We thank the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs for supporting this research, and Learning & Technology Services for printing this poster.

INTEGRATION OF ATMOSPHERIC SENSORS INTO UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE PLATFORMS Matthew Kennedy1, Patricia Cleary2, Peter Bui1, Joe Hupy3 1. Department of Computer Science, UW-Eau Claire 2. Department of Chemistry, UW-Eau Claire 3. Department of Geography and Anthropology, UW-Eau Claire

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are being investigated at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as part of a Geospatial Education Initiative. The development of a UAV capable of monitoring atmospheric properties (temperature, humidity and wind) and composition (ozone) is underway. The integration of temperature, humidity, and ozone sensors onto a fixed wing UAV poses several problems with respect to electrical power, weight, data acquisition and data storage. One strategy requires the implementation of a central micro-controller for onboard data acquisition and storage. The goal for full integration of sensor control and data acquisition is for real-time data output through the on-board auto-pilot feature so that the UAV flight can be adjusted for observed atmospheric conditions. The development of the auto-pilot/telemetry feature will also be discussed.

Image 1 - RV Jet on trial flight with Personal Ozone Monitor in payload. Result : Crash

ABSTRACT

USING ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO SEND SENSOR DATA

One of the end goals is to receive our external sensor data in real-time. This is possible, as the autopilot already uses several external sensors to determine its position, speed, etc. In the software exists an exploit that should allow us to send sensor data in real-time by simply changing a few select lines in the source code. We will utilize a structure already put in place that would normally relay sonar data. Since we are not using sonar for this project, it lends itself perfectly to this application.

INTEGRATION SOLUTIONS

• HMP-60 for temperature/humidity• 5-hole probe for wind velocity• Ozone sensor

In addition to the authors of this poster were co-collaborators working on all other aspects of this project. Max Lee, Physics, made all telemetry systems and oversaw the building of multiple UAVs. Joe Oster, Chemistry, takes the data retrieved from the sensor packages and uses that data to answer questions related to atmospheric environments that he is studying.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Image 2 - RV Jet with radio transmitter and ground station

ENGINEERING CHALLENGESUSING EXISTING EQUIPMENT TO SEND SENSOR

DATA

The first approach used to analyze data was to use an Arduino micro-controller to gather sensor data and store it onto an SD card. This is a very effective method for logging data, but for real-time analysis it is weak. In addition a method utilizing GSM communication was hypothesized for near real-time data transmission.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTEGRATE SENSORS INTO UAS

GATHER DATA IN A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTTraditionally, atmospheric data has been gathered in a static environment such as a weather station . Integrating similar sensors into a UAV will allow a much more dynamic view of atmospheric activity.

GATHER DATA IN A REAL TIMEPost-processed data can be useful for testing certain hypothesis, but to allow for on-the-fly flight path changes, real-time data must be transmitted. This will allow for instant recognition of anomalous zones.

Gathering data is easy. Engineering a system to communicate that data in an efficient way, especially in real-time, is not. A lack of similar projects to reference also made things more complicated. When trying to integrate into a finely tuned system like a UAV, you must be careful not to have any kind of interference, especially with parts directly responsible for flight and navigation.

FUTURE CHALLENGES

• Configured hardware to read sensor data• Wrote software to send serial data to logger• Fit hardware into already full payload.• Increased precision by adding external ADC.

• Rewrite module to show data in Mission Planner• Integrating ozone sensor more fully• Write software to easily combine multiple data logs.• Write additional module to show real-time data for multiple

sensors.

PROJECT MILESTONES

CURRENT HURDLES• Compiler issues - Since source code needs to be changed,

firmware must be compiled and flashed to the autopilot• Large learning curve to software already written.• Extremely interdisciplinary experiment, which requires a

specially-designed, novel solution, so there is no “manual”