Introduction to Drone or UAV

The design and construction of a surveillance drone, commonly referred to as a quadcopter, involves the
integration of various components and technologies to create a sophisticated aerial platform capable of
capturing and transmitting real-time surveillance data. This endeavor encompasses a diverse array of
disciplines, including mechanical engineering, electronics, software development, and aerodynamics. Key
components of such a drone include the frame structure, propulsion system, flight control unit, camera
module, and communication systems. The frame must be lightweight yet durable, providing stability and
maneuverability during flight. The propulsion system typically comprises four electric motors and
propellers, arranged in a quadcopter configuration, enabling vertical takeoff, hover, and controlled
movement in multiple directions. A flight control unit, equipped with sensors such as gyroscopes and
accelerometers, ensures stability and precise control of the drone’s movements. The camera module is
pivotal for surveillance purposes, often featuring high-resolution imaging capabilities, pan-tilt-zoom
functionality, and infrared sensors for night vision. Integration of communication systems enables real-
time data transmission to ground control stations or remote monitoring stations, facilitating timely
decision-making. Moreover, adherence to regulatory frameworks and safety standards is crucial
throughout the design and construction process to ensure compliance and operational integrity. By
synergizing these diverse elements, the design and construction of a surveillance drone yield a
sophisticated aerial platform capable of enhancing situational awareness and security in various contexts.
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people
for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting them. This can include observation from
a distance by means of electronic equipment (such as CCTV cameras), or interception of electronically
transmitted information (such as Internet traffic or phone calls); and it can include simple, relatively no- or
low-technology methods such as human intelligence agents and interception and aerial surveillance where
drones are applied to relay information and gathering the required data.
This work focuses on a quadcopter type of drone which is uses four rotors for lift, steering, and stabilization.
Unlike other aerial vehicles, the quadcopter can achieve vertical flight in a more stable condition. The
quadcopter is not affected by the torque issues that a helicopter experiences due to the main rotor.
Furthermore, due to the quadcopter‟s cyclic design, it is easier to construct and maintain. In the project
design of a quadcopter is constructed to ensure it can achieve a total flight of 10 minutes in Air with the
possibility of future progress to improve in time and robustness.
This project created a platform to learn about the unmanned aerial vehicles such as the quadcopter. This
expands the scope of the Electrical Engineering to include the control and the understanding of the
mathematical components. The quadcopter has many applications that an interested to develop security
systems, mapping and reconnaissance especially in a disaster and dangerous area. It also opens up the
possibilities to broaden the understanding and application of control systems, stabilization, artificial
Intelligence and computer Image processing as it applies to the quadcopter.
 Any aircraft or flying machine operated without a human pilot such machines is called
an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It can be guided autonomously or remotely by a
human operator using onboard computers and robots.
 During surveillance or military operation, UAVs can be a part of an unmanned aircraft
system (UAS), Drones are separately for air and water
 Drones have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are used for a variety of
purposes, including photography, videography, surveying, inspection, and even delivery.
 But have you ever wondered how drones work? we’ll take a look at the working principle of
drones
 The basic components of a drone are the frame, motors, propellers, battery, flight
controller, and sensors. Let’s take a closer look at each of these components.
 Frame
 Battery
 Flight controllers
 Sensors
 Motors and Propellers:

Subjects for Drone or UAV

Understanding and development of drones depend on many subjects. The design of drone for a
particular application comprises many factors like the aerodynamic shape of propellers, strength
and weight of drone parts, electric motor, electric speed controller, radio transmitter or receiver,
and software interface on mobile or computer for monitoring and data analysis.
 Mechanical Design
 Rigid body dynamics to study the motion and forces acting on drones
 Strength of materials
 Low weight and rigid materials are selected for drone

Electronics and Electrical Components:

