This section answers common technical and application-related questions about UAV servo actuators, electromechanical actuators and redundant actuator systems.
The FAQs are intended to support UAV manufacturers, system integrators and engineers in understanding key aspects of actuator reliability, redundancy, interfaces and performance in safety-critical unmanned systems.
Single-failure tolerance means that a UAV actuator is designed so that the failure of a single component does not lead to the loss of actuator function or control authority. This is achieved through internal design redundancy, such as redundant motors or drive trains, multiple independent position sensors, separate power and signal paths, and clearly defined fail-safe behavior. Single-failure tolerant architectures are essential for safety-critical UAV and UAS applications, where actuator reliability directly affects flight safety.
PEGASUS UAV servo actuators support multiple communication interfaces to ensure compatibility with different flight control and system architectures. Available interfaces include PWM signals with TTL levels, differential PWM signals via RS485 transceivers, RS485 data protocols, and CAN bus communication. The appropriate interface can be selected depending on the application, system requirements and integration preferences.
UAV actuators are designed for safety-critical applications where a failure can result in the total loss of the aircraft. In contrast to standard RC or general-purpose industrial servos, UAV servo actuators must meet significantly higher requirements for reliability, precision, environmental robustness and long-term operational stability. These characteristics are particularly important for autonomous, long-endurance and professional UAV missions.
Weight is a critical design factor in UAV actuator systems, as every gram directly affects payload capacity, flight range and endurance. UAV servo actuators must therefore deliver high torque and dynamic performance while maintaining minimal mass and inertia, supporting efficient, stable and predictable flight characteristics.
IP protection classes (Ingress Protection) indicate how well an actuator housing is protected against the ingress of foreign objects and water. Depending on the operating environment, UAV actuators require appropriate IP protection ratings to ensure reliable operation under exposure to dust, moisture, condensation or splash water.
UAV actuators must operate reliably across wide temperature ranges and under vibration and shock loads, as well as in environments with humidity, dust, condensation and altitude-related pressure changes. This requires robust mechanical design, appropriate sealing (e.g. IP protection ratings) and carefully selected materials qualified for aerospace and unmanned system applications.
To achieve long service life and high reliability, UAV servo actuators typically use brushless motors and contactless position feedback systems. These technologies reduce mechanical wear and significantly increase the mean time between failures (MTBF) compared to conventional servos with brushed motors and potentiometers.
UAV applications require actuators to provide high positioning accuracy, excellent repeatability, minimal hysteresis and backlash, and stable control behavior across the entire temperature and load range. This level of precision is essential for flight control surfaces, particularly in autonomous or remotely piloted UAV systems.
During flight, UAV actuators are exposed to rapidly changing temperatures – from ground-level conditions to sub-zero environments at higher altitudes. Control performance must remain stable across this entire temperature range to ensure predictable and safe flight characteristics under all operating conditions.
