• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.433-440
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• 2022

High Altitude Long Endurance(HALE) solar powered UAV is the vehicle that flies for a long time as solar power energy sources. It can be used to replace satellites or provide continuous service because it can perform long-term missions at high altitudes. Due to the property of the mission, it is very important for HALE solar powered UAV to have maximum flight time. It is required for mission performance to fly at high altitudes continuously except a return for temporary maintenance. Therefore mission availability time analysis is a critical factor in the commercialization of HALE solar powered UAV. In this paper, we presented an analytic model and logic for available time analysis based on the design parameters of HALE solar powered UAV. This model can be used to analyze the possibility of applying UAV according to the UAV's mission in concept design before the UAV detail design stage.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.229-235
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• 2023

Recently, for drones to be used for agricultural applications, it is necessary to increase the payload and extending flight time. Currently, the payload and extending flight time are limited by the battery technology for solar paper drone. In addition, charging or replacing the batteries may be a practical solution at the field that requires near continuous operation. In this paper, the procedure to optimize the main power system of an electric hybrid drone that consists of a battery and electric motor is presented. As a result, the solar paper drone flied successfully for 2-3%. The developed solar paper drone consumes and average of 55W when cruising and can receive up to 25W of energy during the day, and its extending flight time was verified through flight tests.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Disaster Information Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.369-370
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• 2022

4차 산업혁명이 도래함에 따라서 군사용으로 개발된 드론이 광범위하게 다양한 분야에 활용되어 가고 있다. 드론의 활용으로 이전에 사람이 접근하기 어려웠던 지역이나 현장을 원격탐사 및 데이터 취득이 가능하게 되면서, 도시문제 해결과 재난에 대응할 수 있다. 하지만 기존 드론의 동력원으로 사용하는 리튬폴리머(Li-Po)는 짧은 비행시간 때문에, 재난 현장의 드론 투입에 한계가 있다. 이러한 문제점을 보완하기 위하여 기존 드론 대비 4배 이상 향상된 비행시간을 통해 장기체공이 가능한 액화 수소 드론의 도입이 필요한 것으로 보인다. 늘어난 비행시간과 비가시 장거리 비행 능력을 통해 높은 효율을 낼 수 있는 액화 수소 드론의 활용으로 효과적인 재난 대응 활동에 대한 연구가 필요하다.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

In order to increase endurance flight efficiency of long endurance electric powered UAV with solar cell, the light weight airframe design techniques are important. In this paper, the design of the main wing of electric powered UAV manufactured using Mylar film and fiber reinforced composite was conducted in order to achieve weight reduction and structural integrity of the structure. The shape of spar and size were determined using beam theory analysis. The finite element analysis of the wing was performed under various load condition derived from flight environment of EAV-2H. Finally, the static strength test of the main wing was conducted to verify structural integrity. It was found that the developed main wing weigh less than 42% than the previous EAV-2 and the main wing passed static strength test under ultimate load.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.940-947
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• 2012

The target system is a middle size UAV, which is a low-speed long-endurance UAV with a weight of 18 kg and wingspan of 6.4 m. Three electric power sources, i.e. solar cells, a fuel cell, and a battery, are considered. The optimal takeoff time is determined to maximize the endurance because the generated solar cell's energy is heavily dependent on it. Each power source is modeled in Matlab/Simulink, and the component models are verified with the component test data. The component models are integrated into a power system which is used for power simulations. When takeoff time is at 6 pm and 2 am, it can supply the power during 37.5 hrs and 27.6 hrs, respectively. In addition, the thermostat control simulation for fuel cell demonstrates that it yields more power supply and efficient power distribution.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2012

A MDO study of a midium-sized solar powered High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAV has been performed, focused on energy balance. In the MDO process, Vortex Lattice Method(VLM) is employed for the aerodynamic modeling of the vehicle, of which structural weight is estimated with the modeling proposed by Cruz. Tail volume ratios have been set as constants, while the location of tail surfaces is determined from longitudinal static stability criterion. By balancing the available energy from solar cells, battery, and altitude, with the energy-requirement of the vehicle, the possibility of continuous flight over 24-hours has been investigated. The solar radiation level is set as that of summer at the latitude of $36^{\circ}$ north. During the daytime, the aircraft climbs using solar energy, accumulating potential energy, which supplements energy balance during the night. Optimizations have been sought in size of the vehicle, its weight distribution, and flight strategy.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.520-529
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• 2016

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of a medium-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle through reverse-engineering method. The external configuration data of the RQ-1 Predator was reverse-engineered from related photos and specification data available on public domains, which also were used to generate the CATIA modeling and weigh distribution data of the UAV. The aerodynamic characteristics of RQ-1 Predator were mainly predicted the vortex lattice method and an empirical method, which the propeller performance was analyzed by the empirical method proposed by Howe. The rate of climb, service ceiling, range, and the loiter endurance of the UAV was analyzed, which showed good agreement with the reference data.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.471-478
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• 2022

This paper is about research and development of Korea Aerospace University's Solar-Powered UAV System that named of KAU-SPUAV, and describes the design process of the 4.2 m solar UAV that succeeded in a long flight of 32 hours and 19 minutes at June 2020. In order to improve the long-term flight performance of the KAU-SPUAV, For reduce drag, a circular cross-section of the fuselage was designed, and manufactured light and sturdy fuselage by applying a monocoque structure using a glass fiber composite material. In addition, a solar module optimized for the wing shape of a 4.2 m solar drone was constructed and arranged, and a propulsion system applied with the 23[in] × 23[in] propeller was constructed to improve charging and flight efficiency. The developed KAU-SPUAV consumes an average of 55W when cruising and can receive up to 165W of energy during the day, and its Long-term Endurance was verified through flight tests.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.401-407
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• 2016

This paper introduces 3-dimensional path planning and guidance including power model for high altitude long endurance (HALE) UAV using solar energy. Dubins curve used in this paper has advantage of being directly available to apply path planning. However, most of the path planning problems using Dubins curve are defined in a two-dimensional plan. So, we used 3-dimensional Dubins path generation algorithm which was studied by Randal W. Beard. The aircraft model which used in this paper does not have an aileron. So we designed lateral controller by using a rudder. And then, we were conducted path tracking simulations by using a nonlinear path tracking algorithm. We generate examples according to altitude conditions. From the path tracking simulation results, we confirm that the path tracking is well on the flight path. Finally, we were modeling the power system of HALE UAVs and conducting path tracking simulation during 48hours. Modeling the amount of power generated by the solar cell through the calculation of the solar energy yield. And, we show the 48hours path tracking simulation results.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2014

In this research, the initial sizing of a HALE(High Altitude Long Endurance) UAV which uses solar power and hydrogen fuel cell as an alternative energy was performed. Instead of a wing box type, a glider type was chosen since it is relatively easy to get a data thanks to many researches abroad. Maximum takeoff weight is around 150Kg and the propulsion system is composed of motor, propeller, solar cell, and hydrogen fuel cell which can be recharged through electrolysis. Maximum takeoff weight was estimated as aspect ratio, wing span, wing area change while considering energy balance of required energy which is necessary for flight during the entire day and available energy which can be taken from the solar cell.