Optimal Layout Design of Multi-Rotor Vehicle Based on PSO Algorithm

In the design of multi-rotor vehicles, it is very important to predesign the overall layout from the perspective of fluid dynamics and flight and control performance. However, currently there is no unified guiding principle. This research discusses the predesign procedure of an overall layout of multi-rotor vehicles based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. First, the rotor dynamics model based on the blade element momentum theory is introduced. Then the proper parameter setting of the PSO algorithm is discussed considering rotor-number and payload mass. Finally, by using the PSO algorithm, some results of proper rotor sizes and positions are showed according to different rotor numbers and takeoff weights as well as blade numbers and angles of rotors.