Multi-Channel Mixing System for a UAV Ground Servicing Platform

Abstract

The problem of automating the preparation and refueling of liquid chemical solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles used in agricultural spraying is investigated. A review of studies on the application of UAVs for spraying and the types of agricultural crops is provided. The relevance of the research is justified by the need for comprehensive field servicing of agricultural drones, including not only battery replacement but also the automatic refilling of tanks with working solution. A developed multichannel mixing module for an autonomous ground platform is presented, capable of dispensing concentrates with various dilution ratios and mixing them in a water flow. The modular architecture of the mixer includes two types of dispensers (pneumatic for large volumes and syringe-type for small volumes), a unified control unit based on an STM32F103 microcontroller with RS-485 network support, as well as a quick-release collet cap for connecting standard containers. Research is ongoing regarding the analysis of the influence of different concentrate viscosities on dosing accuracy, as well as the automatic formulation of solutions based on agrotechnical prescriptions.