Mission Planning

Introduction:
A person has gone missing in Martell Forest outside of Lafayette. Search teams are being sent out within the hour and they have an idea where the person is but they may have moved. The subject is expected to be found soon. In order to assist the search teams, a DJI M600 is chosen with a Flir XT2 sensor attached.

Operation:

Using a quadcopter for this operation will help to search specified areas more closely as opposed to a fixed-wing which will require large sweeps. Since the person is likely to be found soon, the quadcopter will allow quick movements and scanning around the area they are most likely to be. With a 35 minute flight time, the M600 will stay in the air for an extended period of time and reduces the time that it is not in the air assisting the rescue team. The M600 is also capable of holding a large payload allowing the sensor to be mounted. These factors on top of its solid wind resistance make the M600 a good choice for this operation. The XT2 sensor was chosen due to its thermal capabilities. The thermal sensor will be able to pick up the target quickly and relay their location to the rescue teams. It has a 4k camera and a large range of zoom that will allow clear and accurate imaging.


In the area of Martell Forest, there is light rain and low winds. This will not cause a huge issue for the M600 because of its high wind resistance. Flying at roughly 400 feet, there will not be an issue with the high traffic of manned aircraft going in and out of the Purdue airport. A few towers are nearby at a few hundred feet that need to be monitored and observed to avoid collision in the case of flying while looking down.

METAR / AIRMET

Introduction: 
A METAR is a weather reporting format used by pilots to easily identify components of weather in a specific area at any given time. Each part of the METAR identifies a specific part of the current weather in regards to wind speed, precipitation, cloud type, etc. Each METAR contains codes and abbreviations that allow pilots to decode them and gain information that is condensed into a few lines. This allows universal information that is standardized to prevent confusion between pilots. The METAR being decoded in this lab is for KLAF.

(METAR KLAF)

Decoding and Discussion:
The first section of the METAR identifies the exact airport/location it is referring to. The first 4 letters refer to the 4-character ICAO identifier for location/station. The following 7 characters refer to the date and time that the METAR is issued. In this case, it was issued on Thursday, November 14th, at 11:54 AM EST. This section gives pilots information about the location and time first to ensure that they are aware of where and when they study the weather.

(METAR KLAF)

The next section in the METAR contains information regarding the speed and direction of the wind. The first 3 digits refer to the true direction, to the nearest 10 degrees, from which the wind is blowing. For KLAF, at this time, the wind is blowing west-southwest at roughly 240 degrees. The 2 characters following the wind direction refer to the sustained speed. This is the wind speed as it blows constantly throughout that time period. In this case, the wind is blowing at roughly 6-7 knots. If gusts were present, the METAR would contain, for example, "G30KT" meaning there are gusts of winds up 30 knots.

The next four sections on this METAR contains information regarding clouds, visibility, altimeter settings, and temperature. The first section containing "SM" (statute mile) indicates the prevailing visibility. This is the greatest horizontal visibility observed on the horizon. For this METAR, visibility is 10 statute miles. The next section describes the clouds in the specified area. OVC stands for overcast with an AGL of 3200. The third section lets the pilot know the current temperature and dewpoint for KLAF. In this METAR the temperature is 1-degree Celcius indicated by the "01." The dewpoint is indicated by "M05." The "M" stands for minus and the "05" indicates the temperature, so the dewpoint for KLAF would be negative 1-degree Celcius. The final section "A3024" indicates the altimeter settings in inches and hundredths of an inch in mercury. In this METAR the altimeter setting is 30.24 inches Hg.


Decoding an AIRMET 
The AIRMET chosen was for Duluth International Airport. The 4 character ICAO identifier for this airport is KDLH. This METAR was recorded on Novermber 14th, at 1755 UTC. The wind is blowing in the west-southwest direction at roughly 250 degrees. The wind is blowing at a sustained speed of 15 knots with gusts of up to 20 knots. Visibility is 9 statute miles on the horizon. For Duluth there are few clouds at about 1500 AGL. The temperature is negative 3-degrees Celcius and the dewpoint is negative 12-degrees Celcius.

(AIRMET on Skyvector for KDLH)

 

Sectional Charts

Scenario 1 :

Scenario 1 revolves around using a quadcopter to inspect towers in the area circled in orange near LGA. For this operation, flying up to 1800 MSL approval from Newark, JFK, and Laguardia would be necessary to ensure that all airports are aware of the operation in the class B airspace. This airspace is quite congested considering there are 4 other airports nearby, so caution of other manned aircraft is key. The area of this operation is over a large city (figure. 1) consisting of many tall buildings and other towers such as the one to the southwest that is 1505 MSL. According to the sectional chart, a high amount of birds are in the area due to it being a large city. Careful planning and awareness of the area is important as well as how flight operations work at the airports nearby.

