Autonomous Antenna Pattern Aircraft Overview 

1. BACKGROUND AND GOALS            

 

 The AAPM (Autonomous Antenna Pattern Measurement) is an unmanned arial vehicle (UAV) capable of autonomous flight.  Its main objective is to calibrate High Frequency radars placed along the coast that help  measure ocean currents. For more information please visit:

 

http://www.ioos.noaa.gov/hfradar/welcome.html

 

Video Presentation

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWSTOV8eJk0&list=UUb7c0TFdfdltFaoAAk1_2Lw

 

Project goals for the the development of the AAPM UAV are as follows:

 

1. Establish a low cost solution for antenna pattern measurements.

 

1. Receive a COA from the FAA.

 

1. Establish permissions from other government agencies with restricted airspace involved with HF radar (Pt Mugu and VAFB)

 

1.  Promote the use of low cost UAVs in scientific research.

 

1.  Design

The final design configuration of the AAPM consists of a power system, propulsion system, autopilot system, communications system, and a signal source.

 

1.  Specifications

Table 1. – Frequencies Used

 

Description	Value	Frequency	Source
Communication Link	3D Robotics  Radio 915 MHz	~915Mhz	https://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio-915_MHz
RC transmitter	Frsky DJT radio system	2.4GHz	http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14349__frsky_djt_2_4ghz_combo...
Signal Source	Custom low power transmitter	13.5, 12.15 MHz	10 mw power ouput

1.  Physical Specifications

                     Table 2. – Physical Specifications

 

Description	Value
Total Weight	6 lbs
Endurance	50 minutes
Power to Weight Ratio	73 W/kg
Thrust to Weight Ratio	.54 : 1
Optimal flight speed	11 m/s
Max rate of climb	6.0 m/s
Static Trust	1476 g
Propeller RPM	5655 rpm
Max input power	200W
Glide ratio	16:01

 

1.  Autopilot System

Ardupilot-Mega 2.6+

      

The Ardupilot Mega (see Figure 1) has been selected to serve as the UAV's autopilot system (shown in Figure 1 below). The Autopilot consist of a main arduino board around an ATMega 1250 processor and an a variety of sensors.

The Arudupilot Mega incorporates the following key features:

• 3-axis gyros (Vibration resistant Invensense Gyros)
• 3-axis accelerometers. (Analogue Devices ADX330 Accelerometer)
• Absolute Bosch pressure sensor and temp for accurate altitude
• Built-in 16MB Data Logger (The Black Box).
• 10Hz GPS module.
• Voltage sensors for battery status.
• 4GB of onboard data logging memory. Missions are automatically data

       logged and can be exported to KML

• Built-in hardware failsafe processor, can return-to-launch on radio loss.
• Include relay can trigger any device; can be controlled by mission scripts.
• Airspeed sensor
• Current sensor

 

Due to the directional nature of the sensors embedded onto the IMU board the autopilot module requires positioning in a specific orientation in order to function correctly.

• uBlox GPS Module

A uBlox GPS expander is used in conjunction with the Ardupilot to provide

precise positional feedback. The GPS expander interfaces with the Ardupilot via

an I2C connector. This module provides and update rate in excess of 10Hz

featuring excellent sensitivity (-164dBm), quick start up time (14 seconds) and a

positional accuracy of <2m.

 

The ceramic patch antenna that the module uses requires satellite LOS to operate.

As the copper antenna shields all signals, the GPS module has

been mounted on the top surface of the UAV with the antenna exposed. This has

been achieved by including a small cut-out in the fuselage section.

• Pitot tube Airspeed Sensor

A pitot static and dynamic airspeed pressure sensor has been integrated to provide

accurate true flight velocity data. As the UAV utilities a pusher prop configuration,

the pitot tubes are mounted out on the wings in order to avoid the prop wash so

that accurate pressure data can be collected. The silicone tubing connecting the

main sensor to the pitot tubes is routed through the front swing-wing bracket, and

through the spar cavity in the wing.

 

A Freescale Semiconductor MPXV7002 temperature compensated pressure

sensor has been selected. The sensor features state-of-the-art piezoelectric

monolithic silicone pressure sensor providing accurate pressure measurements up

to 7kPa. The sensor links the main Ardupilot board via a standard servo cable

providing 5V of power.

 

1.  Power System

 

Based on the power requirement of the system and the specifications of the motor a suitable ESC was sized based on the maximum current pull of the system including a safety factor. A Castle Creations Phoenix ICE 50 electronic speed controller has been selected for use. This ESC features a 50 amp recommended maximum current and an internal 5v BEC (battery illuminator circuit) that allows all of the on-board systems (including the control servos) to be actuated without the addition of another battery or separate BEC.

 

• Battery

   A Lithium polymer (LiPo) 3S (3 cells in series) 12V 8400MaH battery has been selected for use. Weighting 620 grams in total, the battery accounts for a large percentage of the total avionics system weigh. The battery features a 40C discharge rate, providing adequate power it to the brushless motor and ESC. This high discharge rate is necessary due to the high current draw of the motor under full throttle.

 

1.  Communications

                           3DRadio telemetry

Specifications:

Interchangeable air and ground modules

915 or 433 MHz

Micro-USB port

6-position DF13 connector

100 mW maximum output power (adjustable)

-117 dBm receive sensitivity

Based on HopeRF’s HM-TRP module

RP-SMA connector

2-way full-duplex communication through adaptive TDM

UART interface

Transparent serial link

MAVLink protocol framing

Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)

Configurable duty cycle

Error correction corrects up to 25% of bit errors

Open-source SIK firmware

Configurable through Mission Planner and APM Planner

Supply voltage: 3.7-6 VDC (from USB or DF13 connector)

Transmit current: 100 mA at 20 dBm

Receive current: 25 mA

Serial interface: 3.3 V UART

26.7 mm x 55.5 mm x 13.3 mm (without antenna)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

• RC Control Link – Frsky JRV8 (2.4 GHz)

The Frsky receiver was selected based on a number of considerations. The

primary of which was that the associated transmitter module was able to be fitted into an existing RC transmitter body, and features an SMA antenna connector where most only feature dual non-removable ‘whip style antennas. Secondary to this, the receiver features Advanced Continuous Channel Shifting Technology (ACCST),this allows the receiver and transmitter pair to hop rapidly over 50 channels within the 2400MHz bandwidth. This holds several advantages of this over conventional single frequency receivers in that it is less susceptible to signal interference. This is a major advantage when wanting to operate in urban or semi urban environments where most home wifi networks also utilise the 2.4GHz spectrum. Channel hopping also allows the raises the maximum permissible EIRP as dictated bas dictated by the AMCA from 1W for a fixed frequency transmitter, to 4W for a hopping transmitter.