Modular Motor Drive with Programming and Configuration Tools for the Development of Small Aircraft Electric Power and Propulsion Systems

Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) developers have limited marketplace options for motor speed controllers.The largest commercial controllers are generally limited to below 12 kW and battery voltages of less than 50 V, Although these are well suited to 800 Class helicopters and Giant scale fixed-wing aircraft, they are not powerful enough for larger UAV development.A few high-power options exist up to 25 kW, though they are substantially heavier with less modularity and selection.To scale up to higher powers, UAV designers are often forced to utilize industrial controllers, which are not packaged for minimal weight and flight capability.To address this need for expanded controller options, this proposal outlines a modular, open architecture motor controller system comprising a main control module, recommended I/O module, and interchangeable power stage modules.In the Phase II effort, PCKA will continue to refine upon and expand the open software modular motor drive ecosystem developed and demonstrated in the Phase I effort through a range of modeling, simulation, analysis, hardware prototyping, and flight testing.