DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND TESTING OF A SOLAR-POWERED, MULTIROTOR, UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE
Loading...
Authors
Gleason, Brian P.
Subjects
solar power
solar array
photovoltaic solar cells
quadcopter
ISR
unmanned aerial vehicle
maximum power point tracking
computer-assisted design
solar array
photovoltaic solar cells
quadcopter
ISR
unmanned aerial vehicle
maximum power point tracking
computer-assisted design
Advisors
Michael, Sherif N.
Jones, Kevin D.
Date of Issue
2018-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
A ground force commander (GFC) is in a constant fight to maintain complete situational awareness of his or her respective area of operations (AO). This means being aware of all friendly and enemy movement in his AO, and being able to quickly identify new threats and neutralize them efficiently. One of the greatest tools at an AO's disposal for achieving these objectives is the utilization of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aerial platforms. While these platforms are incredible assets, they are often remotely controlled by a higher headquarters, and sensor coverage time is usually shared between multiple ground units spread across numerous AOs. This means that the GFC rarely has access to the sensor as often and for as long as desired.
Therefore, the impetus of this thesis is to design, build, and test an ISR platform, controlled by a team on the battlefield, which is capable of virtually uninterrupted sensor coverage due to utilization of a photovoltaic solar array as a power supply. This study includes computer-assisted design, 3D printing, multirotor technology, solar energy absorption, maximum power point tracking, energy storage, and full-motion video relays to achieve the objective.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funding
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.