 Electric motor with and without brush is required to drive the propellers
 Electronic Speed Controller
 Flight controller unit and computer processors
 Radio Communication: transmitter and receiver for radio signals
 Battery: Low weight and high-power wattage battery is important
 Software-based interface: data collection and analysis using mobile or computer
Working Principle of Drone and Flow Pattern
 The subject of Fluid dynamics plays a significant role in the design and development of
aircraft and drones. This subject consists of the working principle of the aerodynamics of
aircraft.
 A sufficient amount of upward force is required to lift the vehicle against gravity which is
named Lift.
 A force created to move the vehicle or body in motion is called thrust. These forces can be
studied using the kinematic laws of fluid flows

 When air flows over an aerofoil and pressure, viscous and drag force act on the profiles
 Force is directly proportional to the velocity of air at the inlet

 The flow pattern around the cross-section of the aerofoil or propeller is shown below. High
fluid pressure at the bottom and low pressure at the top of the propeller causes an upward
force which is called a lift. This force is responsible for lifting the weight of an aero-plane
or drone.
 The amount of lift force depends on the angle of inclination of the aerofoil or propeller.

 Based on the principle of conservation of energy in fluid flow (Bernoulli’s principle,

the sum of all forms of energy in a fluid is constant along the streamline
  When air flows over an aerofoil or wing, its velocity increases at the top portion. But the
pressure of air decreases.
 In contrast, the air velocity decreases and pressure increase at the bottom side of the blade.
The next pressure difference across the aerofoil results in an upward force which is called a
lift
 CFD modeling of flow over an aerofoil has been important in many vehicular and
aerospace industries

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF A DRONE

Types of drones based on the number of Propellers
A number of propellers are provided to drones. More propellers improve the stability of drones
and load-carrying capacity but such drones need more battery power to drive more motors to get
high power. A quadcopter is a more popular drone.

 Bicopter (2 propellers)
 Triplecopter (3 propellers)
 Quadcopter (4 propellers)
 Hexacopter (6 propellers)
 Octacopter (8 propellers)

Working Principle of Quadcopter

 A quadcopter has four propellers at four corners of the frame
 For each propeller, speed and direction of rotation are independently controlled for
balance and movement of the drone
 In a traditional quadrotor, all four rotors are placed at an equal distance from each other
 To maintain the balance of the system, one pair of rotors rotates in a clockwise direction
and the other pair rotates in an anti-clockwise direction
 To move up (hover), all rotors should run at high speed. By changing the speed of rotors,
the drone can be moved forward, backward, and side-to-side
Quadcopter Dynamics
The movement of drone are classified into four types based on the relation motion between
four propellers:
1) Throttle,
2) Pitch,
3) Roll, and
4) Yaw

 Throttle/ Hover: up and down movement of the drone is called throttle

 If all four propellers run at normal speed, then the drone will move down
 If all four propellers run at a higher speed, then the drone will move up. This is called
the hovering of a drone
 Pitch: movement of a drone about a lateral axis (either forward or backward) is called
pitching motion
 If two rear propellers run at high speed, then the drone will move in a forwarding
direction
 If two front propellers run at high speed, then the drone will move in
the backward direction
 Roll: movement of a drone about the longitudinal axis is called rolling motion
 If two right propellers run at high speed, then the drone will move in the left direction
 If two left propellers run at high speed, then the drone will move in the right direction
 Yawn: the rotation of the head of the drone about the vertical axis (either the left or right)
is called Yawning motion
 If two propellers of a right diagonal run at high speed, then the drone will rotate in an
anti-clockwise direction
 If two propellers of a left diagonal run at high speed, then the drone will rotate in a
clockwise direction
Forces and Moments Acting on a Drone
Major forces acting on a Drone
When a drone moves in the air, various forces act on it. The resultant force will decide its
movement. There are major forces acting on a drone

