KOE080: FUNDAMENTALS OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY

Unit -4: Communication, Payloads and Controls

 Payloads:
 Payloads are one of the sub-systems in Unmanned Aerial System (UAS),
which are mounted in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and can be
controlled from the Ground Control Station (GCS) or through a Remote
Controller (RC).

 Central component responsible for controlling the flight of the drone

 In drone technology, a payload refers to any equipment, cargo, or sensors

carried by the drone during flight. These payloads can include cameras,
sensors, packages, tools, or any other items that serve a specific purpose or
function.

 The choice of payload depends on the drone's intended use, such as aerial
photography, surveillance, mapping, delivery, or scientific research.

Types of Payloads
We classify payloads into four types based on the way they’re mounted to the
drone and based on their operation throughout the flight/mission:

1. Dispensable Payloads
2. Non-Dispensable Payloads
3. Active Payloads
4. Passive Payloads

1. Dispensable Payloads –

All the deliverable payloads to the consumer end are considered dispensable
payloads. The dispensable payloads can able to release from the aerial vehicle
during the flight based on the received signal from the radio controller(RC) or
ground control station (GCS). In some cases, it’ll automatically be released based
on the previously entered destination location.
 2. Non-Dispensable Payloads –

The Non-Dispensable payloads physically remain on the UAV throughout the

mission, but their part plays a vital role in mission completion. Some of well know
Non-Dispensable payloads are camera, LiDAR, companion computers, etc.
The most widely used payload types in numerous applications, such as
Mapping, Surveillance, Wildlife Monitoring are Non-Dispensable payloads.

3. Active Payloads –

The payloads which are entirely or partially active throughout the mission are
called Active Payloads. The purpose of the active payload includes mapping, data
collection, surveillance, and so on. Camera, LiDAR, Thermal Imager, etc., are
considered active payloads.

4. Passive Payloads –

The payloads which are inactive during the mission are called Passive Payloads.
Mostly, passive payloads are deliverable at some predefined destination.
  Telemetry :

 Telemetry data is the information that your drone sends back to your
controller or device, such as speed, altitude, battery level, GPS position, and
more. By analyzing this data, you can improve your flight performance,
avoid crashes, and optimize your drone settings.

 Drone telemetry is data gathered about the aircraft and its surroundings that
is sent back to the operator or ground control station (GCS). This
information may be taken from the drone’s autopilot, sensors such as
accelerometers, gyroscopes and GPS, or from subsystems such as the
aircraft’s power source.

 Telemetry in drones refers to the collection and transmission of data from

various sensors and systems onboard the drone to a ground station or remote
device. This data typically includes information like altitude, speed, GPS
coordinates, battery level, and status of other vital components.

 Telemetry allows the operator to monitor the drone's performance in real-

time and make informed decisions to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Tracking :

 By utilizing detection and tracking techniques, drones can capture target

images through cameras and perform real-time analysis to achieve
precise detection and tracking of the position and orientation of the target.

 Tracking in drones refers to the ability of a drone to follow and maintain

a target's position, typically using sensors, cameras, or GPS technology.
This allows the drone to autonomously track and film or monitor a
moving subject, such as a person or a vehicle, without the need for
manual control.
 Tracking in drones can refer to various functionalities:

1. Object Tracking: Drones can track and follow objects or people by

using visual recognition algorithms. This allows the drone to keep a
target within its field of view.

2. GPS Tracking: Drones equipped with GPS systems can track their
own position and the position of a target, allowing for automated flight
paths or following specific routes.

3. Autonomous Flight: Advanced drones can track predefined flight

paths or waypoints, ensuring precise navigation without manual
intervention.

4. Follow Mode: Some drones have a follow mode where they track and
follow a designated target, usually a smartphone or a wearable device, by
maintaining a constant distance and angle.

5. Obstacle Avoidance: Tracking may involve the drone's ability to

avoid obstacles while following a target, using sensors to detect and
navigate around objects in its path.

