineering and redefining the possibilities of aerial mobility.
  2. Flight Dynamics Integration and Advanced Control: Dr Li aim for the seamless integration of intricate flight dynamics with state-of-the-art control methodologies such as model predictive control (MPC). By synergistically merging these disciplines, he targets to elevate flight performance and unlock enhanced maneuverability and responsiveness.
  3. Aerial Robotic Path/Trajectory Optimization: Through meticulous analysis and optimization techniques, he strives to amplify the autonomy and efficiency of aerial systems, charting a trajectory toward more streamlined and sophisticated aerial operations.
  4. Empirical Advancements through Field Experiments: Dr. Li's dedication to tangible impact is palpable through his engagement in field experiments involving both aerial and underwater robotic systems. These hands-on investigations serve as a testament to his commitment to bridging theoretical insights with real-world applications, driving innovation from conception to practical realization.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Hong Kong Polytechnic
  • Master of Engineering, Northwest Polytechnical University

Keywords

  • Field Robotics
  • Flight Dynamics and Control
  • Mobile Robotics
  • Model Predictive Control
  • Trajectory Optimization
  • Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Languages

  • Chinese, nec (Mother)
  • English (Fluent)

Fields of Research

Code Description Percentage
400103 Aircraft performance and flight control systems 40
400105 Flight dynamics 20
400706 Field robotics 40

Professional Experience

UON Appointment

Title Organisation / Department
Lecturer in Aerospace Systems Engineering University of Newcastle
School of Engineering
Australia

Academic appointment

Dates Title Organisation / Department
1/7/2020 - 16/1/2023 Research Assistant Professor The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering
Hong Kong
1/7/2019 - 14/6/2020 Research Associate in Robotics for Extreme Environments University of Edinburgh
School of Engineering
United Kingdom
1/1/2019 - 30/6/2019 Research Fellow Nanyang Technological University
Air Traffic Management Research Institute
Singapore

Teaching

Code Course Role Duration
AERO2000 Aircraft Performance and Operations
The University of Newcastle 		Tutor 1/2/2023 - 31/12/2025
AERO3000 Flight Dynamics
Univerisity of Newcastle 		Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/2/2023 - 1/1/0001
AAE4202 Electronics & Information Technologies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Hong Kong Polytechnic University 		Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/1/2020 - 31/12/2022
ME578 Aircraft Design
Hong Kong Polytechnic University 		Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/1/2020 - 31/12/2022
AERO4600 Automatic Flight Control Systems
The University of Newcastle 		Course Coordinator and Lecturer 1/2/2023 - 1/1/0001
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Publications

For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.

