The UAV Ecosystem
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, involve complex flight dynamics and sophisticated telemetry systems.
Flight Stack
- Flight Controller: The hardware (Pixhawk, Orange Cube).
- Firmware: PX4 or ArduPilot.
- Communication Protocol: MAVLink for telemetry and control.
Key Challenges
- Stability: High-frequency PID loops for altitude and position hold.
- Autonomy: GPS-denied navigation using optical flow or VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry).
- Power Management: Optimizing thrust-to-weight ratios for longer flight times.