Development of Prediction Model for Hovering Endurance of Heavy-lifting, Multirotor Drone using General Specifications of Propulsion and Battery Systems

Abstract

Hovering endurance is one of the critical performance parameters for multirotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in remote sensing and delivering applications. This study aims to obtain a generic model for hovering endurance prediction by using general specifications of commercial propeller, brushless direct current (BLDC) motor, and battery for heavy lifting drones (weighing over 25 kg.). The characteristics of propeller, motor, and battery sub-systems that govern the hovering endurance are analyzed using experimental data published in commercial websites and simplified for the prediction model. The proposed model predicts the hovering endurance by estimating the required electric current of the propulsion system and estimating the time duration that the battery can provide that required current. The prediction of electric current required from propulsion systems achieved the root mean square error of 8.59% and showed a prediction error of less than 5% on 43.5% of the available data points, and less than 10% on 81.9% of the data. A framework for hovering endurance prediction of heavy lifting drone is presented and applicable for platform selection, configuration optimization, and mission planning.