Journal article (23 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2024 Hu Y, Li B, Jiang B, Han J, Wen C-Y, 'Disturbance Observer-Based Model Predictive Control for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle', Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 12 (2024) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/jmse12010094
2023 Zhang H, Li B, Li B, Yang C, 'Influence of Propeller Parameters on the Aerodynamic Performance of Shrouded Coaxial Dual Rotors in Hover', Aerospace, 10 859-859 [C1]
DOI 10.3390/aerospace10100859
Citations Scopus - 1
2022 Sayed ME, Roberts JO, Donaldson K, Mahon ST, Iqbal F, Li B, et al., 'Modular Robots for Enabling Operations in Unstructured Extreme Environments', ADVANCED INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, 4 (2022) [C1]
DOI 10.1002/aisy.202000227
Citations Web of Science - 6
2022 Chen S, Zhou W, Yang A-S, Chen H, Li B, Wen C-Y, 'An End-to-End UAV Simulation Platform for Visual SLAM and Navigation', AEROSPACE, 9 (2022) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/aerospace9020048
Citations Scopus - 20Web of Science - 7
2022 Jiang B, Li B, Zhou W, Lo L-Y, Chen C-K, Wen C-Y, 'Neural Network Based Model Predictive Control for a Quadrotor UAV', AEROSPACE, 9 (2022) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/aerospace9080460
Citations Scopus - 17Web of Science - 4
2022 Hu H, Li B, Yang W, Wen C-Y, 'A Novel Multispectral Line Segment Matching Method Based on Phase Congruency and Multiple Local Homographies', REMOTE SENSING, 14 (2022) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/rs14163857
Citations Scopus - 2
2021 Gabl R, Davey T, Cao Y, Li Q, Li B, Walker KL, et al., 'Hydrodynamic loads on a restrained ROV under waves and current', OCEAN ENGINEERING, 234 (2021) [C1]
DOI 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109279
Citations Scopus - 23Web of Science - 10
2021 Li J, Xie H, Low KH, Yong J, Li B, 'Image-Based Visual Servoing of Rotorcrafts to Planar Visual Targets of Arbitrary Orientation', IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS, 6 7861-7868 (2021) [C1]
DOI 10.1109/LRA.2021.3101878
Citations Scopus - 10Web of Science - 2
2021 Chu Y, Ho C, Lee Y, Li B, 'Development of a Solar-Powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Extended Flight Endurance', DRONES, 5 (2021) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/drones5020044
Citations Scopus - 28Web of Science - 14
2021 Feng Y, Tse K, Chen S, Wen C-Y, Li B, 'Learning-Based Autonomous UAV System for Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) Device Inspection', SENSORS, 21 (2021) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/s21041385
Citations Scopus - 15Web of Science - 10
2021 Lo L-Y, Yiu CH, Tang Y, Yang A-S, Li B, Wen C-Y, 'Dynamic Object Tracking on Autonomous UAV System for Surveillance Applications', SENSORS, 21 (2021) [C1]
DOI 10.3390/s21237888
Citations Scopus - 38Web of Science - 16
2020 Sun J, Li B, Wen C-Y, Chen C-K, 'Model-Aided Wind Estimation Method for a Tail-Sitter Aircraft', IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AEROSPACE AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS, 56 1262-1278 (2020)
DOI 10.1109/TAES.2019.2929379
Citations Scopus - 14Web of Science - 9
2020 Li B, Sun J, Zhou W, Wen C-Y, Low KH, Chen C-K, 'Transition Optimization for a VTOL Tail-Sitter UAV', IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS, 25 2534-2545 (2020)
DOI 10.1109/TMECH.2020.2983255
Citations Scopus - 36Web of Science - 18
2020 Cao Y, Li B, Li Q, Stokes AA, Ingram DM, Kiprakis A, 'A Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller for Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles With Disturbance Rejection', IEEE ACCESS, 8 158622-158634 (2020)
DOI 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3020530
Citations Scopus - 29Web of Science - 18
2020 Zhou W, Chen S, Chang C-W, Wen C-Y, Chen C-K, Li B, 'System Identification and Control for a Tail-Sitter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in the Cruise Flight', IEEE ACCESS, 8 218348-218359 (2020)
DOI 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3042316
Citations Scopus - 8Web of Science - 3
2020 Gabl R, Davey T, Cao Y, Li Q, Li B, Walker KL, et al., 'Experimental force data of a restrained rov under waves and current', Data, 5 1-16 (2020)

Hydrodynamic forces are an important input value for the design, navigation and station keeping of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The experiment investigated the fo... [more]

Hydrodynamic forces are an important input value for the design, navigation and station keeping of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The experiment investigated the forces imparted by currents (with representative real world turbulence) and waves on a commercially available ROV, namely the BlueROV2 (Blue Robotics, Torrance, USA). Three different distances of a simplified cylindrical obstacle (shading effects) were investigated in addition to the free stream cases. Eight tethers held the ROV in the middle of the 2 m water depth to minimise the influence of the support structure without completely restricting the degrees of freedom (DoF). Each tether was equipped with a load cell and small motions and rotations were documented with an underwater video motion capture system. The paper describes the experimental set-up, input values (current speed and wave definitions) and initial processing of the data. In addition to the raw data, a processed dataset is provided, which includes forces in all three main coordinate directions for each mounting point synchronised with the 6DoF results and the free surface elevations. The provided dataset can be used as a validation experiment as well as for testing and development of an algorithm for position control of comparable ROVs.