Overall, tracking in drones enables them to autonomously follow and

capture footage of moving subjects or objects, providing valuable
applications in photography, videography, surveillance, and more.
 Controls-PID feedback :

 A PID (Proportional – Integral – Derivative) controller is an instrument

used by control engineers to regulate temperature, flow, pressure, speed,
and other process variables in industrial control systems. PID controllers
use a control loop feedback mechanism to control process variables and
are the most accurate and stable controller.

 PID control is a well-established way of driving a system towards a target

position or control parameters. It’s practically ubiquitous as a means of
controlling temperature and finds application in a myriad of chemical and
scientific processes as well as automation.

 PID control keeps the actual output from a process as close to the target
or setpoint output as possible.

 PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) feedback control is a widely used

method in control systems engineering. It helps regulate processes by
adjusting a control variable based on the difference between the desired
setpoint and the actual output, measured by feedback sensors.

Proportional (P): This component provides an output proportional to the

error between the setpoint and the actual value. It's the simplest form and
helps reduce steady-state error but can lead to oscillations around the
setpoint.

Integral (I): This component integrates the error over time, effectively
eliminating steady-state error. It helps to correct for any accumulated error
over time.

Derivative (D): This component is based on the rate of change of the error. It
anticipates future behavior based on the current rate of change, helping to
reduce overshoot and damping oscillations.

Together, these components work to minimize the difference between

the desired setpoint and the actual value, making the system more stable and
responsive.
 Radio Control Frequency Range:

 Radio control (often abbreviated to RC) is the use of control signals

transmitted by radio to remotely operate a device. Examples of simple
radio control systems are garage door openers and keyless entry systems
for vehicles, in which a small handheld radio transmitter unlocks or opens
doors.

 Radio control is also used for control of model vehicles from a hand-held
radio transmitter. Industrial, military, and scientific research organizations
make use of radio-controlled vehicles as well.

 A rapidly growing application is control of unmanned aerial vehicles

(UAVs or drones) for both civilian and military uses, although these have
more sophisticated control systems than traditional applications.

 Most drones operate on the 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz frequency bands, which
offer good range and reliability for controlling the drone and receiving live
video feeds. Some drones may also use other frequencies for specific
purposes or in certain regions.

 Drones primarily operate at frequencies between 900 MHz and 5.8 GHz.
Most remote-controlled drones use the 900 MHz frequency while drones
with camera transmitters often use the 2.4 GHz frequency. However, some
of the latest drones use the 5.8 GHz frequency to avoid interference from
wireless transmissions.

 Modems:

 A modem, short for modulator-demodulator, is a device that modulates

and demodulates signals to enable communication between devices over
various communication channels.

 In the context of missile drones, modems are often used for

communication between the drone and its ground control station or other
 command centers. They facilitate the transmission of real-time data, such
as video feeds, telemetry information, and control commands.

 Modems in drones are used for communication purposes, allowing drones

to connect to the internet or communicate with other devices. They enable
remote control, data transmission, and even real-time video streaming.

 Modems in drones are essential for establishing communication links,

enabling remote control, sending telemetry data, and sometimes even
allowing live video streaming. They can use various communication
technologies such as Wi-Fi, cellular networks, or satellite connections to
establish these links.

 Memory System:

There are a variety of different types of memory available to developers of

flight control systems for UAVs. Generally, two types are used in UAV
Navigation's onboard systems, including autopilots:

Flash Memory:
Flash memory is a Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) and is generally used to
store information. Although data transfer rates are not as fast as RAM, it is
safer for longer term storage as the data is preserved when power is turned
off.

Random Access Memory (RAM):

RAM is generally used to manage any information which has been stored.
RAM can typically transfer data faster than flash, although it suffers from
an important characteristic: it can only hold onto that data when it has
power; once the power is turned off, the data is lost - hence it must be
stored for the longer term in Flash memory.

