A SEMINAR TOPIC

ON

OVERVIEW OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY

PRESENTED

BY

OSUOLALE MOSES OLUWADAMILARE

FPI/HND/COM/22/049

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE,

SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY.

FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC IDAH.

KOGI STATE

SUPERVISED BY:
MR. JAMES EKUMA

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Higher

National Diploma in Computer Science.

May 21, 2024

1
 Abstract
This seminar paper talks about drones and their uses, first discussing the construction of
the drone, the most important components of which are the frame, propeller, engine,
power system, electronic control, and communication system. A drone is a type of
aircraft. A drone is also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A drone is
"unmanned" because it doesn't need a pilot on board to fly it. Due to the popularity of
drones and the fact that many of them are easy and cheap to buy, it is generally expected
that the ubiquity of drones will increase significantly in the next few years. The main
danger of using a drone is the fall of a drone from a great height, which can be caused
by battery discharge, damage due to weather conditions (low air temperature, rain), or
hitting an obstacle (trees, buildings, high-voltage lines). The US military has used drones
since the mid-1990s. Since the beginning of 2013, many people have started flying
drones for fun.
Keywords: - Drone Technology, GPS, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Aircraft

INTRODUCTION
The term "drone" generally refers to any unmanned aircraft, sometimes referred to as
"unmanned aerial vehicles" (UAVs). A drone is a flying robot. Drones can be remotely
controlled using onboard sensors and GPS. In the past, UAVs were often Once associated
with the military, intelligence gathering, and then, more controversially, as weapons platforms.
Drones are now being used for tasks ranging from search and rescue, surveillance, traffic
monitoring, weather monitoring and firefighting, and even personal tasks. In today's world,
drones are used in the film industry and have become an important part and news reporters are
also using them to carry information from remote locations. An unmanned aerial vehicle
system consists of two parts, the drone itself and the control system.
What is Drone Technology?
The word "drone" is taken straight from the sci-fi world. Another name for drones is
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A drone is an unmanned aircraft. Which is known as an
unmanned aerial system? Drones are used for filming, military surveillance, and recreational
activities and drones work at the intersection of aerospace, robotics, and mechatronics. A
drone is a flying robot that can fly and operate remotely. Drones have become important to

2
 several businesses and government agencies. In rapid delivery, from industries to out-of-reach
locations to military bases, drone technology plays a crucial role and has proven to be
extremely beneficial. A drone can be piloted using a remote or using a mobile application.
Drones can work in conditions where dry, dull, or dangerous for human pilots. We can use
drones to work very easily. This is why most countries around the world are adopting drones.
1.2. AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this paperwork is to overview drone technology.
The following are the objectives of the seminar paper.
 To outline the characteristics of drone technology
 To outline the challenges of drone technology
 To understand the applications, advantages and disadvantage drone technology

How Drones Work?

Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles; drones are commonly referred to as unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAV) where the entire system allows a drone to operate. Drones have two basic
functions: flight mode and navigation. To fly, drones must have a power source, such as
batteries or fuel. There will also be rotors, propellers, and a frame. The drone's frame is made
of lightweight, composite materials to reduce weight and increase maneuverability. Drones
require a controller, which is used to launch, navigate and land the aircraft, known as a
remote controller. The controller communicates with the drone using radio waves, such as
Wi-Fi. Drones can travel at high altitudes. The most important parts of a drone are the
operating system and the flight controller.
Batteries power the rotors which in turn spin the propellers and generate lift. Flight
controllers use accelerometers, barometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and data collected
by controllers to stay in the air. Some other important features that enhance drone
performance include GPS, obstacle detection and collision avoidance, cameras, and software.
A drone has an infrared camera, landing gear, rotor, connectivity, motor, accelerometer, and
altimeter. Simply put, a drone is like a flying robot. Airplanes are usually controlled by a
dedicated remote unit, and they can manage everything in the air thanks to an intelligent
software program. It has many onboard working sensors like GPS etc. which help in
controlling the correct flight mode.

3
Parts of the Drones
Drones have many parts; a drone consists of 10 parts. Below are the parts of the drone.
1.Quad-copter frame
It is a structure (frame) into which all other drone parts fit.
2.Motor
Motors are essential in making drones as they generate the force to rotate the propellers and
propel the drone
3.Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
It is an electronic control board that varies the speed of the motor. It also works as a dynamic
brake.
4.Flight Control
Flight control creates a log of the takeoff location that guides the drone and thereby the need to
return to the takeoff location. This has become known as the 'back home' feature.

