Drones: The new dimension in automation

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming increasingly important in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. Companies are striving to digitally transform their industrial processes in order to reduce costs and improve working environments. Whether for mapping of large fields, intelligent obstacle detection or fully automated operations for the precise application of water, fertilisers and more. Commercial drones and quadcopters are helping to enable industrial self-control and take automation processes in various market segments to the next level.

Technological breakthroughs, such as improved battery efficiency, advanced image sensors and AI-driven autonomous functions, have significantly expanded the potential applications of drones in various industries. This development has led to certain applications, such as drones, evolving significantly from hobbyist devices to regulated, mission-critical platforms in agriculture, logistics, inspection, public safety and many other segments.

Size, weight and power are crucial for enhancing the optimal performance, manoeuvrability and range of commercial drones. Industry experts refer to this as SWaP. As the market leader for industrial connectors, HARTING has recognised the demand of industrial-proof connectivity and cabling solutions. The new HARTING Han® MPC and the ICC 20 Drone Arm Connector (DAC) have been developed in accordance with these important requirements. HARTING's existing range of device connectivity solutions and future production based on 3D-MID technology are also helping to unlock new potential for automated flight operations.

UAVs and other mobile robots, including humanoid robots, share a common topology of connection points. The widely used LiPo batteries, either regular or future-proof smart units with signal integrity, supply power to the power distribution board (PDB).

The PDB is the central interface between the battery and the electronic speed controller (ESC). The ESC ensures efficient and reliable power management. It effectively regulates the speed and direction of rotation of the electric motor to ensure smooth operation of the device. In industry, 3-phase brushless DC motors (BLDC) are often used to ensure low maintenance and long-lasting performance.

The Han® MPC30 and MPC60 are the ideal solution for the connections between these critical units to ensure high signal integrity. Additional variants such as different housing types or straight and angled PCB variants enable even greater flexibility. The connection between PCB’s can be established with extreme flexibility using the har-modular® PCB connector system.

The series is designed to deliver maximum performance in compact form factors: the Han® MPC30 supports currents up to 30A using Han-Yellock® 4 mm² crimp contacts, while the Han® MPC60 is rated for up to 60A using Han® C 10 mm² crimp contacts.

Whereas the peak current for Han® MPC30 is rated up to 180A for 10 sec. and for Han® MPC60 it is rated up to 350A for 10 sec. The connector optionally accommodates up to four Har‑speed contacts, ensuring the need for reliable DroneCAN transmission.

Modular architectures and platform concepts are state of the art for ensuring high machine flexibility. This also applies to UAVs. Adding additional drone arms for transporting heavier loads and changing tools are common procedures for responding to different tasks. Plug-in interfaces are essential for enabling the necessary modularity. Hard-wired drone arms can also quickly become a bottleneck in the maintenance of commercial drones. Troubleshooting is time-consuming and often requires specialists to disconnect the connections. The ICC 20 DAC offers many advantages over hard-wired solutions. Drone arms can be easily plugged in and pulled out again to replace defective arms or switch between different variants.

Commercial drones need reliable connections for camera and payload sensors. HARTING offers shock- and vibration-proof solutions with data rates up to Cat. 8.2 (40 Gbit/s) and interference- free fibre optic solutions. Robust camera connections can be established with the HARTING ix Industrial® or the future-proof Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) solution T1 Industrial.

With 3D-MID technology, antennas can be designed in three dimensions and integrated directly into device structures. This allows antennas to fit precisely into compact or complex housings, making efficient use of available space.

The ability to place antennas exactly where needed supports high-frequency applications and helps maintain reliable wireless connectivity, even in challenging environments. 3D-MID offers design flexibility and weight savings, addressing both performance and integration requirements. For more information about 3D-MID and antenna integration, visit our website: