FY18 RWDC State Unmanned Aerial System Challenge ... · Unmanned Aerial System Challenge: Practical Solutions to ... , Real World Design Challenge ... , unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV])

FY18RWDCStateUnmannedAerialSystemChallenge:PracticalSolutionstoPrecisionAgriculture

DetailedBackgroundDocument

October2018Version2.0Developedby

RobertDeters,Ph.D.BSinEngineeringTechnology,ProgramChair,Embry-RiddleAeronauticalUniversity-Worldwide

JeffreyCoppola,MBA

DeputyDirector,RealWorldDesignChallenge

BrentA.Terwilliger,Ph.D.MSinUnmannedSystems,ProgramChair,ERAU-Worldwide

ContributingAuthorsAndrewShepherd,Ph.D.

Director-UAS,SinclairCommunityCollege

BrianSanders,Ph.D.AssistantProfessor,ERAU-Worldwide

JamesMarion,Ph.D.AssistantProfessor,ERAU-Worldwide

PaulLangeFaculty,ERAU-Worldwide

DebraBourdeau,Ph.D.AssociateProfessor,ERAU-Worldwide

StefanKleinke

AssistantProfessor,ERAU-Worldwide

FY18RealWorldDesignChallenge Pageii

TableofContentsI.Overview:WhatisanUnmannedAircraftSystem?.............................................................................. 1

PayloadElement(s) .............................................................................................................................. 3

AirVehicleElement ............................................................................................................................. 4

Command,Control,andCommunications(C3)Element..................................................................... 5

SupportEquipmentElement ............................................................................................................... 6

OperatorElement ................................................................................................................................ 6

II.PracticalSolutionstoPrecisionAgricultureChallengeDetail .............................................................. 8

ChallengeScenario .............................................................................................................................. 9

Approach ........................................................................................................................................... 10

CropDetails ....................................................................................................................................... 11

PestDetails ........................................................................................................................................ 12

FieldInfestation ................................................................................................................................. 14

SOLVITALPesticide ............................................................................................................................ 14

CompliantUASSolutionSpecifications.............................................................................................. 15

III.FAARegulations................................................................................................................................ 17

OperationalLimitations ..................................................................................................................... 17

RemotePilotinCommandCertificationandResponsibilities ........................................................... 18

AircraftRequirements ....................................................................................................................... 19

IV.PayloadSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogOptions .......................................................................... 20

AerialSprayingEquipment ................................................................................................................ 20

Visual(Exteroceptive)Sensors........................................................................................................... 23

ProcessingofData ............................................................................................................................. 33

V.AirVehicleElementSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogOptions ........................................................ 35

OptionA:Fixed-WingPusherPropellerDesign ................................................................................. 37

OptionB:Fixed-WingTractorPropellerDesign................................................................................. 39

OptionC:Rotary-wingDesign............................................................................................................ 41

OptionD:MultirotorDesign .............................................................................................................. 43

OptionE:Hybrid(Fixed-wing/Quadrotor)Design ............................................................................. 45

FY18RealWorldDesignChallenge Pageiii

AlternativeAirVehicleElementOptions ........................................................................................... 47

AdditionalAirVehicleElement-ComponentOptions ...................................................................... 49

VI.Command,Control,andCommunications(C3)SelectionGuidelinesandCatalog .......................... 61

VII.SupportEquipmentSelectionGuidelinesandCatalog .................................................................... 80

VIII.UASPersonnel/LaborGuidelines.................................................................................................... 84

Engineering/DesignPersonnelandTeamMemberRoles ................................................................. 84

DesignConstruction/AssemblyPersonnel......................................................................................... 86

OperationalandSupportPersonnel .................................................................................................. 86

IX.FlightPlanningGuidelines ................................................................................................................ 88

TakeoffandInitialClimb.................................................................................................................... 88

DataCaptureduringStraightandLevelFlight ................................................................................... 88

DataCaptureduringaCoordinatedTurn .......................................................................................... 89

FlightPathforFullCoverageoftheSubjectArea .............................................................................. 89

Approach,Landing,andRefueling/Maintenance .............................................................................. 90

TotalMissionTimeCalculation.......................................................................................................... 90

CommunicationsConsiderations ....................................................................................................... 90

X.BusinessCaseGuidelines................................................................................................................... 95

Rationale................................................................................................ Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

ReturnonInvestment............................................................................ Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

FeasibilityandRisk................................................................................. Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

CompetitiveLandscape ......................................................................... Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

Scope,Schedule,andBudget................................................................. Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

Summary................................................................................................ Error!Bookmarknotdefined.

XI.3DCADModelRequirements ......................................................................................................... 100

XII.AdditionalInformationandResources .......................................................................................... 101

PTCTools ......................................................................................................................................... 101

TeamSubmissions ........................................................................................................................... 101

Scoring ............................................................................................................................................. 101

FY18RealWorldDesignChallenge Pageiv

ListofFigures

Figure1.BasicUASconfigurationwithmajorelementsidentified........................................................... 2Figure2.UASdesignapproachwithmajorelementoptionsidentified. .................................................. 3

Figure3.ExampleC3configurationandassociatedinterfaces. ................................................................ 5Figure4.Dentcorn.................................................................................................................................... 11Figure5.Damagetocornfromthebillbug. ............................................................................................. 12

Figure6.Lifecycleofthecornbillbug. ..................................................................................................... 13Figure7.DJIAgrasMG-1octocopter. ....................................................................................................... 15Figure8.eBeeSQagriculturaldrone........................................................................................................ 16

Figure9.AsthealtitudeoftheUASchanges,thesensorfootprintwillvary. ........................................ 31Figure10.Theoverlappingsensorfootprintsmustsufficientlyoverlapforsensingwithoutgapsordataholidays. .................................................................................................................................................... 32

Figure11.Theoverlappingsensorfootprintsmustsufficientlyoverlapfordetectionduringacoordinatedturnattheinsideoftheturnandtheoutsideoftheturntoensurecompletecoverageandnodataholidays. ............................................................................................................................... 32

Figure12.Exampleofanassembledcoverageareafrompre-calculatedflightmaneuversandtheirindividualcoverageareas. ........................................................................................................................ 33Figure13.Fixed-wingpusherpropellerdesign. ....................................................................................... 37

Figure14.Fixed-wingtractorpropellerdesign. ....................................................................................... 39Figure15.Rotary-wingdesign. ................................................................................................................. 41Figure16.Multirotordesign. .................................................................................................................... 43

Figure17.Hybrid(fixed-wing/quadrotor)design. ................................................................................... 45Figure18.SixUASwithlow-powercommunicationsoperatinginsubjectarea(interference)............. 91Figure19.UASfeaturinguseofamultiplexer(inred). ........................................................................... 92

Figure20.TrackingAntennaexample. ..................................................................................................... 93Figure21.Multipleaircraftanddirectionalantennaseparationexample. ............................................ 94Figure22.3Dcubeswithonecommonedge. ........................................................................................ 100

FY18RealWorldDesignChallenge Pagev

ListofTablesTable1.PayloadElement–AerialSprayingEquipmentOptions ............................................................ 21

Table2.PayloadElement–VisualSensorOptions.................................................................................. 24Table3.AirVehicleElement–AdditionalFlightControlOptions ........................................................... 49Table4.AirVehicleElement–AdditionalOnboardSensorOptions ...................................................... 51

Table5.C3Element–Control/DataProcessingandDisplayEquipmentOptions .................................. 62Table6.C3Element–CommunicationEquipmentOptions.................................................................... 66Table7.DescriptionofUAVComponents ................................................................................................ 80

FY18RealWorldDesignChallenge Page1

I.Overview:WhatisanUnmannedAircraftSystem?Anunmannedaircraftsystem(UAS)canbedefinedasanaircraftwithoutanoperatororflightcrew

onboard.Theyareremotelycontrolledusingmanualflightcontrol(i.e.,teleoperation)orautonomouslyusinguploadedcontrolparameters(e.g.,waypoints,altitudehold,orminimum/maximumairspeed).

UASaretypicallyusedtoperformavarietyoftasksorapplicationsthatareconsideredtoodull,dangerous,dirty,ordeepforhumansormannedplatforms(i.e.,4Ds).Theircivilian/commercialuses

includeaerialphotography/filming,agriculture,communications,conservation/wildlifemonitoring,damageassessment/infrastructureinspection,fireservicesandforestrysupport,lawenforcement/security,searchandrescue,weathermonitoringandresearch.Theyprovideanoption

thatiseconomicalandexpedient,withoutputtingahumanoperator(i.e.,pilot)atrisk.

UASarecommonlyreferredtoasunmannedaerialvehicles(UAV)s,unmannedaerospace,aircraftoraerialsystems,remotelypilotaircraft(RPA),remotelypilotedresearchvehicle(RPRV),andaerialtargetdrones.However,thetermUASitselfisreflectiveofasystemasawhole,whichhasconstituent

componentsorelementsthatworktogethertoachieveanobjectiveorsetofobjectives.Thesemajorelements,depictedinFigure1,includetheairvehicleelement,payload,data-link(communications),commandandcontrol(C2),supportequipment,andtheoperator(humanelement).


Figure1.BasicUASconfigurationwithmajorelementsidentified.

TheUASyouwilldevelopinthischallengeiscomprisedofthesamesuchelements.NOTE:Forpurposesofcomponentcategorizationandfunctionalitysimplification,thedata-link/communicationsandcommandandcontrol(C2)havebeencombinedintoasingleelement(i.e.,command,control,and

communications[C3]).Eachteamwillchoosedifferentquantities,sizes,types,andconfigurationsofthevariouscomponentstocreateauniqueUASdesignusingtheapproachdepictedinFigure2.


