What Are Drone Flight Controllers?

Flight controllers are an important element of drones, acting as the brain that monitors and governs everything that the vehicle does during an operation. In their most simplistic form, flight controllers are just a circuit board with various electronic chips attached. Nevertheless, the combination of intelligent electronics and software present in a flight controller makes the various capabilities of the drone possible. As such, it can be useful to have a basic understanding of how a typical flight controller works and is designed.

When discussing such assemblies, it is best to understand that a flight controller’s processes and assemblies can be categorized into groups that are concerned with sensing, controlling, or communication. For sensing to be carried out, the Drone flight controller will have a number of sensors that are connected to the device, all of which are able to offer data such as height, orientation, and speed. These sensors typically come in the form of Internal Measurement Units (IMU), barometers, and distance sensors that detect angular speed, height, and the presence of objects non-invasively. Without these sensors, the drone would not be able to perceive the world around it or itself in the space around it for that matter.

The role of controlling elements is quite straightforward, ensuring that there is a means for the drone to have its motions managed. Many drones will feature upwards of four motors, and each of these motors can have independent speeds to allow for rotation, acceleration, and other movements to be conducted with ease. With the flight controller, all sensor data is collected and analyzed so that motor speeds can effectively be determined. These speed settings are then sent to Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) in the form of signals so that motor settings can be adjusted.

In order to ensure that sensor data is effectively analyzed and utilized, an algorithm is used. What this means is that a set of strict rules have been established for board microchips for the means of fusing and filtering sensory information, estimating safety and durability, and much more. For a majority of drones, the PID control algorithm is used. More formally known as Proportional Integral Derivative control, this algorithm allows for incoming information to be rapidly read out and reacted to for the sake of more stable flight.

The final major elements of a standard flight controller are those meant for communication. For instance, drones need to have a constant reading of battery levels to prevent the chance of powering off mid-flight, and this tracking is performed by sensors that then communicate battery levels to other systems. For communication, flight controllers rely on Wi-Fi and radio frequencies that can be transferred to computer systems and other devices.

Based on one’s particular needs and application, there are a number of flight controllers on the market. For hobbyists, many basic controllers can be relied on, those of which may have less capabilities while being much cheaper to purchase and easier to install. Meanwhile, racers, filmmakers, and commercial operators also have varying options at their disposal as well. Regardless of your application, we at Unlimited NSN have everything you need to effectively carry out your drone operations and projects.

Take the time to explore our website and secure competitive pricing and rapid lead times on drone parts that have been sourced from top manufacturers that we trust. Once you have had the chance to explore our various offerings as you see fit, our team is always ready to supply you with competitive quotes for your comparisons, so send in a Request for Quote (RFQ) for any item(s). If you have any questions or concerns regarding our offerings or services, give us a call or email at your earliest convenience, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can!


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