FPGA-Based Performance Enhancement of BLDC Motor Drives for UAV Applications

Hergul H. A., Yavuz R., FIÇICI C., ÇATALBAŞ M. C.

5th International Conference on Informatics and Software Engineering, IISEC 2026, Ankara, Turkey, 5 - 06 February 2026, pp.595-598, (Full Text) identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Doi Number: 10.1109/iisec69317.2026.11418448
  • City: Ankara
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.595-598
  • Keywords: BLDC Motor Drives, FPGA-Based PWM Control, PWM Frequency and Jitter, Thermal Efficiency, UAV Applications
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors are widely used in UAV applications due to their advantages of being lightweight, powerful, efficient, and capable of responding quickly. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a critical control component that affects the BLDC motor architecture, as it is crucial for decision-making within milliseconds. Jitter effects come to the fore in terms of the timing of PWM signals. In driver circuits, PWM frequency and switching jitter cause time loss and increased heating by fluctuating the motor current. This situation directly affects BLDC motors, resulting in parasitic energy losses and thermal accumulation. In this study, to address the limitations, a comparative analysis is presented between traditional Microcontroller Unit (MCU) based control systems and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based structures. By evaluating both platforms, the research aims to demonstrate the impact of control hardware on the overall thermal efficiency and operational reliability of BLDC motor systems in demanding Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) environments.