Weight
 Due to the mass of the drone, the body mass force always acts in the direction of gravity
 Higher the weight of the drone, more power is required to lift and move the drone
 Weight of drone = mass of drone × acceleration due to gravity
 Lift:
 The vertical force acting on the drone is called lift
 This force is due to pressure differences across the drone (in the vertical direction).
Hence, the speed, size, and shape of the propeller blade decide the amount of lift force
 Lift is essential to lift the body against the gravity
 To create this force, all four propellers run at high speed to lift the drone
 Thrust
 The force acting on the drone in the direction of motion is called thrust. However, for
drone dynamics, it is normal to the rotor plane.
 During hovering, the thrust is purely vertical. If thrust is inclined then the drone will tilt
forward or backward.
 This force is essential to move the drone in the desired direction at equal speed
  To get desired motion, two propellers have been given high speed
 Drag
 The force acting on the drone in the opposite direction of motion due to air resistance is
called drag
 This may be because of pressure difference and viscosity of air
 To reduce the drag, the aerodynamic shape of the drone is selected
Kinematic for Quad-copter
 The thrust produced by each propeller is perpendicular to the plane of rotation of
propellers. It is directly proportional to the square of the angular velocity of the propeller
Rigid-body dynamics
 To calculate individual speeds and forces acting on drones, the three-dimensional rigid-
body dynamics should be modeled
 The first step is to identify the reference coordinates, the direction of rotor speed and
forces acting the drones
 For the rigid body, we have to consider the effect of aerodynamic, inertial, gravitational,
and gyroscope
 Aerodynamic Forces: rotation of the propellers in air causes various forces such as
friction and drag
 Secondary aerodynamic effects: blade flapping, ground effect, and local flow fields
 Inertial counter torques: gravitational forces acting at the center of drone affect the
rotation of propellers
 Gyroscopic effects: change in the orientation of drone body and plane rotation of
propellers.

