IoT Techniques and Elements for Drone Package Delivery Networks
large fleet of drones , and instructs the humans that pull cargo from the warehouse and load the lockers .
An alternative would be a specialized large-scale system , or “ roost ” at the central location that is capable of sheltering , charging , and fully automatic loading of a fleet of dozens or hundreds of drones . The conveyer belts typically found in large-scale logistics hubs would be extended right into the roost and the speed , energy , and labor content of the drone deliveries would be optimized . The OpenFog Consortium ( part of the Industry IoT Consortium since early 2019 ) considered high-scale drone delivery architectures and their computational challenges and produced a video of some operational scenarios [ 32 ]. As the OpenFog Consortium no longer exists , the reader is directed to the IIC Edge Computing White Papers site [ 33 ] for additional information .
5.2.5 SENSORS AND ACTUATORS
As you can imagine , all these sophisticated drone support functions require many IoT sensors and actuators . Every place where a part of a drone touches a ground resource could have a sensor to validate the presence and alignment of the mechanical elements , and often force or weight sensing is helpful .
This can be implemented as simple mechanical switches , optical / magnetic proximity sensors , force sensors or strain gauges . The robotic actuators that move mechanical elements of the docking stations / mailboxes / warehouses need position feedback to verify their alignment , and often force feedback to be sure no mechanical collisions , debris fouling , motor overloads or misalignments are occurring .
This can be implemented by specialized sensors like optical range finders , Linear Variable Differential Transformers ( LVDTs ), strain gauges , proximity sensors , linear or shaft encoders , etc ., or can be inferred by knowing how far and with how much power the robotic motors are being driven . If a drone is being charged while landed , charging current , battery cell voltage and battery temperature are sensed as useful indicators of energy transfer . Multiple temperatures are often monitored in the ground support equipment , including the temperature in the drone storage compartment under the weather covers , temperature inside the mailbox or in warehouse passages , and ( especially if cooled or heated cargo is being carried ) the temperature of each cargo storage locker .
Many sensors also monitor the outside environment to facilitate safe drone operations , including temperature , barometric pressure , wind speed , wind direction , visibility distance , radio environments and sky survey cameras to verify the airspace is clear before takeoff . Many types of actuators complete the IoT package for drone ground cargo management elements , including lights , beacons , multiple types of motors / linear actuators , fans , pumps , heaters , coolers , power switching devices and radio transmitters .
Journal of Innovation 41