Improved Model for Micro-UAV Propulsion Systems: Characterization and Applications

An improved propulsion model for multirotor small unmanned aerial vehicles is developed by incorporating the effects of airflow speed, direction, rotor interaction, and other phenomena related to particular configurations, which are elements that are lacking in typical models. Two applications are presented. The first is a propulsion envelope, which helps determining safe operating conditions for particular propulsion systems. The second application allows elucidating important dynamical phenomena that traditional models lack, including possible instability with closed-loop controllers.