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Electronics

A Comprehensive Exploration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

A Comprehensive Exploration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAVs

Let’s get familiar with Drones:

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are powered aerial vehicles that do not carry a human operator and can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely.

  • UAVs can be fully or partially autonomous and carry a lethal or nonlethal payload.
  • They are used in various sectors, including military, transportation, logistics, construction, environmental monitoring, and real estate photography.
  • UAVs can be remarkably efficient, offering substantially greater range and endurance than equivalent manned systems.
  • UAVs are descended from target drones and remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) employed by the military.

Classification of drones based on the number of wings:

Drones can be classified based on the number of wings they possess. Here are the main types of drones based on their number of wings:

  1. Single-rotor drones: These drones have a single main rotor for lift and are more energy-efficient than multi-rotor drones. They are suitable for long-endurance missions but may be less stable than multi-rotor drones.
  2. Multi-rotor drones: These are the most common type of drones, featuring multiple rotors to provide lift and stability. They are used for various purposes, such as aerial mapping and surveying, aerial surveillance and patrol, and search and rescue operations. They are also known as Quadcopters.
  3. Fixed-wing drones: Similar to traditional aircraft, fixed-wing drones rely on wings for lift rather than rotors. They are typically large, fuel-powered models used by the military and require a runway to operate. Fixed-wing drones are energy-efficient and cover longer ranges than rotary-wing drones.
UAV Classification Based on Wings and Rotor

Application Areas of Drones/quadcopters:

Quadcopter drones have a wide range of applications in various fields. Some of the major application areas of quadcopter drones include:

  • Aerial photography for journalism and film, express shipping and delivery.
  • Gathering information or supplying essentials for disaster management.
  • Thermal sensor drones for search and rescue operations.
  • Border control surveillance.

Dimensions of a Quadcopter Drone:

Quadcopter drones can have different dimensions depending on their size and purpose. The dimensions of a quadcopter drone can be measured in millimeters and can vary based on the size of the spherical body, cylindrical arms, and propellers. The size of the quadcopter drone can also be measured by its wheelbase, which is the diagonal distance between the motors and is typically measured in millimeters. The wheelbase of a quadcopter drone can range from less than 100mm to over 280mm, with thicker frames typically being more durable. The size of the quadcopter drone can also determine the size of the propellers and motors that can be used with it, with larger drones being able to accommodate larger and more powerful components.

Flight control dynamics of a Quadcopter
Flight control dynamics of a Quadcopter 2

Flight control dynamics of a Quadcopter:

The flight control dynamics of a quadcopter can be explained through the movement of the drone in the forward, backward, upward, and downward directions based on the thrust applied to its wings. Here’s a brief explanation of how thrust affects the drone’s motion in these directions:

  1. Forward motion: The forward motion of a quadcopter is achieved by adjusting the rotor speeds and/or propeller tilting to increase the thrust in the forward direction. The propellers push air downward and forward, creating a forward thrust that allows the drone to move forward
  2. Backward motion: To move the quadcopter backward, the rotors can be adjusted to generate thrust in the opposite direction. This can be achieved by changing the rotor speeds or propeller tilting, depending on the specific design of the quadcopter
  3. Upward motion: The upward motion of a quadcopter is achieved by increasing the thrust generated by the propellers. This can be done by accelerating the rotors, increasing their speed, or adjusting the propeller tilting to generate more lift
  4. Downward motion: To move the quadcopter downward, the thrust generated by the propellers can be redirected downward. This can be achieved by adjusting the rotor speeds, propeller tilting, or adding downward-directed thrust components to the overall thrust vector.
Drone Movement Chart
Drone Movement Chart 2

Factors and Parameters Affecting Flight Control Dynamics of a Quadcopter:

In the context of quadcopter drones, thrust, yaw, pitch, and roll are essential concepts that help understand the flight dynamics and control of the drone.

