DALLAS, Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments (TI)
(NASDAQ: TXN) today introduced two circuit-based subsystem reference designs that will help manufacturers add flight time and
extend battery life to quadcopters and other non-military consumer and industrial drones used to deliver packages, provide
surveillance or communicate and assist at long distances.
"Flight time continues to be a top design challenge for recreational quadcopters and professional drones, especially those
being used by companies for beyond visual line-of-sight operation. Delivery companies want drones with enhanced battery life, and
are testing delivery of parcels with drones to see how far they can go," said Stelios Kotakis,
senior analyst of data transmission & managed services with IHS Markit. According to a recent IHS Markit study*, almost 50
percent of drones in the market have an estimated battery life of less than 30 minutes, 35 percent can fly between 31 and 60
minutes and the remaining 15 percent and less can fly more than an hour – all under ideal flying conditions without additional
payload.
Breakthrough battery management design
TI's 2S1P Battery Management System (BMS) reference design transforms a drone's battery pack into a smart diagnostic
black box recorder that accurately monitors remaining capacity and protects the Li-Ion battery throughout its entire lifetime.
Designers can use the drone BMS reference design to add gauging, protection, balancing and charging capabilities to any existing
drone design and improve flight time. Leveraging the bq4050 multi-cell Li-Ion gas (fuel) gauge to accurately measure remaining
capacity over the entire life of the battery, the design also features the bq24600 battery charge controller and a
high-efficiency DC/DC converter to achieve high-efficiency power conversion efficiency.
High-speed performance for efficient motors
Another barrier to increased flight time has been the inefficiency of turning a drone's propellers. TI's new reference
design for drone electronic speed controllers (ESCs) will help manufacturers create drones with longer flight times and more
smooth and stable performance. The Sensorless High-Speed Field Oriented Control Reference Design for Drone Electronic Speed Control
helps electronic speed controllers achieve the highest possible efficiency with performance for speeds more than 12,000 rpm (>
1.2kHz electrical) including fast-speed reversal capability for more stable roll movement.
The design features TI's C2000™ MCU InstaSPIN-FOC™ solution, including an F28027F microcontroller for precise motor control
and FAST™ field observer proprietary software algorithm that estimates the rotor flux, angle, speed and torque. Motor parameter
information is used to tune the current control bandwidth. Unlike other techniques, the FAST sensorless observer algorithm is
completely self-tuning, requiring no adjustments for proper operation and propeller control. The design also includes a 60-V
LMR16006 SIMPLE SWITCHER® DC/DC converter with ultra-low quiescent current to efficiently manage a drone's lithium polymer (LiPo)
batteries.
Find out more about TI and drone subsystem design capabilities:
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs
and embedded processors. By employing the world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of
technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.
Trademarks
FAST, C2000, SIMPLE SWITCHER and InstaSPIN-FOC are trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks belong to
their respective owners.
*Information based on IHS Markit, Technology Group, Service Robots & Drones Report – 2016. Information is not an
endorsement of Texas Instruments. Any reliance on these results is at the third party's own risk. Visit technology.ihs.com for more details.
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SOURCE Texas Instruments