Draft 1 Summary + Thesis DJI N3 flight controller

DJI N3 Flight Controller 

The DJI N3 flight controller is a reliable, robust, safe and upgradable platform for custom built drones, and it is highly recommended in operating in a densely populated country like Singapore.

The DJI website (n.d) features the N3 flight controller which is part of the NAZA series of DJI family of control units that caters to both industrial and hobbyists drone applications. The N3 system consists of a flight control unit, GPS compass antenna and Power Management Unit (PMU).  On the website DroneDeploy (n.d) the Inertial Management Unit (IMU) serves as a sensor that detects the movements of the drone such as its acceleration, rotation and orientation. Calibrating the IMU is imperative to ensure a safe and stable flight in every drone operation.

The flight controller contains a dual IMU for built in redundancy which is a unique safety feature if one of the IMU is down the secondary unit can regain control which prevents the UAS from crashing or moving in an undesired direction. The FCU can be upgraded with the A3 package which adds an industrial grade IMU to the already robust dual-IMU system for triple redundancy during flight. This significantly reduces the risk of IMU failures and increase the reliability of the system.

 In addition, the flight control unit also has a robust 8GB industrial black box that records performance and real time flight data. This allows pilot to troubleshoot potential issues and fine tune the aircraft for a safer flight. The aircraft can be configured using software such as DJI Assistant 2 or phone application DJI GO.

The N3 system also takes its GPS reference from the GPS GNSS antenna which requires a lock on at least 16 satellites for a good GPS signal.  The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) can use the GPS GNSS antenna to gain a reference to maintain a stable flight path during operations.  The customizability of the N3 would also allow pilots to add other GPS compasses as a redundancy feature so that if the first GPS compass loses signal, the secondary unit can quickly activate to prevent the drone from deviating for its flight path.

The PMU functions as a regulator that supplies the correct thrust for operator induced thrust and compensates for adverse weather conditions. The PMU can be tuned to accommodate various flight modes such as GPS, altitude and sports mode.

The N3 flight controller supports a wide spectrum of upgradability with DJI’s eco system of products such as camera gimbals like the DJI Ronin-MX series and flight devices such as Lightbridge 2 and TAKON™ series for electronic speed controllers.  

The Roning-MX is a professional gimbal for movie grade cameras that is built for man portable operations and drone uses.

Lightbridge 2 is Radio Control receiver that transmits and receiver signals from the transmitter for up to 5km. it is also able to stream and broadcast High-Definition quality videos feeds back to the operator.  

The TAKON™ ECS is a module that supply continuous power to the drone motors for longer flight endurance. It is compatible with 4 to 14 cell Li polymer batteries.

The N3 features advanced vibration dampening, which allows input sensors to read more accurately, reducing sensor-induced control oscillations and improving overall performance. Its software features include various fail-safe protocols that allow UAS to execute a controlled decent in an event of an imminent crash. This makes the N3 flight control a robust and reliable package. 

 

Reference,

1.      Google AI. Gemini AI. Language Model. Accessed September 16, 2024.

2.      https://deepmind.google/technologies/gemini/

3.      N3 designed for reliability and upgradability” by DJI 2024

4.      Source: Conversation with Copilot, 17/09/2024

5.      DJI website

6.      N3 - DJI. (n.d.). DJI Official. https://www.dji.com/sg/n3

7.      (3) DJI N3 product information  - GetFPV. https://www.getfpv.com/dji-n3-flight-controller.html.

