Research

Back EMF-Based Speed Sensing for BLDC Motors in UAVs | McGill Aerospace Mechatronics Lab

  • arduino
  • labview
  • pcb design
  • rc filter design
  • 2020

In this project, I was tasked with developing a non-intrusive speed sensing solution for Brushless DC (BLDC) motors in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The sensor leveraged back electromotive force (BEMF) to calculate motor speed, addressing the need for real-time RPM measurement without interfering with normal UAV operations.

Key contributions included:

  • Filter Design: Implemented a second-order passive RC band-pass filter for signal processing.
  • Output Translation: Created both digital (square wave) and analog (voltage) outputs for RPM sensing.
  • Validation: Verified performance using Arduino-based RPM calculations compared with stroboscopic measurements.

This solution was designed for integration into UAVs and motor characterization hardware, ensuring accurate speed sensing and control feedback.

Link to Poster