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Description
The rapid expansion of civilian drone applications has intensified concerns regarding environmental noise and its impact on human well-being. Due to their pronounced tonal and high-frequency components, drone noise is often perceived as particularly intrusive in urban environments, making noise reduction a key factor for public acceptance.This study investigates the acoustic characteristics of drone propellers and evaluates mitigation strategies combining passive design optimization and active noise control. Several propeller configurations, including toroidal designs and alternative blade geometries, are systematically compared to conventional two-blade propellers.A dedicated experimental test bench was developed to enable time-synchronous acquisition of acoustic and aerodynamic performance parameters, including sound pressure, electrical power consumption and thrust. This approach allows for a comprehensive, multi-criteria assessment of propeller performance.The results are analyzed with respect to trade-offs between noise emission, aerodynamic efficiency, and thrust generation. In addition to passive design measures, active control strategies based on destructive interference are examined. In particular, phase shifts between multiple propellers and adaptive techniques targeting dominant tonal components are investigated.The findings demonstrate significant potential for reducing tonal noise while maintaining aerodynamic performance. The study provides insight into the optimization of drone propulsion systems and contributes to the development of quieter unmanned aerial vehicles for improved environmental compatibility.