Diagnostics of unmanned aerial vehicle with recurrence based approach of piezo-element voltage signals

Abstract

Abstract This work experimentally addresses damage calibration of an unmanned aerial vehicle in operational condition. A wide range of damage level and types are simulated and controlled by an electric motor via pulse width modulation in this regard. The measurement is carried out via established protocols of using a piezo-patch on one of the 8 arms, utilising the vibration sensitivity and flexibility of the arms, demonstrating repeatability of such protocol. Subsequently, recurrence analysis on the voltage time series data is performed for detection of damage. Quantifiers of damage extent are then created for the full range of damage conditions, including the extreme case of complete loss of power. Experimental baseline condition for no damage condition is also established in this regard. Both diagonal-line and vertical-line based indicators from recurrence analysis are sensitive to the quantitative estimates of damage levels and a statistical test of significance analysis confirms that it is possible to automate distinguishing the levels of damage. The damage quantifiers proposed in this paper are useful for rapid monitoring of unmanned aerial vehicle operations of connection.

Keywords

• Piezoelectric sensor
• Damage calibration
• Unmanned aerial vehicle
• Electric motor failure
• Recurrence analysis
• Mechanical vibrations