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Mohamed Imzel

We usually find how to assemble a drone without giving us advice such as how to properly break in the battery before starting, what type and size of the frame to use and which are suitable with the motors and propellers, how to choose the flight controller, ESCs, power distribution board and when to use the 4 in 1 ESC or the AIO flight controller.

In this theoretical course, you will discover the world of drones and their rules to better understand the flights you make by learning all the necessary information and details that concern all of the following components:

Read more

We usually find how to assemble a drone without giving us advice such as how to properly break in the battery before starting, what type and size of the frame to use and which are suitable with the motors and propellers, how to choose the flight controller, ESCs, power distribution board and when to use the 4 in 1 ESC or the AIO flight controller.

In this theoretical course, you will discover the world of drones and their rules to better understand the flights you make by learning all the necessary information and details that concern all of the following components:

  • Frames

  • Brushless Motors

  • Propellers

  • LiPo Batteries

  • Electronic Speed Controllers

  • Power Distribution Board

  • Flight Controller

  • RC Transmitter & Receiver

  • Camera & Video Transmitter

This course will also help you better understand how to make a drone since the components covered are the essential elements to assemble in a drone.

You need to precisely make the drone that you want to get, thanks to this course the determination of the compatibility of the elements that compose it is easier.

For example, the size of the rotor leads to the choice of a motor of a certain power, therefore more energy to produce and thus the installation of a battery powerful enough.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand how do drones work
  • Discover the different types of drones and their uses
  • Understand the anatomy of drone components
  • How to connect components
  • Discover additional features
  • How to get started with drones
  • Avoid common drone pilot mistakes
  • Have an idea on how to make a drone

Syllabus

Introduction
Reviewing the Course
A Brief History of Quadcopters
Multirotor Drones
Read more
Discover all the Basic Components
Test your Understanding
Frames
Types & Materials
Brushless Motors
How Does a BLDC Work
How to Pick the Right One
Why BLDC and not DC Motor
Propellers
Presentation
Characteristics
LiPo Battery
The Exact Role
Anatomy
Charge & Discharge
ESC: Electronic Speed Controller
Inputs & Outputs
Form
Voltage & Current
Protocols & Firmware
PDB: Power Distribution Board
Main Technical Characteristics
Features
FC: Flight Controller
STM32 Processors
Must-Have Components
FC's Anatomy
Most Available Firmware
RC Transmitter
Controls
Trimming & Headless Mode & RTH
Flight Modes
Most Common Frequencies
RC Receiver
Binding & Failsafe
Communication Protocols
Camera & Video Transmitter
Characteristics of Cameras
VTX Specifications
Wrap Up
Quadcopter Wiring Diagram
Thank you!
Thank you for Signing up!
Your Certificate of Completion

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the role of each drone component, which helps learners understand how to select compatible parts for custom builds
Covers the basics of drone components, which builds a strong foundation for understanding more advanced drone technology
Examines various communication protocols between drone components, which is essential for troubleshooting and optimizing drone performance
Discusses the importance of battery break-in procedures, which can extend battery life and improve drone performance
Requires learners to understand the rules and regulations surrounding drone flights, which may vary depending on location

