UAS Design Progress: Week 2 Insights on Systems Testing

Module 7 Progress Report Group 7 Embry Riddle Aeronautical University ENGR 101-Introduction to Engineering Pat Damon May 7, 2023

Module 7 Progress Report This week, we will explore and document various systems components of the UAS regarding the customer’s statement of needs. We tested various components on three potential subsystems to determine the metrics that will assist with our final design. We determined that the antenna, camera, and sensors components had minimum impact on the chassis’ payload and power. Therefore, we can focus on increased capability by making payloads and power trade-offs to finalize our design. Summary The three chassis that were tested were: Tern-Fixed Wing, Gannet Rotary Wing, and Octorotor. Out of the three chassis, we found that the tern- fixed wing and the Gannet rotary performed the best with a 2-stroke engine when combined with the GCS trailer. When it came to the Octorotor, we found that it relied heavily on electrical power alone to provide thrust. Below are images of the chassis/engine combinations that were tested. Team Members : Daniel Bailey - Various tests on the Gannet Rotary Wing Nicholas Lane - Various tests on the Condor Octorotor

Quaneisha Johnson - Introduction/Abstract. Various tests on Tern Fixed Wing chassis Design 1/Tests submitted by Quaneisha Johnson Engine, Endurance, and Electrical Fig.1 Battery options for Tern Fixed-Wing with 2-Stroke Engine Figure 1 shows two battery options for the Tern Fixed-Wing chassis. Both options include a 2-stroke gas engine and a full tank of fuel. The 2- stroke engine’s payload is 1200g. The left image shows the chassis with a 10000mAh battery. The payload of all three components is 3678.76g. In addition, 126 minutes of flight can be maintained at a max power of 250A. The image on the right shows the same build with a 5600mAh battery. We noticed that the payload decreased by 6 grams when adding the 5600mAh battery. Although the endurance of 126 minutes remained unchanged, the chassis would only have a max power of 140A.

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Fig. 2 Battery Options for Tern Fixed-Wing Chassis with Electric Engine Figure 2 shows two battery options for the Tern Fixed-Wing with an electric engine. Both options are selectable with an electric motor and a full fuel tank. The payload of the electric machine with no excess weight is 395g. The left image shows the combination with a 10000mAh battery. When adding this battery, the payload increased to 595g with only 5 minutes of endurance. In addition, the electrical showed only 110A out of 250A. The combined payload of the electric engine, full tank of fuel, and 1000mAh battery was 2823.76g. The image on the right shows the same combination with a 5600mAh battery. When adding the 5600mAh battery, the payload of the chassis decreased by 6 grams. This battery only had 3 minutes of endurance with a power of 110A out of 140A. We determined that the total fuel tank did not affect the endurance and electric components. Payloads, Sensors & Cameras

Fig. 3 Two camera options for the Tern fix-wing chassis. Figure 3 shows two builds with the same 2- stroke engine, max fuel level, and 10000mAh battery. In addition, both creations share the same 100W generator, auto control, sensors, and communication characteristics. The two images shown are the difference in payload when using an EO camera with a gimbal versus the Infrared Sensor with a gimbal. The left image shows the build combination using an EO camera with a gimbal, and the image on the right demonstrates the chassis with an infrared sensor camera. Although the infrared sensor camera caused a decrease in payload availability by 1130g, the infrared capability of this camera would best assist in the search and rescue of lost hikers. Fig. 4 Complete build of Tern-Fixed Wing with a 2-stroke engine

Figure 4 shows a complete build of a Tern fixed-wing chassis. The Tern fixed-wing is demonstrated with a 2-stroke engine, a 10000mAh battery, and 100 % fuel. In addition, generators, sensors, cameras, and antennas were added to this build. Both 80W and 100W generators weighed 190g. We found that both generators caused a payload decrease of 10 grams. Therefore, we determine that the 100W will best maximize the power output. Although the EO camera with a gimbal was a lighter option than the infrared camera, we believed that the infrared camera provided the best capabilities to detect hikers in low invisibility. In addition, the auto control (GPS), temperature sensor, compass, and GPS module were added to provide directional and navigational assistance in terrain environments. Communications Fig. 5 Communication options for Tern Fixed Wing Figure 5 shows two communication options for the Tern Fixed-Wing. The left image shows the GCS trailer with a large dipole dish. Although this option

