Hybrid metaheuristic NNHGS algorithm for PID controller tuning in UAVs

Authors

  • Nadia Samantha Zuñiga-Peña Area académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6791-5393
  • Salatiel García-Nava Departamento de Eléctrica y Electrónica, Instituto Tecnológico de Pachuca, Pachuca de Soto, Mexico.
  • Norberto Hernández-Romero Area académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9942-306X
  • Juan Carlos Seck-Tuoh-Mora Area académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Hidalgo, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3678-1120

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61467/2007.1558.2027.v18i1.1510

Keywords:

Metaheuristics algorithms, Neural networks, Hunger Games Search Algorithm, Unmanned aerial vehicles, Algoritmos metaheurísticos, redes neuronales, algoritmo Hunger Games Search, vehículos aéreos no tripulados

Abstract

Controller tuning for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is a challenging task due to their nonlinear and coupled dynamics. This study validates the hybrid Neural-Network Hunger Games Search (NNHGS) algorithm, which integrates a Kohonen neural network with the Hunger Games Search (HGS) metaheuristic to dynamically adapt the search space during optimization. The proposed method is applied to optimize the PID controller parameters for UAV trajectory-tracking. Simulation results demonstrate that NNHGS converges faster and achieves lower root-mean-square error (RMSE) than the conventional HGS algorithm. Moreover, the optimized PID controller significantly reduces oscillations and improves trajectory-tracking accuracy, including under abrupt trajectory changes. The adaptive search capability provided by the Kohonen network enhances the exploration–exploitation balance, leading to more robust and efficient optimization. These findings confirm the effectiveness of NNHGS as a reliable approach for improving PID controller tuning and enhancing the performance, robustness, and tracking accuracy of UAVs in nonlinear operating conditions.

 

Spanish-language metadata / Metadatos en español
Título en español:
Algoritmo metaheurístico híbrido NNHGS para el ajuste de controladores PID en UAV

Resumen:
El ajuste de controladores para vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAV) constituye una tarea compleja debido a su dinámica no lineal y acoplada. Este estudio valida el algoritmo híbrido Neural-Network Hunger Games Search (NNHGS), que integra una red neuronal de Kohonen con la metaheurística Hunger Games Search (HGS) para adaptar dinámicamente el espacio de búsqueda durante el proceso de optimización. El método propuesto se aplica a la optimización de los parámetros de un controlador PID para el seguimiento de trayectorias de UAV.

Los resultados de simulación demuestran que NNHGS converge más rápidamente y alcanza un menor error cuadrático medio (RMSE) que el algoritmo HGS convencional. Asimismo, el controlador PID optimizado reduce significativamente las oscilaciones y mejora la precisión del seguimiento de trayectorias, incluso ante cambios abruptos en estas. La capacidad de búsqueda adaptativa proporcionada por la red de Kohonen mejora el equilibrio entre exploración y explotación, lo que conduce a una optimización más robusta y eficiente. Estos resultados confirman la eficacia de NNHGS como un enfoque fiable para mejorar el ajuste de controladores PID y aumentar el rendimiento, la robustez y la precisión del seguimiento de los UAV en condiciones de operación no lineales.

Palabras Claves:
Algoritmos metaheurísticos, redes neuronales, algoritmo Hunger Games Search, vehículos aéreos no tripulados.

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Published

2026-09-21

How to Cite

Zuñiga-Peña, N. S., García-Nava, S., Hernández-Romero, N., & Seck-Tuoh-Mora, J. C. (2026). Hybrid metaheuristic NNHGS algorithm for PID controller tuning in UAVs. International Journal of Combinatorial Optimization Problems and Informatics, 18(1), 50–59. https://doi.org/10.61467/2007.1558.2027.v18i1.1510

Issue

Section

ITP 55 Anniversary Special Issue