Unmanned fixed wing mapping air vehicle development and integration with mechatronics design method

In this research, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle design and prototyping is made to be used for land mapping with mechatronic design methodology. Mechatronic system, including multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary issues in it, is integrated into the engineering design process. Produced prototype is formed by determining and applying design method and design steps. In the mechatronics design process, for the development of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle forming the subject of the thesis as a priority modeling and simulation steps were discussed. In this step, required needs for the system are determined than conceptual design step has been initiated. During the conceptual design, equipment that will meet the needs was identified and each of them evaluated various criteria to make a best choice. Likewise, appropriate driver and sensors has been selected in the same way. System setup is primarily done by mathematically. Control system is designed according to a mathematical model and adopted to autopilot control card. Finally, by making the integration of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle obtained datum were examined in detail also cost and weight were optimized. According to obtained results, cost of the system comparison with equivalents on the market was up to 5.8%. Produced prototype body is made from Expanded Polyolefin (EPO) foam. Propeller and flap movement is provided by outrunner brushless motor and servo motors. Pixhawk control module is used as Autopilot controlling. Images that obtained from designing system by camera auxiliary equipment were converted into orthophoto with photogrammetric sensing method and land mapping was performed.