Checking date: 20/01/2025


Course: 2024/2025

Technologies for Autonomous and Unmanned Systems
(18536)
Bachelor in Mobile and Space Communications Engineering (Study Plan 2019) (Plan: 442 - Estudio: 217)


Coordinating teacher: GONZALEZ SERRANO, FRANCISCO JAVIER

Department assigned to the subject: Signal and Communications Theory Department

Type: Electives
ECTS Credits: 3.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Digital Communications Communication Channels and Systems Electronic Systems
Objectives
- Know the basic structure of unmanned vehicles. - Know the typical architecture of the on-board and ground systems, as well as their fundamental components. - Design the architecture of the systems needed for the fulfillment of a specific mission.
Learning Outcomes
CB1: Students have demonstrated possession and understanding of knowledge in an area of study that builds on the foundation of general secondary education, and is usually at a level that, while relying on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting edge of their field of study. CB2: Students are able to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the competences usually demonstrated through the development and defence of arguments and problem solving within their field of study. CG3: Knowledge of basic and technological subject areas which enable acquisition of new methods and technologies, as well as endowing the technical engineer with the versatility necessary to adapt to any new situation. ECRT5: Ability to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different alternative technologies for development and implementation of communication systems, from the point of view of signal space, perturbations and noise and analog and digital modulation. ETEGISC2: Ability to apply techniques on which telecommunication networks, services and applications are based in fixed environments as well as mobile, personal, local or long distance, with different bandwidths, including telephone, radio broadcasting, television and data, from the point of view of transmission systems. ETEGISC5: Ability to select antennas, equipment and transmission systems, guided and non-guided wave propagation, by electromagnetics, radiofrequency and optics means and the corresponding management of radio electronic space and frequency allocation. RA1: Knowledge and Understanding. Knowledge and understanding of the general fundamentals of engineering, scientific and mathematical principles, as well as those of their branch or specialty, including some knowledge at the forefront of their field. RA2: Analysis. Graduates will be able to solve engineering problems through an analysis process, identifying the problem, recognising specifications, establishing different methods of resolution, selecting the most appropriate one and implementing it correctly. They must be able to use various methods and recognize the importance of social constraints, human health, safety, the environment, as well as commercial constraints. RA4: Research. Graduates will be able to use appropriate methods to carry out detailed research and studies of technical aspects, commensurate with their level of knowledge. The research involves bibliographic searches, design and execution of experiments, interpretation of data, selection of the best proposal and computer simulation. May require consultation of databases, standards and security procedures. RA5: Applications. Graduates will have the ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to solve problems, conduct research, and design engineering devices or processes. These skills include knowledge, use and limitations of materials, computer models, process engineering, equipment, practical work, technical literature and information sources. They must be aware  of all the implications of engineering practice: ethical, environmental, commercial and industrial.
Description of contents: programme
Unit 1. Introduction to RPAS / UAS (ES) - History - Elements: operating environment, air and ground segments; payload; support and maintenance - Vehicle types and classification - Applications: missions - Regulations: operation - Socio-economic impact Unit 2. Technologies - Propulsion * Electric: Brushless motors, Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC) * Others: piston, turbofan, ... * Propellers - Electric power) * Batteries, Fuel Cells. Systems based on applied electrical energy, internal circuits of drones * Converters (BEC) Unit 3. Communications + Ground Segment: Ground Control Station Communication * Command and Control: RC Controller / Receiver * Telemetry * Data links: connectivity Unit 4. Drone Fundamentals - Configurations: 2/3/4/6/8-copter - Basic flight maneuvers * Performances Guidance and control (Flight Control System) * Autopilots. IMU. GPS * Control software: mission planner Unit 5. Design methodologies: Systems Engineering * V & V: CONOPS, Requirements, Design, Testing Design and manufacturing * Materials. Manufacturing processes * Design software * 3D Printing Unit 6. Payload (onboard) * Sensed - Optical (Visible, IR), RADAR, LiDAR, SONAR, Ultrasound * Actuators: gimbals, etc GCS + Processing (onground) * Detection, classification, monitoring. Data Fusion. * Information processing and analysis software Practice 1: Drone Architecture and Components Practice 2: Communications Practice 3: Flight Control Practice 4: Payload printing Practice 5: Software Development Practice 6: Calculation of airplanes: - Configuration software: eCalc - Race Drone vs surveillance Drone exercise Practice 7: GCS and application design Practice 8: Flight and Testing - Plan mission + mission planner
Learning activities and methodology
Theory Classes: 0.75 ECTS Practical/Lab. classes: 0.5 ECTS Group Project: 1 ECTS    - Development of a project of systems integration in a UAV Individual Project: 0.75 ECTS The learning activities, methodology and tutoring regime will be organized according to the regulations specified by the university: https://www.uc3m.es/ss/Satellite/UC3MInstitucional/es/ListadoNormativas/1371206706530/Estudios_de_Grado
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination 50
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 50

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • James Aber Irene Marzolff Johannes Ries Susan Aber. Small-Format Aerial Photography and UAS Imagery. Academic Press. 2nd Edition.. 2019
  • Paul Gerin Fahlstrom. Introduction to UAV Systems. John Wiley & Sons; 4th Edition. 2012
  • Plamen Angelov. Sense and Avoid in UAS. Wiley-Blackwell. 2012
  • Reg Austin. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: UAVS Design, Development and Deployment. Wiley-Blackwell; Edición: 1. 2010
Additional Bibliography
  • Brent Terwilliger, David C. Ison, John Robbins. Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Guide: Exploring Designs, Operations, Regulations, and Economics. Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.. 2017
  • Douglas M. Marshall, Richard K. Barnhart, Eric Shappee, Michael Thomas Most. Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. CRC Press. 2016

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.