12Sep
Drone Inspections go nuclear with GPS and RADAR
High-precision GPS receivers mounted on drones able to identify 1mm hairline defects in cooling towers
High-precision GPS receivers mounted on drones able to identify 1mm hairline defects in cooling towers
25Jul
MicroPilot Integrates xNAV GNSS/INS into Autopilots for Greater Accuracy
MicroPilot recently announced the completion of work to integrate an OxTS xNAV miniature GNSS/INS system in to their UAV autopilots.
The interface allows MicroPilot systems to use the blended GNSS/IMU output of the INS in their flight control system. This integration provides accurate positioning.
“We were excited to work together with MicroPilot to develop an interface between our systems," said Iain Clarke, Product Manager from OxTS. "As the UAV market continues to grow people are still discovering ways to take advantage of the platform. We hope this development brings new opportunities to customers looking for integrated systems and UAV navigation options.”
Designed for commercial UAV mapping
The xNAV is a miniature GNSS/INS system. It is designed for commercial UAV mapping applications that require precise geo-referencing capabilities. For UAV based LiDAR, hyperspectral or thermal mapping, a survey-grade INS is crucial. It provides the accurate trajectory information needed to create 3D pointclouds, digital terrain models, and other maps. INS also enhances photogrammetry applications. In addition, it reduces the need for ground control points, lowers image processing time and removes jumps and gaps in data, saving time from reprocessing to fix errors. While many autopilot systems have integrated GNSS, they are usually lower-grade, single frequency receivers only capable of 1-2 m accuracy. By developing an interface with OxTS systems, MicroPilot autopilots can use the centimeter-level RTK position output of the INS in their flight control system. The autopilot also receives the benefit of INS navigation which is robust and protected against GNSS dropouts. Thanks to the integrated GNSS and IMU in the xNAV, as well as OxTS’ tight-coupling technology, the navigation solution is smooth, resistant to GNSS jumps, and position drift is limited even when fewer than 4 satellites are in view. This can allow UASs to fly and navigate confidently in harsher GNSS environments such as urban canyons, near vegetation, or under bridges. “MicroPilot is pleased to work with OxTS,” said Howard Loewen, President of MicroPilot. “This integration will create a better performing system for our customers.” Shop MicroPilot's line of autopilots at Unmanned Systems Source.
13Jul
PingStation makes its debut from manufacturer uAvionix
uAvionix Corporation, the leading Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) avionics solution provider, recently announced the introduction of PingStation.
PingStation is an all-weather, networkable ADS-B receiver for low and high altitude aircraft surveillance.
Additionally, it is robust enough to permanently mount outdoors in harsh environmental conditions. It is also small enough for use as a mobile asset for roaming operations.
PingStation debut application
In its debut application, PingStation is a component in Phase 1 of Project UAS Secure Autonomous Flight Environment (U-SAFE). This program is part of a low-altitude Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) corridor. This corridor extends from Griffiss International Airport to Syracuse, NY. A grant from Empire State Development Corporation provides funding for Project U-SAFE. Additionally, PingStation provides ADS-B receiver capability for the Gryphon Sensors Mobile UTM System – Mobile SkyLight.Features of PingStation
PingStation is a dual band (978MHz and 1090MHz), networkable ADS-B receiver with a Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE) interface enclosed in an IP67 rated protective enclosure. Integrated is the TSO certified uAvionix FYX GPS receiver for high-resolution time-stamping for critical applications. It provides ground, surface, or low-altitude ADS-B surveillance within line of sight of the antenna, with ranges exceeding 250NM depending on the transmission power. PingStation has multiple uses within the aviation industry:- Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems
- A component of UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS)
- A component of UAS Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems
- Airport surface and region situational awareness
- FBO/flight school fleet tracking and management
About uAvionix Corporation
uAvionix develops the world’s smallest, lightest and most affordable ADS-B transceivers, transponders, and GPS receivers. Based in Palo Alto, uAvionix has gathered a cross-disciplinary team of experts in embedded RF engineering, sUAS operations, avionics, hardware, software, and cloud services.
05Jul
PV Solar Panel Field Inspection with UgCS Mission Planning Software
Solar panel fields, like any other artificial infrastructure objects, require periodical inspections. Usually photovoltaic (PV) solar panel field inspection requires use of two sensors - infrared (IR) and daylight cameras, to detect faulty panels. Solar panels may heat up because of connection issues, physical damage or debris.
A drone equipped with a thermal camera is the best choice for solar panel field inspection. This method saves costs compared to manned aviation and saves time compared to visual control with handheld IR camera.
Semi-professional drones with changeable cameras like DJI Inspire are an option. However, switching out cameras means flight time is doubled. The first is a survey flight conducted with a daylight camera. The flight is then repeated after changing to an IR camera. To minimize time required for inspection usually both sensors (cameras) are used simultaneously. Such a payload requires a drone with enough lift-off capability.
Detectable defects
The two major defects visible with IR camera are connection issues and physical damage. Connection issues occur, for example, when a panel or a string of panels are not connected to the system. As a result, power produced from the panel(s) cannot flow through the system and on to the grid. That power is converted to heat and the entire panel(s) will heat up slightly.
Solar Panel Field Inspection Mission Planning in UgCS
In general, solar panel field inspection missions with drones are planned the same way as standard UAV photogrammetry missions. The survey area is set and the route and camera settings are optimized to obtain the best result for data processing.
