Lab 7 UAV Platforms

The purpose of this exercise was to observe different aerial platforms that could be used to obtain imagery. Four different platforms were deployed in a park in the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and included two rotary-wing UAV, a kite, and an experimental run of a model rocket with a small video camera attached to it.

Rotary-Wing:

The first platforms to be deployed was rotary-wing UAV (copter 1) that was owned by the professor (fig. 1). The UAV, which had the capability to be flown manually via remote control or via an autopilot mode using preprogramed GPS-based waypoints, was operated by a UWEC student, Max. Copter 1 was fitted with 6 propellers, with 3 on top and 3 complimentary propellers beneath each of them (fig. 1).

The purpose of the 6 propeller arrangement on copter 1 likely served two purposes: 1) to increase the UAV's payload capacity by providing more lift and 2) to help to compensate for engine loss and bring the copter back should engine failure occur, as per Max.

The first copter was also fitted with a camera that could provide real-time imagery to the operator (fig.2a). Figure 2b shows the remote control for copter 1.

Flight of copter 1 appeared to go smoothly and lasted about 10 minutes or so. Figure 3 shows copter 1 just prior to take off (3a), and maneuvering in the air over the soccer park. The UAV was relatively quiet and agile while in flight.

Figure 1



Figure 1 shows two photos of copter 1 on the ground, the lower one for scale. Note that copter 1 has a total of six propellers which allow it to lift a heavier payload or to increase flight-time.

Figure 2

a)
 b)
Respectively, figures 2a and2b show the goggles used to provide the operator with real-time imagery as they operate the copter and the remote control used to manually control the UAV.

Figure 3
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 b)
 c)
Figure 3a shows copter 1 just before it was launched, while figures 3b and c show the UAV maneuvering over the Eau Claire soccer park.

The second rotary-wing UAV (copter 2; fig.4a) was flown for the class as well. It was unclear whether or not copter 2 was fitted with the goggles like copter 1. However, it still had a digital camera (fig.4b) attached to it in order to obtain aerial imagery. This camera could be programed to take photographs at a pre-programmed time interval while in flight. Also, the camera in figure 4b can be maneuvered via the operator from the remote control in order to control the angle of the photograph taken. Unfortunately no imagery from its flight was available. Figure 4c shows a close up of copter 2 and the GPS chip that it uses when in auto-mode (under the plastic dome).

Figure 4
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b)


 c)
Figure 4a shows copter 2 in the car. Figure 4b shows copter 2's camera and camera-rig, which can be maneuvered via remote control by the operator. Figure 4c shows the GPS chip that allows the UAV to be flow in "autopilot" mode to predetermined waypoints.