January 26 2009

GPS device could put Purdue unmanned aerial vehicle on autopilot

For several years Michael Leasure, an assistant professor of aviation technology, has been using the lightweight aircraft — essentially a model airplane equipped with electronics — to collect agricultural data for Calmar Labs in Remington, Ind. The vehicle is equipped with infrared and digital cameras to take photos to assess the effects of shadowing on corn growth or to monitor the effects of drought or floods on crops, for instance.

Up until now, the aircraft has been controlled by a conventional radio receiver, which required human intervention to begin and end the missions. But a guidance system purchased by Calmar called AttoPilot will allow the aircraft to be programmed to specific locations autonomously, resulting in more precise and efficient missions, Leasure said.

AttoPilot uses GPS signals and an on-board flight-stabilization system to guide the aerial vehicle to predetermined points. Researchers can be stationed off-site to monitor the aircraft and control its movements remotely. AttoPilot was installed in the aircraft early this year, and testing will begin in the spring.

"Our previous method still utilized GPS, but someone had to be present to launch the aircraft, read the data, determine the aircraft's location and program the next mission manually," Leasure said. "With AttoPilot, we can program several locations before the mission and it runs by itself. It can open up a whole new era in data gathering and possible research and commercial applications."

Although unmanned aircraft have been used throughout the history of aviation, Leasure said new technology makes unmanned aerial vehicles ideal for a variety of uses. They are used frequently in military reconnaissance missions and in situations deemed too risky for humans.

"Their light weight and ability to fly at low altitudes also give them a considerable advantage over satellites," he said. "An unmanned aerial vehicle can be deployed almost immediately, and data can be collected within a half-hour. That readiness is important when information is needed within a short period of time."

Additional uses could include large-event surveillance, crowd and traffic control, detection of marijuana plant growth and volcanic hotspots, and locating people in hostage situations or in other crimes.

Leasure said that in addition to performing work for Calmar, the Department of Aviation Technology would like to establish an unmanned aviation vehicle test facility that would study durability and functionality issues, efficiency and regulatory compliance issues for operations within the national airspace system, and examine potential commercial applications for the aircraft. The test facility would be part of the proposed Aviation Innovation Laboratory, set to open in fall 2009 in conjunction with the new Niswonger Aviation Technology Building at Purdue.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Michael Leasure, (765) 496-3309, leasurem@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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