Identification of UAV Engine Parameters

The design of low-cost and efficient configurations of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) becomes increasingly more important for improving the performances, flight characteristics, and increase of a payload. Ability of vertical take-off and landing is a challenging but important task for the UAV to achieve a high level of autonomy. The fundamental requirement for vertical take-off or landing is the ability to precisely direct and control the air thrust against ground, which plays a vital role in stability of the airplane. When dealing with low-cost components (ducted fan motors and its controller), parameters of mechanical and electrical systems of vital importance are unknown or partially known, and thus some kind of identification process has to be done. This paper focuses on identification of thruster motor parameters and aspects related to electric and electronic devices. Motor and motor controller is modelled as MISO system (Multiple Input Single Output) whose parameters are identified. Identification is performed in a laboratory, by feeding the motor controller with series of an input signals and measuring motor thrust in dynamic conditions by the force transducer. Key-Words: UAV, VTOL, ducted fun motor, motor parameters identification, motor thrust, systems theory.