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provided the best communication range for Figure 4’s combination, it is less portable to relocate if needed for SAR assistance. The image on the right shows the GCS chassis man-portable unit. This option only gives a 50 % comms range versus the GCS trailer. In addition, the chassis’ payload availability also decreased when using this option. Regarding the customer’s SON, the man-portable comms range of 1400m may increase the search time for lost hikers. Although the GCS trailer is not as portable, it may be the best option to effectively assist the National Forest Service. Design 2/ Test submitted by Daniel Bailey Design 2 idea uses Gannet Rotary Wing. This design meets the criteria for being small and transportable. Design 2 is a better rover because it has long communication ranges vs. Gadfly Quadrotor and Condor Octortor. Out of our three options for the rover, this is by far the heaviest, but that is also good for reliability. Also, despite the heaviness, it has some of the best endurance in the rover class. This frame is always very good at low to middle-height flying, and with the capabilities of ERUA, we can tailor this frame to match the requirements set forth by National Forest Services. The Gannet temporary wing uses an internal combustion engine, allowing 59 minutes of flying time. This model is significantly adapted to learning in problematic environmental areas Figure 1- Gannet Rotary-Wing Essentials components

Figure 1 Shows the Gannet Rotary wing with only the essentials. The essentials to fly include an engine, 25 % gas, infrared camera to meet daytime and nighttime capturing. Also, we attached a battery to use with the GSP that is required to meet spec. Last, a dipole to communicate back to the pilot because the payload doesn’t change with the change to an antenna. So, the total weight with all this is 3667.47 grams. Using the ERUA hub I was able to determine some recommendations against just using the essentials. My team recommendation is recommending a full gas tank to increase endurance from 16 to 64 minutes. Also, I recommend adding data-collecting sensors and all the bells and whistles to enhance the search. This addition will include temperature and pressure sensors, a generator, and possibly even lidar. All these play an essential role in recovery and will have little effect on flight performance. The payload with all attached is 6309.52 grams, and keep in mind the endurance wasn’t affected at all with these changes. UAV Chassis: Gannet Rotary-wing Flight 1 Figure 2 shows the flight test of the Gannet Rotary wing at 14 MPS(Meters Per-second). The current equipment attached is GPS, which all of you are aware of, and what's cool about this one is it also shows the latitude and longitude of the device if it ever fails. We also attached the Temperature Sensor to understand the changes in aircraft efficiency. High temperature

leads to electrical problems and such in reserves with lower temperatures. It also gives us an understanding of where the missing person might travel based on that temperature. We also added sensors and cameras. These sensors are pressured to control the aircraft and give data to the black box in cases of crashes. These sensors receive power from batteries which for this frame offers ERUA enterprise extreme 5600 or ERA powerhouse 10,000. Both of these volts will be able to sustain 22 volts. To charge these batteries, you'll need either an 80 or 100-watt generator, both will work for this frame, but the 100-watt will be able to provide a little more in critical situations. Design 3 / Test submitted by Nicholas Lane This design uses the Condor Octorotor as the main chassis for its construction. With this design being very light and smaller in size than the previous designs, it allows very high transportability (See Figure 1). Its main flaw is in its endurance, which is only 15 minutes of flight time. However, this can be negated if extra batteries or chargers are packed, which also don't weigh much when compared to larger rovers. This style of rover also offers a very high maneuverability rating in the air, it can move in any direction on a dime and adjust with very fine detail. This UAV relies on electrical power alone to provide thrust and cannot be fitted with gasoline motors for flight. This may seem like a drawback, but the immediate torque provided by these

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electric motors allows for the drone to get airborne almost instantly. They are also much lighter than gas motors. Figure 1 - Condor Octorotor in design with additional components In this figure above you see the Condor outfitted with all the chosen equipment. The condor only requires 4 onboard systems to fly. The electric motors, a control system, an antenna, and a battery. For the Specific Condor in Figure 1, the chosen components were tested and added to ensure the needs of its rescue mission were met.

Figure 2 - Condor Flight Test The engines provided differ only in aesthetics so either choice did not make a difference. For the purpose of this experiment, the x8 black electric motors were chosen. The control system is a manual one to ensure that the user can make adjustments and scope areas as needed without having to provide specific flight data while in the field. This drone is also fitted with an IR camera for locating heat signatures and identifying hikers with ease and a LiDAR camera for mapping terrain for extraction and rescue. A pressure sensor, compass, and GPS have also been added to ensure rescue operations have data to reach the hikers with ease. For the battery, the ERA Powerhouse 10000 was chosen due to its ability to provide the highest endurance and most amperage for the drone. A dipole was added for its communication system as it makes transmitting and receiving more seamless in rugged environments. To send the signal a portable GCS is best suited as it provides real-time analysis of the terrain and

any data collected by the drone at up to 500 meters. Figure 3 - Condor LiDAR terrain scan In summary, the drone ended up with only 3624.98 grams of its 11000 maximum takeoff capacity, 500 meters of communication range, and 15 minutes of endurance. Although Condor is nowhere near the most enduring of the drones, it allows for quick setup, takedown, and portability that matched its extremely useful terrain scanning equipment. This drone is suited for rescue operations that require quick and decisive action.

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Group 7 Week 2 Progress Report

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