The best ideal module for the design effort for independent control is writing an intricate algorithm with the capacity to effectively direct the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) past barriers. The component will autonomously guide the UAV through a pre-planned track according to the mission. The current project uses a limited budget of $4000 and off-the-shelf sources to advance a jammed UAV and make it autonomous.
The task involves identifying and taking an independent photograph of four separate cattle feeders and then returning to the dispatch site. It would be useful to use proper devices considering that the launch point only extends to a 1-square-mile farm. Technological advancement has reached a point where less complicated UAVs only cost a few dollars, yet work well in the commercial sector. Towards that end, there are a few known UAVs with the ability to perform the proposed mission. For instance, a simple quadcopter equipped with an autonomous GPS would be suitable in this case. Its key features such as an operating range of 1,000 meters, weight of about 2.0 pounds, and a 13.8 inches wingspan are significant because it corresponds to that of a typical UAV (Qurash et al., 2018). Additionally, a complete lack of autonomy for the preferred quadcopter would be an integral factor in this assignment.
The Phantom 1 quadcopter was selected because its absence of autonomy matched all the task’s aspects and requirements. Costing an average of $379, it is fitted with a remote-control tablet (iPad) and four rotors manufactured with carbon fiber and plastic. GPS software was added to control the various sensors and make the UAV autonomous, to make the Phantom 1 appropriate for this mission. Moreover, it has a gimbal capable of supporting two axes allowing the camera to stay stable as it flies around (Qurash et al., 2018). The Phantom 1 will first pass over the four cattle feeders, take different pictures from different angles, and return to the base using a primary GoPro camera equipped with Wi-Fi. Taken photos will then be used to make a map and waypoints that will be the flight path.
Autoflight Logic is a very common and advanced autopilot with a uniqueness that makes it one of UAVs’ best autopilot. It is compatible with Phantom 1 without modification and has various flight control modes to suit several tasks. The autopilot allows the UAV to make a preflight plan with different waypoints, including the starting point. Moreover, it has Pano, a feature that enables it to capture a sequence of pictures and stitch them into a panorama. Once a target is selected, in our case, the ‘four cattle feeders, the UAV will make the camera stay on them, despite the direction the UAV is heading. It displays a dashboard on the iPad with airspace, the complete flight plan, and flight data, including an instrument panel and a battery level necessary to conduct a practical assignment.
Finally, all components are in place, and the mission is ready to start at this point. To ensure that the spending is within the projected budget, it is essential to review the purchases. The Phantom 1 is $379; add another $400 for the autopilot, $399 for the iPad, and finally $300 for the GoPro Camera. The costs total $1,478 for the entire operation, which is significantly under the proposed $4,000 budget.
References
Qurash, M., Yaacob, N., Azuan, N., Khaleel, Y., & Zakaria, R. (2018). Special ultrasound phantom for interventional training: Construction, advantages, and application. Journal of Medical Ultrasound, 26(4), 210. Web.