Analysis & Modelling of Powertrain Components for an Efficient UAV Design

In the design of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), one crucial problem is the flight autonomy of the overall system. The powertrain of electric UAVs, namely: battery, electronic speed controllers, motors and propellers has been analysed to evaluate their effect on the efficiency of the system, and thus the autonomy. Current literature and datasheets on UAV performances, especially on electric motor and propeller, are usually scattered and poor. Two different test benches have been developed to characterize speed controllers, motors and propellers; experimental results have been used to tune motor-propeller numerical models. The proposed work allowed to shade some doubts about the reliability of the available data and validate a model-based design methodology.