Study and development of a photovoltaic system for application in fixed-wing UAVs

• Grant number: 23/05376-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Circuits
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Marcos Cossi
• Grantee: Matheus Correa Francisco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this IC work, a study and implementation of a photovoltaic system for application in a fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will be developed. The objective is to capture solar energy through photovoltaic cells installed in the UAV, complementing the energy stored in the batteries, and thereby increasing the flight range. To this end, studies will be carried out on the types of UAVs and their flight autonomy, the main types of solar photogenerating cells available on the market and their operational characterizations, DC-DC converters with application in the photovoltaic system, among other items that will compose the system. photovoltaic. Then, the acquisition of the components of the photovoltaic system will be made, as well as its implementation and experimental tests. In this project, the photovoltaic system will be developed on the ground (not on board). With this IC work, the student will learn both the operation of UAVs and photovoltaic systems applied to fixed-wing UAVs. All the knowledge acquired will be fundamental for the development of a second CI project, in which it is intended to develop and apply a photovoltaic system in a mobile wing UAV, inspired by animals in nature (bio-drone), such as imitating the heartbeat of a bird's wings. Thus, the proposed CI project will be important for the development of the research project FAPESP 22/03128-7, of which the advisor is part, and whose main objective is the development of UAVs inspired by animals in nature. It should be noted that in the FAPESP project 22/03128-7, the acquisition of equipment is foreseen, but that scholarships for CI students are not foreseen.