UAS Platform Consulting Report

Introduction:

When employers first start getting involved with UAS technology and the software programs that go along with the systems, they will want to know what the most efficient yet reasonably priced drones are. The process of finding an exceptional UAS platform at a satisfactory price can be lengthy and grueling. First you must know what the project or what type of industry the project is in so that the correct drone can be purchased to get the job done. For example, an agricultural drone with specific software programs may be different than purchasing a drone for mapping and surveying. Shown below are the three different categories that are based on prices, with the hobby/low level commercial (cheapest), mid-level commercial, and high-level commercial (most expensive).

Low Level Commercial/ Hobby UAS Platform:

UAS platforms that mostly pertain to hobby or low level commercial use includes spending anywhere from $500-$5,000 on a single platform. One of the top of the line UAS platforms for hobby or low level commercial flying includes the DJI Phantom 4 pro. Depending on the package you want to include with the DJI Phantom 4 pro, the price can range from roughly $2,000 with 32 GB micro-SD card to $2,700 with a 64 GB micro-SD and various other accessories for the platform.

The DJI Phantom 4 pro is a multirotor drone with 4 propellers. The dimensions of this platform are basic specifications include a 30-minute maximum flight time with a range of up to 4.3 miles (7 km). The battery is the same as the Phantom 4 but the newer technology also gives you a longer recording time on your camera. It weighs about 3 Ibs and has a built in Wi-Fi. The specs on this platform is great for anyone wanting to shoot excellent video footage. The Phantom 4 pro includes a 20 megapixel 4K/ 60 fps camera mounted underneath the platform as shown in figure 1. This type of camera has a 1-inch sensor which allows for spectacular action footage and being able to pull in greater color detail and overall a richer picture.

Figure 1. DJI Phantom 4 pro with its 20 megapixel 4k/ 60 fps camera mounted on the bottom.

The DJI Phantom 4 pro includes Active Track technology allowing the platform to recognize objects, follow, and capture them as they move. Complex shots are now much easier to get with this type of feature. The feature allows for three different tracking characteristics. Trace – following in front or behind an object. Profile – flying alongside an object at different angles. Spotlight -  which keeps the camera trained on a subject while the platform can fly pretty much anywhere. Another one of the newest smart features on the Phantom 4 pro includes “Draw.” This feature is spectacular for choosing an exact flight path in a certain environment. This technology uses the sensors on the drone and creates a 3D environment where it can tell where the ground is and what obstacles are in the way. You can then draw exactly where you want the drone to fly in a 3D space.

Another great feature to the Phantom 4 pro is its 5-directional sensor avoidance with a range of 100 feet (30 m). This makes it very difficult to crash or harming your drone. It allows for beginners to take control and not have to worry about making a mistake while flying to close to obstacles. Not only do the sensors stop you from hitting something, they warn you if you are approaching too close to an obstacle while flying backwards and shooting your camera forwards.

An extra feature that you may want to include on the Phantom 4 pro is a 5.5” 1080p screen attached to your controller, if so then the Phantom 4 pro plus is the way to go. This screen offers a screen that is more than twice as bright as conventional smart devises. With this screen a mobile device is not required unlike the Phantom 4 pro. This built in screen also provides for zero latency and no skipping issues unlike the DJI app on your phone.

Mid-Level Commercial UAS Platform:

When it comes down to more than just taking pictures and obtaining aerial video footage, higher end commercial UAS’s come with a higher price and incredible software. The Precisionhawk Lancaster 5 has numerous features and capabilities among its competitors that make it truly stand out. The Lancaster 5 is a fixed wing UAS platform that ranges from $12,000 to $15,000 depending on the type of sensors and software programs that are purchased with it. The basic specifications are a 4.9-foot wingspan, weighs 5.3 Ibs, and has a maximum flight time of about 45 minutes. It can also carry 2.2 Ibs and has a flight range of up to 1.2 miles (2 km).

One of its best known features is the “plug-and-play” swappable sensors (figure 2). This means it can carry LiDar, visual, multispectral, and thermal/infrared sensor technology. The ability for the Lancaster 5 to have swappable sensors makes it very valuable to many different industries such as agriculture, insurance and emergency response, energy and mining, and environmental monitoring. With a strong frame design and robust body, it can withstand hard landings out in the field.

Figure 2. The Precisionhawk Lancaster 5 with its swappable sensor capabilities located centered underneath the wing.

The mapping and analysis software on the Lancaster is called DataMapper that takes individual photos and establishes a georeferenced mosaic. Flight planning software on the Lancaster 5 allows for flight plans to be created by importing areas of interest defined in shape files. Lastly, UAV tracking and monitoring software gives you access to real time information such as flight path, altitude, and battery health.

Not only does the Lancaster 5 have various software and sensor technologies, it can also be fully autonomous. Once the flight plan is setup to collect data, all it needs is a push like a paper airplane and it automatically revises its flight plan to obtain data in the most efficient way. After the data is collected in the field, the Lancaster 5 can land itself with the smart flight controls.

High-Level Commercial UAS Platform:

The high end drones that tend to exceed $25,000 tend to be utilized in the professional film and cinematography industry. These platforms tend not only to be expensive, but dimensionally quite larger allowing them to carry a much heavier payload (larger cameras). One of the high-level commercial UAS platforms that catch an eye is the xFold Dragon which costs up to $32,000. The xFold Dragon is a multi-rotor drone with 12 propellers and a dual operator system. Other basic specifications include a superior maximum payload of 110 Ibs, 60-minute flight time, and a camera with 5.8G video transmitter for the benefit of the pilot.

                The xFold Dragon has numerous key components that make it very valuable to the film and cinema industry. It can also be used a search and rescue UAV or for industrial applications. The xFold Dragon includes a gremsy H16 gimbal for cinema cameras and aerial film making in a professional environment (figure 3). This gimbal supports payloads up to 16 Ibs, a second transmitter, and provides camera stabilization to help compensate for unwanted motion such as high winds. Two fail protection modes are included such as if the remote control and drone are disconnected during flight, a failsafe system will turn on and it will fly back to its original takeoff point and land automatically. Another includes its ability to maintain altitude and stabilize if a motor stops working.

Figure 3. xFold Dragon x12 with the gremsy H16 gimbal located underneath the body.

                Other features of this multirotor include “banked turn” mode and cruise control. The banked turn mode allows you to perform banked turns with only one hand. This makes the drone able to perform fixed wing-like maneuvers providing smoother video footage. The cruise control feature can lock your drone into its horizontal speed giving you the ability to focus more on your camera angles and gimbal control.