Experimental measurement of propeller and motor characteristics for small UAVs

Purpose This paper aims to identify the characteristics of two AXI 4130 brushless direct current (BLDC) motors and the propeller-motor performance of five Aeronaut CAM folding propellers. The resulting data sets can be used to select the optimal propeller for small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Design/methodology/approach The characteristics of AXI 4130–16 and AXI 4130–20 motors were identified under various supply voltages, as these motors support several battery-cell configurations. Following the motor characterization, five different propellers were tested on a LY-Micro-Max UAV Power System test bench using the selected AXI 4130–20 motor to estimate its thrust, torque, input power and revolutions per minute under static conditions. Findings The obtained data sets provide a reliable basis for optimizing propeller-motor combinations, predicting Unmanned Aerial Vehicle performance under static conditions and selecting the most efficient propeller. The presented analysis confirmed that the 18x11-inch propeller delivers the highest propulsion force and the best thrust-to-torque ratio. If this is used as the primary criterion, the selection of the optimal propeller for a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle can be easily determined. Practical implications The data presented in this paper is novel and specifically tailored for small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle design. Originality/value This paper provides specific characteristics of BLDC motors that are often difficult to find in existing literature. The identified propeller characteristics can be used to select the optimal propeller for small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.