Propulsion Systems:
Control Boards, Stabilizers, Positioning
Flight Control Board
Drones have components that detect where it is, and keeps it stable and on course during flight.
Flight Controller: The brain of a drone; has sensors to give it information to properly orient itself
Gyroscopes: detect changes in a position of a drone and re-adjust its position 100s of time every second using inertial measurement units (adjusts yaw, pitch, roll movements)
Gyroscopic Rigidity: physical principle allowing an auto-pilot function to self-stabilize
Magnetometer: is a compass. Can be fooled by metal objects or electrical objects. Must be calibrated in new locations.
Accelerometer: determines position and orientation of drone
Image Source: https://www.fierceelectronics.com/components/how-many-sensors-are-a-drone-and-what-do-they-do
Image Source: https://pic-microcontroller.com/st-has-mems-gyro-for-more-than/
Positioning
Drones also have transmitter components that communicate with satellites; these allow the drone to transmit a GPS signal.
GPS System: calculates latitude and longitude (lateral/horizontal measure). Required for autopilot features.
Antenna: Small wire that receives signals
Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast: works by broadcasting information about an aircraft's GPS location, altitude, ground speed and other data to ground stations and other aircraft, once per second
Image Source: https://technodossier.com/understanding-drones-components-applications/
