A Deep Dive into Quadcopter Controls

A team at Cornell University sought to explore the intricate control systems of drones by deviating from ready-to-fly quadcopters. In the past, drone building involved intricate assembly and hacking together various components, but the prevalence of off-the-shelf quadcopters has somewhat disconnected users from the fascinating control systems these aerial vehicles possess. To delve deeper into this realm, the Cornell researchers developed a one-dimensional quadcopter, limiting its movement to travel along a vertical rod for a streamlined four-week class project.

Despite its confined movement, the drone, equipped with an onboard IMU, accurately determines its position and employs a PID control system to achieve smooth and calculated movements. The command to move to a different position involves intricate calculations translated into commands for the individual propellers. A custom-designed circuit supplies power to the motors, emphasizing the bespoke nature of each component, from the 3D-printed drone platform to the placement of the microcontroller.

The project, with its unique constraints and challenges such as relocating the microcontroller off the platform and enhancing the power supply’s current-handling capacity, offers valuable insights into the complexities of drone control systems. This experiment showcases the team’s dedication to understanding the inner workings of these unmanned aerial vehicles beyond the convenience of off-the-shelf solutions.

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