How do drones work?
Drones have two basic functions: flight mode and navigation.
To fly, drones must have a power source, such as a battery or fuel. They also have rotors, propellers and a frame. The frame of a drone is typically made of a lightweight, composite material to reduce weight and increase manoeuvrability.
Drones require a controller, which lets the operator use remote controls to launch, navigate and land the aircraft. Controllers communicate with the drone using radio waves, such as Wi-Fi.
What are common drone features and components?
Drones have a large number of components, including:
- Electronic speed controllers, which control a motor’s speed and direction
- Flight controller
- GPS module
- Battery
- Antenna (interface between radio waves propagating through space and electric currents moving in metal conductors, used with a transmitter or receiver)
- Receiver
- Cameras
- Sensors, including ultrasonic sensors and collision avoidance sensors
- Accelerometer, which measures the speed
- Altimeter, which measures altitude
Drone features vary based on the use it is put to.
Examples of features include:
- Various types of cameras with high-performance, zoom and gimbal Steadicam and tilt capabilities
- Artificial intelligence (AI) that enables the drone to follow objects
- Augmented reality features that superimpose virtual objects on the drone’s camera feed
- Media storage format
- Maximum flight time, which determines how long the drone can remain in the air
- Maximum speeds, including ascent and descent
- Hover accuracy
- Obstacle sensory range
- Altitude hold, which keeps the drone at a fixed altitude
- Live video feed
- Flight logs
Navigational systems, such as GPS, are typically housed in the nose of a drone. The GPS on a drone communicates its precise location to the controller. An onboard altimeter can communicate altitude information.
The altimeter also helps keep the drone at a specific altitude if the controller designates one.
This article has been sourced by TechTarget
