Heavy-Lift Multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Characterization and Sizing

Abstract

In this paper, the characterization and sizing of heavy-lift multirotor UAVs are carried out. For this purpose, the electric multirotor UAV system is briefly described, and the parameters are carefully selected encompassing a wide range of UAVs regarding size and power. In the initial phase, comprehensive experimental measurements are conducted. Through a systematic data acquisition process, a database for two series of electric propulsion units (low voltage and high voltage setups), is obtained. Using the presented identification procedure, the data is processed, and the characterization is completed in the following step. Based on experimental data, a more accurate model of aerodynamic forces and torques and electric power was obtained, compared to previous approaches. The sizing of the heavy-lift multirotor UAV, based on propulsion unit experimental characterization, was undertaken in the last step. In this research, the sizing of conventional multirotor configurations in terms of diagonal, take-off mass, hovering power, and payload capacity is shown graphically. Proposed sizing steps enable further performance analysis for system design purposes especially from the aspect of payload.INDEX TERMS Electric propulsion unit, heavy-lift multirotor, multirotor configuration, payload capacity, unmanned aerial vehicles.