1. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRONICS AND
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (IJECET)
ISSN 0976 – 6464(Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online)
Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October, 2013, pp. 187-191
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijecet.asp
Journal Impact Factor (2013): 5.8896 (Calculated by GISI)
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IJECET
©IAEME
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV)
Mr. Prithvish Mamtora1, Mr. Sahil Shah2, Mr. Vaibhav Shah3, Mr. Vatsal Vasani4
D. J. Sanghvi College
Mumbai
ABSTRACT
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are the logical successors to modern aircraft and
advancements in automated technology. The current generation of UAV’s is focused on wartime
capabilities and reconnaissance, leaving an existing market untapped by UAV technology: the
commercial field. There are hundreds of applications for UAV technology in the civilian market,
from emergency response applications and media outlets to communication technicians and
horticulturalists. The vehicle can even act as a path guider in normal case and as a fire extinguisher
in emergency. This project will help generate interests as well as innovations in the fields of
unmanned vehicles, thereby working towards a practical and obtainable solution to save lives and
mitigate the risk of property damage.
Keywords: Delta mixing, ESC+BEC, Tx/Rx module.
[1]. INTRODUCTION
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a.k.a a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot on
board. Its flight is controlled either autonomously by computers in the vehicle or under the remote
control of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle. UAV has many applications besides the
military applications with which "drones" became most associated. Numerous civil aviation uses
have been developed, including aerial surveying of crops, acrobatic aerial footage in filmmaking,
search and rescue operations, inspecting power lines and pipelines, and counting wildlife, business
advertisements, etc.
A small scale UAV can be designed using EPP foam, 2.4 GHz Transmitter & Receiver (Tx/Rx),
brushless motor, servos, Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). The UAV makes use of elevon(delta)
mixing which reduces the hardware requirements and complexity in designing the model. The small
scale UAV can be used for commercial aerial surveillance, remote sensing, scientific research, etc.
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2. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
[2]. REQUIRED HARDWARE
List of hardware
• 2.4 GHz Tx/Rx (Mode 2-Throttle on the left) with delta mixing.
• 24x36 sheet of 30mm EPP Foam.
• Two Micro Metal Gear 9g servos.
• 2200kV brushless out-runner motor
• 2200mA 3S1P 30C Lithium polymer (LiPo) battery.
• 40A ESC with inbuilt battery eliminator circuit(BEC)
• Propeller with diameter 6 inch and pitch 4 inch (6x4).
• Balsa Wood
[3]. BLOCK DIAGRAM
Fig 1 Block Diagram
[4]. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION
Brushless Out-runner Motor: It is a synchronous motor that is powered by a DC electric
source via an integrated switching power supply, which produces an AC electric signal to drive
the motor.
Electronic Speed Controller with Battery Eliminator Circuit(ESC): It is an electronic
circuit with the purpose to vary an electric motor's speed, its direction and possibly also to act
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3. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
as a dynamic brake. The ESCs with built in BEC are engineered so that the current to power the
radio system in the UAV is drawn from the Li-Po battery (that also powers the brushless
motor). This saves weight as no separate battery is required to be installed to power the radio.
Lithium Polymer battery: Lithium-ion polymer battery is a rechargeable (secondary cell)
battery. It is usually composed of several identical secondary cells in parallel to increase the
discharge current capability, and is often available in series configuration to increase the total
available voltage.
Servo: A servo is a specific type of motor and rotary encoder combination that forms a
servomechanism. The encoder provides position and usually speed feedback, which by the use
of a PID controller allow more precise control of position and thus faster achievement of a
stable position.
2.4 GHz 4 Channel Tx/Rx: It performs the function of transmitting and receiving
communication signals used to control any system. It has a range of 1 kilometer radius and
comes with 4 channels which are used to control different components connected to the
receiver (eg. servos, speed controller, etc.).
[5]. SYSTEM DESIGN
Model design
Wingspan: 28 Inches (71.12cm)
Length: 29.4 Inches (74.68cm)
Weight (including electronics components) : 880.23grams
The UAV body is built using 30mm EPP foam and balsa wood. EPP form and balsa wood are the
best materials used to build UAV chassis because they are extremely light weight and sturdy. The
EPP foam can be cut using a hot guitar string and a regular cutter or blade can be used to cut
balsa wood. The top view of the chassis is shown in figure 1. The side view of UAV tail section
is shown in figure 2.
Figure 1: Top view of UAV chassis
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4. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
Adjusting the weight of the electronic components to meet the center of gravity criteria is of
paramount importance. The approximate locations of electronic components are shown in figure 1.
Figure 2: Side View of Tail Section
Care must be taken to avoid more than 30 degree angle rotation of elevon on either side. The
thrust plates are used for balancing and elevons are used to navigate the UAV. When both the
elevons point upwards the UAV gains height whereas when both the elevons point downwards the
UAV loses height. When left elevon point downwards and right elevon point upwards the UAV will
take a left turn whereas when left elevon point upwards and right elevon point downwards the UAV
will take a right turn. This technique used to navigate the UAV by using elevons alone is known as
delta mixing (also known as elevon mixing).
[6]. CONCLUSION
In this paper the procedure to built UAV has been perspicuously stated. The small scale UAV
is cost effective and has many applications in various fields.
[7]. APPLICATIONS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Remote sensing
Commercial aerial surveillance
Domestic policing and patrolling
Oil, gas and mineral exploration and production
Transport of goods
Scientific research
Search and rescue operation
Forest fire detection
[8]. FUTURE SCOPE
In the future, UAVs may be able to perform a variety of unique tasks apart from what they
are capable of today. Engineers are currently working to produce remotely piloted UAVs that are
capable of air to air combat, aerial refueling, combat search and rescue with facial recognition, and
resupply to agents on the ground.
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http://www.gizmag.com/tag/uav/
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