UAS Sensors related to an aerial photgraphy UAS and an FPV Racer

3.4 Research Assignment: UAS Sensor Placement

Recently aerial photography, from high definition videos to still photos, has become a big point of focus in the commercial UAS industry.  There are numerous UAS on the market that seem to be capable of these tasks, as this industry continues to grow.  One UAS that is very capable of performing these tasks and has a lot of options for the end users is the 3DR Solo.  3DR has designed and developed an UAS that has many functions and will be able to adapt to the evolving enhancements to the product.  According to 3DR (2016) the Solo has the following functions:

• ·       An orbit function that allows for GoPro camera to lock on to any object with the push of a button, allowing it to fly around in a circle keeping the camera focused on the subject.

• ·       A follow mode that allows the user to go completely hands free and focus on the user at all times, and it has the ability to enter “free look” mode to let the user take control of the camera.

• ·       A cable cam mode that acts as a virtual cable to keep it on a track to set unlimited key frames at any points in the air, which allows the user to pan and tilt the camera without piloting.

• ·       A selfie mode that allows recording clips directly to a user’s smartphone for saving and sharing.

• ·       A pano mode that allows for capturing an aerial panorama, allowing the Solo to automatically pan and snap photos.

In addition to the above functions 3DR has designed the Solo to adapt to future enhancements to the UAS.  Future enhancements include an accessory bay with a ballistic parachute system for safety in the event of system failure, wireless updates, swappable motor pods, LED lights and an optical flow sensor, which most of these attach to the bottom of the frame of 3DR Solo (3DR, 2016a).  Along with this the 3DR Solo can record live HD video and 12 megapixel photos from a GoPro camera attached to a gimbal on bottom of the frame, satellite view for location accuracy, one touch shot control, real-time safety information, and user-defined geofencing through the 3DR Solo iOS and Android App (3DR, 2016c).

Due the safety functions incorporated into the 3DR Solo, multiple video and photo recording modes, and evolving adaptability the 3DR Solo offers for the end user, I have chosen it as a UAS platform to record HD video and still photos below 400 feet.

In addition to aerial photography applications increasing lately in the UAS industry, FPV racing has grown exponentially worldwide.  Due to this there have been many commercial FPV racing UAS that have entered the market recently.  In not being very familiar with racing drones I researched top racing drones on the market.  In conducting my research one FPV racing UAS that I came across is the Vortex 250 Pro by Immersion RC.  It has been recommended through a drone buying guide as the top expert FPV racing drone (Nixon, 2016).  The Vortex 250 Pro seems to be a top of the line 250 size FPV racer due to sensors and other items that it comes with, and therefore I would chose this as an FPV racing UAS.  According to Immersion RC (2016) it includes the following items:

• ·       An approximate weight of 415 grams with no battery or HD camera

• ·       A power requirement of 3s-4s LiPo battery

• ·       State of the art F3 flight controller processor

• ·       2^nd Generation 20 Amp Ez electronic speed control, with custom 2204-2300kV motors

• ·       Built in 2 megabyte black box recorder

• ·       Carbon fiber frame

• ·       An Integrated 40 channel NexWaveRF 5.8GHz video transmitter

• ·       Tiltable, vibration-free camera mount

• ·       Includes a GoPro ¾ camera mount

There is one downfall to this FPV racer in that a few extra items need to be purchased initially.  A compatible receiver and display device must be purchased separately for operating and setting up the vehicle (Immersion RC, 2016). 

The above mentioned 3DR Solo and the Vortex 250 Pro are two UAS that are very capable of carrying out the intended tasks for the end user.  The 3DR Solo camera placement on the bottom of the frame allows for it to capture HD video and still images an end user would need.  In addition to this the accessory bay allows for flexibility and adaption to the systems for future applications.  The front positions of the cameras and the tiltable mounts on the Vortex 250 allow for it to be a very high performance racer, along with the placement of the flight control board within the carbon fiber frame (Immersion RC, 2016).  I would recommend these two UAS to an end user to accomplish their goals. 

References:

3DR. (2016a). Built to Evolve 3DR Drone & UAV Technology. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from 3DR: https://3dr.com/evolve/

3DR. (2016b). Smart Shots 3DR Drone & UAV Technology. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from 3DR: https://3dr.com/smart-shots/

3DR. (2016c). Solo Smart Drone 3DR Drone & UAV Technology. Retrieved June 19, 2016, from 3DR: https://3dr.com/solo-drone/

Immersion RC. (2016). Vortex 250 Pro. Retrieved June 20, 2016, from Immersion RC: http://www.immersionrc.com/fpv-products/vortex-250-pro/

Nixon, A. (2016, May 1). Racing Drone Buyers Guide. Retrieved June 20, 2016, from Best Drone for The Job: http://bestdroneforthejob.com/drones-for-fun/racing-drone-buyers-guide-2/