A Journey into Unmanned Systems

Sense and Avoid Sensor  The scope of this research project will provide detail for a currently available sense and avoid sensor for small Group 1 or Group 2 (less than 55 pounds) UAV vehicles. The sensor package offering submitted in this research is provided by the company DJI makers of the well-known Phantom series of small UAV’s. The system has been given the name “Guidance System” by DJI. The company has been known for offering a well manufactured sUAV’s for sale in the marketplace, and in the opinions of many sUAV operators, set the standard by which sUAV’s are measured against. The Guidance System has been offered since June of 2015, but the system still performs and offers premium capabilities for the sUAV operator looking to add an additional upgrade to their current system. According to DJI the Guidance System is the company’s first introductory sense and avoid system to become available to the public. Amato states: Using an array of ultrasonic sensors and stereo ca...

MQ-9 Reaper Control Station Analysis The MQ-9 Reaper Ground Control Station is located within what can be described as a boxcar or trailer box shaped shelter or portable building. Inside the GCS the temperature must remain within a pre-determined degree level in order to keep electronics within the GCS from overheating. There are aircraft seats mounted in front of computer monitors in which a pilot, and crew will be seated in order to visually monitor the flight performance of the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Air Vehicle. The pilot and crew control stations are comprised of several monitors which track various systems of the UAV such flight path, sensors, aircraft systems conditions, and area of interest. Also of interest are the headphones for communication and an eraser board located next to crew for taking notes and performing calculations during missions. Further information displayed on the monitors are buildings, people, vehicles and many other objects which can be viewed for fur...