Avionics Subsystem
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● You are required to submit a PDF containing all your final answers.
● The assignment consists of 100 marks. Feel free to ask any related doubts/queries.
● You can refer to Online websites, books, and other resources for answering the
questions, consider adding those links as references.
● You are free to add pictures/drawings or comments to enhance your answers.
● We are looking for some really curious enthusiasts, so feel free to refer to resources and
think outside the box to create a unique and creative submission! You are also
encouraged to attempt the bonus questions.
● Submit your Assignment solutions here, this link is only for the Avionics subsystem.
Question 1. [15 Marks]
● What is a UAV? Sketch down some types of UAVs and also compare their advantages
and disadvantages over one another. Which one is your favorite type of UAV and why?
● What do you think are the general components of a fixed-wing UAV? List the electronics
and illustrate the wiring graphically, along describe their purpose.
● What are aerodynamic lift force and aerodynamic drag forces? What factors do they
depend on? How are they developed in fixed-wing aircraft and quadcopters? What is the
significance of the coefficients of lift and drag (𝐶𝐿, 𝐶𝐷) ?
Question 2. [10 Marks]
● What could be the possible causes of loss of communication with UAV?
● What measures and modifications can be done to improve signal strength and avoid
communication loss?
● What are the safety features which can be implemented when a UAV undergoes
communication loss mid-flight?
Question 3. [10 Marks]
● How does a typical quadcopter alter motor thrust to move in 3D space?
● What onboard sensors are used by flight controllers to navigate in 3D space?
● How would you navigate a quadcopter in a GPS-restricted indoor environment?
Question 4. [20 Marks]
(a) What is a controller? What does it monitor? Explain some of its types along with their
applications in your common surroundings/daily life.
(b) What do you mean by P-I-D control? Explain P, I, and D controls independently and their
features along with use cases.
(c) How do you implement a PID controller to control the roll, pitch, yaw, position, and altitude of
a quadcopter? (describe numerically)
Question 5. [35 Marks]
Design a multirotor using the following data which satisfies the mission requirements:
Carry a payload of 3kg and have a range of 42km at a cruise speed of 28m/s.
Use the data below for reference.
Hints:
● Use any number of motors, propellers, and ESCs, and start with an estimate of battery
weight. later iterate the calculations.
● The total weight of the Multirotor is-
Structural + Payload + Battery + n x (Motor + Propeller + ESC)
● Calculate the aerodynamic drag force acting upon the multirotor using provided data.
● Calculate the thrust generated by the multirotor during the cruise (Vector sum of weight
and drag force) and then calculate the thrust required per motor.
● Calculate power consumption per motor (use equation) and then calculate the total
power consumption of the entire multirotor, Don't forget onboard electronics also
consume power.
● Calculate the Energy (W-h) required for the mission using power consumption and flight
time. Verify whether the battery meets the power requirements.
● Verify solution meets mission requirements and iterates this process to find a low-cost
solution.
Show the optimal solution calculations legibly, use diagrams, mention any assumptions, and
also show this solution meets mission requirements by verification.
List down its specifications (number of motors, total weight, battery weight, endurance, etc.)
Parameter Value Units
Payload weight 3 kg
Structural weight 2 kg
1 x (Motor + Propeller + ESC) weight 0.25 kg
Cruise velocity requirement 28 m/s
Range requirement 42 km
Structural Eq. Cross-sectional area 0.16 m2
Structural Drag coefficient 0.626 -
Battery specific energy 300 W-h/kg
Battery cost/kg 36000 INR/kg
2
Motor Power (W) draw as a function of Thrust (kg-F) P = 80 x T + 20 W
Motor max thrust 2.5 kg-F
Onboard electronics power consumption 50 W
Question 6. [10 Marks]
What is Path-planning? Mention 5 common path-planning algorithms and explain their working,
advantages, disadvantages, and where they can be used.
Consider the following maze (10 x 10 grid):
Travel from Cell A to Cell B using an optimal path planning algorithm avoiding red cells
(obstacles) without diagonal movement. Describe your Algorithm working and the reason for the
choice.
Extras (for Interviews only):
Which kind of UAV do you suggest Team Rakshak use for the SUAS 2023 Competition? Ideate
upon mission approach and the reason for your UAV choice. We’ll discuss your Ideas in the
following Interview rounds.
Watch these Resources:
Video1
Video2
You will be asked for a live demonstration and viva on the related topics for the Interview.