 Based on Newton-Euler equations, all forces and moments acting on a quadcopter are
combined and result in a complete model of the drone dynamics
 This physical model is useful to control the desired motion of the quadcopter
Major Components of Drones
The following are major parts of drones.
1. Frame:
 It should have sufficient strength to hold the propeller momentum and additional weight
for motors and cameras
 Sturdy and less aerodynamic resistance
1. Propellers:
 The speed and load lifting ability of a drone depends on shape, size, and number of
propellers
 The long propellers create huge thrust to carry heavy loads at a low speed (RPM) and
less sensitive to change the speed of rotation
 Short propellers carry fewer loads. They change rotation speeds quickly and require a
high speed for more thrust.
2. Motor
 Both motors brushless and brushed type can be used for drones
 A brushed motor is less expensive and useful for small-sized drones
 Brushless type motors are powerful and energy very efficient. But they need Electronic
Speed Controller (ESC) to control their speed. These brushless motors are widely used
for racing freestyle drones, traffic surveys and aerial photography drones.
 3. ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)
 ESC is used to connect the battery to the electric motor for the power supply
 It converts the signal from the flight controller to the revolution per minted (RPM) of
motor
 ESC is provided to each y motor of the drone
4. Flight Controller (FC)
 It is the computer processor which manages balance and telecommunication controls
using different transmitter
 Sensors are located in this unit for the accelerometer, barometer, magnetometer,
gyrometer and GPS
 The distance measurement can be carried out by an ultrasound sensor
5. Radio Transmitter sends the radio signal to ESC to pilot to control motor speed.
6. Radio Receiver: Received the signal from the pilot. This device is attached to the
quadcopter
7. Battery: High-power capacity, Lithium Polymer (LiPo) is used for most drones. The
battery can have 3S (3 cells) or 4S (4 cells).
 When the pilot or autonomous system gives the drone a command, the flight controller
sends signals to the motors to spin the propellers
 The speed and direction of the motors and propellers are adjusted to achieve the desired
movement. The sensors provide data to the flight controller, which uses it to stabilize the
drone in the air and adjust its movement
 Drones can be controlled manually using a remote controller or programmed to fly
autonomously. Autonomous drones use sensors and pre-programmed instructions to fly to
a specific location, perform a task like taking photos or delivering a package, and return to
their starting point.
How to operate a Drone
 Operating a drone can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to know how
to do so safely and legally
 Here are some general steps to operate a drone:
1.
1. Read the manual: The first step is to read the drone manual carefully, as each drone
model is unique and has its own set of instructions.
2. Register your drone: Depending on your location, you may need to register your
drone with the appropriate authorities.
3. Charge your drone battery: Make sure your drone battery is fully charged before
flying it.
4. Find a suitable location: Choose a location that is open, clear, and away from any
obstacles like trees, buildings, or power lines.
5. Check the weather: Avoid flying your drone in windy or rainy conditions. Check the
weather forecast before flying.
6. Turn on the drone: Turn on the drone and the remote control.
7. Calibrate the drone: Follow the instructions in the manual to calibrate the drone
before flying.
8. Take off: Push the throttle stick slowly and smoothly to take off the drone.
9. Fly the drone: Use the remote control to maneuver the drone in the air. Keep it at a
safe distance from people and property.
10. Land the drone: When you are ready to land the drone, slowly bring it down to the
ground using the throttle stick.
 11. Turn off the drone: After landing the drone, turn off the drone and the remote
control.
Precautions during the Drone Use
 Drones can be a fun and useful tool, but they can also be dangerous if not used properly.
Here are some precautions to keep in mind when using a drone:
1.
1. Know the laws and regulations:
 Before flying a drone, make sure you know the laws and regulations in your area
 This includes any local, state, and federal regulations, as well as any restrictions on
where you can fly your drone.
2. Always keep your drone in sight:
 It’s important to keep your drone within your line of sight at all times
 This will help you avoid collisions with other objects or people.
3. Fly in open areas
 Try to fly your drone in open areas away from people, buildings, and other obstacles
 This will help you avoid accidents and crashes.
4. Respect people’s privacy:
 Don’t fly your drone over private property without permission
 Also, avoid flying your drone close to people’s homes or in areas where people have a
reasonable expectation of privacy.
5. Avoid flying in bad weather:
 Drones are not designed to handle extreme weather conditions like strong winds,
heavy rain, or snow
 Avoid flying your drone in these conditions, as they can cause your drone to crash or
become damaged.
6. Keep your drone in good condition:
 Regularly check your drone for any signs of damage or wear and tear
 Replace any damaged parts before flying.
7. Practice safe battery use:
 Always use the manufacturer’s recommended batteries and charger
 Avoid charging your batteries unattended and never use damaged or swollen
batteries.
8. Be prepared for emergencies: Keep a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher nearby in
case of emergencies. Also, be prepared to land your drone quickly if necessary.
 By following these precautions, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable drone experience
for yourself and others.
Application and Development of Drones
 Drones or UAE has a lot of application in space, defense, and military purposes, delivery of
food items, and spraying of pesticides in farming
 Refer to the post for the application of drones in industries on this website
 Application of drone and scope of CFD modeling

Scope of CFD Modeling for Drone Aerodynamics

 Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predicts the pressure gradient required for lifting a
drone
 The following parameters decide the aerodynamic design of the drone
 Payload of drone
 Number and speed of propellers
  Aerodynamics of propellers
 Spacing between the propellers
 Lift coefficient of drone
 The thrust generated by the drone
 CFD modeling will help to optimize the aerodynamics and applications of drone
Summary
 The working principle of drones is similar to the flying of aero-planes
 The vertical lift force is created due to pressure difference across the rotating blades
 The drag and gravity forces act against its vertical motions
 By controlling the speed and directions of different rotors we can control the motion of the
drone or UAV
 The drone consists of mechanical, electrical, and electronic components
 Drones have many applications in defense and military purposes, space, surveillance,
agriculture, and many more.
 CFD modeling predicts the pressure gradient which is helpful for the aerodynamic design
of the drone
 We have to understand the coordination of several components, including the frame,
motors, propellers, battery, flight controller, and sensors
 The flight controller receives input from the pilot or autonomous system and sends signals
to the motors to control the drone’s movement
 Sensors provide data to the flight controller, which uses it to stabilize the drone in the air
and adjust its movement
 With their versatility and range of applications, drones are likely to become even more
widespread in the years to come.