Figure2.UASdesignapproachwithmajorelementoptionsidentified.

Ahigh-leveldescriptionofeachofthesystemelements,tailoredtothischallenge,follows.Manyoftheseitemsaredescribedinmoredetailinlatersections.

PayloadElement(s)ThepayloadsrepresentthefirstelementtobeexaminedinthedesignofaUASasittraditionally

representstheprimarypurposeoftheplatform.Inthecaseofthischallenge,thepayloadmustbeselectedinordertodetectpestsoveracropareatwo(2)milebytwo(2)milefield.ThefollowingprovidescommonexamplesofVisual/exteroceptivesensors.Thesesensorsareusedtocapture

informationregardingtheoperatingenvironment.Thisinformationcanbeusedtoprovidesituationalawarenessrelativetotheorientationandlocationoftheaerialvehicleelementand/orprovideinformationaboutthepestcontentinthecroparea.Thefollowingrepresentthemajorprimarypayload

categoriestoconsiderinthedesignanddevelopmentofaUAS:

• Visual/exteroceptivesensors–usedtocaptureinformation(e.g.,visualdata)regardingtheoperatingenvironmenttoprovidetheoperatorwithsituationalawarenessrelativetotheorientationandlocationoftheaerialvehicleelement(e.g.,unmannedaerialvehicle[UAV])ofaUAS.Thefollowingrepresenttheexamplesofcommonpayloadsensors:

o CCD/CMOScamera(e.g.,DaytimeTV,colorvideo)–digitalimagingsensor,typicallyreturnscolorvideoforlivedisplayonthegroundcontrolstation(GCS)terminal


o Thermal(e.g.,infrared[IR])–sensorusedtomeasureandimageheat(i.e.,thermalradiation)

o LiDAR–measuresdistanceandcontoursofremotebodies(e.g.,terrain)throughuseofreflectedlaserlight,typicallyrequiressignificantamountofpreorpost-processingtorenderanddisplaythedata

o SyntheticApertureRadar(SAR)–measuresdistanceandcontoursofremotebodies(e.g.,terrain)throughuseofreflectedradiowaves,typicallyrequiressignificantamountofpreorpost-processingtorenderanddisplaythedata

o Multispectralcamera–anall-encompassingvisualsensorforcapturingimagedataacrosstheelectromagneticspectrum(e.g.,thermal,radar,etc.)NOTE:Whiletheseoptionsareoption,itishighlysuggestedthataminimumofaCCD/CMOS

camerabeincludedintheUASdesigntovisuallyconfirmorientation/locationoftheaircraft(seePrimaryvideodataequipment[non-payload]inthefollowingsubsection).Additionally,

proprioceptive(onboard)sensorscanbeusedtoaugmentthepayloadsensorstoimprovesituationalawarenessanddetermineamoreaccuratedepictionofthestateoftheaircraft.

• AerialSprayingEquipment–usedtotransportandapplythepesticide/watermixturetotheaffectedareasofthesubjectcrop

o Boomtubing–usedtoprovidesupportlatticefornozzlesanddeliveryofpesticidemixturefluidfordispersal

o Nozzles–componentsusedtoatomizethismixtureintodropletsforsprayingo Spraypump–usedtotransferfluidfromstoragetanktotubingandnozzleso Spraytank–usedtostoreandcarrypesticidemixturealoftfordispersal

Thedetailsconcerningtheseelements,includingcatalogequipmentoptions,canbefoundintheCatalogOptionssectionofthisdocument.

AirVehicleElementTheairvehicleelement(i.e.,UAV)representstheremotelyoperatedaerialcomponentoftheUAS.

TherecanbemorethanoneUAVinaUASandeachiscomposedofseveralsubsystemcomponents,suchasthefollowing:

• Airframe–thestructuralaspectofthevehicle.Theplacement/locationofmajorcomponentsontheairframe,includingpayload,powerplant,fuelsource,andcommand,control,and

communications(C3)equipment,willbedeterminedbyyourteam.Thiselementcanbepurchasedasacommercially-off-the-shelf(COTS)optionfromthecatalogorcustomdesignedbyyourteam

• FlightControls–theflightcomputer(e.g.,servocontroller),actuatorsandcontrolsurfacesoftheairvehicle

• Powerplant(propulsion)–thethrustgeneratingmechanism,includingtheengine/motor,

propeller/rotor/impeller,andfuelsource(e.g.,batteryorinternalcombustionfuel)• Sensors(onboard)–thedatameasurementandcapturedevices


NOTE:ThesesubsystemcomponentscanbepurchasedasasingleCOTSoptionfromthecatalog(i.e.,includedinCOTSairframe),modified/supplementedusingotheroptions,orentirelycustomdesignedby

yourteam.

Thedetailsconcerningthiselement,includingcatalogequipmentoptions,canbefoundinthesectionAirVehicleElementSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogOptionsofthisdocument.

Command,Control,andCommunications(C3)ElementC3representshowyourteamwillgetdatato(e.g.,controlcommands)andfrom(e.g.,telemetryandonboardsensorvideo)theairvehicleelement(oranyadditionalunmanned/roboticsystems),whileinoperation.Yourconfigurationwilldependonthedesignchoicesmadebyyourteam.Someofthese

itemswillbeincludedintheweightandbalancecalculationsfortheAirVehicleElement(i.e.,airborneelements),whiletheremainingwillbeincludedinthegroundcontrolstation(GCS).Thefollowingimage(Figure3),depictsanexampleC3interfaceoverviewofamediumcomplexityUAS.

Figure3.ExampleC3configurationandassociatedinterfaces.

ThefollowingrepresentstheprimaryC3elementsubsystemcomponents:

• Controlcommandsandtelemetryequipment–thecapture,processing,transmission,receipt,execution,anddisplayofalldataassociatedwithcontrolandfeedbackoftheairvehicleelement.Thefollowingrepresentthetypesofcontrols:


o Manual–operatorperformsremotecontroloftheUAVo Semi-autonomous–operatorperformssomeoftheremotecontroloftheUAV,system

performstherest(pre-determinedpriortoflight)o Autonomous–operatorsupervisessystemcontroloftheUAV(pre-determinedpriorto

flightanduploadedduringflight)

o Controlswitching–useofamultiplexerdeviceprovidesamethodtoswitchbetweendifferentcontrolmethods(e.g.,switchbetweenmanualandautonomouscontrol)

• Primaryvideodataequipment(non-payload)–thecapture,transmission,receipt,anddisplay

ofvisualdatafromtheprimaryvideosensor(non-payload),ifapplicable.NOTE:Primaryvideoistypicallyusedtooperatetheaircraftfromanegocentric(i.e.,firstpersonview[FPV])perspective

• Remotesensing(primarypayloadsensor)equipment–thecapture,storageortransmissionanddisplayofdatafromtheprimarypayloadsensor.

Thedetailsconcerningthiselement,includingcatalogequipmentoptions,canbefoundintheCommand,Control,andCommunications(C3)SelectionGuidelinesandCatalogsectionofthis

document.

SupportEquipmentElementSupportequipmentrepresentsthoseadditionalitemsrequiredtoassistinUASoperationandmaintenanceinthefield.Thesecaninclude,butarenotlimitedtothefollowing:

• Launchandrecoverysystems–componentsusedtosupporttheUAVtotransitionintoflightorreturntheaircraftsafely

• Flightlineequipment–componentsusedtostart,align,calibrate,ormaintaintheUAS

o Refueling/rechargingsystemo Internalcombustionenginestarter

• Transportation–usedtodeliverequipmenttotheoperatingenvironment/field

• Powergeneration–portablesystemcapableofproducingsufficientpowertoruntheGCSandanyadditionalsupportequipment;typicallyinternalcombustionusinggasoline

• Operationalenclosure–portableworkareaforthecrew,computers,andothersupportgear

Thedetailsconcerningthiselement,includingcatalogequipmentoptions,canbefoundintheSupport

EquipmentSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogsectionofthisdocument.

OperatorElementTheoperatorelementrepresentsthosepersonnelrequiredtooperateandmaintainthesystem.Theseroleswillbedependentonthedesignofthesystem.Thesecaninclude,butarenotlimitedtothefollowing:

• Pilotincommand(PIC)• Secondaryoperator(co-pilotorspotter)• Payload/sensoroperator

• Sensordatapost-processerspecialist• Support/maintenancepersonal


NOTE:YouwillidentifyyourcrewneedsbasedonyourUASdesignaccordingtotheprovidedguidelines.Forexample,iftheaerialsprayerpayloadisconfiguredtoautomaticallyreleasethepesticideoverspecific

areasidentifiedusingGPS,aspecificpayloadoperatorwillnotbenecessary.However,theappropriatesystemdesignwouldneedtobeestablishedtosupportsuchoperations.

ThedetailsconcerningthiselementcanbefoundintheUASPersonnel/LaborGuidelinessectionofthisdocument.


II.PracticalSolutionstoPrecisionAgricultureChallengeDetailBy2050,therewillbeanestimatedadditionaltwobillionpeopleonEarth,whichwillsignificantlyimpact

theavailabilityoffood.Ithasbeenestimatedthattherewillbeaneedtoproduce70%morefoodtoaddresssuchapopulationgrowth.Throughouthistory,advancesintechnologyhaveallowedfarmerstoproducemorefood.Onepieceofcurrenttechnologythathasthepotentialtogreatlyhelpthemodern

farmeristheunmannedaircraftsystem(UAS).ByusingaUAS,thefarmercanmorepreciselymonitorafieldofcropsandbeabletoapplywater,fertilizer,orpesticidesinamannerthatsavestime,savesmoney,savesresources,andincreasescropyield.

