Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1416839
PAGE 7 PAGE 7 KEY DRIVERS OF GROWTH ACCELERATION IN THE COMMERCIAL DRONE MARKET / TREND PAPER Key Drivers of Growth Acceleration in the Commercial Drone Market Commercial Drone Technology & Design Requirements Physical Attributes There are essentially three types of aerial platforms on which drones can be based: • Fixed Wing – Fixed wing drones are designed with wings similar to airplanes and often look like mini jets. They require either a launcher or a "runway" (open area) to take off and then need to gradually decrease altitude and land or can use a parachute or net to drop to the ground safely. Depending on how they are powered, fixed wing drones can fly for hours at a time and are ideal for applications such as mapping or surveillance that require a long distance, such as power line or pipeline inspections. Some on the market today, especially those used in military applications, can fly for 20-45 hours at a time. • Rotary Wing – Rotary wing drones look more like helicopters and come in single rotor or multirotor platforms: – Single rotor: These drones typically look like mini helicopters with one large rotor at the top and a smaller rotor on the tail. They are more efficient, more stable and have higher flying times than multi-rotors, but they also require more skill to fly and have caused fatal injuries due to the large rotor blade. Single rotor drones can carry heavier payloads and are used for aerial laser scanning and surveying. – Multi-rotor: These drones typically have a body in the center and then 3, 4, 6 or 8 rotors extending atop arms from the body. With limited flying time and speed, these drones are not suitable for large-scale commercial applications but can be easy to use for aerial photography and video as well as small-scale aerial surveillance. They are also easy to operate, less expensive and easier to manufacture than other drone types. • Hybrid VTOL – Hybrid drones are a mix of fixed wing and multi-rotor characteristics, which make them capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), even in small areas. This combination results in a more stable multi-rotor drone that's easier to operate than a fixed wing drone and can fly long distances. Their small high torque motors and powerful microcontroller help balance the payload movement during the flight time. Hybrids are expected to be the fastest growing type of drone through this decade. Technology Requirements Engineers designing commercial drones and UAS need reliable, rugged solutions that enable power, sensing and data connectivity for multiple advanced functions as well as safety and security. Technology considerations include the following: Sealing Components To ensure reliable operation and high performance, sealing and protection are needed for use in harsh environments. IP-rated water-resistant connectors and heat shrink tubing are designed to protect components and connections from harmful fluids, moisture and chemicals. Reliable, Durable Connector Solutions For operating in high temperatures and at high power as well as vibration, locking latches and other terminal position assurance (TPA) accessories can be used to ensure mating and prevent contact backouts. Polarized housings can also be used to ensure proper plug-to-cap mating. Miniaturized Components Weight is critical in drone design. Smaller components and low profile options save valuable space on and above the PCB board and allow for greater functionality in tight spaces. Look for components with compact centerlines and smaller construction sizes (height). Data Connectivity High-quality omni-directional wireless transmission can be enabled in a wide variety of frequencies, including but not limited to Bluetooth, 5G, WLAN, cellular and Zigbee bands. RF coax connectors transmit analog signals while minimizing radio "THE NEED FOR MINIATURIZED COMPONENTS IS CRUCIAL. THE ROLE OF SIZE AND WEIGHT FOR DRONE APPLICATIONS IS PARAMOUNT AND THIS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE" — Qualitative research respondent, TE Connectivity • Privacy Issues/Regulations – Privacy issues will have a direct impact on the use and applicability of UAS. For example, using drones for surveillance, even for identifying criminals, has seen strong resistance. • Cost-Effectiveness – As the drone sizes grow, their cost- effectiveness appears to decline as large UAVs require a significant amount of logistical support and specialized operator and maintenance training. • Reliability – The reliability of systems will be a serious concern for commercial users as many of the new systems being introduced to satisfy budding market demand are new and relatively untested. These challenges can impede the full development of the market for UAS with government and commercial users. One thing is for sure, simply building a UAS is not enough—users expect data analysis and other service offerings and are looking for companies that provide complete solutions.