5.Propeller
Drones can fly with the help of propellers; propellers are designed to create a difference in air
pressure.
6.Radio transmitter
It is used as a channelized transmitter and communicator with drones.
7.Battery, electronics, and power distribution cables
This battery acts as the power source for the drone. It supplies power to all electronics
through power distribution cables.
8.Camera
For video footage, a camera is attached to the drone and used to shoot, save and send video.
9.Landing gear
It is used to land the drone safely. An experienced user can balance the motor speed for a safe
landing in emergencies.
10. First-person video
The control device interface (transmitter)is more expensive than the screen, giving the user
an interactive 3D viewing experience. First Person View (FPV) gives an ultimate feeling as if
the user thinks he is flying.

4
 Figure: - 1 parts of the drones
Types of drones
Fourteenth have types of drones; those types of drones are discussed below.

1. Single-Rotor-Drones
The single-rotor drone type is strong and durable [8]. They resemble real helicopters in
structure and design. These are the most basic drones. It has a single rotor, sometimes called a
tail unit.

Figure:- 2 Single-Rotor-Drones

2. Multi-Rotor Drones
A multi-rotor drone has four rotors. When it comes to commercial drones, however, the
general rule is that the more rotors you have, the less the craft can stay in the air. Multi-rotor
drones are stable, but they can fly for about half an hour. Multi-rotor

drones are perfect for aerial photography and surveillance. [9]

5
 Figure: - 3 Multi-Rotor Drones

3. Fixed-Wing Drones
A fixed-wing drone has a rigid wing that looks like an airplane; fixed-wing drones can be
gas-powered [10]. Where multi- rotor units cannot stay airborne for long, a fixed-wing drone
can stay in the air for up to 16 hours of continuous flight. However, fixed-wing drones are
unable to hover the way drones with helicopter-style rotors can.

Figure: - 4 Fixed-Wing Drones

4. Fixed-Wing Hybrid Drones
Hybrid VTOL drone types combine the advantages of fixed-wing and rotor-based designs.
This drone has rotors attached to fixed wings, allowing the drone to rotate and land vertically.
These drones take inspiration from designs used in aircraft designs from the 1960s and 1950s
[11]. They were not easy to make and the technology was very complex.

Figure: - 5 Fixed-Wing Hybrid Drones

5. Small drones
These drones are generally less expensive; these drones can only be used for recreational
purposes [12]. They cannot perform commercial functions, which other drone models
perform.

Figure: - 6 Small Drones

6
6. Micro drones
These small drones can entertain the eyes of consumers [13]. The most well-known example
of this type of drone is the Black Hornet, developed for the British military. These tiny
drones measuring 1″ x 4 inches have been used by the British military in Afghanistan to
inspect walls and other structures since their introduction in 2013.

Figure:- 7 Micro Drones

7. Tactical drones
Large enough but not too heavy, these drones are often used for large missions and general
combat and are used for surveillance [14]. It measures 4.5 feet and weighs 4.2 pounds.

Figure:- 8 Tactical Drones

8. Reconnaissance drones
These drones are most widely used by the world's military forces. Heron, designed by Israeli
Aerospace Industries, has produced drones of this nature for military recycling for the United
States, Canada, Turkey, India, Morocco, and Australia. These drones are about 16 feet in
length, weigh more than 2200 pounds, and hover at 35,000 feet for 52 hours.

Figure:-9 Reconnaissance Drones

9. Large combat drones
These drones can be used for up to 14 hours and have a range of over 1,000 miles. These

7
drones were used in operations such as strikes against Pakistan and other countries with which
the US is not at war. This is one of the drones that one imagines as a military term.

Figure: - 10 Large Combat Drones

10. Non-Combat Large Drones

These drones can be used for reconnaissance and other tasks, but these drones are not intended
for combat. It is used instead of surveillance like scanning mobile phone calls. Just because
these drones aren't involved in combat doesn't mean they aren't expensive. They are more
complex than Black Hornet and are used for larger-scalar recon missions.

Figure no. 11 non-combat large drones

11. Target and decoy drones
One of the important things about military drones is that they can serve different functions
depending on the situation. These drones are used as decoys and can be used to monitor or
strike targets. For example, some target and decoy drones can conduct their missions by
simulating an incoming missile.