TheFY18RWDCStatechallengewillcontinuethefocusonunmannedsystemsandprecisionagriculture

throughthedesignandimplementationofaUAStosupportprecisionagricultureintheproductionofcorn.TheteamswilluseconceptsfromEngineeringTechnology(i.e.,applicationofscienceandengineeringtosupportproductimprovement,industrialprocesses,andoperationalfunctions)to

identify,compare,analyze,demonstrate,anddefendthemostappropriatecomponentcombinations,system/subsystemdesign,operationalmethods,andbusinesscasetosupportthechallengescenario.Throughuseofaninquiry-basedlearningapproachwithmentoringandcoaching,thestudentswillhave

anopportunitytolearntheskillsandgeneralprinciplesassociatedwiththechallengeinahighlyinteractiveandexperientialsetting.Forexample,thestudentswillneedtoconsiderandunderstandthevariousunmannedsystemelemental(subsystem)interactions,dependencies,andlimitations(e.g.,

poweravailable,duration,rangeofcommunications,functionalachievement)astheyrelatetotheoperation,maintenance,anddevelopmenttobestsupporttheirproposedbusinesscase.

Tosupporttheinquirybasedlearningapproach,eachteamwillperformanddocumentthefollowing:1) TaskAnalysis-analyzethemission/tasktobeperformed

2) StrategyandDesign-determineengineeringdesignprocess,roles,theoryofoperation,designrequirements,systemdesign,crewresources,integrationtesting,anddesignupdates

3) Costs-calculatecostsandanticipatedcapabilitiesassociatedwithdesignandoperation,

includingmodificationofthedesigntofurthersupportacompetitiveandviablebusinesscase4) AlternativeUses-identifyalternativeusesofsystemtoimprovemarketabilityandusecases

Asyouprogressthroughthechallenge,yourteamwillincrementallybepresentedwithbackgroundrelatingtothecompositionandoperationofunmannedsystemdesigns,engineeringdesignprinciples,

unmannedsystemapplicationtoprecisionagriculture,businessmanagement,anddevelopmenttools.Youwillneedtoworktogetherasateamwithcoachesandmentorstoidentifywhatyouneedtolearnwhilepursuingthecompletionofthischallenge.Byconnectingyourownexperienceandinterest,you

willhaveanopportunitytogainfurtherinsightintotheapplicationofdesignconcepts,betterunderstandapplicationofunmannedsystemtechnology,andworkcollaborativelytowardscompletionofacommongoal.


ChallengeScenarioYourCompanyhasbeentaskedwithmakingacasewhetherornotthepart107regulationsarerestrictingtheabilitytoimprovecropyieldwhileminimizingprofits.Youwillbecomparingyouraircraft

totwoaircraftthatdoprecisionagricultureintheUnitedStates.YourUASdesignshouldperformsprayingand/orsurveyingbetterthantheoneorbothoftheaircraftsgiven.WhileyoumaychoosetohavecapabilitiesofbothUASdesignsgiveninyourdesign,youmustdobetterthantheDJIAgrasMG-1

atspraying,dobetterthantheeBee SQ at surveying, or do better at both.Todemonstratetheabilitiesofyouraircraft,youwillbeusingthetestfieldownedbyyourcompany.Thefieldis2milesby2milesinsize(2560acres)andthecropiscorn.Itwillalsobeassumedthatyoumustprovideyoursurveyingand

sprayingasaservicetothefarmer,youmayNOTsayyourbusinesscaseistoselltheaircraft.

IfyoudecidethatyourUAVwillonlytakecareofoneofthe2featuresdonebytheDJIAgrasMG-1(spraying)ortheeBee SQ (surveying), you will need to come up with a way of completing those tasks through traditional methods. For example, if you make a surveying UAV that is unable to do any spraying, you will need to research another method of getting the pesticide to the affected areas. The cost of performing the additional tasks that your UAV design does not complete must be accounted for in your costs for servicing the field. You must however have at least one UAV that completes the survey and/or spraying tasks of the DJIAgrasMG-1(spraying)ortheeBee SQ (surveying). You should be comparing your system to the given performances of the two given designs. The performance of the DJIAgrasMG-

1(spraying)andtheeBee SQ (surveying) are listed in the detailed background.

Bothdesignsmayuseunmannedgroundvehiclesorotherroboticsystemsifdesired.Inaddition,multipleaircraftmaybeusedatthesametime.

Field:Asmentionedearlier,thesizeofthetestfieldis2milesby2miles(2560acres).Dirtaccessroadssurroundthefield.Aircraftwithawidthof9ftorlessmayusetheaccessroadsfortakeoffandlanding.

Largeraircraftmustusethegrasslandingstripownedbythecompanythatislocated1milenorthofthenorthernborderofthetestfield.

AlthoughthisfieldsizeisthetestingsiteforyourUAS,youshouldtrytofindatwhatrangeoffieldsizesdoesyourUASbestperform.

Safety:Foreachareathatyourteamdecidestogooutsideofpart107withyourUAS,youshouldinclude

waysofaddressinganypossiblesafetyissuesthatmightarise.Besidesanysafetyconcernsfrombeingoutsideofpart107,youraircraftshouldalso,ataminimum,havethefollowingsafetyfeatures:

• ProceduresforlossofsignalfromthepilotandGPS• Proceduresforobstacledetectionandavoidance

Specificpart107regulationscanbefoundat

http://realworlddesignchallenge.org/resources/021515_sUAS_Summary-1.pdf

BusinesscaseTeamswillbelookingtoseeiftheycanmakeacasethattheirdesignsoutsideofpart107

regulationswillleadtoanincreasedopportunityforprofit.Theincreasedprofitshouldbemadefroma


reductionofcostsoranimprovementinrevenue(throughincreasedcropyield).Teamsshouldlookathowchangestothefieldsizechangesthecostperacre.Thechangesinthecostperacreshouldbeused

tofindarangeofoptimalfieldsizestoreduceyourcosts.TeamsshouldNOTjustraisethepriceoftheirsystemtoimproveitsprofitability.Anyincreaseinpriceshouldbewithinareasonablepriceforafarmertospendandstillmakemoneyhimself.

Comparison:Theoutcomefromyourteamwillbeanunmannedsystemcapableofsurveyingafieldand

sprayingpesticides.Youwillbecomparingyoursystemsperformancewiththeonesgiventoyouinthedetailedbackground.Youwilltrytomakeacasethatifyougooutsideofthepart107regulationsthenyouwillhavetheopportunitytosignificantlyimprovetheprofitabilityofyoursystem.

ApproachEachteamistooperatefromtheperspectiveofasmallcompanyseekingfundingforthedemonstration

ofaprototypesystem.ThechallengeproposalshouldutilizethePACEmodelofproductdevelopment(asadvocatedbytheProductDevelopmentManagementAssociation;www.pdma.org)suchthattheengineeringdevelopmentcostsareminimizedbutalsoincludeinformationabouttheacquisitioncost

andoperationsandsupportcostofthesystemtoshowthattheproductcanbecompetitiveinthemarketplace.Thefollowingstepsarerecommendedinpursuitofaresponsetothechallengescenario:

1. Considerallaspectsandrequirementsofthechallenge2. Performbackgroundresearchonthetopic,availabletools,andexistingdesigns

3. Reviewtheprovidedinformationonthesubjectcrop(corn)andpest4. Developatheoryofoperationthatcanbeadaptedasyoulearnmoreaboutthechallengetopics

andprecisionagriculturemethods5. Createaninitialdesign(conceptualdesign)6. Analyzethedesignanddetermineeffectiveness(i.e.,identifyprocess[es]tovalidateandverify

preliminarydesignandoperation;ensureaircraftiscapableofthelimitloadfactorandultimateloadfactor;determinesurveyefficiency,airframeefficiency,airframecost,andbusinessprofitability,thencalculateobjectivefunction;redesignandreviseasnecessary)

7. Continueresearchanddesign(documentdetaileddesign,designdecisions,lessonslearned,recalculatevariables;redesignandreanalyze,asnecessary)

Thesuccessfulproposalshouldincludeanestimateofthetimelinetorecovertheinitialinvestmentandanypotentialfutureyearprofitsforafive-yearperiod(e.g.,five-yearbreakevenanalysis),whilestriving

todemonstrateandillustratethesolutionefficientlysurveysandspraysthefieldeffectively.Itisstronglyrecommendedthatyouconductyourownresearchonthetopictoanswerthefollowingquestionsasyoubegintodevelopyourchallengesolution:

• Whatpayloadcomponentsarebestsuitedtodetectpestsapplythepesticide(SOLVITAL)? • Areyoudirectly(quantifyingamountofinfestation)orindirectly(colorofcrop,heightofcrop)

measuringinfestation?• HowmanyUAVswouldbeappropriatetoaddressthechallenge?• Howwillthemethodofdetectiondifferduringthegrowthphasesofthecrop?


• Whatarethecurrentmethodstodetectpestsinregardstocorn(satellite,mannedaircraft,persononfootorinatruck)?

• WhataretheuniqueadvantagesorlimitationsassociatedwithcompliancewithPart107comparedwithnoncompliantmethods?

• WhatbenefitsofcapabilitiesofUAScanbeenhancedoraugmentedtosupporttheiruse? • HowdoestheDJIAgrasaccomplishpesticidespraying? • WhataresomeoftheareasforpossibleimprovementorefficiencygainbygoingoutsideofPart

107regulations?Fromabusinessperspective,youmayalsowanttoconsiderthevariousoperationalfactorsanddesigncapabilitiesthatmayaffectthecostfortreatmentanddetection.

CropDetailsThestandardforthechallengethisyearisZeamaysvar.indentata,commonlyknownasdentcorn.