  1. Thrust: Thrust is the force generated by the propellers that pushes the drone upward and forward. In a quadcopter, there are four propellers, each generating thrust in the direction of the positive z-axis in the body frame.
  2. Yaw: Yaw refers to the rotation of the drone about its axis, which is responsible for the drone’s orientation and heading in the horizontal plane.
  3. Pitch: Pitch refers to the angle between the drone’s body and its horizontal plane, which affects the drone’s altitude and angle of attack.
  4. Roll: Roll refers to the angle between the drone’s body and its vertical axis, which affects the drone’s side-to-side stability and balance.
  5. Torque: Torque is the rotating or twisting force exerted by the propellers on the drone’s body and the propellers themselves.
Drone Mechanism

In a quadcopter, the propellers exert a torque on the drone’s body in the direction opposite to their rotation. This torque can cause the drone to spin or change its orientation in response to the propeller’s force. It is essential to maintain a balance between the torque generated by the propellers to avoid uncontrolled spinning or instability in the drone’s flight. Roll control is crucial for maintaining stability during flight, especially when the drone is carrying a payload or operating in complex environments. Roll control is typically achieved by adjusting the rotor speeds and/or propeller tilting. Pitch is essential for the drone to maintain a stable flight path and avoid obstacles. Pitch control is achieved by adjusting the rotor speeds and/or propeller tilting. Yaw is essential for the drone to navigate and maintain its desired flight path or orientation. Differential thrust between the two pairs of counter-rotating motors provides yaw torque. The sum of the four thrusts results in the total thrust of the drone. Thrust is crucial for the drone to maintain altitude and speed in various flight conditions.

The architecture of a Basic Quadcopter:

The different types of elements comprised in a quadcopter include:

  1. Frame: The frame is the main structure of the quadcopter that holds all the other components together. It can be made of various materials such as aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, glass fiber, or PCB fiber.
  2. Motors: The motors are responsible for generating the thrust needed for flight. A quadcopter has four motors, one for each rotor.
  3. Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs): The ESCs control the speed of the motors and ensure that they are synchronized with each other.
  4. Propellers: The propellers are attached to the motors and generate the lift needed for flight. A quadcopter has four propellers, one for each rotor.
  5. Battery: The battery provides power to the motors and other electronic components of the quadcopter.
  6. Flight Controller: The flight controller is the brain of the quadcopter and controls its flight. It receives input from the pilot or autopilot system and adjusts the speed of the motors to maintain stability and control.
  7. Radio Transmitter/Receiver: The radio transmitter sends commands from the pilot to the quadcopter, while the receiver receives these commands and sends them to the flight controller.
  8. FPV Camera: An FPV (First Person View) camera allows the pilot to see what the quadcopter sees in real time.
  9. Video Transmitter (VTX): The VTX sends the video signal from the FPV camera to the pilot’s receiver.
  10. Antenna: The antenna is used to transmit and receive radio signals between the quadcopter and the pilot’s transmitter.
  11. Gimbal: A gimbal is a device that stabilizes the camera and reduces vibrations during flight.
  12. LEDs: LEDs can provide visual feedback on the status of the quadcopter, such as battery level or flight mode.

Majorly selling Quadcopter in the US region:

One famous quadcopter selling in the USA is the DJI Phantom series, which is a popular choice for both professional and amateur drone pilots. The Phantom series is known for its stability, ease of use, and high-quality camera systems, making it a top choice for capturing stunning aerial photos and videos.
The controller architecture for the DJI Phantom series typically includes a remote controller that connects to the drone via radio frequency. The remote controller is responsible for controlling the drone’s flight, adjusting its camera settings, and accessing various flight features. The controller’s design is ergonomic and user-friendly, providing a comfortable and immersive flying experience.

Phantom Series - Pro Level Aerial Imaging
Phantom 2 Vision Plus - Block Diagram


Signal Flow in a Drone:

Signal Flow in a Drone


Granted invention related to working of Drone:

US11021248B2: Variable motor controller


The claim of the invention:

The claim of the invention
Categories
Mechanical

The Process Of Declaring A Standard Essential Patent (SEP)

Standards and SEPs, what are they?

A standard is a set of technological advances, norms, or protocols utilized in like manner by different manufacturers or service providers while designing specified methods or products. Standards are fundamental for the worldwide reception of innovations and processes. For instance, different telecom advances, for example, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities comparatively on phones made by various organizations. The organizations, groups, or bodies that define and set standards are known as Standard Setting Associations (SSOs). The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) in the US, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in Europe and The Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) in Japan are some examples of SSOs working in the telecom sector.

