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Development of a data collection system for small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Author(s)
Zhou, Yan
Date Issued
2011
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
This paper presents the development of a data collection system for a small unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight. The following three facets comprise of a UAV system: (1) a UAV
aircraft; (2) onboard avionics; and (3) a ground control station subsystem (Taha et al.,
2010:1). In this project, the UAV aircraft is based on the low-cost autonomous quad-rotator
system named “Arducopter Quad”, where the onboard avionic system utilizes both an
ArduPilot Mega (APM) on-board controller and IMU sensor shield, while the “Mission
Planner” software operates as GCS software to gather essential flight data (Xiang & Tian,
2011:176). The approach provides the UAV system structure and both hardware and
software with a small UAV data collection system, which is examined throughout the study.
And introduce the concept of Arducopter dynamics for better understanding with its flight
control.
The study also considers the communication process between the UAV and the ground
control station. The radio wave is an important aspect in the UAV data collection system
(Austin, 2010:143). The literature review introduced the basis of the radio wave in respect of
its travelling speed, and its characteristics of propagation, including how different frequencies
will affect radio wave propagation.
The aim of this project was to develop a platform for a small UAV real-time data collection
system. The pendulum system was involved to simulate the “Roll” movement of the small
UAV, while real-time IMU sensor data was successfully collected at ground control station
(GCS), both serial communication and wireless communication, which was applied in the
data collection process. The microwave generator interference test proves that the 2.4 GHz
XBee module is capable of establishing reliable indoor communication between the APM
controller and the GCS.
The work of this project is towards development of additional health monitoring technology to
prevent the safety issue of the small UAV. The data collection system can be used as basis
for the future research of real-time health monitoring for various small UAVs.
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight. The following three facets comprise of a UAV system: (1) a UAV
aircraft; (2) onboard avionics; and (3) a ground control station subsystem (Taha et al.,
2010:1). In this project, the UAV aircraft is based on the low-cost autonomous quad-rotator
system named “Arducopter Quad”, where the onboard avionic system utilizes both an
ArduPilot Mega (APM) on-board controller and IMU sensor shield, while the “Mission
Planner” software operates as GCS software to gather essential flight data (Xiang & Tian,
2011:176). The approach provides the UAV system structure and both hardware and
software with a small UAV data collection system, which is examined throughout the study.
And introduce the concept of Arducopter dynamics for better understanding with its flight
control.
The study also considers the communication process between the UAV and the ground
control station. The radio wave is an important aspect in the UAV data collection system
(Austin, 2010:143). The literature review introduced the basis of the radio wave in respect of
its travelling speed, and its characteristics of propagation, including how different frequencies
will affect radio wave propagation.
The aim of this project was to develop a platform for a small UAV real-time data collection
system. The pendulum system was involved to simulate the “Roll” movement of the small
UAV, while real-time IMU sensor data was successfully collected at ground control station
(GCS), both serial communication and wireless communication, which was applied in the
data collection process. The microwave generator interference test proves that the 2.4 GHz
XBee module is capable of establishing reliable indoor communication between the APM
controller and the GCS.
The work of this project is towards development of additional health monitoring technology to
prevent the safety issue of the small UAV. The data collection system can be used as basis
for the future research of real-time health monitoring for various small UAVs.
Additional information
Dissertation (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011
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