DOI 10.3390/data5030057
Citations Scopus - 23Web of Science - 14
2020 Li Q, Cao Y, Li B, Ingram DM, Kiprakis A, 'Numerical Modelling and Experimental Testing of the Hydrodynamic Characteristics for an Open-Frame Remotely Operated Vehicle', JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 8 (2020)
DOI 10.3390/jmse8090688
Citations Scopus - 14Web of Science - 7
2020 Chang C-W, Chen S, Wen C-Y, Li B, 'An Actuator Allocation Method for a Variable-Pitch Propeller System of Quadrotor-Based UAVs', SENSORS, 20 (2020)
DOI 10.3390/s20195651
Citations Scopus - 3Web of Science - 1
2019 Zhou W, Li B, Sun J, Wen C-Y, Chen C-K, 'Position control of a tail-sitter UAV using successive linearization based model predictive control', CONTROL ENGINEERING PRACTICE, 91 (2019)
DOI 10.1016/j.conengprac.2019.104125
Citations Scopus - 19Web of Science - 10
2018 Sun J, Li B, Wen C-Y, Chen C-K, 'Design and implementation of a real-time hardware-in-the-loop testing platform for a dual-rotor tail-sitter unmanned aerial vehicle', MECHATRONICS, 56 1-15 (2018)
DOI 10.1016/j.mechatronics.2018.10.001
Citations Scopus - 30Web of Science - 19
2018 Li B, Zhou W, Sun J, Wen C-Y, Chen C-K, 'Development of Model Predictive Controller for a Tail-Sitter VTOL UAV in Hover Flight', SENSORS, 18 (2018)
DOI 10.3390/s18092859
Citations Scopus - 42Web of Science - 29
2016 Li B, Jiang Y, Sun J, Cai L, Wen C-Y, 'Development and Testing of a Two-UAV Communication Relay System', SENSORS, 16 (2016)
DOI 10.3390/s16101696
Citations Scopus - 53Web of Science - 15
2016 Sun J, Li B, Jiang Y, Wen C-Y, 'A Camera-Based Target Detection and Positioning UAV System for Search and Rescue (SAR) Purposes', SENSORS, 16 (2016)
DOI 10.3390/s16111778
Citations Scopus - 156Web of Science - 94
Show 20 more journal articles

Conference (7 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2023 Lo LY, Li B, Wen CY, Chang CW, 'Landing a Quadrotor on a Ground Vehicle without Exteroceptive Airborne Sensors: A Non-Robocentric Framework and Implementation', IEEE Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Proceedings, ITSC, Bilbao, Spain (2023) [E1]
DOI 10.1109/ITSC57777.2023.10422652
2022 Ahmad M, Li B, 'A Comparative Analysis of Turbulence Models in FLUENT for High-Lift Airfoils at Low Reynolds Number', 2022 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (ICUAS), Dubrovnik, CROATIA (2022) [E1]
DOI 10.1109/ICUAS54217.2022.9836229
2021 Cao Y, Li B, Li Q, Stokes A, Ingram D, Kiprakis A, 'Reasoning Operational Decisions for Robots via Time Series Causal Inference', 2021 IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION (ICRA 2021), PEOPLES R CHINA, Xian (2021)
DOI 10.1109/ICRA48506.2021.9561659
Citations Scopus - 3Web of Science - 1
2019 Lim C, Li B, Ng EM, Liu X, Low KH, 'Three-dimensional (3D) Dynamic Obstacle Perception in a Detect-and-Avoid Framework for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles', 2019 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (ICUAS' 19), GA, Atlanta (2019)
DOI 10.1109/icuas.2019.8797844
Citations Scopus - 10Web of Science - 8
2018 Li B, Zhou W, Sun J, Wen CY, Chen CK, 'Model predictive control for path tracking of a VTOL tail-sitter UAV in an HIL simulation environment', AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference, 2018 (2018)

This paper investigates the application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for path tracking of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tail-sitter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in h... [more]

This paper investigates the application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for path tracking of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tail-sitter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in hovering. In this work, the nonlinear dynamic model of a quad-rotor tail-sitter UAV including the aerodynamic effect of the wing, propellers, and slipstream was developed. The cascaded MPC controllers were then built upon linearized dynamic models. Path tracking simulations were conducted in a hardware-in-loop (HIL) environment where the UAV model and controllers were running on a PC and a flight computer independently. The simulation results show that the proposed MPC controllers are capable to perform good path tracking and the ability of disturbance rejection under limited on-board computation resource.

DOI 10.2514/6.2018-1919
Citations Scopus - 25
2017 Sun J, Li B, Shen L, Chen CK, Wen CY, 'Dynamic modeling and hardware-in-loop simulation for a tail-sitter unmanned aerial vehicle in hovering flight', AIAA Modeling and Simulation Technologies Conference, 2017 (2017)

This paper presents a hardware-in-loop (HIL) simulation method for a tail-sitter vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) ... [more]

This paper presents a hardware-in-loop (HIL) simulation method for a tail-sitter vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) dynamic model for the tail-sitter vehicle is obtained with an aerodynamic database. An HIL simulation environment is developed that is capable of real-time dynamic simulation and supports a robot operating system (ROS)-based open-source autopilot. An independent ROS package is developed for data communication between a simulator and flight control computer. The hardware-in-loop setup is an indispensable tool for both hardware and software design of the control system for tail-sitter vehicles.

