DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES

B.E – Common to All

Anna University Regulations:2021.

CRA332 – DRONE TECHNOLOGY

IV Year / VII Semester

Question Bank

Unit 1 –INTRODUCTION TO DRONE TECHNOLOGY

Prepared By,

Dr.G.VICTOR EMMANUEL,
PROF/H&S
 UNIT 1

PART-A

1. What is meant by a drone?

Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Aircraft

Systems (UASs), are aircraft without a human pilot onboard. They are controlled either
autonomously by onboard computers or remotely by a human operator. It is used for various
purposes, including surveillance, photography, and delivery services.

2. How Fluid Dynamics or Aerodynamics concept plays a role in drone?

Fluid dynamics and aerodynamics are crucial for drone design and performance.
Aerodynamics involves the study of how air flows over the drone's surfaces, affecting lift,
drag, and stability. Efficient aerodynamic design helps optimize flight efficiency and control.
Fluid dynamics broadly covers the behavior of air (or other fluids) around the drone,
impacting its propulsion, maneuverability, and overall performance. Both concepts are
essential for ensuring that drones fly effectively, maintain stability, and achieve desired
performance characteristics.

3. How a drone works?

The working principle of a drone involves generating lift and thrust through its
rotors or propellers to achieve flight. The drone’s flight controller processes data from
sensors to adjust rotor speeds, maintaining stability and controlling movement based on
commands from a remote controller or automated systems.

4. Define (i) Weight (ii)Lift (iii) Thrust (iv) Drag

(i) Weight: The force exerted by gravity on an object, pulling it downward towards
the Earth's surface. It is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to
gravity.

(ii) Lift: The aerodynamic force that acts perpendicular to the direction of motion and
opposes the weight of an object. It is generated by the movement of air over the wings or
rotors of an aircraft, allowing it to rise and stay aloft.

(iii) Thrust: The force generated by engines or propellers that propels an object
forward. In aircraft, thrust is necessary to overcome drag and achieve forward motion.
 (iv) Drag: The force acting on the drone in the opposite direction of motion due to air
resistance is called drag

5. Define the term gimbal

A pivoted support system that allows the camera or sensor to remain level and stable
during flight. Gimbals can have multiple axes (usually 2 or 3) to counteract the drone's
movement and vibrations.

6. What is telemetry?

The process of transmitting data from the drone to the ground control station. This
data includes information such as altitude, speed, GPS location, battery status, and other vital
statistics.

7. What is meant by autonomous flight?

A flight mode where the drone operates without human intervention, following a pre-
programmed flight path using GPS and other sensors. This includes:

Waypoints: Specific GPS coordinates that the drone follows during its
autonomous flight.

8. What is BVLOS?

BVLOS-Beyond Visual Line of Sight refers to operating a drone beyond the visual
line of sight of the pilot. This requires special regulatory approval and is critical for many
commercial applications like surveying, delivery, and inspections.

9. Brief about ESC?

Electronic Speed Controller is a device that regulates the speed of the drone's motors,
translating control signals into appropriate electrical pulses.

10. Enlighten the term Geo-fencing

A virtual boundary defined by GPS coordinates that restricts where a drone can fly.
Geo-fencing is often used to enforce no-fly zones or restrict flight areas.

11. What is failsafe?

 A system or feature designed to bring the drone to a safe state in case of a failure,
such as loss of signal, GPS errors, or low battery.

12. Define the term propeller.

The rotating blades that generate lift and thrust for the drone. Propellers are a critical
component in determining the drone's performance and efficiency.

13. What is a barometer?

Barometer is a sensor that measures atmospheric pressure to estimate the drone’s

altitude, providing critical data for maintaining stable flight.

14. What is LiDAR?

LiDAR- Light Detection and Ranging is a remote sensing technology that measures
distance by illuminating a target with laser light and measuring the reflected light with a
sensor, commonly used for mapping and surveying.

15. Compare and contrast quadcopter, hexacopter and octacopter drones.

S. No Property Quadcopter Hexacopter Octacopter

1. Number of 4 6 8
Rotors
2. Stability and Less stable and More stable and Most stable and
Redundancy less redundant offers better provides high
redundancy redundancy
3. Payload Lower payload Higher payload Highest payload
Capacity capacity capacity than capacity,
compared to quadcopters capable of
hexacopters and carrying large
octocopters and heavy
payloads.

16. Brief about fixed-wing drone?

A fixed-wing drone has one rigid wing that is designed to look and work like an
aeroplane, providing the lift rather than vertical lift rotors. Hence, this drone type only needs
the energy to move forward and not to hold itself in the air. This makes them energy- efficient.
17. Enlighten how drone technologies impact on the businesses.
 Drone technologies impact businesses by enhancing operational efficiency and
reducing costs through applications like aerial surveys, deliveries, and inspections. They
enable faster data collection, improved accuracy, and expanded service capabilities, thereby
transforming industries such as logistics, agriculture, and real estate.

18. How drone business through entrepreneurship?

Drone business entrepreneurship involves creating and managing companies that offer
drone-based services or products, such as aerial photography, surveying, or delivery.
Entrepreneurs in this field capitalize on technological advancements to provide innovative
solutions, drive market growth, and address various industry needs.

19. Brief about how drones are helpful in building opportunities/applications for
entrepreneurship & employability.

Drones offer opportunities for entrepreneurship and employability by enabling new

business ventures in sectors like aerial photography, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection.
They create jobs in drone piloting, data analysis, and maintenance, while also offering
entrepreneurs innovative ways to enter and expand in emerging markets.

20. What is aerial photography/videography?

Aerial photography/videography refers to capturing images or videos from an

elevated perspective, typically using drones or aircraft. This technique provides unique
viewpoints and detailed imagery for applications such as real estate marketing, surveying,
and film production.

PART-B & C

1. Explain about the working principle and concept of a drone in detail with relevant
diagrams.

2. List out elaborately the vocabulary terminologies used in drones

3. Enumerate about the history of drones

4. Explain in detail about the types of current generation of drones based on their method of
propulsion

5. Explain how drone technologies’ impact on the businesses

6. Elaborately explain about drone business through entrepreneurship

7. Explain how drone are providing oppurtunities/applications for entrepreneurship &
employability