(figure. 1 Newark/JKF INTL in google maps satellite view)

Scenario 2 :

In scenario 2, a fixed-wing UAS is used to create a map of Carrington Island. For this operation, approval from Salt Lake City Intl Airport would be necessary because the operation requires flight back and forth over the airport. Letting ATC know about the operation will help reduce the risk of accidents. Since the operation is being completed using a fixed-wing, maneuverability will be more difficult than if a quadcopter was used. This area has a couple different hazards that should be taken into account when completing this operation. Farnsworth Peak, southwest of SLC, is a large mountain that might affect operations over this island. (figure. 2) The height of the mountain and the weather conditions nearby are some large cautions that the pilot should be aware of. Another hazard in the area is the amount of traffic, including manned aircraft and flocks of birds.

(figure. 2 Carrington Island in google maps satellite view)

Scenario 3 :

For scenario 3, a fixed-wing is used to perform an analysis of any forest on Fox Island. Fox Island is located in Class C airspace so keeping the height of the operation lower is important. Much like the previous scenario, a fixed-wing is being used to danger to other aircraft is higher than if the operation was being completed using a rotorcraft. There are not many potential hazards in the area, however, some manned aircraft traffic will be present so being aware of that will keep risk to a minimum. Since the operation takes place over a large lake, there will be many boaters and swimmers so low flight may run into the risk of interfering with the operation. (figure. 3)

(figure. 3 Fox Island in google maps satellite view)

Conclusion

Reading sectional charts can be immensely helpful during UAS operations. They give information about where approval is needed from as well as other potential hazards in the area. These charts are not strictly for manned aircraft and can help UAS pilots be aware and avoid dangerous operations in any area.

Multispectral Image Indices

Introduction:
Multispectral images allow the original image to be put through multiple spectrums in order to gain clarity or even other information that wasn't inherently present. In this lab, a field that was burned in controlled areas was photographed before and after. The images were then put through multiple spectrums in order to see how the areas of burn, the vegetation, and the non-burn areas were changed.

Method:
Using ArcGIS Pro, the images were loaded into the program to be viewed/edited. The images were first viewed in the bands red-1, green-2, and blue-3 (Figure.1 and Figure.2). This showed the fields as they were taken and the burned areas are shown in a dark brown/purple color while the other areas are shown in green. Next, the bands of the same images were changed to red-5, green-3, and blue-2 (Figure.3 and Figure.4). This essentially flipped the colors, making the burned areas a dark green and the non-burned areas a light purple. After this, the NDVI images were loaded in order to see the vegetation as well in different spectrums. The color scheme of these post and pre-burn images were changed to "stretch." This introduced a multitude of different colors into the spectrum. (Figure.5 and Figure.6) Lastly, the color scheme of these images was changed to "cyan to purple." (Figure.7 and Figure.8).

Figure.1 Bands 3-2-1 Post Burn

Figure.2 Bands 3-2-1 Pre Burn

Figure.3 Bands 5-3-2 Post Burn

Figure.4 Bands 5-3-2 Pre Burn

Figure.5 NDVI Stretch Post Burn

Figure.6 NDVI Stretch Pre Burn

Figure.7 NDVI Cyan Post Burn

Figure.8 NDVI Cyan Pre Burn

Discussion:
Multispectral indices allow for images to be viewed in different colors and spectrums that differ from the original. In this lab, it is shown that changing the color spectrum gives the post and pre burn imaging very different information. For instance, when the colors were drastically changed in Figures 7 and 8, the viewer can easily distinguish the post and pre burn areas from each other. However, a large downside to this is if the editor does not state exactly what each area/color represents. This could cause some issues down the line if communication and information are not relayed properly with multispectral imaging.

Conclusion:
Multispectral imaging is a great way to edit images in order to pinpoint the exact information the viewer is looking for. However, it should be used with caution to ensure all parties involved can easily view and understand the images

Remote Sensing/GIS

Introduction:
Remote sensing is the use of satellites to scan the earth in order to obtain/view information about it. This can be used for operations that require information that cannot be seen from the ground or low flying aircraft. In this lab, ArcGIS Pro was used to complete a lesson as an introduction to remote sensing. The lesson chosen was "choosing the best site for a gourmet food hall."

Method:
In this lab, ArcGIS Pro was used to choose the best location for a restaurant. In ArcPro, Rome was zoomed into and analyzed to find said location. 3 different addresses were pinned on the map using the "Point Notes" tool. Once they were named in the table, the points were then made visible on the map with their respective names. After all 3 points were easily distinguishable on the map, specific fields were chosen in order to get a better understanding of each location. A couple of fields set were "Purchasing Power" and "Food & Beverage." Without collecting the data manually, ArcPro is able to show the potential of each site and show exactly where the specific site is. Lastly, the map was then made even more distinguishable with different colors and easy to read labels.