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Drone: Mastering all its Components with these activities:
Review Basic Electronics Principles
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental electronics concepts. This will provide a solid foundation for understanding how drone components interact.
Show steps
  • Review online resources covering basic circuits and components.
  • Practice solving simple circuit problems.
Read 'Getting Started with Drones' by Terry Kilby and Belinda Kilby
Gain a broader understanding of drone technology and its applications. This book will supplement the course material and provide a more holistic view of the drone ecosystem.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to drone components and assembly.
  • Take notes on key concepts and terminology.
Research and Document a Specific Drone Component
Deepen your understanding of a specific drone component through focused research. This project will encourage you to explore the technical specifications, applications, and limitations of a chosen component.
Show steps
  • Choose a drone component (e.g., flight controller, ESC, motor).
  • Research the component's specifications, features, and applications.
  • Document your findings in a detailed report or presentation.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Drone Component Comparison Chart
Solidify your knowledge by comparing different models and brands of drone components. This activity will help you identify the key features and trade-offs to consider when selecting components for a drone build.
Show steps
  • Select a category of drone components (e.g., flight controllers).
  • Research different models and brands within that category.
  • Create a comparison chart highlighting key specifications and features.
Read 'The Drone Pilot's Manual' by Eddie Kalwa
Learn about drone piloting best practices and regulations. This book will complement the course material and provide a more complete understanding of the drone ecosystem.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on chapters related to drone safety and regulations.
  • Take notes on key concepts and terminology.
Follow Online Tutorials for Drone Assembly
Apply your knowledge by following online tutorials for assembling a drone. This hands-on experience will reinforce your understanding of component connections and troubleshooting techniques.
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials that demonstrate drone assembly.
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step, paying close attention to component connections.
  • Document any challenges or troubleshooting steps you encounter.
Contribute to an Open-Source Drone Project
Deepen your understanding of drone technology by contributing to an open-source project. This activity will provide valuable experience in software development, testing, and collaboration.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source drone project that aligns with your interests.
  • Explore the project's codebase and documentation.
  • Contribute to the project by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Drone: Mastering all its Components will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Drone Technician
A drone technician assembles, repairs, and maintains drones, requiring a deep understanding of their components. This course directly aligns with the practical skills needed for this role, as it will help you understand the function of each component such as frames, brushless motors, propellers, and electronic speed controllers. A drone technician uses this kind of knowledge to troubleshoot issues and ensure drones perform optimally. The course's focus on component compatibility directly enhances a technician’s ability to build drones that are properly specced out.
Drone Assembler
The role of a drone assembler involves carefully putting together all the parts of a drone, ensuring everything is properly connected and functioning and that includes integrating components such as flight controllers, power distribution boards, and cameras. This course helps build a foundation in understanding drone components, making the assembly process smoother and more efficient. The course's detailed exploration of essential elements will enable a drone assembler to determine compatibility and build drones to specific needs.
Robotics Technician
A robotics technician works with various robotic systems, including drones, needing strong knowledge of their electrical and mechanical components. This course provides insights into drone components like brushless motors, electronic speed controllers, and flight controllers, all of which are fundamental to robotics in general. Understanding how these components work and how they connect, as taught in the course, will help a robotics technician troubleshoot and repair robotic systems effectively. If you want to become a robotics technician, the hands-on knowledge of components taught in this course can help you in your career.
Avionics Technician
Avionics technicians specialize in the electronic systems used in aircraft, including drones. This course provides an excellent base for those interested in drone avionics, covering key areas such as flight controllers, RC transmitters and receivers, and video transmitters. For an avionics technician, understanding how these components integrate is crucial for maintenance and repair. This course can help you build a foundation in these areas by providing detailed information on each component's characteristics and functionality.
Remote Sensing Specialist
Remote sensing specialists use drones to gather data for various applications, and an understanding of drone components is essential for ensuring equipment reliability. This course’s curriculum, which includes coverage of drone cameras and video transmitters, will help a remote sensing specialist use drones effectively. Knowing how these components work and how they integrate, as taught in the course, will aid in both the operation and maintenance of drone-based data collection systems.
Unmanned Systems Operator
An unmanned systems operator works with a variety of unmanned vehicles, including drones, and requires knowledge of the systems' internal workings to ensure safe and effective operation. This course provides a comprehensive overview of drone components, enhancing an operator's understanding of how drones function. The course’s focus on battery management, motor selection, and flight control systems will enable an operator to troubleshoot issues and make informed decisions when operating drone vehicles.
Hobby Drone Builder
A hobby drone builder creates drones for personal enjoyment, and in a role like that, deep knowledge of drone components is key to successful builds. This course helps a hobbyist gain all the necessary details regarding drone components, such as frames, motors, and controllers. This course also allows an enthusiast to understand the importance of component compatibility and proper setup. For any hobby drone builder, this course provides a path to create better, more robust drones.
Drone Sales Representative
A drone sales representative needs to have an in-depth understanding of drone technology, from its internal workings to its practical applications. This course will help a drone sales representative better understand the technical aspects of drones, such as the different components and their functions. The detailed knowledge about frames, motors, and controllers presented in this course will help a sales representative articulate the benefits of specific drone models to potential clients, and make a more informed recommendation.
Aerospace Engineering Technician
An aerospace engineering technician works with aircraft and related technology, and drones can be a critical element of this kind of work. This course will help an aerospace engineering technician understand the components of a drone, such as motors, batteries, and flight controllers. This specialized knowledge allows a technician to participate in the design, manufacturing, and testing of aerospace vehicles. This course may be useful in building a foundational understanding of drone components for aerospace applications.
Photogrammetry Specialist
Photogrammetry specialists use aerial images to create 3D models and maps, often using drones for data capture. This course covers crucial drone components, such as cameras and video transmitters which are essential for a photogrammetry specialist. Understanding the technical specifications of cameras will enable the specialist to select the most suitable equipment. The course may be helpful in learning more about the integration of cameras and related technologies with drones.
GIS Analyst
Geographic Information Systems analysts use location-based information to analyze data, and the role of drones in this field is expanding. This course provides a foundational understanding of drone systems, including the flight controllers and communication devices, which a GIS analyst must use for data capture. The course's content on drone components helps a GIS analyst understand the data's technical parameters and quality. Although this course is not core to GIS, it may be helpful to understand how drone technology relates to geospatial information.
Surveyor
A land surveyor measures and maps land areas, and an understanding of drone technology can improve their efficiency. This course teaches principles of drone operation, including their components, how they operate, and how they communicate. A surveyor may find drone technology useful and this course is a pathway to understanding those principles. This course may be useful for a surveyor to utilize drones in the field.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers work on electronic systems, and this course on drone components may be helpful for those interested in drone technology. An electrical engineer who wants to work on drone systems may find the course’s detailed exploration of components useful such as electronic speed controllers, power distribution boards, and flight controllers. For an engineer interested in drone electrical systems and their construction, this course may be useful as an introduction.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers design and analyze mechanical systems, and this course may be useful to those interested in drone technology. The course explores the mechanics of drone components, including frames, brushless motors, and propellers, all of which are important to a mechanical engineer who works with drones. The knowledge gained from this course may be useful in a mechanical engineer's work on designing novel drones and drone components.
Software Developer
A software developer creates and maintains software applications, and drones rely on software for flight control and data processing. This course touches on the hardware side of drone technology, which may be useful for a software developer who needs to understand the physical aspects of drone systems. Though this course primarily focuses on drone hardware, understanding components like flight controllers and communication protocols may be useful to a software developer who works with drones.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Drone: Mastering all its Components.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to drones, covering their history, components, and operation. It's a great resource for beginners to gain a broad understanding of the field. While this course focuses on components, the book offers valuable context and practical advice for drone enthusiasts.
Provides a comprehensive guide to drone piloting, covering topics such as regulations, safety, and best practices. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to fly drones safely and responsibly. While this course focuses on components, the book offers essential information for operating a drone effectively.

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