Figure:-12 Target and Decoy Drones

12. GPS drones

These drones work by connecting to satellites through a GPS hookup. It allows you to map
flights and generate data, which you can use to your advantage. For example, it might be
considered a great drone for mapping large topography.

8
 Figure no. 13 GPS drones
13. Photography drones
These types of drones use automatic flight modes and precision stabilization to capture images
across large areas. Some drones can take limited pictures and there are several drones capable
of taking pictures for military purposes. But, professional photographers need commercial
drones that are designed for professional photography. 4K camera drones can take high-
resolution photos.

Figure no. 14 photography drones

14. Racing drones

Racing drones have an engine, chances are that people will want to compete with these
drones; it has become one of the popular hobbies now for drones and people. Drones can
travel at speeds up to
60 mph. However, because all of their energy is focused on one objective, they often don't
enjoy the same amount of flight time as their counterparts.

Figure:- 15 Racing Drones

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DRONES

The first drones are believed to have been introduced 170 years ago, but since then, we have
seen the evolution from drones serving military purposes to commercial products. The military
gets all the credit for the history of military drones since the 1800s. In the form of balloons,

9
torpedoes, and aerial targets, the military used UAVs for target practice, air strikes, bomb
detection, surveillance, etc. The siege of Vienna in 1849 marked the first time balloons were
used in an organized manner in warfare when 200 balloons were launched from an Austrian
ship to force the Venetians to surrender. Drone - An unmanned aerial vehicle. An aircraft
without a pilot on board whose flight is controlled either autonomously by the vehicle's
computer or by remote control by a pilot on the ground. A.M.'s "Aerial Target" Lowe's in 1916
but the first production was a remotely piloted vehicle in 1935 by movie star Reginald Denny.
The United States' UAV program began in 1959 when U.S. pilots began planning to use
unmanned aircraft out of fear of losing their lives [16]. In 1964, highly classified UAVs were
deployed for the Vietnam War. When photos of the destroyed drone were shown by Wide
World Photo [18]. We have been using drones since 1964, and as the technology has
improved the way we have used this new technology has improved [19]. The first pilotless
vehicles were developed in Britain and the United States during World War I. Britain's aerial
target, a small radio-controlled aircraft, was first tested in March 1917 while the American
aerial torpedo known as the Kettering Bug made its first flight in October 1918. In 1935 the
British built several radio-controlled aircraft to be used as targets for training purposes [19].
The term 'drone' is thought to have come into use around this time, radio-controlled drones
were also developed in the US and used for target practice and training. Drones now have
many functions, from monitoring climate change to conducting search missions after natural
disasters, photography, filming, and delivering goods. Use of Drones. The US military has
significantly increased its use of drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target attack.
Drones are mostly used for surveillance in areas and terrain where soldiers cannot safely go.
But they are also used as weapons and are credited with killing suspected militants. In the
modern era, drones have become quite common. More than 100,000 people in the United
States have a drone pilot license. Unmanned aerial vehicles have been used in various

capacities since the 1850s, making humans famous and reaching the pinnacle of modernity.

10
Figure: - 16 History of Drones

11
Application of Drone Technology
Drones are used in a variety of applications, initially; drones were used only by the military.
Drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that make our lives easier than ever. They are used
in situation where human flights are considered difficult and risky. Now it is used by many
professionals and individuals. Drones are working in many fields and with continuous
improvement in technology; these machines are going to become more powerful and useful
in the future. Drones are working in many fields and with continuous improvement in
technology; these machines are going to be more powerful and useful in the future.
Drones are a valuable addition to any industrial facility endeavor, enabling unlimited aerial
perspectives. The potential for drones to create real value is endless. Industrial professionals
are increasingly using drones to improve industrial processes. Drones are uniquely suited to
capture aerial data for consistent use in large industrial facilities, enabling rapid and seamless
data collection. Drones are capable of completing a wide range of applications. Automated
drones can be used in oil and gas facilities for security, surveillance, emergency response, and
infrastructure inspections. In seaports, drones can perform applications such as mapping,
surveying, operational surveillance, port monitoring, and traffic control. Let's discuss the
importance of drone technology and the best use of drones.
1. Aerial Photography
The most common use of advanced camera-carrying drone units is to capture media coverage
from remote locations, filming, aerial photography, site surveying, and 3D imaging. Only large
news industries can afford helicopters. But today almost all small media houses and local
journalists are capable of using drones to capture crystal clear air footage for impressive news
coverage. Drones can easily move into tight areas due to their small size and are also used to
record face- to-face interviews.

