P07122: Autonomous Quadcopter Jason Enslin – EE: Team Leader, Circuit Design/Testing Glenn Kitchell – CE: Programming, Software Design Richard Nichols – EE: Controls, Sensors, Hardware Interfacing Courtney Walsh – ME: Flight Dynamics, Propulsion Jeff Welch – ME: Mechanical Design & Analysis Dr. Vincent J. Amuso – Team Guide Sponsors: RIT Honors Program, RIT EE Department

Project Description “Home Grown” Customer Needs: Carry at least a 1 kg load Ability to fly and hover 75-125 ft off ground Active communication between aircraft and ground station Flight time of at least 10 minutes

Considered Concepts Traditional Helicopter Lighter Than Air Vehicle Positive: Really cool Negative: Really complicated Lighter Than Air Vehicle Positive: Easy to get into the air Negative: Susceptible to wind, $$$$ Hybrid Helicopter/UFO flying machine Positive: Simpler to control, challenging Negative: High risk, little available information

Selected Concept

Prototype Overview 4 Gasoline (glow fuel) engines 4 Six-inch radius rotors Aluminum frame On-board microprocessor, GPS unit, gyroscope, accelerometer, digital compass, etc. Primary and backup power (3V)

Electrical System Diagram

Risk Assessment Risk: Will there be enough lift generated? Extensive calculations made using momentum theory and blade element theory 1.6 HP required to lift approx. 16 lbs Projected weight: 12-15 lbs Suggestions from design review: Test, test, test (props, air flow, MAV load cell) Consider longer propeller blades

Design Review Summary Mechanical Review Electrical Review Deflection analysis Placing of the engines, eliminate driveshaft Electrical Review Refine power consumption analysis Demonstrate stability of control system in Simulink

Product Development Phase Phase 0 – Planning Phase 1 – Concept Development Phase 2 – System-level Design Phase 3 – Detailed Design Phase 4 – Testing and Refinement MSD I MSD II 1 2 3 4 Current Phase

State of Design Currently, all customer specifications will be met Need to ensure lift, power consumption Current Budget

Milestones for MSD II End Week 2: Detailed design complete, order remaining parts End Week 6: Prototype completed End Week 8: Flight testing, design review End Week 9: Technical paper, poster complete End Week 10: Project review

Demo!