Unleashing the Secrets of Multicopter Design And Control Practice: The Ultimate Guide

In recent years, the popularity and utility of multicopters have skyrocketed. These versatile flying machines have found applications ranging from aerial photography and videography to delivery services and inspections of inaccessible areas. With advancements in technology and the availability of more affordable components, building and controlling your own multicopter has become an achievable feat for many enthusiasts.

So, let's dive into the fascinating world of multicopter design and control practice, where engineering meets creativity!

Understanding Multicopter Design

Before we delve into the intricacies of multicopter control practice, it is essential to comprehend the underlying design principles. A multicopter typically consists of a frame, motors, propellers, electronic speed controllers (ESCs),flight controller, and various sensors.

Multicopter Design and Control Practice: A Series Experiments based on MATLAB and Pixhawk

by Don Lincoln(1st ed. 2020 Edition, Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	139960 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	673 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

The frame forms the structural backbone, providing stability and support for the entire system. It is crucial to choose a frame that suits the intended use and payload capacity of the multicopter. Materials like carbon fiber and lightweight aluminum are commonly used to ensure optimal strength-to-weight ratios.

The motors attached to the frame are responsible for generating the lifting force required to keep the multicopter airborne. When selecting motors, factors like power output, efficiency, and weight should be considered. Ensuring proper matching with the propellers is also essential for achieving optimal performance.

Propellers play a critical role in multicopter flight, as they create thrust by inducing air pressure differences. Various factors, including diameter, pitch, and blade design, influence the performance of the propellers. Balance and weight distribution across the multicopter are vital for stability during flight.

The ESCs, connected to each motor, regulate the rotation speed by adjusting the power supplied. These electronic devices interpret the commands from the flight controller and govern the rotational speed of the motors. It is crucial to choose high-quality ESCs to ensure precise and responsive control.

The flight controller acts as the "brain" of the multicopter, processing sensor data and sending commands to the ESCs. This central processing unit (CPU) utilizes algorithms to stabilize and control the multicopter, ensuring a smooth and reliable flight experience. Nowadays, flight controllers often incorporate advanced features like GPS, providing more autonomous capabilities.

Sensors like accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and barometers provide real-time data to the flight controller, aiding in stabilization and flight control. These sensors enable the multicopter to adjust to changing environmental conditions and maintain stability.

The Practice of Multicopter Control

Now that we have a better understanding of multicopter design, let's explore the practice of controlling these incredible machines. Aspiring multicopter enthusiasts often start with a basic understanding of remote control (RC) systems, which allow them to pilot their creations.

RC transmitters, commonly referred to as remotes, are used to send control signals to the multicopter. These transmitters communicate with the multicopter's receiver, which relays the instructions to the flight controller. Through this communication, pilots can control the multicopter's movements, such as ascending, descending, turning, and hovering.

Understanding the different flight modes is essential for mastering multicopter control. The most common modes include manual, stabilizing, altitude hold, and autonomous. In manual mode, the pilot has complete control over the multicopter's movements, giving them the freedom to perform intricate maneuvers. Stabilizing mode, on the other hand, uses sensors and algorithms to stabilize the multicopter, making it easier to fly.

Altitude hold mode allows the multicopter to maintain a specific altitude without user intervention. This mode is particularly useful for capturing aerial footage or conducting inspections where a constant altitude is required. Autonomous mode takes multicopter control to new heights, allowing the machine to follow pre-programmed flight paths or perform complex tasks without manual input.

Flight controllers often offer various customization options, enabling pilots to fine-tune their multicopters for specific applications and personal preferences. Adjusting parameters like responsiveness, stability, and maximum tilt angle allows users to optimize their multicopters' performance.

The Future of Multicopter Design and Control Practice

Multicopter design and control practice will continue to evolve as technology advances and new possibilities emerge. Researchers and engineers are constantly exploring innovative ways to enhance the performance, efficiency, and safety of these flying machines.

One area of exciting development is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms into multicopter control systems. AI-based control can enable autonomous decision-making, obstacle avoidance, and adaptability to changing environments, revolutionizing applications such as delivery services and inspections.

Additionally, advancements in materials science may lead to the development of lighter yet stronger components, further improving the flight performance and payload capacity of multicopters. Efforts are also underway to increase battery efficiency and explore alternative power sources, allowing for longer flight times and reduced environmental impact.

, multicopter design and control practice offer a thrilling combination of engineering and creativity. By understanding the fundamental principles of multicopter design and mastering the art of control, enthusiasts can unlock the full potential of these incredible flying machines. So, strap on your goggles, grab that remote, and embark on your multicopter journey today!

Multicopter Design and Control Practice: A Series Experiments based on MATLAB and Pixhawk

by Don Lincoln(1st ed. 2020 Edition, Kindle Edition)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	139960 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	673 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

As the sister book to “ to Multicopter Design and Control,” published by Springer in 2017, this book focuses on using a practical process to help readers to deepen their understanding of multicopter design and control. Novel tools with tutorials on multicopters are presented, which can help readers move from theory to practice.

Experiments presented in this book employ:

(1) The most widely-used flight platform – multicopters – as a flight platform;

(2) The most widely-used flight pilot hardware – Pixhawk – as a control platform; and

(3) One of the most widely-used programming languages in the field of control engi-neering – MATLAB + Simulink – as a programming language.

Based on the current advanced development concept Model-Based Design (MBD)process, the three aspects mentioned above are closely linked.

Each experiment is implemented in MATLAB and Simulink, and the numerical simula-tion test is carried out on a built simulation platform. Readers can upload the controller to the Pixhawk autopilot using automatic code generation technology and form a closed loop with a given real-time simulator for Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing. After that, the actual flight with the Pixhawk autopilot can be performed.

This is by far the most complete and clear guide to modern drone fundamentals I’ve seen.It covers every element of these advanced aerial robots and walks through examples and tutorials based on the industry’s leading open-source software and tools. Read this book, and you’ll be well prepared to work at the leading edge of this exciting new industry.

Chris Anderson, CEO 3DR and Chairman,

the Linux Foundation’s Dronecode Project

The development of a multicopter and its applications is very challenging in the robotics area due to the multidomain knowledge involved. This book systematically addresses the design, simulation and implementation of multicopters with the industrial leading workflow – Model-Based Design, commonly used in the automotive and aero-defense industries. With this book, researchers and engineers can seamlessly apply the concepts, workflows, and tools in other engineering areas, especially robot design and robotics ap-plication development.

Dr. Yanliang Zhang, Founder of Weston Robot,

EX-product Manager of Robotics System Toolbox at the MathWorks