DOI 10.2514/6.2017-0811
Citations Scopus - 15
2014 Li B, Song B, Wang L, 'A three-dimensional flapping wing mechanism for wind tunnel experiments', 29th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, ICAS 2014 (2014)

For the experimental study about aerodynamic characteristics of flapping wings,especially the unsteady flow at low Reynolds number, a kind of flapping wing mechanism which could a... [more]

For the experimental study about aerodynamic characteristics of flapping wings,especially the unsteady flow at low Reynolds number, a kind of flapping wing mechanism which could achieve complex insect or bird wing kinematics was developed. The design is based on two dual-differential four-bar mechanism and the movement of the wings revolving around 3 axes can be controlled separately. Force and moment measurements were obtained from six-component transducers which are fixed at the root of each wing. A set of control-measure software based on LabVIEW was developed. By accurately control of six brushless motors with this software,different kinds of composite movements can be carried into effect on the wings. The wing with skin and the wing without skin were flapped at the same frequency and kinematics and the two resultant forces were subtracted in order to get the pure aerodynamic forces. The single degree-of-freedom (DOF) and three degrees-of-freedom flapping experiments are conducted in the opening section of a wind tunnel. The aerodynamic forces are compared. The results show that this system is suitable for the future comprehensive wind tunnel experiments to develop high efficient flapping wing and wing kinemics.
Show 4 more conferences

Dataset (2 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2022 Li B, 'Dataset: QUADROTOR TAIL-SITTER UAV FLIGHT LOG', . IEEE (2022)
2020 Li B, 'Dataset Experimental Force Data of a Restrained ROV under Waves and Current', . University of Edinburgh. Institute for Energy Systems (2020)

Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)

Year Citation Altmetrics Link
2019 Li B, Model predictive hover control and transition optimization for a tail-sitter unmanned aerial vehicle, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2019)
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Grants and Funding

Summary

Number of grants 3
Total funding $42,300

Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.

20241 grants / $4,800

Course Development Funding$4,800

Funding body: College of Engineering, Science and Environment (CESE), University of Newcastle

Funding body College of Engineering, Science and Environment (CESE), University of Newcastle
Scheme College of Engineering, Science, & Environment (CESE) Course Development Funding
Role Lead
Funding Start 2024
Funding Finish 2024
GNo
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON N

20232 grants / $37,500

Research Start-up Fund$22,500

Funding body: Univeristy of Newcastle

Funding body Univeristy of Newcastle
Scheme Start-up Fund
Role Lead
Funding Start 2023
Funding Finish 2024
GNo
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON N

The Lab2Field RuralAI Kit - Real-time realization of hierarchical federated learning through in-field modular & portable sensor clusters$15,000

Funding body: The University of Newcastle

Funding body The University of Newcastle
Project Team

Shaleeza Sohail, Harish Devaraj, Boyang Li, Melanie Ooi
Scheme The University of Newcastle and The University of Waikato Partnership Seed Fund
Role Investigator
Funding Start 2023
Funding Finish 2023
GNo
Type Of Funding Internal
Category INTE
UON N
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Research Supervision

Number of supervisions

Completed2
Current0

Past Supervision

Year Level of Study Research Title Program Supervisor Type
2022 Masters Information-based Task Adaptation and Path Planning under Linear Temporal Logic Mechanical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Sole Supervisor
2022 Masters Multispectral and Multi-type Feature Matching as Informative Guidance for Photogrammetry and Computer Vision Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Sole Supervisor
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Research Collaborations

The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.

Country Count of Publications
Hong Kong 22
Taiwan, Province of China 11
United Kingdom 6
Australia 4
China 4
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Dr Boyang Li

Position

Lecturer in Aerospace Systems Engineering
Aerospace Systems, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
School of Engineering
College of Engineering, Science and Environment

Contact Details

Email boyang.li@newcastle.edu.au
Phone (02) 4055 0828
Mobile 0434 813 987
Fax (02) 4921 6946
Link Personal webpage

Office

Room ES-339
Building Engineering Science
Location Callaghan
University Drive
Callaghan, NSW 2308
Australia
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