YellowdentcornisthemostcommonlygrowncornintheUnitedStatesandisusedforcornmeal,tortillas,theproductionofplastics,andfructose(acommonsweetenerinprocessedfoods).Thisspeciesofcorntypicallygrowstoaheightof2-3m(6-9ft).Thespeciesofdentcornusedforthischallengeis

assumedtonotbeaBtcornthathasbeengeneticallydesignedforpestresistance.

Figure4.Dentcorn.1

Currently55%ofallcornfarmlandintheUSispartofafarmthatis2,000acresormore.In2016,cornproductionintheUnitedStatesaveraged175.3bushelsperacre.Forthechallenge,wewillassumeamarketpriceof$3perBushel.2

Performanceofyoursystemisbasedonthechallengefieldsizeof2miby2mi(2560acres).Although

youmaychoosetolookathowyoursystemperformsinfieldsofdifferentsizes,the2560-acrefieldwill

1ByJonathunder-Ownwork,CCBY-SA3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112745432http://www.cornandsoybeandigest.com/blog/usda-projects-record-corn-and-soybean-crop-2016


beusedinthecomparisonofyourUAS’sperformancetotheDJIAgrasMG1andeBeesSQperforminginsideoftheFAAPart107regulations.

PestDetails3Thepestyoursystemwillberemovingfromthefieldisthecornbillbug.SOLVITALsprayedonafieldin

theappropriatevolumewilleliminateallcornbillbuginfestations.Typically,themosteffectivetreatmenttimetoeliminatetheinfestationisearlyinthecorn’slifecycle.

Reddish-browntoblack,adultbillbugrangeinlengthfrom3/8"-1/2"in(10to15mm).Thisbeetleisactiveatnightandhidesinthesoilduringtheday.Althoughithaswings,thecornbillbugtypically

crawlsoverthegroundinsearchoffood,anditcanmigrate0.25mi(0.4km)ormore.Thepresenceofyellownutsedgehadbeenassociatedwithbillbuginfestations.

SymptomsofCornBillbugs

Figure5.Damagetocornfromthebillbug.

• Cornleavestwistedandfailtouncurlbecauseofcornbillbugs• Rowsofovalholesinwhorlleaves

• Smallplantsmaybekilled

• Excessivetillersonsurvivingplants

• Injuryoftenmoresevereinborderrows• CornsusceptibletoinjurytotheV6leafstage

• Larvaewilltunnelintothebaseoftheplant

3Informationaboutthecornbillbugisfromhttps://www.pioneer.com/home/site/us/agronomy/crop-management/corn-insect-disease/corn-billbugsandhttps://extension.entm.purdue.edu/fieldcropsipm/insects/maize-billbug.php.Figuresarefromhttps://www.pioneer.com/home/site/us/agronomy/crop-management/corn-insect-disease/corn-billbugs


PestFactsandImpactonCrop

Adultsfeedontheinnerplanttissueofthestemthroughgougedsmallholes.Whilelargerplantsmaycontinuetogrow,smallplantsmaybekilled.Figureshowsthetraverserowofholes,whichisonevisiblesignofbillbugactivity.Thestemandrootsaresusceptibletoinjuryfromgrubs.Severefeedingcanresultinplantlodgingandstoppingthegrowthofanear.Billbugdamagedplantsareusuallystunted.

• Nosignificantnaturalenemiesknown• Hostrangeisprimarilylargergrasses,sedgesandrushes

• Smallcornplantsmaybekilledormisshapenbyadultfeeding

• PlantstoV6leafstagemaytillerandbedeformed

• Severeinfestationshavereducedyieldsupto40%• Damageismostsevereinyellownutsedge-infestedfieldsoralongborderrowswiththisweed

• BillbugsthatsometimefeedoncornexistacrosstheUnitedStatesbutaremoreofaproblemintheSoutheastandtheSouthernCornBelt

Lifecycle

Figure6.Lifecycleofthecornbillbug.


FieldInfestation Forthischallenge,youwillassumethat10%ofthetestfieldhasbeeninfestedwithbillbugs.Forthefieldsizeof2560acres,yoursystemwillneedtotreat256acreswithpesticide.

SOLVITALPesticide SOLVITALrepresentsthefictionalpesticidefortheFY18RealWorldDesignChallenge(RWDC)State

Challenge.Itisaliquidsuitableforuseinallconventionalagriculturalsprayequipmentagainsttheall

speciesofthecornbillbug.

MixtureDetails Forthediscussionofvolumes,galloninthisdocumentmeansU.S.liquidgallon.Thefollowingrepresents

theweightandeffectivenessofSOLVITAL.

• Weightof8.36lb/gal(1kg/L).Wewillassumethatthereisnosignificantchangeindensitywithinreasonablechangesintemperature.

• 0.35gal(1.32L)isenoughpesticidetotreat1acreofinfestedfield.Iftheamountperacreisreduced,SOLVITALwillnolongerbeeffective.

HandlingandStorage HAZARD:Hazardoustohumansanddomesticanimals.Maybefatalifswallowed,harmfulifabsorbedthroughskin;causesmoderateeyeirritation;prolongedorfrequentlyrepeatedskincontactmaycause

allergicreactionsinsomeindividuals.Avoidcontactwithskin,eyes,orclothing. Applicatorsandotherhandlersmustwear:

• Coverallsovershort-sleevedshirtandshortpants • Chemical-resistantgloves • Chemical-resistantshoesplussocks • Protectiveeyewear • Chemical-resistantheadgearforoverheadexposure • Chemical-resistantapronwhencleaningequipmentandmixingorloading

WARNING:SOLVITAListoxictobirdsandwildlife,andextremelytoxictofishandaquaticorganisms.Do

notapplydirectlytowater,toareaswheresurfacewaterispresent,ortointertidalareasbelowthemeanhighwatermark.

Storage–thefollowingrepresenttherequirementsforstorageofSOLVITAL: • Donotcontaminatewater,foodorfeedbystorageordisposalofwastes • Storeinoriginalcontainerinsecureddrystoragearea • Preventcross-contaminationwithotherpesticidesandfertilizers • Donotstoreabove98.6°Fforextendedperiodsoftimeasstoragebelow43.88°Fmayresultin

formationofcrystals NOTE:Ifproductcrystallizes,storeat50to69.8°Fandagitatetoredissolvecrystals


• Ifcontainerisdamagedorspilloccurs,useproductimmediatelyordisposeofproductand damagedcontainer.

AssumetheSOLVITALisalreadyavailableonsite(deliveredtothelocationbyavendorinastorage

vessel;deliverycostincludedinthe$45pergallonprice);however,eachsolutionshouldaddresshowtosafelyhandleandaddittotheaircraftfromthestoragevesselusingappropriatesafetypractices.

SpecialtrainingisnotrequiredtohandleSOLVITAL.

CompliantUASSolutionSpecificationsThissectionprovidesbackgroundinformationontheDJIAgrasMG-1andeBeeSQ.Usetheinformationprovidedasthebenchmarkforthecomparisonwithyoursystem.

DJIAgrasMG-1Information,specifications,andfigurearefromDJI’swebsite(https://www.dji.com/mg-1)

Figure7.DJIAgrasMG-1octocopter.

TheDJIAgrasMG-1isanoctocopterdesignedforprecisionapplicationofliquidpesticides,fertilizers,andherbicides.Ithasapayloadcapacityof10kg(22lb)ofliquidsandcandispersetheliquidusingfour

nozzles.Thepayloadcontainerhasavolumeof10L(2.64gal).Eachnozzlehasamaximumsprayrateof0.43L/min.Theaircrafthasaspraywidthof4-6mwhenusingallfournozzleandis1.5-3mabovethecrops.Thestandardtakeoffweightfortheaircraftis22.5kg(49.6lb).Ithasamaximumflyingspeedof

22m/s(49mph),butthemaximumoperatingspeedis8m/s(18mph).TheDJIAgrasMG-1cancover4,000-6,000m2ofcropsin10min,andcanspray7-10acres/hr.Thesprayingefficiencyofthisaircraftisabout40-60timesfasterthanmanualspraying.

Touseasacomparisontoyourdesign,assumethefollowingperformanceoftheDJIAgrasMG-1.Using

SOLVITAL,theAgrascanspray7acres/hr.Bycovering6,000m2perflight,asingleaircraftwillneed4.7flightstocomplete7acres.Assumingittakes10mintocompleteastandardflight,anhourofapplicationtimewillincludeatotalof47minofflighttimewith3.25minbetweeneachflighttoswitch

thebatteryandrefillthepayloadcontainer.Forthe4-mi2(2560-acre)fieldwitha10%infestation,theaircraftwillneedtospray256acres.At7acres/hr,asingleaircraftwilltake36.6hr,orthreedaysofdaylightflights,tocompletethesprayingofthefield.


eBeeSQInformation,specifications,andfigurearefromSenseFly’swebsite(https://www.sensefly.com/drones/ebee-sq.html)

Figure8.eBeeSQagriculturaldrone.

TheeBeeSQisanagriculturaldronedesignedtocapturecropdataacrossfourmultispectralbandsplus

RGBimagery.Theaircraftcanmonitorhundredsofacresinasingleflight.Theaircrafthasawingspanof110cm(43.3in)andonlyweighs1.1kg(2.42lb).Itscruisespeedis11-30m/s(35-68mph)andhasamaximumflighttimeof55min.Atanaltitudeof120m(400ft)abovegroundlevel,itcancoverabout

500acresinaflight.Thesensorhasagroundsampledistance(GSD)resolutionforthemultispectralof12cm/px(4.72in/px)and3.1cm/px(1.22in/px)fortheRGB.

