A DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF CAMERA CONTROLLER AND DATA LOGGER IN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) FOR AERIAL MAPPING

Abstract

Generally, an aerial mapping requires image with good quality such as clear image, nearly vertical image, including more overlapping image, as well as constant interior orientation, exterior orientation parameters and ground control point (GCP), all of which are necessary for image processing to generate the orthophoto map. Therefore the control of imaging and data logging system are important and very useful. However, these kind of systems are generally not supported in UAV platform. This research will present the designing and creating of 2-axis brushless gimbal (camera controller), including the development of data logger for using in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform, particularly multi-rotor UAV (or Drone). Which these developed tools will be used in order to control and stabilize a camera for vertical imaging to get a nearly vertical image, as well as data logging of exterior orientation parameters for digital image processing and georeferencing in aerial mapping. The prototype of 2-axis brushless gimbal is capable of rotating around X-axis (roll) and Y-axis (pitch) in a range of maximum at -45º to 45º by using Brushless DC (BLDC) motor, which helps the camera stabilize smoothly. The results of the experiment shows better quality of images that are derived from developed 2-axis brushless gimbal and data logger. Images were tilted in range of -1.889º to 2.099º and -1.247º to 1.625º of roll and pitch angles respectively. In addition, all exterior orientation parameters of each image can also be recorded to facilitate aerial mapping processing.