2. Agriculture
Drones are highly used in the field of agriculture and farming, the greatest achievement of
drone technology as they are now able to serve farmers for many purposes. Agriculturalists
believe that agriculture can benefit from drones in several ways. This sector is projected to be
one of the largest areas of opportunity for commercial drones. Farmers can use drones to
detect which crops are failing. Drone technology helps farmers save money and their crops by
accurately monitoring and analyzing the performance of irrigation systems. Farmers can now
expect quick updates of all information using drones and drones can help them spray
fertilizers, pesticides, and water for crops at the right time.

12
 Figure: - 17 Aerial Photography Drones

Figure: - 18 Agriculture Drones

3. Science and Research
Drones are capable of locating lost/missing persons. Drones are equipped with thermal
sensors so they are able to locate missing persons. They are also capable of operating in the
dark and within challenging terrain. Drones are being successfully used for post-disaster
relief operations, disaster, and natural disaster monitoring, and locating people in areas
affected by fire, flood, or any other natural disaster. As well as emergency communication
networks can be used to assist. With the help of visual information, rescue workers can
quickly track people in distress in real-time. Search and rescue operations have been
suffering for a long time due to a lack of technology but now drones can make everything
possible in minutes.

13
 Figure no.19 search and rescue drones

4. Military Drone Technology

Perhaps the oldest, most controversial and well-known use of drones is in the military. The
use of drones became the primary use in the military world. The British and us militaries
began using very early forms of drones in the early 1940s to spy on the Axis powers. Drones
are used as targets for combat missions, research and development, and surveillance, drones
have become part of militaries worldwide. Today's drones are far more advanced than the
UAVs of the past, equipped with thermal imaging, laser range finders, and even air strike
equipment. Unmanned aerial vehicles are applied in various military operations to reduce
casualties and enable mission execution.

Figure: - 23 Military Drones

14
5. Drones And Engineering Applications
Most engineering firms are using drone technology these days; engineering firms can make
good use of drones. Drones are needed to monitor their in-depth projects such as transmission,
oil pipelines, and maintenance inspections. Also, engineering firms are involved in several
commercial projects. Drones can help engineers in complex operations like airport planning,
road construction planning, etc. to increase efficiency manifold.

Figure:- 22 Engineering Application Drones

6. Entertainment
The entertainment industry has often played a leading role in the development of drone
technology. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are the latest technology that the entertainment
industry is tackling. Since the inception of the film industry, storytellers, screenwriters, and
producers have always looked for ways to make movies more enjoyable. With the high-
Resolution camera, the drone can easily capture the aerial view of cricket and football matches
and also helps the drone to see distant objects. Cinematographers use such drones to capture
still-life and aerial shots. Nowadays, drone pilots manage to capture dramatic and cinematic
scenes that were unimaginable in the film industry years ago.

15
 Figure:- 25 Entertainment Drones

CONCLUSION
The importance of drone technology is quite clear from the above discussion. Drones have
found many applications in various sectors. They have become increasingly popular due to
their compact size and extensive capabilities. With more weight capacity, powerful and
advanced technology, longer flight duration, and maneuverability, drones could be much more
effective in the future than they are now. From agriculture and construction to public safety,
security, waste management, sanitation, traffic monitoring, etc., drones have huge scope.
Therefore, governments and businesses should build the necessary infrastructure and use
drones with advanced capabilities to improve businesses.

REFERENCES
W,A. Babcock, W,H. Freivogel, The SAGE Guide to Key Issues in Mass Media Ethics and

Law, SAGE Publications, 2015, ISBN 1506317278.

Serge A. Wich, Lian Pin Koh, Conservation Drones: Mapping and Monitoring Biodiversity,

Oxford University Press, 2018, ISBN 0198787618.

Paul G. Fahlstrom, Thomas J. Gleason, Mohammad H. Sadraey, Introduction to UAV Systems

Aerospace Series, John Wiley & Sons, 2022, ISBN 111980261X.

Norman Ferguson, From Wax Wings to Flying Drones: A Very Unreliable History of

Aviation, The History Press, 2022, ISBN 1803991402.

16
Higuchi, Toru, Frameworks and Cases on Evolutional Supply Chain, IGI Global, 2022, ISBN

1799898024,

United States. Congress, Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress.

U.S. Government Printing Office, 2012, 11 Sep 2019.

17