Experimentally flight performances comparison of octocopter, decacopter and dodecacopter using universal UAV

YILDIRIM Ş., Çabuk N., BAKIRCIOĞLU V.

Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation, vol.213, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 213
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.measurement.2023.112689
  • Journal Name: Measurement: Journal of the International Measurement Confederation
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, INSPEC
  • Keywords: Experimental comparison, Mutlirotor UAV, Point tracking, Universal UAV, SLIDING MODE CONTROL, CONTROL DESIGN, QUADROTOR, ATTITUDE, DRONES, SYSTEM
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of different unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configurations using a proposed universal UAV. The octocopter, decacopter, and dodecacopter were experimentally evaluated through point tracking flight performances and vibration level analyses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to conduct a comparative analysis of these configurations on the same platform. Our findings indicate that the dodecacopter exhibited the best overall performance, whereas the decacopter showed the lowest roll angle error. Notably, the implemented decacopter exhibited the highest pitch angle error and north position error due to its asymmetric rotor placement in the pitch axis. We observed that the octocopter demonstrated the best vibrationless flight performance, while increasing vibration magnitude was observed with an increase in the number of rotors.