Touseasacomparisontoyourdesign,assumethefollowingperformanceoftheeBeeSQ.Assumethat

ittakesafull55-minflighttocover500acresat400-ftaltitudeforasingleaircraft.Withacoupleofminutesonthegroundtochangethebattery,itwilltakeabout5hrforasingleaircrafttocoverthefull4-mi2(2560-acre)field.


III.FAARegulationsInsummer2016,theFAAreleasedtheSmallUnmannedAircraftRegulations(Part107).Thefullrules

canbereadathttp://www.faa.gov/uas/media/RIN_2120-AJ60_Clean_Signed.pdf.Asummaryoftherulesareincludedinthissectionbasedonthedocumentfoundathttp://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf.MoreinformationontheFAArulesand

additionalinformationonflyingaUAScanbefoundathttp://www.faa.gov/UAS/.

OperationalLimitations• Unmannedaircraftmustweighlessthan55lbs.(25kg).• Visualline-of-sight(VLOS)only;theunmannedaircraftmustremainwithinVLOSoftheremote

pilotincommandandthepersonmanipulatingtheflightcontrolsofthesmallUAS.Alternatively,theunmannedaircraftmustremainwithinVLOSofthevisualobserver.

• AtalltimesthesmallunmannedaircraftmustremaincloseenoughtotheremotepilotincommandandthepersonmanipulatingtheflightcontrolsofthesmallUASforthosepeopletobecapableofseeingtheaircraftwithvisionunaidedbyanydeviceotherthancorrectivelenses.

• Smallunmannedaircraftmaynotoperateoveranypersonsnotdirectlyparticipatingintheoperation,notunderacoveredstructure,andnotinsideacoveredstationaryvehicle.

• Daylight-onlyoperations,orciviltwilight(30minutesbeforeofficialsunriseto30minutesafterofficialsunset,localtime)withappropriateanti-collisionlighting.

• Mustyieldrightofwaytootheraircraft.• Mayusevisualobserver(VO)butnotrequired.• First-personviewcameracannotsatisfy“see-and-avoid”requirementbutcanbeusedaslongas

requirementissatisfiedinotherways.• Maximumgroundspeedof100mph(87knots).• Maximumaltitudeof400feetabovegroundlevel(AGL)or,ifhigherthan400feetAGL,remain

within400feetofastructure.• Minimumweathervisibilityof3milesfromcontrolstation.• OperationsinClassB,C,DandEairspaceareallowedwiththerequiredATCpermission.• OperationsinClassGairspaceareallowedwithoutATCpermission.• NopersonmayactasaremotepilotincommandorVOformorethanoneunmannedaircraft

operationatonetime.• Nooperationsfromamovingaircraft.• Nooperationsfromamovingvehicleunlesstheoperationisoverasparselypopulatedarea.• Nocarelessorrecklessoperations.• Nocarriageofhazardousmaterials.• Requirespreflightinspectionbytheremotepilotincommand.• Apersonmaynotoperateasmallunmannedaircraftifheorsheknowsorhasreasontoknow

ofanyphysicalormentalconditionthatwouldinterferewiththesafeoperationofasmallUAS.• Foreign-registeredsmallunmannedaircraftareallowedtooperateunderpart107iftheysatisfy

therequirementsofpart375.


• Externalloadoperationsareallowediftheobjectbeingcarriedbytheunmannedaircraftissecurelyattachedanddoesnotadverselyaffecttheflightcharacteristicsorcontrollabilityoftheaircraft.

• Transportationofpropertyforcompensationorhireallowedprovidedthato Theaircraft,includingitsattachedsystems,payloadandcargoweighlessthan55

poundstotal;o Theflightisconductedwithinvisuallineofsightandnotfromamovingvehicleor

aircraft;ando TheflightoccurswhollywithintheboundsofaStateanddoesnotinvolvetransport

between(1)HawaiiandanotherplaceinHawaiithroughairspaceoutsideHawaii;(2)theDistrictofColumbiaandanotherplaceintheDistrictofColumbia;or(3)aterritoryorpossessionoftheUnitedStatesandanotherplaceinthesameterritoryorpossession.

• Mostoftherestrictionsdiscussedabovearewaivableiftheapplicantdemonstratesthathisorheroperationcansafelybeconductedunderthetermsofacertificateofwaiver.

RemotePilotinCommandCertificationandResponsibilities• Establishesaremotepilotincommandposition.• ApersonoperatingasmallUASmusteitherholdaremotepilotairmancertificatewithasmall

UASratingorbeunderthedirectsupervisionofapersonwhodoesholdaremotepilotcertificate(remotepilotincommand).

• Toqualifyforaremotepilotcertificate,apersonmust:o Demonstrateaeronauticalknowledgebyeither:

! PassinganinitialaeronauticalknowledgetestatanFAA-approvedknowledgetestingcenter;or

! Holdapart61pilotcertificateotherthanstudentpilot,completeaflightreviewwithintheprevious24months,andcompleteasmallUASonlinetrainingcourseprovidedbytheFAA.

o BevettedbytheTransportationSecurityAdministration.o Beatleast16yearsold.

• Part61pilotcertificateholdersmayobtainatemporaryremotepilotcertificateimmediatelyuponsubmissionoftheirapplicationforapermanentcertificate.OtherapplicantswillobtainatemporaryremotepilotcertificateuponsuccessfulcompletionofTSAsecurityvetting.TheFAAanticipatesthatitwillbeabletoissueatemporaryremotepilotcertificatewithin10businessdaysafterreceivingacompletedremotepilotcertificateapplication.

• Untilinternationalstandardsaredeveloped,foreign-certificatedUASpilotswillberequiredtoobtainanFAA-issuedremotepilotcertificatewithasmallUASrating.

Aremotepilotincommandmust:

• MakeavailabletotheFAA,uponrequest,thesmallUASforinspectionortesting,andanyassociateddocuments/recordsrequiredtobekeptundertherule.

• ReporttotheFAAwithin10daysofanyoperationthatresultsinatleastseriousinjury,lossofconsciousness,orpropertydamageofatleast$500.

• Conductapreflightinspection,toincludespecificaircraftandcontrolstationsystemschecks,toensurethesmallUASisinaconditionforsafeoperation.


• Ensurethatthesmallunmannedaircraftcomplieswiththeexistingregistrationrequirementsspecifiedin§91.203(a)(2).

Aremotepilotincommandmaydeviatefromtherequirementsofthisruleinresponsetoanin-flightemergency.

AircraftRequirementsFAAairworthinesscertificationisnotrequired.However,theremotepilotincommandmustconductapreflightcheckofthesmallUAStoensurethatitisinaconditionforsafeoperation.


IV.PayloadSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogOptionsThereisavarietyofpayloadsandcapabilitiesthatcouldbeappliedtosatisfytherequirementsofthechallenge.Thissectiondescribesseveralpossibleoptionsthatcanbeselectedforincorporationinto

yourdesign.Itissuggestedthateachteamalsoresearchotherpossiblepayloadsthatcanbeusedinthesurveyandsprayingmissions.Itisimportantthatyouconsiderpayloadattributes,includingcost,capacity,weight,powerrequired,andcapabilities(e.g.,sensorresolutionandfield-of-view).Also,you

shouldconsiderhowthepayloadyouselectwillbeintegratedwithyourplatform.Besuretoaddresssize,weight,power,andstabilizationrequirements.Theselectionmustconsiderenvironmentalfactorssuchasoperatingtemperatureranges,humidity,andcoolingmethod.Ananalysisofcostand

integrationofselectedpayloadsmustbeincluded.

TheUASplatformshouldbethoughtofasadeploymenttoolforthepayloadandshouldbeoptimizedforoptimalpayloadperformance(i.e.surveying,spraying,orboth).RWDChascreatedthefollowingpayloadoptionstobeusedasareferenceinthedesignoftheUASsystem.Sincetechnologyis

constantlyadvancing,especiallyforsensors,youareencouragedtoexplorewhatotheroptionsmaybeavailable,andmakeyourownselectionsbasedonyouranalysis(pleaseprovidesupportingrationaleandatleastthesamelevelofdetailasisprovidedhereintheengineeringnotebook).Keepinmindyou

willneedtoobtainaccuratecostsforanynon-catalogoptionpayloadsyouincorporate.

AerialSprayingEquipment Theaerialsprayingequipmentisusedtostore,transport,anddispersetheSOLVITALpesticideacrosstheinfestedareasofthesubjectcrop.Performinvestigativeresearchtoexplorehowthistechnologyhas

beenusedinconventionalmannedplatformsandisnowbeingusedinthelatestgenerationofunmannedequipment.


