Project Overview
Developing a Modular Communication System for UAVs Using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology
This project focuses on the design and implementation of a modular communication system for drones using UWB technology. The system allows for real-time communication between the flight controller and the electronic speed controllers (ESCs), overcoming traditional wiring limitations. This technology is ideal for advanced logistics applications and customizable drone configurations.
Key Features
- Modular Design (Scalability): Supports configurations like tricopters, quadcopters, hexacopters, allowing flexibility for various UAV applications.
- UWB Communication: High-bandwidth, low-latency wireless communication via Decawave DWM1001C modules operating at 6489.6 MHz with 499.2 MHz bandwidth and 6.8 Mbps data rate.
- Latency Optimization: Ensures minimal delay (up to 5 ms) in motor control, validated by real-world and simulation testing.
System Architecture
The architecture includes a master module, responsible for capturing PWM signals from the flight controller, and multiple slave modules, each equipped with ESC, motors, and UWB receiver modules. Slave modules synchronize motor control using a PWM signal triggered by a master sync signal.
Performance Results
Experimental validation confirmed stable flight performance despite introduced communication delays. Hardware-in-the-loop simulations further demonstrated robust flight control even at the maximum delay threshold of 5 ms, aligning closely with real-world testing outcomes.
Resources
This project has been published in the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE), showcasing the design and experimental validation of the proposed wireless modular UAV architecture.