Optimization of Endurance Performance for Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Driven by a Hybrid System of Solar Photovoltaic Cells and Energy Storage Batteries

Abstract

The potential applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are vast and exciting, yet their scope could be significantly expanded if their flight endurance could be extended. The primary objective of this study is to design a hybrid power system combining solar energy and lithium batteries to enhance the endurance and energy management efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Through comparative analysis of series, parallel, and hybrid power systems, a parallel hybrid power system was chosen as the power solution for UAVs. In this paper, we detail the selection process for solar panels and lithium batteries and elucidate the design of a solar endurance enhancement system, including the application of anti-backflow and voltage stabilization modules. Additionally, we propose an energy management strategy based on finite state machines, which ensures efficient and stable operation of the system through real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment. The methodology of this study provides an innovative and practical framework for the design and implementation of solar and energy storage battery hybrid energy management systems for UAVs.