Table1.PayloadElement–AerialSprayingEquipmentOptions

Component Description CostPerItem

BoomTubing

Providesstructuralsupportandconveyspesticidemixturetonozzles:

• 0.25”diameter(0.1466ozperinch) • 0.5”diameter(0.2133ozperinch) • 0.75”diameter(0.28ozperinch)

$0.15perinch(0.25”)

$0.20perinch(0.5”)

$0.30perinch

(0.75”)

FlatFanNozzle

Usedforbroadcastsprayingofpesticidesandherbicides,producestapered-edge,spraypattern(flatfan);idealrangebetween30-40PSI

• 0.125”diameter(0.25ozweight)–0.75”(L)x0.4375”(W)

• 0.25”diameter(0.75oz)–0.9375”(L)x0.5625”(W)

• 0.375”diameter(1.25oz)–1.1875”(L)x0.75”(W)

$1.00(0.125”)$2.50(0.25”)

$4.00(0.375”)

FloodNozzle

Usedtoapplysuspensionmixtureswherecloggingisapotentialconcern(nozzlesrequirespacingof60”)

• Sameweights/dimensionsasflat-fan

$2.00(0.125”)$3.00(0.25”)

$4.00(0.375”)

RaindropNozzle

Usedtoproducelargedispersantdropsinahollow-conepattern

• Sameweights/dimensionsasflat-fan

$1.00(0.125”)$2.50(0.25”)

$4.00(0.375”)

Hollow-coneNozzle

Usedtoapplypesticidewhenpenetrationoffoliageortotalcoverageoffoliagesurface(leaf)isrequired;spraydriftpotentialishigher

• 0.125”diameter(2ozweight)–1.4063”(L)x0.8125”(W)

• 0.25”diameter(2oz)–1.5313”(L)x0.8125”(W)

$3.00(0.125”)$5.00(0.25”)

Full-coneNozzleUsedtocounteractpotentialissuesofdriftbyproducingalargerdropletthanfloodnozzle(requiresflowcontroller)

• 0.125”diameter(0.25ozweight)–0.625”(L)x

$1.00(0.125”)$2.50(0.25”)


0.5”(W) • 0.25”diameter(0.34oz)–0.75”(L)x0.5625”(W)

Component Description CostPerItem NozzleScreens

Preventsplugging/cloggingofnozzlesbyremovinglargeparticlesfrommixture

• Nominalweightperunit

$0.10(0.125”)$0.25(0.25”)

$0.70(0.375”)

SprayPump Providespressurefortransferofpesticidemixturefromspraytanktoboomtubing/nozzlesatrequisite40PSI

• 0.89lb(14.24oz)

$20

ControlBox

Providescontrolofspraypump(requiresoneservoinputforon/offfunctionality;doesnotvaryspeedorpressure)

• 0.67lb(10.72oz)

$10

SprayTank

Providesstorageofpesticidemixture • Plastic16ozvolume(4ozweight)-2.375”(H)x

5.875”(L)x2.6875” (W)

• Plastic24ozvolume(5ozweight)–2.5”(H)x7.5”(L)x3”(W)

• Aluminum24ozvolume(2.2lbweight)–4.5”(H)x10”(L)x7”(W)

• Plastic32ozvolume(6.4ozweight)–3”(H)x7.75”(L)x3.6875” (W)

• Plastic50ozvolume(7.5ozweight)–3.5”(H)x8.375”(L)x4.375”(W)

$4.50(plastic16oz)$5.00(plastic24oz)

$20(alum24oz)$8.00(plastic32oz)

$12.00(plastic50oz)


Visual(Exteroceptive)Sensors Visualexteroceptivesensorsareusedtocaptureinformation(e.g.,visualdata)regardingtheremoteoperatingenvironmenttoprovidetheoperatorwithsituationalawarenessrelativetotheorientation

andlocationoftheaerialvehicleelement.CommonpayloadsensorsincludeCCD/CMOScameras,thermal,LiDAR,SAR,andmultispectralcamera.Itissuggestedthateachteamalsoresearchotherpossiblesensorsthatmightfitbetterwiththeirmissiongoals.Itisimportantthatyouconsiderpayload

attributes,includingcost,capacity,weight,powerrequired,andcapabilities(e.g.,sensorresolutionandfield-of-view).Makesuretoconsiderthedatatreatmentandpost-processingrequirementsaspartofthesensorselectioncriteria(e.g.sensordataonboardprocessingvs.downlinkrequirements,post-flight

dataanalysisrequirements,andassociated/requiredcost/manpower/time/equipment).Also,youshouldconsiderhowthesensoryouselectwillbeintegratedwithyourplatform.Besuretoaddresssize,weight,power,andstabilizationrequirements.Theselectionmustconsiderenvironmentalfactors

suchasoperatingtemperatureranges,humidity,andcoolingmethod.Ananalysisofcostandintegrationofselectedpayloadsmustbeincluded.

RWDChascreatedthefollowingsensoroptionstobeusedasareferenceinthedesignoftheUASsystem.However,youareencouragedtoexplorewhatotheroptionsmaybeavailable,andmakeyour

ownselectionsbasedonyouranalysis(pleaseprovidesupportingrationaleandatleastthesamelevelofdetailasisprovidedhereintheengineeringnotebook).Keepinmindyouwillneedtoobtainaccurate

costsforanynon-catalogoptionpayloadsyouincorporate.


Table2.PayloadElement–VisualSensorOptions


X250Camera

ThisisatypicalCCD/CMOScamera:• Stabilization:Poor• Imager: DaylightElectro-OpticalCamera• RollLimitsaboutx-axis: NA• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:NA• Roll/PitchSlewRate:Fixed• VideoFormat:NTSC• VideoFrameRate:30framesper1.001second• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:NoZoom• CameraProfile:

o Resolution(Horizontal):656pixelso Resolution(Vertical):492pixelso WideAngleFieldofView(Horizontal):62°o WideAngleFieldofView(Vertical):30°o TelescopicFieldofView:n/a

• Weight:0.18oz(8g)• DimensionswhenMounted:

o xLength:0.94inches(24mm)o yWidth:0.71inches(18mm)o zHeight:0.39inches(10mm)

• VoltageIn:3.6-24V• PowerDraw:1W(nominal),1.5W(maximum)

$30

X500Camera

ThisisanimprovedCCD/CMOScamera:• Stabilization:Poor• Imager:DaylightElectro-OpticalCamera• RollLimitsaboutx-axis: NA• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:NA• Roll/PitchSlewRate:Fixed• VideoFormat: NTSC• VideoFrameRate:30framesper1.001second• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:NoZoom• CameraProfile:

o Resolution(Horizontal): 656pixels o Resolution(Vertical):492pixelso WideAngleFieldofView(Horizontal):90°o WideAngleFieldofView(Vertical):80°o TelescopicFieldofView:n/a

• Weight:0.18oz(5g)• DimensionswhenMounted:

o xLength:0.89inches(22.5mm) o yWidth:0.45inches(11.5mm)o zHeight:0.31inches(8mm)

• VoltageIn:3.6to24V• PowerDraw:1W(nominal),1.5W(maximum)

$50



X1000

• Stabilization:Good• Imager:DaylightElectro-OpticalCamera• RollLimitsaboutx-axis:30°panleft,30°panright• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:30°tiltup,30°tiltdown• Roll/PitchSlewRate:50°persecond• VideoFormat: NTSC• VideoFrameRate:30framesper1.001second• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:NoZoom• CameraProfile:

o Resolution(Horizontal):640pixels o Resolution(Vertical):480pixelso WideAngleFieldofView(Horizontal):40°o WideAngleFieldofView(Vertical):20°o TelescopicFieldofView:n/a

• Weight:0.50lb(0.227kg)• CenterofGravity(measuredfromfront,rightcorneratredX)

o x:1.75inches(44.5mm)o y:1.75inches(44.5mm)o z:1.00inches(25.4mm)

• DimensionswhenMounted: o xLength:2.5inches(63.5mm) o yWidth:2.5inches(63.5mm)o zHeight:2.0inches(50.8mm)

• VoltageIn:5to12V• PowerDraw:1.5W(nominal),2.0W(maximum)

$5,000



X2000

• Stabilization:Excellent• Imager:DaylightElectro-OpticalCamera• RollLimitsaboutx-axis:80°panleft,80°panright• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:80°tiltup,80°tiltdown• Roll/PitchSlewRate:200°persecond• VideoFormat: NTSC• VideoFrameRate:30framesper1.001second• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:1xWideAngleto10xTelescopic• CameraProfile:

o Resolution(Horizontal):640pixels o Resolution(Vertical):480pixelso WideAngleFieldofView(Horizontal):55°o WideAngleFieldofView(Vertical):5.5°o TelescopicFieldofView(Horizontal):41.25°o TelescopicFieldofView(Vertical):4.125°



• DimensionswhenMounted: o xLength:4.0inches(102mm) o yWidth:4.0inches(102mm)o zHeight:1.0inches(25.4mm)

• VoltageIn:9to24V• PowerDraw:10W(nominal),14W(maximum)

$15,000



X3000

• Stabilization:Excellent• Imager:ThermalInfraredandVisualSpectrumCamera• RollLimitsaboutx-axis:85°panleft,85°panright• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:85°tiltup,85°tiltdown• Roll/PitchSlewRate:50°persecond• VideoFormat:JPEGImagesandMPEG-4Video• VideoFrameRate:25framespersecond• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:4xContinuousZoomIR,8xContinuousZoom

Visual• CameraProfile:

o Resolution(Horizontal):640pixels o Resolution(Vertical):480pixelso WideAngleFieldofView(Horizontal):25°o WideAngleFieldofView(Vertical):19°o TelescopicFieldofView(Horizontal):n/ao TelescopicFieldofView(Vertical):n/a





$17,000



X4000

• Stabilization:Excellent• Imager:ThermalInfrared• RollLimitsaboutx-axis:80°panleft,80°panright• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:80°tiltup,80°tiltdown• Roll/PitchSlewRate:65°persecond• VideoFormat:JPEGImagesandMPEG-4Video• VideoFrameRate:25framespersecond• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:8xContinuousZoomIR• CameraProfile:






$20,000



X5000

• Stabilization:Excellent• Imager:MultispectralImager(3-FixedFilters:Green,Red,NIR)• RollLimitsaboutx-axis:30°panleft,30°panright• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:30°tiltup,30°tiltdown• Roll/PitchSlewRate:50°persecond• VideoFormat:NTSCorPAL• VideoFrameRate:1framepersecond• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:NoZoom• CameraProfile:

o Resolution(Horizontal):2048pixelso Resolution(Vertical):1536pixelso WideAngleFieldofView(Horizontal):40°o WideAngleFieldofView(Vertical):20°o TelescopicFieldofView(Horizontal):n/ao TelescopicFieldofView(Vertical):n/a



• DimensionswhenMounted: o xLength:2.5inches(63.5mm) o yWidth:2.5inches(63.5mm)o zHeight:2.0inches(50.8mm)


$5,500



X6000

• Stabilization:Excellent• Imager:MultispectralImager(3-FixedFilters:Green,Red,NIR)• RollLimitsaboutx-axis:70°panleft,70°panright• PitchLimitsabouty-axis:70°tiltup,70°tiltdown• Roll/PitchSlewRate:150°persecond• VideoFormat:NTSCorPAL• VideoFrameRate:2framepersecond• VideoScan:Interlaced• ContinuousZoom:NoZoom• CameraProfile:



o x:6.00inches(152mm)o y:6.00inches(152mm)o z:0.00inches(0.0mm)

• DimensionswhenMounted: o xLength:12.5inches(318mm) o yWidth:12.5inches(318mm)o zHeight:4.75inches(121mm)

• VoltageIn:9to12V• PowerDraw:5.6W(nominal),8W(maximum)

$15,000


Itisimportanttoconsidersensorcapabilitieswhenselectingyourplatformandproposedmissionplans.Forexample,increasesinaltitudewillincreasetheareacollectedbythesensorinagivenperiodbutit

willalsoreducetheresolutionorthedetailcollected(seeFigure9).

