Open Gimbal

A 3 Degrees of Freedom Open Source Sensing and Testing Platform for Nano and Micro UAVs

Journal article (2023)

Authors

Suryansh Sharma Networked Systems - EEMCS
Ranga Rao Venkatesha Prasad Networked Systems - EEMCS
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
Sensors Wireless sensor Wireless sensor networks Wireless communication Antennas Three-dimensional displays Autonomous aerial vehicles Batteryless sensing Gimbal Gyroscopic testbed Nano UAV Radiofrequency identification
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Testing the aerodynamics of micro-UAVs (mUAVs) and nano-UAVs (nUAVs) without actually flying is highly challenging. To address this issue, we introduce Open Gimbal, a specially designed 3 degrees of freedom (DoF) platform that caters to the unique requirements of mUAVs and nUAVs. This platform allows for unrestricted and free rotational motion, enabling comprehensive experimentation and evaluation of these UAVs. Our approach focuses on simplicity and accessibility. We developed an open-source, 3-D printable electromechanical design that has minimal size and low complexity. This design facilitates easy replication and customization, making it widely accessible to researchers and developers. Addressing the challenges of sensing flight dynamics at a small scale, we have devised an integrated wireless batteryless sensor subsystem. Our innovative solution eliminates the need for complex wiring and instead uses wireless power transfer for sensor data reception. To validate the effectiveness of open gimbal, we thoroughly evaluate and test its communication link and sensing performance using a typical nanoquadrotor. Through comprehensive testing, we verify the reliability and accuracy of open gimbal in real-world scenarios. These advancements provide valuable tools and insights for researchers and developers working with mUAVs and nUAVs, contributing to the progress of this rapidly evolving field.