This repository documents an updated power stage for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed as a standalone PCB to improve system modularity, robustness, and power integrity.
Originally, the power management circuitry was integrated on the same PCB as the MCU, IMU, and control electronics.
In this revision, the power stage was fully separated into a dedicated board, enabling a clear functional separation between:
- Power distribution and regulation
- Control, sensing, and navigation electronics
This modular architecture simplifies debugging, testing, maintenance, and future system upgrades, while improving isolation between high-current and low-power domains.
/Hardware→ Schematic, Gerbers.
This power distribution and regulation board is part of the ongoing hardware updates for the DIY UAV project.
The main project repository documents the overall UAV system, including mechanical design, control architecture, and system integration:
- DIY UAV – Main Project Repository
DIY UAV
This repository focuses exclusively on the power stage modularization, extracted from the original integrated PCB to improve system scalability, maintainability, and electrical robustness.
The UAV electronics are now divided into two main subsystems:
- Power Stage (this repository)
- Control & Sensing Stage (MCU + IMU)
The power board is responsible for managing the battery input, distributing high-current power to the ESCs, and providing regulated power for low-voltage electronics.
The power distribution follows a centralized architecture in which the battery input is first managed by a high-side power switch, and then distributed to both high-current and low-voltage domains.
Battery
│
└── BTS50005-1LUA
├──► ESC Power Distribution
└──► LM2596 Buck Regulator ──► MCU / IMU / Control Electronics
 Power Stage PCB – Top View |
 Power Stage PCB – Bottom View |
The following image shows the complete setup of the prototype version:
 Power Stage PCB V1 – Top View |
 Power Stage PCB V1 – Bottom View |
This project is intended for educational and experimental purposes only.
The power distribution and regulation board is not flight-certified and has not been validated under aviation or safety-critical standards.
Users are responsible for ensuring safe operation, proper electrical protection, and compliance with applicable regulations when working with high-current systems.
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MIT License