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Build Arduino Quadcopter With Complete Source Code and Circuit Diagram

The document provides instructions for building an Arduino quadcopter from scratch, including a list of required components like a frame, motors, propellers, battery, speed controllers, and IMU sensor. It explains what each component is used for and provides specifications for common propeller sizes based on the intended size of the quadcopter. Instructions are given for assembling the components and integrating them with an Arduino board to enable autonomous control of the quadcopter.

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727 views3 pages

Build Arduino Quadcopter With Complete Source Code and Circuit Diagram

The document provides instructions for building an Arduino quadcopter from scratch, including a list of required components like a frame, motors, propellers, battery, speed controllers, and IMU sensor. It explains what each component is used for and provides specifications for common propeller sizes based on the intended size of the quadcopter. Instructions are given for assembling the components and integrating them with an Arduino board to enable autonomous control of the quadcopter.

Uploaded by

Vimal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Build Arduino Quadcopter with Complete

Source Code and Circuit Diagram


Ever wanted to design something of your own from scratch but never knew
where to start. Well, you made it to the right spot. In this article, we will
teach how you can make your own Arduino Quadcopter Drone step by
step. If you feel your programming skills are lacking then you can always
get a pre-built Quadcopter kit, but you will miss out the thrill of building
something from the ground up. So without further ado, why not start from
the basics.

What is a ‘Quad’ copter?


A Quadcopter is essentially a flying device with 4 electric motors and
propellers to power it. These devices are perfect for surveillance and
filming applications and come in a number of sizes according to your need.
The four rotors are used to generate the uplifting thrust which carries this
device. The weight is divided among the four rotors. The Quadcopter is
also controlled by using these motors by changing the amount of power
each motor is producing.
The motors are arranged almost as if they lie along the corners of an
imaginary square. Two of them rotate clockwise while the other two on the
other diagonal rotate anti-clockwise. The drone remains leveled by
adjusting the power each motor is provided with. Typically the Arduino
board is used for these adjustments autonomously. The thrust each rotor
produces allows the Quadcopter to perform four types of movements:
Altitude, Roll, Yaw, and Pitch. You can also add different sensors to your
Arduino to make your Quadcopter more self-controlling for example,
barometer, GPS, sonar etc.
Components Required:
Here we will enlist the components required then discuss them one by one.
 Frame
 Motors
 Electric Speed Controllers
 Propellers
 Battery
 Arduino Board
 IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)
 RC Controller
1: Frame: The frame should be strong and flexible to accommodate
vibrations produced. It should have a center holding plate for mounting the
electronics, four arms, and four motor brackets to connect each motor to
each arm end. The material used can be aluminum, carbon fiber or wood.
Aluminum is mostly used since it is light, rigid and cheap. But they do not
accommodate vibrations as well as carbon fibers.
But carbon fibers are more expensive. Wood also absorbs vibrations well
but can easily break. You can also get pre-built frame kits.
2: Motors: These motors are identical to traditional DC motors, however;
they do not have any brushes. Make sure to check the RPMs (revolution
per minutes) the motors can generate through the ‘Kv-rating’ (RPM
constant of a motor). As mentioned before the motors should rotate anti-
clockwise to counteract the torque of the propeller.
3: Propellers: Propellers will generate the necessary thrust for your
Quadcopter. Make sure to buy the corresponding clockwise and
anticlockwise rotating pairs of propellers. You will have to choose the pitch
and diameter according to the thrust required and the required application
of your Quadcopter.

If you require more thrust, for example for lifting more weight, then use a
large diameter and pitched propeller. But if you want more RPM to use
smaller or mid-sized propellers. Similarly, if you want more stability for a
Quadcopter which will lift weights then you will use a less RPM motor with
more torque and higher pitched propellers. Standardized propellers include:
 5 pitch, 8 diameter – Small quads
 8 pitch, 9 diameter – Small quads
 5 pitch, 10 diameter – Medium-sized quads
 7 pitch, 10 diameter – Medium-sized quads
 5 pitch, 12 diameter- Large quads
4: Electronic Speed Controller: This device will control the speed of the
motors. It has a battery input and a motor output with three phases. You
will require four for each motor. Keep in mind the maximum level of current
the source will provide while buying the ESC. Also, see if the ESC is
programmable to your needs for example if you want to change the signal
frequency range.
5: Battery: We recommend you use the LiPo (Lithium Polymer) battery, it
provides the current that is ideal to this application and is not heavy. NiMH
is cheaper but heavier. LiPo batteries come in single 3.7V cells or up to
37V 10 celled. The most popular version is the 3SP1 battery which is 11.1V
and 3 celled.

6: Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): This board will measure the quads
orientation, velocity, gravity force etc. and level your Quadcopter. This unit
consists of a 3-axis gyroscope (to read angular velocity) and accelerometer
(to measure acceleration and force). This type of combination is known
6DOF IMU. In this way, it senses the orientation of the quad.

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