A New Systematic Approach in UAV Design Analysis Based on SDSM Method

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to implement a new systematic methodology for conducting conceptual design studies of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). During the design phase of any system, many variables, tasks, parameters and components should be taken into account. In this work we employ a system engineering powerful analysis technique based on Sensitivity Design Structure Matrix (SDSM). DSM provides a simple, compact, and visual representation of a complex system which supports innovative solutions to decomposition and integration problems. In this work, SDSM method, considered as a powerful technique in design analysis of complex systems, has been employed in design analysis of a light weight UAV. Applying this effective disintegration methodology, all the design parameters and their inherent interconnections could be specified and if the design structured matrix elements confront changes, based on any changes in internal or external design drivers, its propagating effects on the whole system concept could be directly traceable which in turn lead least effect on the total system variations. Finally this paper shows that disintegrated, sections-based design process architecture, like that used for the Sirang, as a light weight UAV, is optimal for product development, and it results in a low cost architecture for development of UAVs.