Figure9.AsthealtitudeoftheUASchanges,thesensorfootprintwillvary.

Youshouldalsoconsiderthespeedatwhichthesensorcollectsimages,thevelocityandaltitudeofthe

platform,andthelayoutofthecollectionflightstoensuretherearenodataholidaysorgapsincollecteddataoverthesurfaceoftheareaofinterest(seefollowingfigures).

(a)

(b)

(c)

UAVSpeed

Footprint

UAVSpeed

Footprint

UAVSpeed

Footprint


Figure10.Theoverlappingsensorfootprintsmustsufficientlyoverlapforsensingwithoutgapsordataholidays.

Figure11.Theoverlappingsensorfootprintsmustsufficientlyoverlapfordetectionduringacoordinatedturnattheinsideoftheturnandtheoutsideoftheturntoensurecompletecoverage

andnodataholidays.

UAVForwardSpeed

PreviousCameraFootprintsOverlapping…

CameraFootprintHeight


Figure12depictstheflightpathofaUASoverahypotheticalfield.Notethattheflightpathsfollowastraightlineuntilpassingtheedgeofthecollectionarea.Thesepathsshouldbespacestoensurethat

boththeend-lap(theoverlapofcollectedimagesalongasingleflightline)andtheside-lap(theoverlapofcollectedimagesinneighboringparallelflightlines)aresufficienttoensurecompleteareacoveragewithnogaps.AlsonotethatthedistancethattheUASmustactuallytravelislongerthansimplyflying

overthecollectionarea.Again,rememberthedesignofyoursystemistheactofbalancingthecompetingrequirementsofthesensorandplatformtomeetthemissionneeds.

Figure12.Exampleofanassembledcoverageareafrompre-calculatedflightmaneuversandtheirindividualcoverageareas.

ProcessingofDataOncedatahavebeencollectedbyasensor,theymustbeprocessedtoprovideusefulinformationfromwhichtomakedecisions.Youshouldconsiderthefollowingfactorsrelatedtothestorage,transmission,andanalysisofthecollecteddataaspartofthedesignchallenge:1. Willyourdatabestoredonboardtheplatform?Ifso,youmustconsiderthestoragemedium,

requiredstoragecapacity,andhowthedatawillberetrievedonceontheground(i.e.,USB,Ethernet,Firewire,WiFi,ormemorycardreader).

2. Willyoursystembecapableoftransmittingthecollectedimagerytoareceiveronthegroundduringtheflight?Ifso,whatequipmentwillberequiredtosupportlivetransmission?Whatfrequencieswillyouuse?Arethereanylimitstothevolumeorqualityofdatathatcanbetransmitted?Youshouldalsoconsidertheaddedpower,space,weight,andcostofincludingalivedatatransmissioncapability.

3. Youmustincludetheabilityforyourremotesensingsystemtocollectandcorrelateprecisepositionalinformationrelatedtothecollectedimageryorvideotosupportdataprocessing.

StraightandLevelManeuver250feetwidex2,000feetlong

flightdistance2,000feet

TurnManeuverA250footinnerradius,

500footouterradiusflightradius375feet

flightdistance1179feet

TurnManeuverB500footinnerradius,

750footouterradiusflightradius625feet

flightdistance1964feet

AssembledCoverageArea

FieldofInterest


4. Youmustidentifytherequiredsoftwaretoprocessthecollecteddataandaddresstheacquisitionandcontinuingownershipcostsforthesoftwareandpersonneltrainingandexperienceneededtooperateit.Also,besuretoincludethenecessarycomputersandanyotherrequiredequipmentinyouranalysis.

Youmustconsiderthetotalownershipandoperationalcostforyourproposedsystemsolution.Rememberthatthereareoperationalcostsbeyondtheinitialacquisitionoftheplatform,sensor,ancillarysupportequipment,etc.Youshouldalsoaddresstheongoingcostsassociatedwithcollecting,

analyzing,storing,anddevelopingactionablestepsbasedonyourdataanalysis.ThereasonforconductingtheUASflightsistocollectdatathatcanbeprocessedtoprovideinformationtodetectpests.Therefore,youshouldconsiderthetechnical,operational,andbusinessaspectsforallofyour

decisionsthroughouttheentireprocessofconductingamissionandprovidingactionableproducts.


V.AirVehicleElementSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogOptionsYourselectionofAirVehicleElement(s)andassociatedsubsystemcomponentswillbeprimarilydirectedbythetypeofapplicationortasktobeperformedandthepayloadtobecarried.Asstatedinthechallenge,theairvehiclemustbeabletocompletethesurveymission,thesprayingmission,orboth.It

issuggestedthatbeforestartingthedesignprocessyoufullyexaminetherequirementsoftheapplication/taskanddetermineanoverviewtheoryofoperation(i.e.,howyouexpectanoveralldesigntoworkinrelationtoapplicationplanning,briefing,launch,execution,recovery,anddebrief).Consider

thefollowing:

1) Whatoperationalspeed,duration,andrangewouldbestsupportthischallengescenario?2) Whattypeofflightoperationwouldbestsuiteyourapproach?

• Forwardflight

o Fixed-wing(fasttoslowspeeds,bestpowereconomy/performancewithapayload)o Hybrid(fasttoslowspeeds,improvedpowereconomywithapayload)o Rotary-wing(mediumtoslowspeeds,reducedpowereconomywithapayload)

o Multirotor(slowspeeds,leastpowereconomywithapayload)• Translational(i.e.,transitionfromhovertoforward,lateral,orreverse)andhoveringflight

o Rotary-wing(mediumtoslowspeeds,mostverticalliftingpotential)

o Hybrid(fasttoslowspeeds,mediumliftingpotential)o Multirotor(slowspeeds,leastverticalliftingpotential)

3) Whatperformancewouldyoubewillingtotradeforadditionalcapability?

a. None-onlyforwardflightandpayloadcapabilityisimportant(fixed-wing)b. Someduration/payloadliftcapability–highspeedforwardflight,abilitytotakeoffin

smallspace,andabilitytohoverisimportant(hybridorrotary-wing)

c. Fastforwardflightandduration–abilitytotakeoffinsmallspace,stoppingtohoveroften,andlowcostisimportant(multirotor)

Youareprovidedwiththefollowingbaselineairvehicleelementoptionsforthischallenge:• Fixed-wingPusherPropeller

• Fixed-wingTractorPropeller• Rotary-wing/helicopter• Multirotor

• Hybrid(fixed-wing/quadrotor)

ThiscatalogofAirVehicleElementoptionswascreatedasastartingpointforthedesignofyourUAS.Youarefreetomodifyorchangeeachoftheseoptionsasyoudeemnecessary,oryoucanstartfromscratch(providesupportingrationaleandatleastthesamelevelofdetailasisprovidedhereinthe

engineeringnotebook).Keepinmind,youwillneedtocalculatecoststomodifytheairframesaspurchasedorbuildfromscratch(e.g.,materials,labor,andcomponents).Youwillalsoneedto


determineallofthemetricsidentifiedforeachexampleairframeintheirrespectivedetaileddescriptionsbelow.

ThefollowingsubsectionscontainthedetailsforthebaselineAirVehicleElementconfigurations.Please

notethatadditionaloptionsfortheAirVehicleElementareavailableintheAlternativeAirVehicleElementOptionssection.

NOTE:Itisessentialthatyoucompareallofthefeatures,capabilities,andlimitationsofeachoptionandnotselect

basedsolelyonprice.Yoursuccessinthisprojectwillbedependentonprovidingrationaljustifyingyourselectionsincludingthefollowing:

• Abilitytoliftselectedpayload(s)• Capabilitytocapturesensordatafromtheentiresubjectarea(i.e.,sufficientrangetocovercropusing

youridentifiedmethod)

• Sufficientflightdurationcapabilitytocoverapplicablesubjectarea• Establishment/maintenanceofsafeoperation(e.g.,continualvisualtracking,minimizingpotentialfor

aircraftlossoraccident,andcontinuityofcommunications)• Ensuringsufficientpersonneltosupportproposedoperations

• Costtointegratedesign(i.e.,engineeringdevelopmenteffort)andoperatethesystemasproposed


OptionA:Fixed-WingPusherPropellerDesign

Figure13.Fixed-wingpusherpropellerdesign.

