Effect of Temperature, Pressure and Humidity on Battery Consumption in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

With the advancing technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have shown significant development. However, the battery technology has struggled to keep pace with these advancements, resulting in UAVs needing to efficiently manage their limited energy resources. Therefore, this study aims to examine factors that contribute to battery energy consumption beyond planned usage scenarios. A quadcopter equipped with Pixhawk Holybro 4 flight controller was used in the study. It was tested under varying atmospheric conditions of air pressure, humidity, and temperature. The quadcopter performed automated flights, hovering at a height of 5 meters for 3 minutes, while the battery consumption was monitored. The study was conducted under real atmospheric conditions to simulate practical scenarios. The research revealed that the examined factors significantly impact battery depletion. Specifically, temperature and humidity were observed to have a more pronounced effect on battery consumption compared to air pressure.