Design, assembly, and tuning of a multipurpose FPV drone: A flexible and low-cost alternative

IF 2.1 Q3 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

HardwareX Pub Date : 2025-07-22 DOI:10.1016/j.ohx.2025.e00672

Franco Alessandro Arenas Mamani , Gustavo Bryam Capira Malcoaccha , Marco Antonio Blanco Quicaño , Leonardo Gabriel Prado Gutierrez , German Alberto Echaiz Espinoza , Erasmo Sulla Espinoza , Andres Ortiz Salazar

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This article details the design, assembly, and tuning of a multipurpose FPV (First Person View) drone designed as a budget-friendly and customizable alternative to professional-grade drone model. Built with a focus on performance, adaptability, durability, and ease of repair, the APdrone (All Purpose Drone) incorporates high-quality components such as a carbon fiber frame, brushless motors, and advanced flight controllers. To ensure optimal flight characteristics, a comprehensive tuning process was performed using empirical adjustments, supported by controlled testing environments, to optimize PID parameters (

K_{p}

K_{i}

K_{d}

) to achieve stable and precise flight performance. Testing demonstrated a flight time of approximately 8 min under standard conditions with a maximum payload capacity of 0.98 kg. Importantly, the APdrone offers operational flexibility and significant cost savings (USD 647.09), compared to high-end drones like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, while maintaining comparable functionality and allowing for customization. To encourage accessibility, reproducibility and further development, open-source design files, including CAD schematics, firmware configurations, and assembly instructions, are provided. The APdrone serves as a scalable platform for research, recreational use, and advancements within the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) field.

Abstract Image

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多用途FPV无人机的设计、组装和调试：一种灵活、低成本的选择

本文详细介绍了多用途FPV（第一人称视角）无人机的设计，组装和调整，该无人机设计为预算友好且可定制的专业级无人机模型替代方案。APdrone （All Purpose Drone）专注于性能、适应性、耐用性和易于维修，采用了高质量的部件，如碳纤维框架、无刷电机和先进的飞行控制器。为了确保最优的飞行特性，在受控测试环境的支持下，利用经验调整进行了全面的整定过程，以优化PID参数（Kp, Ki, Kd），以实现稳定和精确的飞行性能。测试表明，在标准条件下飞行时间约为8分钟，最大有效载荷能力为0.98千克。重要的是，与DJI Mavic 3 Pro等高端无人机相比，APdrone提供了操作灵活性和显著的成本节约（647.09美元），同时保持了相当的功能并允许定制。为了鼓励可访问性、可重复性和进一步的开发，提供了开源设计文件，包括CAD原理图、固件配置和组装说明。APdrone作为一个可扩展的平台，用于无人机（UAV）领域的研究、娱乐和进步。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

HardwareX Engineering-Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

18.20%

发文量

124

审稿时长

24 weeks

期刊介绍： HardwareX is an open access journal established to promote free and open source designing, building and customizing of scientific infrastructure (hardware). HardwareX aims to recognize researchers for the time and effort in developing scientific infrastructure while providing end-users with sufficient information to replicate and validate the advances presented. HardwareX is open to input from all scientific, technological and medical disciplines. Scientific infrastructure will be interpreted in the broadest sense. Including hardware modifications to existing infrastructure, sensors and tools that perform measurements and other functions outside of the traditional lab setting (such as wearables, air/water quality sensors, and low cost alternatives to existing tools), and the creation of wholly new tools for either standard or novel laboratory tasks. Authors are encouraged to submit hardware developments that address all aspects of science, not only the final measurement, for example, enhancements in sample preparation and handling, user safety, and quality control. The use of distributed digital manufacturing strategies (e.g. 3-D printing) is encouraged. All designs must be submitted under an open hardware license.