A comparative study of energy sources, docking stations and wireless charging technologies for certain quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles

Kodeeswaran, S., Kannabhiran, A., & Elangovan, D. (2025). A comparative study of energy sources, docking stations and wireless charging technologies for certain quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles. Aerospace Science and Technology, 166, 110628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2025.110628

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) docking stations, wireless charging systems and power sources. The investigation of power sources for quadrotor UAVs includes conventional batteries, fuel cells, and hybrid systems, with a thorough analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each, considering factors such as energy density, endurance, weight, and safety. Additionally, this study examines the concept of quadrotor UAV docking stations, offering an automated and efficient method for recharging, and swapping the batteries during missions. It also encompasses the design factors, advantages, and difficulties of various docking station types, such as ground-based and aerial docking stations. Furthermore, the paper explores the emerging field of quadrotor UAV wireless charging systems such as inductive, capacitive, and hybrid inductive-capacitive systems are investigated for their suitability in powering quadrotor UAVs. These systems often exhibit nonlinear behaviors due to resonant coupling, mutual impedance variation, and misalignment sensitivity, which significantly affect charging efficiency and system stability. A summary of the most significant findings is provided highlighting the nonlinear challenges, present state of technology, current difficulties, and potential future research directions in the areas of wireless charging systems for quadrotor UAVs. This comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers and company executives engaged in the development and utilization of quadrotor UAVs across different applications.

Publisher

Elsevier

Rights

CC BY-NC-ND

cbn

Collections

Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Scholarly Articles)