Experimental Aerodynamic Analysis of a Micro Aerial Vehicle on the Testbed

An experimental aerodynamic analysis of a micro aerial vehicle using the testbed has been conducted in this study. Following this purpose a testbed were designed and fabricated to simulate the real fight conditions. The testbed is a five degree freedom platform to simulate the actual flight conditions, with good approximation. Conceptual and detailed design of mechanical and electrical components is presented. Actual tests of a MAV flight have been performed using the testbed. Lift and thrust results were measured through various experiments. By using the testbed in different configurations the lift force was obtained based on MAV's velocity and angels of attack. The subtlety in the approach of this research can be narrowd to the way that it has used to measure flight parameters. Indeed the more real situation presented, the ore accurate results are derived. This is what has mainly addressed in this experimental attempt. It also helps the scientific researches to exploit more reliable and even easier results of studying MAVs' aerodynamics. Another achievement proposed as a result, is the capability of using testbed in different-sized spaces and for variety of MAVs in various dimensions. Finally, and aerodynamic analysis was carried out on a MAV and some of its parameters were optimized. To shed further light on this topic, changing the parameters of MAV like angle of attack and repeating tests, lift can be optimized or can made better. These results can be taken into account for flight controls and also for future designs.

Keywords:

Aerodynamic analysis , Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) , Testbed , Thrust and lift