All the components data described here is monitored by the In Flight Controller (IFC) and displayed on the IFC Display.
Monitored data are grouped by the propulsion system components.
Motor
Motor phases current directly monitored by the motor controller and also indirectly by the system’s current sensor connected on the main bus between motor controller and the battery – Bat A numerical display and also AMPS graphical dial on the Gauges page .
(For the Current Alarm limits see below Battery Amps )
RPM of the motor is monitored by reading pulses of one of the Hall sensors and displayed on the Gauges page – numerical field and also graphical dial. Normal operation up to 2800 RPM. No limits .
Temperature of the motor monitored by the motor controller and also by IFC module – Motor T numerical field on the Gauges page.
Temperature limits: manufacturer achieved limit 78C, projected limit 120C. Setup Alarm triggering upper limit to 70 C (subject to change).
Motor Controller
Controller at this stage works independently sensing and controlling the output phases to the motor. The only data reported to IFC related to it’s status is the temperature of the cooling box – it is displayed as Contr. T numerical field on the Gauges page.
Temperature limits: manufacturer claimed normal operation at 0 – 50C, at 90C starts reducing output to the motor, shutdown limit 100 C. Setup Alarm triggering upper limit to 80C (subject to change).
The Main Battery
Temperature sensors installed in each of two battery boxes and the data is monitored independently for both and displayed in Bat 1 and Bat 2 numerical fields on the Gauges page.
Temperature limits: typical LiPo battery allowed operation at -20 to 60C . Setup Alarm triggering upper limit to 45C (subject to change).
The voltage of each cell is measured with period of 1 sec with a precision of 1mV and the total voltage of the battery calculated. This is done in BMS and data is transmitted over SPI Serial interface to the IFC module. Each cell data is displayed in numerical field and also as a bar graph on the IFC display Battery page.
Also a cumulative voltage of the Main Battery is displayed on the Battery page.
Cell voltage limits: Upper voltage limit exceeding max 4.2v signifies wrong data reading – sign of communication failure. Lower limit 3.2v triggers Low Cell Voltage Alarm.
Main Battery voltage limits: Upper voltage limit exceeding max 4.2v x 20 = 84v signifies wrong data reading – sign of communication failure. Lower limit 3.2v x 20 = 64v triggers Low Battery Voltage Alarm.
Note: although two above parameters have an obvious relation between them, nevertheless pilot has more understanding of the battery status knowing both parameters. Each of those parameters may trigger Alarm first, whence pointing to the reason for the alarm.
Battery current sensor shows the amperage load AMPS of the battery on the Gauges page.
Battery Current limit: Upper Current limit currently set to 250A (subject to change), although the Hall sensor allows up to 300A current through it and also top limit of the ADC conversion is set to 300A.
12v IFC Battery
This is independent Power supply for the IFC based on the Lithium Ion cells total power 12v 5Ah 60Wh.
It’s voltage is monitored by IFC and displayed as IFC V numerical field on the display Gauges page.
Voltage Limits Monitoring: working range from 7.5v to 12.5v . Low IFC Battery alarm triggered at 8v (subject to change).
IFC On-Board temperature
Sensored at the location of the DC-DC voltage converter – the hottest spot on board. Manufacturer reported hottest junction temperature 125C.
Temperature Limit Monitoring: High temperature alarm triggered at 80C (subject to change).
Thrust
This sensor is used only for the complete propulsion system load test on the ground. The data measured in LBS for the automatic system log into the memory for further analysis. This is displayed during the load test as Thrust numerical field in the Gauges page.
No limits.
Propulsion Monitored Parameters and Alarms
Table below summarizes the list of the monitored parameters, their normal range of operation, limits setup to trigger alarms and the tag names of the alarms on the IFC Display.
Monitored Propulsion Data, Limits and Alarms
| Component | Parameter | Range | Limits to Trigger Alarm | Alarm Program Code | Alarm Display Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | Temperature | up to 78C, 120C max | 70C | MOTOR_TEMP_ALARM | MOTOR TEMP |
| Motor | RPM | 0 - 2800 | |||
| Motor Controller | Temperature | 0 - 50C, 90C max | 80C | CONTR_TEMP_ALARM | CONTR TEMP |
| Main Battery | Temperature of Each Battery box | -20C to 60C | 45C | BATT1_TEMP_ALARM BATT2_TEMP_ALARM | BAT1 TEMP BAT2 TEMP |
| Main Battery | Each Individual Cell Voltage (1-20) | 3.0v - 4.2v | min 3.2v, max 4.2v | CELL_UNDER_VOLT CELL_NO_CONNECTION | CELL LOW V BMS NO CON |
| Main Battery | Voltage | 64v - 84v | min 64v, max 84v | BAT_UNDER_VOLT BAT_NO_CONNECTION | BAT LOW V BMS NO CON |
| Main Battery | Current | 0 - 300A | max 250A | BAT_OVER_CURRENT | BAT HI CUR |
| IFC Battery | Voltage | 7.5v - 13v | min 8v | IFC_UNDER_VOLT | IFC LOW V |
| IFC | Temperature | max 125C | 80C | IFC_TEMP_ALARM | IFC TEMP |
| Thrust Sensor | Thrust Force in Lbs | any |
*Note 1: The table is only limited to the propulsion related parameters. Avionics related parameters displayed on the same Gauges page are not listed here.
*Note 2: The Motor and Motor Controller components are subject to continued experimentation, evaluation and could be replaced. Their parameters therefore are subject to change.