Discussion/Conclusion:
This specific topic was chosen to figure out the feasibility of a program such as ArcPro for companies that are not large scale corporations. A small business owner could use this program and go through the same process, with possibly more precision, to gain an understanding of where to build or start their restaurant. However, there were some challenges in learning the program and figuring out exactly how to do specific things. Once the program was figured out, ArcGIS showed the potential in remote sensing. It can be used on a large scale or even one as small as figuring out where to open a restaurant. Remote sensing has a lot of advantages over manually obtained data in a vehicle like a small aircraft or a UAS. From this, some operations that would be helpful to expand knowledge on remote sensing would be to do a very large scale survey on an area and be able to compare different locations from other cities as well as the locations found in Rome. Another operation that would be beneficial to learn from would-be forest fires and seeing how remote sensing can help in a situation such as that.

Heat Changes with IR Cameras

Introduction:
There are many factors that can affect the transfer of heat through objects. In this lab, 4 different frozen model airplanes were tested with 4 different conditions in boiling water to see how heat would be transferred and how it would show up on an IR camera.

Method:
The first plane was placed into the boiling water at room temperature with air in the bag. The next plane was frozen and had a bag full of air. The third plane was frozen but the air was stripped of all air and placed into the boiling water. The last plane was frozen as well but it was placed into a wool sock inside the plastic bag and put into the boiling water. (Figures. 1-4) The planes were then monitored with an IR camera to watch the heat and an RBG camera. In intervals, the temperature was checked to see the difference and how well each condition was insulated.

(Figure.1 Frozen plane with air in the bag)

(Figure.2 Frozen Plane with no air in the bag)

(Figure.3 Room Temp Plane with air in the bag)

(Figure.4 Frozen Plane in a wool sock)

Discussion:
As the planes were exposed to the heat for a period of time, the IR camera was able to show how the temperatures were changing in the planes. The frozen plane inside of the wool sock heated up the slowest compared to the other planes. The second slowest plane was actually the frozen plane with a bag full of air. As more time passed the room temperature plane stayed colder longer than the frozen plane without air in the bag. From this, a conclusion can be made that the presence of air caused the planes to heat up slower than if the air was not present. (Figure. 5) The wool worked very well as an insulator and kept the plane cold for a long time. As seen in Figure.6, the fourth plane was taken out of the wool sock after a period of time and placed back into the water. The wingtips, tail, and front the model aircraft was still dark meaning there was a lack of heat.

(Figure.5 All 4 planes temperatures after a period of time)

(Figure.6 All 4 planes after #4 was taken out of the wool sock)

Conclusion:

From this experiment, the conclusion can be made that air is a good insulator and increases the time an object takes to heat up. Compared to the plane with no air in its bag, the other planes were colder for a longer period of time even the plane that was not frozen and was sitting at room temperature. The wool sock seemed to be the best insulator and kept most of the plane frozen for a long time.

Infrared Cameras

Introduction:
Infrared cameras are very useful in distinguishing differentials in heat in the subject they are focused on. The camera is essentially a heat sensor that captures the levels of heat in an object and converts them to film or video image. These cameras are very useful in many unique situations. Search and rescue is a big one because the IR allows the user to distinguish survivors trapped in rubble considering they will give off a much higher heat signature than a pile of wood for example.

Method:
In class, the camera was used to compare objects in infrared to how someone would see them in person. The first object used was an empty coffee mug in IR to identify the temperature. (Figure.1) The coffee mug was captured in the range of 72.3-80.1 which is close to room temperature. The coffee mug that was captured in normal view (Figure.2) shows much more detail compared to the image in IR. Colors are actually visible and the grain on the table, for example, is actually distinguishable. Next, hot water was poured into the coffee mug to see how it would affect the temperature. (Figure.3) As expected, the video shows the hot water heating up the mug quickly to match the temperature of the water. As the container of water enters the frame, the mug in the background becomes darker. This is due to the fact that heat, in the case of IR is white, is oversaturated because of the difference in temperature from the mug and the container. When the water is poured into the mug, it starts to become more visible and detailed. Next, a picture was taken of a door with someone standing on the other side looking in through the glass in normal view. After that, the same picture was taken in IR. As seen in the images, the person is clearly visible in the normal view but in IR the person cannot be seen. This is due to the fact that IR cannot penetrate through glass.

Figure.1 (Empty coffee mug in IR) 

Figure.2 (Empty coffee mug in regular view)

Figure.3 (Door in IR)

Figure.4 (Door in normal view)

Discussion:

Infrared cameras are useful in distinguishing heat differences in objects. However, the details are very subpar. Cameras like these can be very useful in emergency situations such as floods and forest fires. The issue with IR cameras, however, is saturation. When an object with high heat enters the frame the rest of the image tends to be undersaturated while the object in focus is going to be oversaturated. This can cause issues when trying to capture scenery or large areas and there is an object that is very  hot and close to the camera. While recording the aircraft taxiing, the brakes of the aircraft were very light due to them heating up during startup but they did not cause the rest of the video to be undersaturated.

