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Purpose <p>Urban air mobility and low-altitude UAV operations demand propulsion systems with low acoustic emissions, especially in densely populated and environmentally sensitive areas. Propeller-induced noise remains the primary contributor to UAV sound output. This study investigates the combined effects of blade count and trailing-edge bio-mimetic serrations on tonal and broadband noise generation.</p> Methods <p>Six propeller configurations—single-, two-, and three-blade designs with standard and bio-mimetic serrated edges—were analyzed. Aerodynamic fields were computed using a grid-independent SST k–ω CFD model, and far-field noise was predicted using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) acoustic analogy. Standardized geometry and serration parameters ensured consistent comparisons.</p> Results <p>Increasing blade count reduced dominant tonal noise by improving load distribution, while bio-mimetic serrations disrupted coherent vortices and shifted acoustic energy to higher frequencies. The three-blade serrated configuration produced the lowest sound pressure levels at 2500 Hz and 5000 Hz. Numerical results showed good agreement with published experimental data.</p> Conclusion <p>This study demonstrates that the combined application of increased blade count and trailing-edge bio-mimetic serrations can significantly enhance acoustic performance in UAV propulsion systems. The unified CFD–FW–H framework provides reliable insights into both tonal and broadband noise mitigation mechanisms. The primary novelty lies in the systematic comparison of blade-number effects and bio-inspired geometries within a consistent modeling environment, offering practical design guidelines for achieving aerodynamic efficiency alongside acoustic stealth in next-generation UAV rotors.</p>

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Aeroacoustic Optimization of UAV Propellers Using Multi-Set Blade Designs and Bio-Mimetic Serrations: A CFD–FW–H Based Investigation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月20日

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  • Mehul V. Mane,
  • Puskaraj D. Sonawwanay,
  • Mitul Solanki,
  • Vivek Patel

摘要

Purpose

Urban air mobility and low-altitude UAV operations demand propulsion systems with low acoustic emissions, especially in densely populated and environmentally sensitive areas. Propeller-induced noise remains the primary contributor to UAV sound output. This study investigates the combined effects of blade count and trailing-edge bio-mimetic serrations on tonal and broadband noise generation.

Methods

Six propeller configurations—single-, two-, and three-blade designs with standard and bio-mimetic serrated edges—were analyzed. Aerodynamic fields were computed using a grid-independent SST k–ω CFD model, and far-field noise was predicted using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) acoustic analogy. Standardized geometry and serration parameters ensured consistent comparisons.

Results

Increasing blade count reduced dominant tonal noise by improving load distribution, while bio-mimetic serrations disrupted coherent vortices and shifted acoustic energy to higher frequencies. The three-blade serrated configuration produced the lowest sound pressure levels at 2500 Hz and 5000 Hz. Numerical results showed good agreement with published experimental data.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the combined application of increased blade count and trailing-edge bio-mimetic serrations can significantly enhance acoustic performance in UAV propulsion systems. The unified CFD–FW–H framework provides reliable insights into both tonal and broadband noise mitigation mechanisms. The primary novelty lies in the systematic comparison of blade-number effects and bio-inspired geometries within a consistent modeling environment, offering practical design guidelines for achieving aerodynamic efficiency alongside acoustic stealth in next-generation UAV rotors.