Abstract
This article presents the results of work of power supply system of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by solar cells. The goal of work was to develop simulation model which allow us to calculate the flight time for the input assumptions. The UAV power supply system main elements are photovoltaic cells and batteries. In the model we also included energy consumption devices (electric motors, servos, steering and measuring devices) and electricity converters. Adapting the model to the proposed technical system required detailed identification tests of the components used in the project. For this purpose, identification tests were carried out on test stands, in particular, on photovoltaic cells and battery cells. The proposed simulation model combines knowledge in the field of aerodynamics, flight mechanics, electrical engineering, electronics, avionics and photovoltaic and astronomy supplemented with the characteristics of individual components identified in laboratory tests. This data allow us to prepare more accurate and real simulation model. The irradiation charts allowed for the analysis of how long the UAV will be able to flight for a given location and time and simulate different scenarios of flights. The case study UAV is TwinStratos (TS) – High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HALE UAV) designed by the team we are members of. TS is able to achieve 20 km and flight in the stratosphere.
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