Chetan Mehra,
- Professor, Department of Electronics B.M.U, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Abstract
Electronic drones, commonly referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have transitioned from exclusively military platforms to indispensable tools across commercial, scientific, industrial, and recreational domains. The rapid evolution of electronics, flight control systems, communication networks, onboard sensors, and artificial intelligence has reshaped drone capabilities, enabling high-precision remote sensing, autonomous navigation, swarm behavior, and integration into complex systems like the Internet of Drones (IoD). This paper examines the technological building blocks of drones, their operational principles, diverse applications, associated challenges, and trends shaping future research and deployment. Figures and tables highlight key electronic architectures, component functions, and performance comparisons. At the core of a drone’s electronic architecture is the flight controller, which integrates microprocessors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), gyroscopes, accelerometers, and barometers to stabilize and guide the aircraft. These components continuously collect and process data to maintain balance, adjust motor speeds, and execute navigation commands. Communication modules such as radio transmitters, GPS receivers, and telemetry systems enable remote operation and real-time data exchange between the drone and the ground control station. Power management systems, including lithium-polymer batteries and electronic speed controllers (ESCs), ensure efficient energy distribution to motors and onboard electronics. Modern drones also incorporate advanced sensors like cameras, LiDAR, thermal imaging units, and environmental monitoring instruments, expanding their functionality beyond simple aerial flight. As a result, drones are widely used in fields such as agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, logistics, and filmmaking. Despite these advantages, challenges remain, including limited battery life, regulatory restrictions, cybersecurity risks, and concerns about privacy and airspace safety. Ongoing research focuses on improving energy efficiency, autonomous decision-making, and safe integration of drones into shared airspace systems.
Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), radio transmitters, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), inertial measurement units (IMUs), Internet of Drones (IoD)
[This article belongs to International Journal on Drones ]
Chetan Mehra. Electronic Drones: Technology, Applications, and Future Directions. International Journal on Drones. 2026; 02(01):15-19.
Chetan Mehra. Electronic Drones: Technology, Applications, and Future Directions. International Journal on Drones. 2026; 02(01):15-19. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijd/article=2026/view=239862
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| Volume | 02 |
| Issue | 01 |
| Received | 05/02/2026 |
| Accepted | 10/03/2026 |
| Published | 18/03/2026 |
| Publication Time | 41 Days |
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