8.        UAVFordrone. (2020, May 17). DJI N3 flight controller DJI N3 flight controller for agriculture drone. https://www.uavfordrone.com/product/dji-n3-flight-controller-naza-series/

 

9.      How do I calibrate my drone’s Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in DJI fly?(n.d) – IMU https://help.dronedeploy.com/hc/en-us/articles/13805047676823-How-do-I-calibrate-my-drones-IMU-in-DJI-Fly#:~:text=IMU%20(Inertial%20Measurement%20Unit)%20calibration,acceleration%2C%20rotation%2C%20and%20orientation.[TT1] 

 

10.  DJI. (2024). N3 - product information - DJI. DJI Official. https://www.dji.com/sg/n3/info#video

 

11.  DJI. (n.d.). Ronin-MX - DJI. DJI Official. https://www.dji.com/sg/ronin-mx

 

12.  DJI Lightbridge 2 - DJI. DJI Official. (n.d.). https://www.dji.com/sg/lightbridge-2

13.  Takyon z14120 - DJI. DJI Official. (n.d.-c). https://www.dji.com/sg/takyon-z14120

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A self introduction formal letter to my Professor

 

Dear Professor Blackstone,

I hope this email finds you well.

I wanted to thank you for using this assignment as an opportunity for me to formally introduce myself to you. My name is Emmanuel Jonathan Yap, and I am first year student from mechanical engineering in Singapore Institute of Technology. My education path is described as a long but fruitful journey as I studied in the Institute of Technical education (ITE) to attain a Higher Nitec certificate in mechatronics engineering. My results were optimal enough for me to enter Nanyang Polytechnic where I attained a Diploma in Mechatronics and Robotics engineering.

As I write this letter to you an epiphany hits me as I realized that I have finally made it to university. In this arduous academic journey, one valuable lesson I have learnt is the process of endurance is as important as reaching the destination. What has kept me going is my relentless passion for engineering and its applications for a better future.

I was formally an army engineer in the Singapore Armed Forces for 5 years. During my tenure I was an expert in the maintenance of the suite of combat wheeled vehicles that the army had ranging from Infantry Carrier Vehicles and Protected Armored Vehicles ensuring their sustainability in peace, reliability in operations.

Making the bold decision to leave the army to pursue further studies has taught me that the regimental and conscripted culture that defines the military would not be as applicable in university. Critical thinking and change are what a university would encourages but it also may be seen as insubordination to superiors in the context of the army.

My friends and superiors describe me as an outgoing, well-spoken and approachable person. I often get invited to be an Emcee for various voluntary events and selected as a groom of honor to give a wedding speech to newly wedded couples. One weakness that I hope to address is to expand my vocabulary list to articulate right words to bring a message across more effectively. In your module I hope learn how I could keep my letters and speeches to be concise and precise. During presentations I hope to enhance my presentation skills in public speaking in reducing the use of pause fillers and to speak the right words for effective communication. 

Aside from work and academia,

I have a few notable hobbies,

In fitness I do a lot of running and high intensity exercises to keep myself fit and my mind sharpen. My fitness has allowed me to score a gold standard in military fitness assessment 6 years in a row. I am also competent in building Unmanned Arieal Vehicles (UAV) and flying them.  I am proud of this hobby as I have managed to earn some profits by being a drone flight instructor in teaching WSQ courses in UAV systems. While I may not have a strong foundation in engineering math yet, I am someone who has the hands-on skills to integrate various engineering technology to be put into application. I am just missing the technical writing skills that completes me as a full fletch engineer.  I know I will do well under your mentorship, Professor.

 

 

Best regards

Emmanuel Jonathan Yap.

Reflection on Quote

 

Without clear lines of communication, our ideas would stay within our own small development teams instead of becoming mature products. While this is obvious to those of us who have become experienced engineers, the real question is: Why is it lost to us when we are engineering students?

 Akbar R Khan, Software Systems Engineer, USA, “Good Communication Is Essential…” (2014)

This quote discribes the fundamental component for innovation to thrive is to have effective communications. In every successful product be it the latest smart phone to AI development , we have often marvelled at technologically advancement and functionality of the product which is made possible through much discussion and thought. this is done with commuunication. 

Akbar's quote resonates that studying in an engineering course isn't just confined to the ability to solve complex problems but emphasizes the  ability to communicate solutions in the most layman term for all to understand regardless of their engineering background. It is about convincing  the vast majority of the present problem and what can be done to make life easier for majority of the people to benefit from it. Good communication is the ability pursuade. A successful engineer might not be the guy who is the most technical or knowledgable. He is someone who knows how to communicate the problem effective for others to solve them.