Written By: Vishal Parvannan
Photo via Unsplash.com
What is a Drone?
A Drone is a small flying robot that can be controlled remotely or autonomously with a software-controlled plan in its system, usually a controller. Drones are used to easily capture overhead pictures of tall objects, such as buildings and homes. Now, companies like Amazon have drones that are capable of sending packages from the warehouse to a person’s home. How are drones able to deliver packages to houses? How are they remotely closed?
Drone Flight
Drones use a propulsion system to create motion and velocity in the air. Drones have multiple high-torque motors, each powering and controlling the speed of the propeller. They usually have 4 motors, called quadcopters, to provide the most stability and balance. By controlling the propeller’s speed, drones generate lift by pushing the air down which allows them to get up in the air. The motors have motion sensors, which are important in stating the drone’s altitude and making the proper adjustments to keep the drone aloft. It’s important to have more than one motor, as it allows the drones to travel in 3D motions.
Stability
While the propulsion system provides motion to the drone, how does the drone maintain stability? The gyroscope is a device used to measure the change in the drone’s angle or axes. A drone, or any aerial device has 3 axes: tilt, yaw, and roll. The Yaw Axis is based on the left/right motion, the Tilt Axis is based on the forward/backward motion, and the Roll Axis is based on the up/down motion. A gyroscope looks at their axes and the drone’s altitude to find the best angular position. An Accelerometer is used along with a gyroscope, as it can calculate the acceleration of the drone (change in velocity). In short, the accelerometer measures linear motion, and the gyroscope measures angular motion so the drone can maintain stability, especially at higher altitudes.
If there are high winds or bad weather, the drone’s flight controller can be used to maintain lift and stability. The controller receives input from the user based on the buttons they click and sends the changes to the drone to make real-time adjustments. A controller is used for personal decisions, like choosing where you want the drone to go and/or how high you want it to go. It uses radio frequencies, measured in GHz, to send commands to the drone. With the controller, the user can adjust speed, altitude, and direction manually. This is very useful in risky scenarios, where the drone cannot see, or does not have an obstacle avoidance sensor.
How do you know where a drone is?
As in the name, the obstacle avoidance sensor scans its surroundings, whether it’s ultrasonic, infrared, or a camera, to detect any obstacles. If seen, the sensor can send a warning to prevent collisions. While more advanced, some drones have this sensor to navigate complex and unknown environments safely. Many cars have this sensor, so it can sense its surroundings and prevent car collisions. Drones also have GPS (Global Positioning System), which allows the drone to know its precise location. This is useful when the drone is lost or in an unknown area. A GPS is mainly used in automated flights when it’s predetermined a specific route to a designated location. The drone may be able to send this data back to the user, including the battery information, location, speed, and even its camera view.
Many drones carry high-quality cameras to take pictures or record videos of things high in the air. The camera can be controlled remotely to see views at specific angles, and a gimbal stabilizer may be used to keep footage steady despite its movements. The camera footage can be used for real estate, roofing, or checking other things that are hard to see.
Conclusion:
When you control a drone, you are able to send commands to the remote control which are then processed by the flight controller to make real-time changes The GPS helps the drone navigate itself and gives the user an understanding of the drone’s surroundings. All these systems work together to make the drone fly in perfect coordination and control, making it useful in photography, surveillance, and delivering packages.
Works Cited
Winters, Ryan. “Drone in Flight: How They Work.” How Do Drones Work, Jamesco, https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/ProductNews/howitworks-drone.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo6A6zhRmsB4XcX20kAcHY3tqgO30GVbIpOqaTlqenWX3gu2II1. Accessed 26 October 2024.