Conclusion:

As shown in the picture above, IR can be used for a multitude of different purposes. They can be very helpful in many emergency situations as well as day to day operations. The use of IR cameras are becoming more and more popular as the technology gets better. Soon, cameras may be able to see through glass and pick up heat signatures through it.

Manual Camera Settings

Manual settings in photography can allow the photographer to adjust the different settings however they would like in order to compensate for the environment. This allows for more clear and better quality pictures.

Given 4 categories, we all took turns taking photos of the different categories. The first was a large object in the Niswonger Hangar. (Figure.1) As I positioned the camera I took time to adjust the different settings. Ensuring the ISO and the Aperture were good enough to not have the image under or over exposed I snapped the photo and moved on to the next. Next was the bike rack outside of the Niswonger building. (Figure.2) This one was trickier due to it being mid day and the sun fully out. I adjusted the settings once more. Third was a statue of an owl in low light. (Figure.3) Due to it being in low light I was forced to raise the ISO and lower the shutter speed. Last was an object of our choice and I chose a chair in the same dark as the owl. (Figure. 4) Similar settings were used in this photo as well but not as exaggerated since the chair was not relatively total darkness.

(Figure.1)

(Figure.2)

(Figure.3)

(Figure.4)

Depending on the environment that the photos are being taken, manual settings will allow you to adjust each image to come out better than auto settings. In the next few figures below are the settings that I used for each of the above images. The difference in the settings is sometimes large and sometimes small depending on the settings. For instance in figure 2 the shutter speed was faster and the ISO as low as it could go, while the aperture was as high as it could go. The high aperture allowed for light to reach the sensor but since the shutter speed and the ISO were slow, the photo was not overexposed. (Figure.2-1) The opposite was done for figure 3. The shutter speed was higher (faster) in order to allow more light to reach the lens and no have the photo come out too dark. The aperture was lowered and the ISO was raised. (Figure.3-1)

(Figure.1-1)

(Figure.2-1)

(Figure.3-1)

(Figure.4-1) 

In conclusion, adjusting the different settings when taking a photograph are very important to the quality of the picture. If one setting is off then the quality of the photo will be lower than if all 3 were set adequately. Every environment is different and will require different settings based on light and background. All of these, once mastered, will give you photographs that are clear and have the perfect amount of light.

Camera Settings and How They Affect The Image

The affects of camera settings on a photo can make or break a picture. Between adjusting the ISO, shutter speed, and the aperture, finding the ideal balance of all is crucial. When taking photos with a UAS camera the angles and the speed of the drone can all be factors in the outcome of the picture.


To start, our lab group set up the Mavic 2 and connected it to our iPad via charging cable through the DJI Go 4 ios application. After ensuring that the camera was working and able to take photos we set the drone up on a table roughly 10 feet away from our subject. In this case, our subject was a Tomahawk that is stationary in the hanger. We then took our first photo with the settings on auto to get a baseline that we can compare the rest of the pictures to (Figure 1). Next we kept the shutter speed at 1/1000 and adjusted the aperture to each increment and took a picture. We took 13 pictures, one for each setting. Then we locked the aperture at 2.8 and changed the shutter speed. We took at a picture at each of the available shutter speeds and ended up with 50 photos. Then, we set the aperture at 5.6 and the shutter speed at 1/10 and adjusted the ISO for each photo. We took 8 photos, one for each ISO setting. Finally, we uploaded the pictures to the computer so we could analyze our data.

Figure 1

Throughout our lab we were able to see in realtime the affects of the different settings on the image. For instance, with the shutter speed set at 1/1000, we adjusted the aperture more and more in increments to see how it affected the image. In this case the photo was not receiving enough light and was very dark and underexposed. (Figure 2). From this we can infer that if we wanted to create a passable image we would have to lower the shutter speed to a slower speed in order to let more light pass through the lens. This would accommodate for the high aperture that is set. The opposite works for when there is a lot of light in the environment. The faster the shutter speed, the less light is allowed into the lens. However, if the shutter speed is too fast there will be little to no light getting into the lens which will cause the image to be very dark. The same concept will happen if the shutter speed is too slow. There will be too much light entering the lens and it will cause the image to be very bright and overexposed. (Figure 3)

Figure 2

Figure 3

Overall, the different adjustments you can make when taking a photo can be very influential in the quality of the image. Whether it be a too fast or too slow shutter speed, or the aperture being too high or too low, when you are collecting images it is important to study the environment. Light, background objects, and the speed of the drone are all factors that should be taken into account when collecting data that is usable.