Components required to build a Nano Drone

Following are the main list of components required to build your own Nano drone. Based on your purpose, size and design, you can identify your components and proceed.

Frame:

This is the structure which houses all the components, and supports all the components to remain in place during flight. The frame can build using Balsa Wood, Carbon fibre or can be even 3D Printed.

Propulsion system:

The first step in selecting a motor for your drone is knowing about the dimensions of your frame. The frame you are using will give you an idea about the size of the motor that can be fixed on it. Also, frame size will tell you about the size of the propeller that can be used. As a thumb rule, the radius of the propeller should be less than half of the smallest side of the drone. This is to avoid the overlapping of propellers with each other.

By knowing the size of propeller, you move one step ahead in selecting the motor for the drone. Among the available motors, you can select one based on the propeller size. Keep a note that the efficiency of the motor should be high, otherwise it will just result in the wastage of current and will lower your flight time as well.

Propeller guards:

Since Nano Drones are operated at low heights it becomes very essential to attach propeller guards. They protect the propeller and motors from getting damaged. Also protects the humans from getting hurt in case of any mishap.

Drone controller:

To control the drone, you need an additional controller, it could be a RF controller or mobile app depending upon the type of flight controller used on the drone.

Flight controller:

This is the brain of the drone, the motors, sensors and battery is connected to the flight controller.

Battery:

Selection of battery depends on various parameters such as:

Mass of the battery (grams)

Mass or weight of the battery should be as less as possible because its weight will increase the overall weight of the drone.

Capacity of the battery (mAh)

Capacity of a battery is measured in milliamp-hours. This parameter gives you an information about how long will your battery last

S value of a battery

S value of a battery informs
about the number of cells connected in series and thus it tells you about the voltage rating of the battery.

C rating of a battery

C rating of a battery is a measure of how quickly the current can be discharged from the battery.

In conclusion, your battery should be light in weight, provide a good flight time and have a maximum discharge current above the normal requirement of the drone.