Influence of Static and Dynamic Downwash Interactions on Multi-Quadrotor Systems

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Kiran, Anoop, Ayanian, Nora, Breuer, Kenneth
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Kiran, Anoop
Ayanian, Nora
Breuer, Kenneth
author_facet Kiran, Anoop
Ayanian, Nora
Breuer, Kenneth
contents Flying multiple quadrotors in close proximity presents a significant challenge due to complex aerodynamic interactions, particularly downwash effects that are known to destabilize vehicles and degrade performance. Traditionally, multi-quadrotor systems rely on conservative strategies, such as collision avoidance zones around the robot volume, to circumvent this effect. This restricts their capabilities by requiring a large volume for the operation of a multi-quadrotor system, limiting their applicability in dense environments. This work provides a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the downwash effect, with a focus on characterizing, analyzing, and understanding forces, moments, and velocities in both single and multi-quadrotor configurations. We use measurements of forces and torques to characterize vehicle interactions, and particle image velocimetry (PIV) to quantify the spatial features of the downwash wake for a single quadrotor and an interacting pair of quadrotors. This data can be used to inform physics-based strategies for coordination, leverage downwash for optimized formations, expand the envelope of operation, and improve the robustness of multi-quadrotor control.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_09463
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Influence of Static and Dynamic Downwash Interactions on Multi-Quadrotor Systems
Kiran, Anoop
Ayanian, Nora
Breuer, Kenneth
Robotics
Fluid Dynamics
Flying multiple quadrotors in close proximity presents a significant challenge due to complex aerodynamic interactions, particularly downwash effects that are known to destabilize vehicles and degrade performance. Traditionally, multi-quadrotor systems rely on conservative strategies, such as collision avoidance zones around the robot volume, to circumvent this effect. This restricts their capabilities by requiring a large volume for the operation of a multi-quadrotor system, limiting their applicability in dense environments. This work provides a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of the downwash effect, with a focus on characterizing, analyzing, and understanding forces, moments, and velocities in both single and multi-quadrotor configurations. We use measurements of forces and torques to characterize vehicle interactions, and particle image velocimetry (PIV) to quantify the spatial features of the downwash wake for a single quadrotor and an interacting pair of quadrotors. This data can be used to inform physics-based strategies for coordination, leverage downwash for optimized formations, expand the envelope of operation, and improve the robustness of multi-quadrotor control.
title Influence of Static and Dynamic Downwash Interactions on Multi-Quadrotor Systems
topic Robotics
Fluid Dynamics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.09463