Drone Components
In this chapter, you will learn about the essential drone
components.
Credit Picture to:Drone Technology Planet. No copyright infringement is intended. Note: working on credits for picture in this module.
Credit Picture to:Drone Technology Planet. No copyright infringement is intended. Note: working on credits for picture in this module.
Propellers & Motors
The essential duo to create lift!
Propellers
The drone component that generates lift and is also responsible for controlling the movement of the drone. Usually, propellers are made of carbon fiber or plastic. It is extremely important to check your propeller condition before taking off since a broken propeller could pontentially cause an accident.
The drone component that generates lift and is also responsible for controlling the movement of the drone. Usually, propellers are made of carbon fiber or plastic. It is extremely important to check your propeller condition before taking off since a broken propeller could pontentially cause an accident.
Motor
The motor spins the propellers of drone. The quality of motor contributes greatly to the battery life and your flight duration. Brushless motors are more efficient than brushed motors.
The motor spins the propellers of drone. The quality of motor contributes greatly to the battery life and your flight duration. Brushless motors are more efficient than brushed motors.
Battery & PDB
Distribute the power!
Battery
Battery is the power source for our drone. Without the battery, our drone would not be able to fly. Battery is considered one of the heaviest components of our drone. Usually, drone use LiPo or Lithium polymer battery because they have a high energy density compared to their size and weight.
Battery is the power source for our drone. Without the battery, our drone would not be able to fly. Battery is considered one of the heaviest components of our drone. Usually, drone use LiPo or Lithium polymer battery because they have a high energy density compared to their size and weight.
Power Distribution Board (PDB)
PDB is a printed circuit board that distributes power from the battery to all the components at an appropriate voltage.
PDB is a printed circuit board that distributes power from the battery to all the components at an appropriate voltage.
ESC & Flight Controller
Work together to control the motors' speed.
ESC - Electronic Speed Controller
ESC is an electronic circuit which enables flight controller to monitor and change the speed of drone's motors during the flight. The flight controller will send a signal to ESC. ESC will then translate the desired speed to the motor by converting DC battery power to AC power at lower or higher voltage to the motor as needed.
ESC is an electronic circuit which enables flight controller to monitor and change the speed of drone's motors during the flight. The flight controller will send a signal to ESC. ESC will then translate the desired speed to the motor by converting DC battery power to AC power at lower or higher voltage to the motor as needed.
Flight Controller
The flight controller is a circuit board that collects data through a set of sensors, and then use those collected data to calculate the speed each motor needs in order to follow the drone pilot's command. Flight controllers will then send this speed information to ESC, so that ESC could pass along this information to the motor. We can think of the flight controller as the brain of the drone.
The flight controller is a circuit board that collects data through a set of sensors, and then use those collected data to calculate the speed each motor needs in order to follow the drone pilot's command. Flight controllers will then send this speed information to ESC, so that ESC could pass along this information to the motor. We can think of the flight controller as the brain of the drone.
Transmitter & Receiver
The same photo is used for both components because it is a photos of transceiver, which combine transmitter and receiver into one !
Transmitter
Transmitter is responsible for transmitting the radio signal from the controller to the drone. In simpler term, the transmitter will read your joystick inputs and send those inputs to the receiver.
Transmitter is responsible for transmitting the radio signal from the controller to the drone. In simpler term, the transmitter will read your joystick inputs and send those inputs to the receiver.
Receiver
The receiver is responsible for receiving the radio signal that has been sent from the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver should use the same radio signal. Once the signal is received, the receiver will send this information to the drone flight controller.
The receiver is responsible for receiving the radio signal that has been sent from the transmitter. The transmitter and receiver should use the same radio signal. Once the signal is received, the receiver will send this information to the drone flight controller.
GPS & Frame
Last slide!
GPS
GPS helps the drone to determine its relative position and speed. GPS also enables many useful drone function, such as Altitude Hold, which enables the drone to stay at the same altitude during the flight, and Return to Home, which enables the drone to return to its take off position.
GPS helps the drone to determine its relative position and speed. GPS also enables many useful drone function, such as Altitude Hold, which enables the drone to stay at the same altitude during the flight, and Return to Home, which enables the drone to return to its take off position.
Frame
Frame is the main structure of our drone. All of the components discussed in this module are attached to the frame. The size of your frame will effect the size of your propellers and motors.
Frame is the main structure of our drone. All of the components discussed in this module are attached to the frame. The size of your frame will effect the size of your propellers and motors.