Research: Electrical
2.1. Electronic Systems The internal electronics are also modular and center on a PC/104+ system running WindowsXP Embedded. With a wide range of inputs from raw digital I/O to USB, the PC/104+ can accommodate nearly any sensor payload, controller, or off-the-shelf Plug-and-Play device. Remote desktop software provides a flexible primary or backup interface for any software running in the XPe environment. The computer can communicate with the ground station using one or a combination of diverse custom or consumer hardware options.
Electronic System Architecture
2.1.1. PC104 The CPU serves the important function of mission control. It interfaces with the autopilot hardware to allow ground crew to change mission parameters, modify autopilot settings, and monitor vehicle performance. It also gathers data from sensors around the aircraft to provide additional information on non-autopilot systems. The communications subsystem interfaces directly with the CPU to exchange information with the ground station. Finally, the CPU controls and gathers information from the various payload devices onboard.
PC104 Computer Board
2.1.2. Autopilot On the CU-24, control and command functions are separated for increased reliability. The CPU plays no role in controlling the aircraft besides setting waypoints and adjusting autopilot parameters. The actual control surface movement is directed by an independent autopilot. This autopilot can also be manually bypassed, allowing the aircraft to be controlled over a standard RC signal.
2.1.3. Communications Radio Modem-The radio modem offers limited range, but capability to operate anywhere in the world as long as the ground station was within 60 miles line-of-sight. The radio modem is also low-latency system, so manual control can be sent in real time. Cellular Internet-Cellular internet can only operate in areas with suitable coverage, but range is not limited by distance from the ground station. Because coverage is very good in the northeastern US, communications range is effectively as good as satellite data link but with 10 times the transfer rate.
2.1.4. Payload The viability of a long endurance UAV is highly dependent upon its payload capabilities. Current payload configurations allow for a digital still camera, navigational video camera and an Infrared (IR) imaging device. Navigation Camera- This camera provides emergency visual data in-case of lapses in the main camera data transmission and can also aid the pilot during landings as first person landing scenarios can be safer in certain situations.
Surveyor Camera This camera provides high resolution imagery back to the ground station on long endurance missions.
SolidWorks model of the pan-tilt high-res Surveyor Camera system / Primary Board and Lens of the Surveryor Camera (Canon S80)