Vibration analysis of a UAV multirotor frame

Abstract

Recent years have seen a huge increase in the development and use of small unmanned aircraft, otherwise known as drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A lot of published research work focusses on new applications, control optimization and flight range maximization. However, there is very little published work that deals with a thorough structural vibration analysis of a typical UAV chassis. This paper discusses the experimental and numerical vibration analysis of a multirotor chassis. The paper provides an analysis of the main vibration sources affecting this UAV and an experimental modal analysis of the main structural components of the multirotor chassis. The resulting data is applied to a numerical modal analysis of the UAV chassis and allows, for instance, locating low-vibration regions where sensitive electronics should best be mounted.