After arriving in Texas, I've talked to several land owners who complain about feral hogs damaging their property. I had a solution that would incorporate thermal imaging with a sUAS platform to track hog movement and patterns during the day and at night. While doing research I came across this little baby, the M1D Micro PTZ Gimbal.
I was very surprised at the size, weight, and resolution of this camera. It uses a FLIR thermal imaging camera that are available in three resolutions, 120x140 being the lowest @ $3900 and 640x480 being the highest at $9500. I was definitely expecting this to being in the upper teens or low 20's!
It has a very nice CCD camera, Hi-res thermal camera, and focusable laser incorporated in a weatherproof housing. Being 6" tall, 4.5" in diameter and weighing in around .9 kg, it seems to be a very good solution for a UAS system such as the X8 or similar platform.
The only issue that I have seen along with most PTZ systems in the RS-485 communication. I'm not a comms expert so I do not know if it is possible to do a P&P setup with the APM 2.5. I did come across a couple of Xtend 900 RS-485 1W modems that would allow control from a joystick or PTZ control board from the ground.
Comments
That is true. I'm no programming master so if one could write a serial library for a PTZ then please share!
I would assume that since it incorporates thermal imaging technology that it IS export restricted. @Jamie I found that the easiest way (so far) would be to add another electrical system. For instance, The gimbal connected to a high-powered radio modem on the aircraft, another modem connected to a PTZ joystick gimbal or ready-made J-pad by SPI. But, after speaking with the sale manager of SPI, He ensured me that that they can be customized for virtually any P&P setup. So, I would be very curious to see if they can use Analog video out with PWM inputs for PTZ. Would be interesting.
Im interested to know how one would go about setting this thing up on a sUAS. Im not too familiar with incorperating the ptz into APM. I'd definately like more information on this.
Is this unit subject to the USA export restrictions? Seems SPI are based in USA.
Be great to see an example of your wildlife work William.
What sort of machine are you flying it from?
MJ
I was thinking about using a FLIR Quark... I wonder if they're using the same camera. Using the Quark, you should be able to drop a lot of physical size and weight off this unit. It is cool looking though.
How would you be able to control RS-485 with RC gear and the Ardupilot?
@Josh, I was actually looking at that one too. For $900 more dollars you can get a CCD, laser, and PTZ zoom in weather proof housing with the M1D. But the resolution is lower. Plus the WOW factor of the camera gimbal is worth it!
@Chris
Some additional comments to RS485
Using RS485 beside RX and TX you need a portpin for tranceive enable. RS232 is a point to point connection, RS485 is thought for multipoint communication.
RS-485, 422, 232 are just different IEEE electrical specifications for voltages & the way that they are driven...
Meaning that all you need is a level translator break out board.
RS-485 signals are more resistant to noise than RS232 or TTL.
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