The SkyHub v.3 is an onboard computer to enhance capabilities of commercial-off-the-shelf UAVs and enable integration with diverse sensors
Main Features
Implementation of True Terrain Following for DJI Drones to automatically keep constant elevation over the surface using real-time data from radar or laser altimeter.
Implementation of Grasshopper mode, when a drone is flying between waypoints at a safe altitude and descends in waypoints to a set altitude to make measurements (using NDT sensor, echo sounder, etc.) or to drop a parcel or seismic sensor.
Data collection from sensors like GPR, methane detector, gamma radiation counter, etc. which don’t have an internal data logger. Data is recorded in CSV format as well in the formats compatible with specialized software for sensor data processing (SEG-Y, NMEA-0183, etc.)
Data fusion from Payload and Autopilot telemetry. Data without coordinates (non-geotagged) is in most cases useless. UgCS SkyHub uses positioning information from the drone to geotag sensor’s data.
Provide stream of NMEA coordinates to an external sensor. Some sensors have internal data recorders but require an external GPS receiver. SkyHub can substitute GPS receivers for such sensors.
Support for external obstacle detector to interrupt the flight and save the drone.
Benefits
Safety and productivity • Truly remote sensing, no need to send stuff into survey zone • Productivity in magnitudes of times higher compared with terrestrial methods
Hi-resolution data • Data gathered from extremely low altitudes with any required density • Data geotagged with cm-level precision
Industry - standard solutions • Only proven sensors from known manufacturers • Standard software for data processing (Oasis Montaj, Hydromagic, Prism2/GPR-Slice/Geolitix, etc.) • Sharing knowledge with the experts at SPH Engineering, who have accumulated significant experience from helping hundreds of customers
Acquire subsurface data quickly, safely, and efficiently. Combine Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) with drones to see through ground, ice, rocks, and water in tough spots.
Bathymetric surveying for faster and more cost-efficient mapping of water depths and sediments. The best solution for hard-to-reach locations, and hazardous environments.
Deploy a combined remote methane detector and drone system for conducting surveys of natural gas pipelines, inspecting tanks, monitoring emissions in landfills, testing gas wells, and conducting safety audits within industrial plants.
The test range for UAV-based geophysical sensors is located next to the SPH Engineering's (Latvia, EU) headquarter and has the size of 450x70 meters
Main Benefits
Accuracy The coordinates of targets are known with cm-level precision to ensure highest accuracy for the interpretation of data acquired by the geophysical sensors
Variety of Targets The purpose-built testing ground for geophysical sensors has multiple targets of diverse material and size buried in variety of soils
Accessibility The test range is located in 20min car/taxi ride from the Riga International Airport, which has direct flights from more than 76 cities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America
Increased safety The test range is located in the special use airspace/danger area EVD1 BALOZI ensuring flight and staff safety
For Experts by Experts Designed for manufacturers, surveying and scientific teams for testing and experiments
Customisation The test range can be customised: plastic pipes can be filled with liquids, new targets can be buried in variety of soil types, etc.
One of its Kind
SPH Engineering is a multiproduct drone software company and UAV integration service provider. The SPH's flight area is a dedicated air zone (special use airspace/danger area EVD1 BALOZI) and is enriched with a unique 450x70 meters test range for various type geophysical sensor testing with UAVs.
Dozens of real application scenarios of geological sensors were taken into account to design the testing area. The multiple targets buried in natural soil (layers from sand to clay) mimic the infrastructure (pipes, barrels, etc.) usually inspected. The four kinds of weathers in Latvia give the option to test the technologies in real conditions: i.e. dry soil in summer, wet to extremely muddy - spring/autumn and frozen in winter.
For testing in simpler condition, the area offers also two zones of homogenous sand and black soil - any target can be buried. An asphalt road is located next to the testing field - which allows to test e.g. GPR's to control the road carpet.
This seems to be the first and so far the only such test range in the world!
