Sensor placement is a critical design decision that is based on the objective that an unmanned system will be tasked to perform.
Blade Nano QX
First person view (FPV) racing is intense. A small remotely piloted unmanned aeronautical system that can zip through obstacles at 100mph, the Blade Nano QX is small, capable, durable and affordable.
The heart of the Blade Nano QX is a multisensor 4-1 module that receives radio signals from a handheld transmitter. It provides electric speed control, attitude gyros and control mixing that provides a stable flying platform for the user. When a user makes a control input, the mixing control references the UAS's current attitude via the internal gyros then adjusts the control surfaces needed to accomplish the desired input. The mixing control limits control inputs from the user. In stability flight mode, the mixing unit limits user inputs when reaching pitch attitudes and bank angles that could lead to an unusual attitude and cause the UAS to depart controlled flight. The limiting feature of the mixing control can be placed into agility mode so the user can fly aerobatic flight profiles and achieve high gain control response in contrast to stability mode.
The eyes of the Blade Nano QX is the Spektrum™ ultra micro FPV camera. The FPV camera is the main sensor that enables the user to fly in FPV. This camera is capable of 720p HD video without transmission lag to the user's headset via the SpiroNET circular polarized antenna system. The Fat Shark Teleporter V4 5.8GHz headset with digital head tracking adjusts the camera in reference to the user's head movement via a gimbal. The panning of the FPV camera allows the user to scan ahead of the Blade Nano QX for obstacles along the desired flight path. The camera is placed inside to nose of the UAS. The FPV camera placement along the center cordline of the airframe makes it possible for the user to fly at such a high rate of speed and avoid smashing into obstacles. Placement of the camera in the center of the UAS enables the user to estimate obstacle clearances and fly the best path.
The Blade 4-channel 2.4GHz transmitter enables the user to remotely control the Blade Nano QX. A LED light on the transmitter indicates when the signal between the transmitter and the receiver is lost. The Blade Nano QX also has a low battery sensor/indicator on the receiver. All of these sensors integrated in the Blade Nano QX enable the user too safely and effectively control the Blade Nano QX when flying racing circuits at outrageous speeds through obstacles from first person perspective. But it's the camera placement that makes it possible.
DJ Phantom 2 vision+
"The most important thing, of course, if you are flying to shoot, is to see what your composition is," -filmmaker Philip Bloom (Hansen)
When conducting aerial motion video and stills below 400ft above ground level (AGL) the most important thing is stability. Not only is the Phantom 2 Vision+ stable but it is also one of the easiest remotely piloted UASs available. The Phantom 2 is so easy to use that everyone, not just the hardcore hobbyist, can use it to capture stunning 1080p videos and 14 megapixel still photographs.
The Phantom 2 Vision+ uses an f2.8 lens paired with a 14-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that can capture Adobe DNG raw and JPEG images and video at up to 1080p at 30fps and 720p at 60fps. You can also control ISO, exposure compensation and white balance, and choose from a 140-, 120-, or 90-degree field of view (Top-notch). Videos and photographs are stored on a 4GB removable SD card. The camera is stabilized with a 3-axial stabilized gimbal. The user can control the ISO, exposure compensation and white balance, and choose from a 140-, 120-, or 90-degree field of view(Top-notch). The placement of the camera underneath the UAS on the gimbal enables the Phantom 2 Vision+ to create professional videos and pictures. The location of this camera prevents the frame of UAS from interfering with the pictures.
The key piece that makes the Vision+ easy to fly for beginners is the built-in DJI Naza-M flight control system. It's made up of an inertial sensor, barometric altimeter, a compass, GPS, LED flight [indicator sensors] and a controller that gets them all to work together(Top-notch). You can set up to 16 GPS way points via the Vision app. The Phantom 2 Vision+ can be tracked on a smart phone via GPS and a digital map. The digital map also displays no fly areas like airports. If the Phantom 2 Vision+ loses the signal from the handheld transmitter, it will continue a mission if operating in mission mode with GPS waypoints. If the transmitter signal is lost when Phantom 2 Vision+ is being operated manually the Phantom 2 Vision+ will trigger 'Return-to-Home', meaning the Phantom 2 Vision+ will automatically fly back to its takeoff point and land safely (Phantom 2 Vision+).
The Phantom 2 Vision+ is not the most expensive system, nor does the Phantom 2 Vision+ have all the top of the line features on the market. However, the Phantom 2 Vision+ is an extremely easy to use platform. Its usability enables new users to fly and create stunning high quality videos and pictures.
References:
Hansen, Eric. The Best Drones. (January 8, 2015). Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-drones/
Nano QX FPV RTF with SAFE® Technology. (n.d.) Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://www.horizonhobby.com/nano-qx-fpv-rtf-with-safe-technology-blh7200
Nano QX Quad-Copter Manual. (January 7, 2013). Retrieved January 31, 2015 from www.horizonhobby.com/pdf/BLH7600-Manual_EN.pdf
Phantom 2 Vision+. (n.d.). Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2-vision-plus/feature
Phantom 2 Vision+ User Manual (EN) v1.8. (January 30, 2015). Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2-vision-plus/download
Top-notch eye in the sky. (October 14, 2014). Retrieved January 31, 2015 from http://www.cnet.com/products/dji-phantom-2-vision-plus/
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