GSD selection
For photogrammetry, mission ground sampling distance (GSD) is defined by client and it is the main characteristic of survey’s output data. In case of solar panel inspection client has to define which defects have to be detected. To detect panels with connection issues GSD for IR images should be set 25 cm. To detect physical damage or hotspots smaller than whole panel the GSD should be set from 5-16 cm. For survey missions, when a drone carries IR and daylight cameras simultaneously, the GSD for daylight camera isn’t relevant. This is because it produces pictures with much better GSD than IR sensor because of the low resolution of thermal cameras. For example, an optical camera with a 16 mm lens to match the 7.5 mm FLIR lens will produce images with 1.3GSD while the FLIR images are at 15.7GSD. For solar panel survey missions, when a drone with changeable cameras is used set GSD > 2 cm - this will enable to detect even small debris on panels but will not produce thousands of images from flight.Camera position
Mostly camera are set to nadir position. In situations where a tracker system can't be positioned at a set angle or for some fixed array sites – based on the time of the day and sun position oblique setup can be used. Optimal angle of solar panels for thermal images is from 5 to 30 degrees to avoid reflection and inaccurate temperatures. If such images can’t be acquired with nadir camera position, the camera angle has to be adjusted to ensure pictures of panels in range from 5 to 30 degree angle.Data processing
Standard image data processing techniques can be used to stitch photos taken with daylight and IR cameras.
22Jun
Aeromapper Talon successfully completes BVLOS mission over 30Km away
Recently, Aeromao's Aeromapper Talon successfully completed an autonomous mission to a target located 30km away.
The Talon maintained strong communications and its control link throughout the entire mission.
This mission successfully demonstrated the potential for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for the Talon.
The Aeromapper Talon costs only a fraction compared to systems with similar capabilities.
Aeromapper Talon Demonstrates BVLOS
The Aeromapper team carried out the mission in the Andes Mountains of South America. The location of the flight was situated at 2,800m above sea level. The flight had a cruise altitude of 250m agl. Fifty percent of the flight traversed a body of water. The Talon traveled a total distance of 60km in its one hour flight. With a flight endurance of 2-hours, the Talon had enough flight time left to travel an additional 30km. However, the operators decided to bring the UAV back due to peaks in excess of 3,500 m above sea level in the flight path. Currently, the team is planning a future mission to demonstrate 50km reach capabilities. Aeromao's Aeromapper 300 also uses the same long range communication system as the Talon. The demand for BVLOS missions continues to grow throughout the industry. Applications for such missions include: power line and pipeline monitoring, roadways survey, surveillance and wildlife control, as well as long linear missions.Powerful solution for linear mission challenges
"We receive many requests from clients who need to fly linear missions sometimes to survey thousands of kilometers of pipelines, power lines or roadways," said Mauricio Ortiz of Aeromao. "We ourselves have completed hundreds of kilometers of linear projects, and know very well the challenges of these types of operations." The Aeromapper Talon is proving a solid solution given the specific capabilities demanded for these applications. Aeromapper Talon performs well in all:- Ability to operate in difficult terrain and with a mobile GCS with reliable and strong communications.
- Quick deployment and easy operation: the Aeromapper Talon is flight ready in 15 minutes. It is one of the easiest UAVs to operate.
- Several cycles of takeoff and landings per day from different locations: here the hand-launch and parachute landing are pretty much a MUST have. A large area survey needs the flexibility of operating from virtually anywhere.
- Reliable and easy to repair in the field, as well as affordable with interchangeable spare parts.
Complete UAV solution, multiple fronts
Additionally, the Aeromapper Talon is also a multi-mission payload complete solution. It is a great choice for various applications, such as agriculture, centimeter accurate surveys, surveillance, and monitoring. Payloads available include:- 24 Mp RGB + with Parrot Sequoia simultaneously: complete full surveys at high resolution and get vegetation data in a single flight.
- 24 Mp RG + Thermal Infrared: Ideal for pipeline or wildlife monitoring.
- Forward looking day / night payload: An affordable surveillance and observation platform with long range video streaming. All systems are easily swappable.
- Micasense RedEdge: A swappable payload option with serious agriculture power.
- GNSS PPK: Eliminates GCPs and achieves up to 3 cm of accuracy for engineering projects. Also available as a swappable payload.
- Pix4DMapper Aeromao Edition: serious post processing power with the most exhaustive power available. In an affordable bundle package with the complete UAV system.
- Agisfot Photoscan Pro: Affordable and flexible post processing software to become a post-processing Ninja.
01Jun
PPK vs. RTK: When do you choose one over the other?
UAS vendors targeting markets from commercial survey to agriculture are fielding systems with real-time kinematic GNSS (RTK) capability.
In principle, RTK promises accuracies at the 1-3cm level. The main purpose is to minimize or eliminate the need for ground control points, thereby reducing cost.
Altavian uses GNSS receivers upgradeable to RTK operation, but favors another approach for this level of accuracy: post-processed kinematic (PPK). There are a couple of reasons why:
- RTK requires a GNSS base station equipped with a transmitter with a reliable link to a fairly dynamic moving platform.
- The rover (on the UAS) itself requires a dedicated receiver for the corrections.
