Study and development of UAV remote operations with flight-controller via air-link

This project focused on the study and development of remote unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. The objective was to build a UAV and control its operations via an air-link system, while developing an online remote station for commanding the UAV from anywhere with an internet connection. Open-source components like the Pixhawk flight controller were utilized in building the UAV, while the air-link communication system was developed using Raspberry Pi and the MavLink protocol. Simultaneously, the project undertook the design and development of an online remote station using Django. This station provided a user-friendly interface, facilitating seamless interaction between the operator and the UAV. The remote station’s performance was validated through a series of rigorous tests involving both real and simulated vehicles. The results showed the station’s successful control of the UAV, thereby meeting almost all predefined project requirements. Challenges were encountered in relation to the UAV’s air-link range and maintaining consistent Internet connectivity, pointing the way for future enhancements. However, the project underlined the practicality and potential profitability of remote UAV operations. It has illuminated potential applications in various sectors like agriculture, and critical area surveillance. The work and findings from this endeavor have not only demonstrated the feasibility of remote UAV operations but also suggested areas of potential improvement, thereby setting the stage for future advancements in UAV technology.