12

Bio-mimicking MAVs Based on Insect Flight Studies

165

14.

VTOL/STOL capability for the MAV may be an additional requirement for

effective operation.

15.

The Mems have been developed for several years for sensors and Mechanical

systems.

The wings of the insect with micro level sized are capable of recovering from

stall due to existence of prolonged pre-stall zone covering wide range of angle of

attacks. This feature in biological fliers is possible by virtue of inherent fast sensory

perception and feedback mechanism controlled by brain.

Practical Limitations:

1.

Small size of MAV for ground Station Observation beyond 100 m is a real

problem.

2.

MAVs cannot carry on road transmitters but allows remore observation.

3.

An autonomous MAV may be analogous to biologically inspired entomopter.

4.

The distance travelled and the time required are too limited for practical use.

5.

Landing and take off still remains a problem for such aereal vehicles.

6.

DARPA has a programme to develop MAVs similar to entamopters.

7.

Winds drifting is a real problem.

Some of these problems have discussed in an International Symposium in

Switzerland recently (Table 12.2).

Table 12.2 Tessaratoma javanica bio-mimmicry model data

S No

Parameter

Units (CGS)

T.j

T.j model

Ratio

1

Mass (M)

Grams

1

4

4

2

Wing length (l)

Cm

2.2

5

2.27

3

Wing breadth (Beff)

Cm

1.13

2.6

2.30

4

Wing area (2A)

Cm

10

25

2.5

5

Wing span (L)

Cm

6

12

2

6

Wing loading (WL)

Gm/cm²

0.2

0.16

0.8

7

Wing span loading (WSL)

Gm/cm²

0.02

0.027

1.35

8

Aspect ratio (AR)

–

7.2

5.7

0.79

9

Wing beat frequency (ϑh)

Hz

51.2

23.17

0.45

10

Time period (T)

Sec

0.019

0.043

2.26

Note MAV of T.javanica shall be of hemispherical elongated shape because of the tergum and

convexo-concave scutellum to accommodate the delicate internal nano components i.e. Autopilot,

feedback control loop, batteries, telemetry (antennas), camera, GPS receivers, pilot static tube and

flapping flexible wings with moderate frequency. Antennas are of transmission and receiver type.

There will be OBC to measure pitch, yaw and row angle (ϕ, ψ, θ). For navigation three tyros and

three accelerometers, each pair in x, y, z axes are required. If the negotiations with the National

Laboratories, IITs and University become successful, we will be able to design Bio-mimicking types

of MAVs. Similar models can be suggested for other insects for which the basic data is available

for 5 insects, 5 birds and 2 bats with us