Electric Propulsion for a High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Abstract: The catalogue of observational platforms for space and atmospheric research can be expanded by utilising drones equipped with specialised instrumentation and capable of flying at high altitudes. In this project the requirements for an electric propulsion system applicable to the KTH Royal Institute of Technology ALPHA project are evaluated. A selection of electric motors, propellers and electronic speed controllers are tested to analyse their applicability using two different test setups. The tests include evaluation of propeller characteristics such as thrust and torque generation along with operational angular velocity ranges and the efficiency of brushless DC motors. The results are analysed and extrapolated to approximate the performance in the dynamic environment that the ALPHA aerial vehicle will encounter. From the tested hardware a propeller with a diameter of ten inches and a pitch of seven inches is found to fulfil the requirements. Out of the tested motors, six of them achieve the necessary performance and these are presented with suggestionsfor further analysis.