 UAV Navigation uses NVM memory to record data which may be

required in flight, such as autopilot software, serial number, configuration,
waypoints in a Flight Plan (FP) etc. This is essential information which the
autopilot will need in order to restart safely, for instance in case of a power
outage.
 NVM Use in the Autopilot: When the autopilot is powered on, NVM is
used during the boot sequence. The autopilot loads software from its NVM
into RAM during startup. This autopilot software can only be modified
when a software update is carried out. However, some of the information
stored in NVM is updated with data acquired during a flight.

Data Management: In recognition of the fundamental importance of information

management within the flight control system, UAV Navigation has invested
considerable time and effort into ensuring that the data is managed efficiently,
safely and absolutely accurately, thus ensuring a robust system which contributes
to flight safety.

Information saved in NVM is organized by 'pages' within the autopilot's memory.

In order to ensure consistency and reliability, a proven system of addresses and a
Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) is used.
 Simulation :

 Simulation in drones refers to the use of software to replicate the behavior and
characteristics of real-world drone operations in a virtual environment. This
virtual environment can simulate various factors such as physics, weather
conditions, terrain, and sensor inputs.

 It allows developers and operators to test drone hardware, software, and

algorithms without the need for physical flights, reducing costs and risks.

 Simulation also enables training AI models, testing different scenarios, and

refining control algorithms to improve drone performance and safety.

 Drone simulation is the behavioral modeling of a drone or unmanned aerial

vehicle (UAV) and evaluating its performance in a virtual environment.

 Simulation is an important step in the development of drones.

 Ground test-analysis-trouble shooting:

For troubleshooting ground test analysis in a drone, start by examining the

hardware components like sensors, motors, and communication systems. Check for
any physical damage, loose connections, or calibration issues. Next, review the
software side, including firmware, control algorithms, and data processing.

Look for bugs, incorrect configurations, or sensor integration issues. Additionally,

verify that the test environment is appropriate and that there are no external factors
interfering with the tests. Finally, consider consulting with experts or referring to
documentation for further guidance

The use of drones in recent years is paving the way fast for the future of
autonomous aircraft. Autonomous aircraft, or drones, are becoming increasingly
popular due to their ability to fly without the need for a pilot on board. These
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used for a variety of tasks in many
different industries.
With the increasing complexity and criticality of drone applications, thorough
testing and validation is vital to ensure their reliability, safety, and effectiveness.
Drone testing plays a significant role in many industries.

For example, in the defense and aerospace industry the US military is exploring the
use of drones or autonomous aircrafts for various applications, as these drones can
carry out reconnaissance missions and gathering intelligence in dangerous
locations without the need for humans to intervene.

The US Department of Defense is also looking at the use of autonomous drones for
offensive operations such as military strikes on enemy targets. This would get rid
of the need for a human pilot, which would make military missions much more
efficient and safer to conduct.

The different types of drone testing:

There are several different types of drone testing that can be conducted to ensure
greater safety and reliability when using drones. These include:

Functional testing: this involves evaluating the drone’s core functionalities, such
as flight controls, payload systems, communication protocols, and data
transmission capabilities. It verifies that all components and systems operate as
intended and meet the specified performance criteria.

Performance testing: performance testing focuses on assessing the drone’s speed,

endurance, agility, and payload capacity.
It aims to determine whether the drone can meet the performance expectations
required for its intended applications.

Cyber security testing: drone testing has emerged as a critical component in the
realm of cybersecurity, highlighting the evolving challenges in safeguarding digital
infrastructure.
Cybersecurity professionals are now tasked with simulating various attack
scenarios to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses within drone systems.
Environmental testing: drones often operate in harsh and unpredictable
environments. Environmental testing assesses the drone’s ability to withstand
extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration, altitude, and electromagnetic
interference. It ensures the drone can operate reliably in diverse conditions.

Safety testing: safety testing involves evaluating the drone’s fail-safe mechanisms,
emergency procedures, obstacle detection and avoidance systems, and overall risk
mitigation strategies.
It ensures that the drone can respond appropriately to potential malfunctions or
hazards to prevent accidents and protect personnel and property.