While explaining a standard, a few innovations or processes might exist that some innovator has proactively patented, and without utilizing these patents, executing the standard is incomprehensible. Those patents crucial for executing a standard and have been acknowledged by the concerned SSO are known as Standard Essential Patents (SEPs). The role of SEPs is most critical in the field of telecommunications because with each new age, for example, 3G, 4G, and 5G, there are various standards defined by SSOs like ETSI. It is inordinately impossible to manufacture a telecommunication framework connected with the concerned standard without utilizing the advancements defined by SEPs.

Presently, organizations that make products that are per a standard need to have a permit of the relevant SEPs from the proprietors of the SEPs. The proprietors of the SEPs invest money, time, and different resources while inventing and defining their patented advances, and they ought to get reasonable royalties for their endeavors. Consequently, the SEPs are for the most part licensed on FRAND (Fair Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) terms. FRAND terms are an agreement between the SEPs holders and SSOs to give a SEP license to the standard implementers based on fair and reasonable conditions for both of the parties. FRAND is a voluntary agreement, and there is no implementing body to uphold the FRAND terms. If there is any conflict between the two parties on FRAND, the dispute can be put under the watchful eye of the concerned court, where the jury or judge will determine the issue.

Patent Designation as SEP

A patent is pronounced crucial for implementing a standard, ordinarily by the SSOs. While creating and defining a standard, the individuals from the SSO check for the potential patents which might be expected for the implementation of the standard as well as the patent proprietors pronounce to the concerned SSO that their protected innovation is fundamental to implementing the standard. After getting the rundown of such patents, the concerned SSO individuals check whether the unveiled patented innovation is utilized in the standard and further, assuming asked by the SSO’s higher authorities, an effort is made by the SSO members to track down alternative innovation solutions to find whether executing the standard without utilizing the corresponding patent. On the off chance that there is no other alternative, the patent is announced as essential for the specific standard, and the higher authorities of the SSO are informed about it.

License Granting According to the FRAND Terms

For the most part, in the wake of perceiving a patent to be fundamental for the standard implementation, the patent proprietor is requested by the concerned SSO, for example, ETSI to give an irreversible undertaking in a particular timeframe regarding its agreement to grant the license based on FRAND terms, however, the patent proprietor will undoubtedly give the license based on FRAND terms. If the patent proprietor doesn’t show interest in granting a license based on FRAND conditions, subsequent requests are made by the higher authorities of the SSO, for example, the Director-General on account of ETSI to get the license.

In any case, if the patent proprietor refuses to provide the license based on FRAND terms, the SSO decides whether the development of the concerned part of the standard ought to proceed or not. Notwithstanding, much of the time, the patent proprietors are the organizations that are members of the concerned SSO and play a part in developing the standard. These organizations ordinarily consent to give the license to their patented innovation based on FRAND terms. In many cases, the member organizations purposefully embed their patented innovations into various parts of the standard to profit from the FRAND terms’ royalties, which is an unethical activity.

Declaration of SEP

The SSOs by and large provide platforms on which the patent proprietors can declare assuming that they observe that a specific standard is utilizing their patented innovation. The patent holders need to give all the information concerning their patents utilized in the standard and the part of the standard that utilizes the concerning innovation. For instance, ETSI gives an “IPR Information and Licensing Declaration” platform. The declarants can open a submitter account on this platform and proclaim that their patented innovation is fundamental for executing a specific standard. The declarants can choose the specific part of the standard that is utilizing their innovation.

How to Find Declared SEPs

The proclaimed SEPs are generally revealed publicly by the concerned SSO. The information in regards to SEPs related to a specific standard/innovation and/or the SEPs connected with a specific assignee can be tracked down on the site of the concerned SSO.

For instance, ETSI gives an “ETSI IPR Online Database” as displayed in Fig. 3. The SEPs connected with a specific project, standard, as well as a declaring organization can be found by filling in the suitable details in the web-based data set of ETSI.

Conclusion

Standards play a significant part, particularly in telecom, to keep up with consistency in the work process of different advancements. With the approach of the new-gen, different new standards should be characterized. Frequently, these standards involve patented advances, without which implementing the standard is unthinkable. These patents are pronounced as SEPs by the SSOs. The proprietors of these patented innovations had invested a lot of effort while inventing these advances; consequently, they ought to be compensated reasonably. The most common way of setting standards, proclaiming SEPs, getting SEP licenses based on FRAND terms, and giving public info in regards to SEPs connected with standards is by and large controlled and implemented by SSOs.