UNIQUE SERIES AKTU Syllabus
BEC074

Drone Systems: Design, Control & Navigation

L-T-P3-0-0 Credits3 Session2025-26 TypeTheory
Appears in 4 semesters · 4 branches

B.Tech Electronics & Communication Engineering · Sem 7 (Departmental Elective-IV) · B.Tech Electronics & Instrumentation / Instrumentation & Control · Sem 7 (Departmental Elective-IV) · B.Tech ECE (Advanced Communication Technology) · Sem 7 (Departmental Elective-IV) · B.Tech Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design & Technology) · Sem 7 (Departmental Elective-IV)

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Syllabus

5 units · 40 lecture hours
Unit1

Unit 1: UAV Miniaturization

8 hrs

Design Challenges and Technological Opportunities, Aerial Network Characteristics: Dynamic Topology, Delay Constraints, Intermittent Links, Aerial Communication Techniques: Radar Identification & Limitations Beyond Radar: ADS-B, Optical & Acoustic Tracking, Aerial Voice & Data Communication.

Unit2

Unit 2: Modern Control Theory for UAV Systems

8 hrs

Introduction to State-Space Modeling, State Transition Matrix and Time Response, Canonical Forms & Transformations, Significance of Eigenvalues: Real Distinct, Repeated, Complex, Application to UAV Stability & Control Systems.

Unit3

Unit 3: UAV Aerodynamics, Propulsion & Navigation

8 hrs

Coordinate Systems: Earth-fixed & Body fixed Frames, UAV Aerodynamics: Wing Configuration, Lift & Drag, Airframe Configuration & Endurance, Vibration, Noise, and Gliding Characteristics; UAV Propulsion: Propeller & Motor Modeling, Electric vs. Hybrid Propulsion Systems.

Unit4

Unit 4: UAV Control Systems & Autonomy

8 hrs

UAV Controllability & Observability Concepts, UAV Flight Control System Overview, Position Control: Euler Angles and Rotation Matrix as Outputs, Control Strategies: Autonomous vs. Semi-Autonomous Flight, Inner-loop vs. Outer-loop Control, Safety Mechanisms: Failsafe Design, Redundancy and Recovery in Autonomous Flights.

Unit5

Unit 5: Drone Safety, Legal Framework & Future Trends

8 hrs

National and International Safety Guidelines: DGCA Drone Rules 2021 (India), Airspace Classification & Permissions, Pilot Training, UIN, UAS Traffic Management (UTM), NPNT Compliance & Geo-fencing Technologies, Innovations in Drone Miniaturization & Battery Technologies.

Course Outcomes (COs)5 outcomes

After completion of the course student will be able to:

  1. CO1Understand the constraints and opportunities in UAV miniaturization and aerial networking.
  2. CO2Understand how to represent drone systems using state-space models and use basic control theory to analyze their stability.
  3. CO3Analyze the aerodynamic behaviour and propulsion trade-offs in UAV design and navigation.
  4. CO4Recognize UAV control systems using modern control techniques for both autonomous and semi-autonomous operations.
  5. CO5Identify the rules and safety practices for drone operation in India and globally, including licensing, geofencing, and UAS traffic management.

Text Books

  1. Reg Austin, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: UAV Design, Development and Deployment, Wiley, 2010.
  2. Robert C. Nelson, Flight Stability and Automatic Control, McGraw-Hill, 2nd Edition, 1998.
  3. Brian L. Stevens, Frank L. Lewis, Aircraft Control and Simulation: Dynamics, Controls Design, and Autonomous Systems, Wiley, 3rd Edition, 2015.

Reference Books

  1. Paul G. Fahlstrom, Thomas J. Gleason, Introduction to UAV Systems, UAV Systems Inc., 4th Edition, 2012.
  2. Andreas M. Savvaris, Kostas P. Valavanis, Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Theory and Practice, Springer, 2020.
  3. DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India), Drone Rules 2021 – Government of India (available online).

Official AKTU syllabus

This subject is on page 11 of the original AKTU PDF.

Official AKTU syllabus PDF ↗