DRL SIM 3.0

We have been using the DRL SIM 3.0 for the past 2 weeks and are very excited about the release. DRL has put a lot of thought into the latest DRL SIM 3.0, using what they call a next generation physics stack. They’ve partnered with the world’s leading experts, and are constantly testing new variables and solutions. The sophisticated physics engine computes real-world propeller, motor, battery and physics data, which creates a very life-like simulator experience.

GET STARTED

Getting started on a simulator may be one of the best ways to get acclimated to flying FPV. It allows you to experiment with the stick controls and learn the many aspects of flying without the initial investment into a drone or goggles. It is strongly recommended you invest in a radio that you plan to use long-term so that you can get used to the radio’s controls and develop a level of confidence to go out and fly the real thing.

An entry level radio will give you hours of SIM enjoyment and will get you ready for your first day in the air. We’d recommend looking at the FrSky X-Lite radios for Simulators and Micro Drones, and any one of these radios if you plan on eventually using a Team Black Sheep Crossfire module.

PRECISE AERODYNAMICS

UNSTEADY DRAG

Every SIM can calculate drag. Drag models measure continuous air flow over a static object. DRL SIM 3.0 is the only SIM in the world that measures unsteady drag – the modeling of unpredictable air flow over, under and through and object that constantly shifts speed, angle and direction.

DRL sends every drone in the SIM to Dr. Marilyn J. Smith, the Director of Georgia Tech’s Aerodynamic Engineering School’s Nonlinear Computational Aeroelasticity Lab. This is the he only model in the world that can calculate unsteady drag in real time, and DRL is the only private company with access to these models. Through Dr. Smith’s work, SIM 3.0 has drag accuracy down 1000x / second.

PROPELLER DYNAMICS

Renowned aeronautical engineer Sage Thayer is the leading author of realistic model propeller dynamics and built the hyped 5051 props. Sage was tasked with taking measurements of every single prop on the market. Using thrust, RPM and speed, he modeled those measurements to determine prop efficiency against every combination in the SIM. Want to fly some old school bullnose bi-blades? Steele’s OG triblades? It’s all here. Real numbers.

MODULAR PARTS DATABASE

DRL tested every battery, motor and prop combination available in the SIM to determine the exact power curves of any potential drone combination. Over 5,000 bench tests were conducted, creating over 260,000 drone combinations, and 2,000 power combinations. These bench tests provide real data against thrust, torque, RPM, voltage, current, temperature, bell, etc.

PHYSICS VALIDATION

CAPTURING DATA

Optitrack is the largest motion capture (mocap) provider in the world. They generate tracking data for movies, gaming, VR, sports and now, racing drones. At Optitrack’s HQ lab, drones were fitted with IR trackers and flown through a series of high performance maneuvers. Optitrack data verified drone positioning down to an accuracy of 2 millimeters @ 300hz, allowing DRL to directly compare and verify precision of simulation vs. real-life positioning.

REFINING DATA

Once DRL captures this data, we are able to precisely identify any irregularities between the two flight paths. This allows DRL Sim to accurately examine any differences between real like and sim life.

ADVANCED PHYSICS FEATURES

MOMENT OF INERTIA

Distribution of weight is accurate based on battery or component positioning. Top lipo or bottom; H-frame or X-frame, your drone’s moment of inertia will be precisely calculated because each combination, and will affect the motor mixer in-flight.

YAW

A high tuned yaw will alter the drone’s altitude while overcoming the moment of inertia. SIM 3.0 has modeled to account for this force and applied real world testing to validate. This parameter is editable in sandbox.

COMMUNITY SHARING

SIM 3.0 is an open environment built for measurement and R&D. Play god and mess with Newton’s law. Save your ‘tune’ and share it with other pilots to try and rate.

BATTERY

Think you can crush a UTT with only a 1300? Built a new long range rig and want to know how long it will fly for? Because DRL SIM 3.0 uses real part data, battery discharge is accurately modeled to precisely predict the behavior of lag and capacity.

PROP WASH

Prop wash occurs when a drone flies into its own thrust when switching directions quickly, or coming out of a vertical dive. You don’t need to tune it out with PIDs, you can just set your desired level of Prop Wash to low, medium, high, or none.