Airframe:• Compositeairframe• V-tail(mixedrudder/elevator)• High-mountedwingwithailerons• Tricyclelandinggear

FlightControls• Push-pullconnectors• Servos:

o (2)aileronso (2)mixed-elevator/rudder(v-tail)o (1)steerablenosegear

• Electronicspeedcontrol(ESC,lessthan100A)• UniversalBatteryeliminationcircuitry(BEC)

Powerplant(propulsion)• ElectricBrushlessMotor(7.7;1geareddrive)

o Weight:22.4ozo Dimensions:2.5”(diameter)x2.4”(caselength),8mmdiametershaft(.98”length)o RPM/V(kVRating):250o InputVoltage:44.4Vo Motorstaticefficiency:62.8%o Suppliedpower:2.68hp(1998W)


o Staticthrust:15.24lb(with19x11propellerstaticRPMof5650)o Maxconstantcurrent:45Ao Maxsurgecurrent:72Ao MaxconstantWatts:2500W

• Propeller(pusher,19x11,efficiency80%)• Battery(640Wh44.4V,LithiumPolymer[Li-Po])

OnboardSensors• None

Metrics• Cost:$15,000.00• EmptyWeight:32.85lb(14.9kg)• Wingspan:129”(3.3m)• Length:89.37”(2.27m)• Maximumpayload:14.55lb(6.6kg)• Endurance:110minuteswith6.17lb(2.8kg)payload• Cruisespeed:42.76kt(49.21mph)

RequiredEquipment/Components• Autopilotand/orservocontrol(i.e.,primaryandsecondarycontrol;e.g.,servoreceivers[RX]sor

serialservocontrollers)• Sensor(payload)• Onboardsensors• Antennas(primaryandsecondarycontrol,telemetry,andvideo)• Groundcontrolandcommunications(primaryandsecondary)


OptionB:Fixed-WingTractorPropellerDesign

Figure14.Fixed-wingtractorpropellerdesign.

Airframe:• Reinforcedcarbonfiberairframe• Fiberglasspayloadbaymodule• Conventionaltail(elevatorandrudder)• High-mountedwingwithailerons

FlightControls• Servos:

o (2)aileronso (1)ruddero (1)elevator

• Push-pullconnectors• ESC• Independent1300mAhLi-Pobattery(forservopower)

Powerplant(propulsion)• Electricmotor(brushless)

o Weight:2.6ozo Dimensions:1.1”(diameter)x1.47”(caselength),4mmdiametershafto RPM/V(kVRating):880o InputVoltage:7.4Vo Motorstaticefficiency:65.4%o Suppliedpower:0.19hpo Staticthrust:.99lb(with10x6propellerstaticRPMof5150)o Maxconstantcurrent:20Ao Maxsurgecurrent:25Ao MaxconstantWatts:189W

• (2)5000mAhLi-Pobatteries(formotor)


• Propeller(foldingtractor,10x6,efficiency78%)OnboardSensors

• NoneMetrics

• Cost:$5,000.00• EmptyWeight:2.78lb(1.26kg)• Wingspan:78.74”(2.0m)• Length:47.24”(1.2m)• Maximumpayload:0.88lb/14.12oz(0.4kg)• Endurance:55minuteswith0.88lb/14.12oz(0.4kg)payload• Cruisespeed:32.39kt(37.28mph)




OptionC:Rotary-wingDesign

Figure15.Rotary-wingdesign.

Airframe:• Plasticandaluminum

FlightControls• 120degreecollective/cyclicpitchmixingsystem(CCPM)• Singlemainrotor(810mmsymmetricalv-bladerotors)• Tailrotor(130mm)• Servos:

o (1)enginethrottleo (1)rotorpitcho (1)rotorrollo (1)rotorcollectiveo (1)yaw(tailrotor)o (1)Gyroscopemodeselection

Powerplant(propulsion)• 52CCtwo-stroke,two-cylinder,internalcombustionengine(8hp;ZenoahG-26engine)

o Weight:50oz(w/omuffler),57oz(withmuffler)o Dimensions:6.6”(L)x8”(W)x7.7”(H)o FuelConsumption:14.22fl-oz/hp/hro Suppliedpower:8hp(5965W)o Staticthrust:40lbo Singlecarburetormanifold

• Enginecoolingfan• Rotor(810mm,efficiency:90%)• Fuel:gasolinemixedwithtwo-cycleengineoil• Fueltank:32ozcapacity


• Battery(servopower):3000mAh6.0VOnboardSensors

• GyroscopeMetrics

• Cost:$8,000• EmptyWeight:20lb(9.07kg)• Mainrotordiameter:63.78”(1.62m)• Tailrotordiameter:10.63”(0.27m)• Length(includingrotors):78.74”(2m)• Width:20.87”(0.53m)• Height:25.98”(0.66m)• Maximumpayload:25lb(11.34kg)• Endurance:30minuteswithoutpayload(32ozfuel)• Cruisespeed:21.6kt(24.85mph)




OptionD:MultirotorDesign

Figure16.Multirotordesign.

Airframe:• Plasticandaluminum• Includesstructuretoattach/holdpayload(i.e.,camera)

FlightControls• Multirotorflightcontrollerwithautopilotfunctionality(e.g.,Wookong-M)

o GPSpositioning,attitudehold,andheadingholdo Modesofoperation:Manual,attitude,andGPSattitudeo Failsafehovero Gohomeandautolanding

• ESC(6units,40A)Powerplant(propulsion)

• ElectricBrushlessMotor(6engines,41x14mm,320rpm/V,360Wmaximumpower)o Weight(each):5.22ozo Dimensions:1.8”(diameter)x1.26”(caselength),4mmdiametershafto RPM/V(kVRating):320o InputVoltage:22.2Vo Motorstaticefficiency:77.3%o Suppliedpower:0.6hpo Staticthrust:3.35lb(with15x4propellerstaticRPMof6235)o Maxconstantcurrent:30Ao Maxsurgecurrent:35Ao MaxconstantWatts:360W

• 6S10,000mAh,15C,22.2VLiPobattery• (6)Propellers(carbonfiber,15x4,efficiency85%)

o (3)clockwiserotation


o (3)counter-clockwiserotationOnboardSensors

• GPS• Inertialmeasurementunit(IMU)builtintoflightcontroller

o (3)gyroscopeso (3)accelerometerso (3)magnetometer

Metrics• Cost:$6,000• EmptyWeight:15.43lb(7kg)• Diagonalspan:31.50”(0.80m)• Framearmlength:13.78”(0.35m)• Length(includingrotors):47.46”(1.18m)• Length(includingrotors):39.37”(1.00m)• Height:19.69”(0.50m)• Payload(supportsupto):5.51lb(2.50kg)• Endurance:16minutes• Maximumascent/descentspeed:3m/s• Maximumflightspeed:10m/sor19.44kt(22.37mph)

RequiredEquipment/Components• Secondaryservocontrol(e.g.,servoreceiver[RX]orserialservocontroller)• Sensor(payload)• Additionalonboardsensors• Antennas(primaryandsecondarycontrol,telemetry,andvideo)• Groundcontrolandcommunications(primaryandsecondary)


OptionE:Hybrid(Fixed-wing/Quadrotor)Design

Figure17.Hybrid(fixed-wing/quadrotor)design.

Airframe:• Compositematerials

FlightControls• Quadrotor

o Multirotorflightcontrollerwithautopilotfunctionality(e.g.,Wookong-M)! GPSpositioning,attitudehold,andheadinghold! Modesofoperation:Manual,attitude,andGPSattitude! Failsafehover! Gohomeandautolanding

o ESC(4units,40A)• Fixed-wing

o Servos:! (2)ailerons! (1)rudder! (1)elevator

o Push-pullconnectorso (1)ESC

Powerplant(propulsion)• Fixed-wing:

o ElectricBrushlessMotor(7.7;1geareddrive,2700W,2.7kV)! Weight:22.4oz! Dimensions:2.5”(diameter)x2.4”(caselength),8mmdiametershaft(0.98”

length)! RPM/V(kVRating):250! InputVoltage:44.4V! Motorstaticefficiency:62.8%


! Suppliedpower:2.68hp(1998W)! Staticthrust:15.24lb(with19x11propellerstaticRPMof5650)! Maxconstantcurrent:45A! Maxsurgecurrent:72A! MaxconstantWatts:2500W

o Propeller(pusher,19x11,efficiency80%)o Battery(640Wh44.4V,LithiumPolymer[Li-Po])

• Secondary(quadrotor):o ElectricBrushlessMotor(4engines,41x14mm,320rpm/v,360Wmaximumpower)

! Weight(each):5.22oz! Dimensions:1.8”(diameter)x1.26”(caselength),4mmdiametershaft! RPM/V(kVRating):320! InputVoltage:22.2V! Motorstaticefficiency:77.3%! Suppliedpower:0.6hp! Staticthrust:3.35lb(with15x4propellerstaticRPMof6235)! Maxconstantcurrent:30A! Maxsurgecurrent:35A! MaxconstantWatts:360W

o 6S10,000mAh,15C,22.2VLiPobatteryo (4)Propellers(carbonfiber,15x4,efficiency85%)

! (2)clockwiserotation! (2)counter-clockwiserotation

OnboardSensors• GPS• IMUbuiltintoflightcontroller

o (3)gyroscopeso (3)accelerometerso (3)magnetometer

Metrics• Cost:$25,000• EmptyWeight:25lb(11.34kg)• Wingspan:127.95”(3.25m)• Length:88.58”(2.25m)• Maximumpayload:5lb(2.27kg)• Endurance(forwardflight):60minuteswith5lb(2.27kg)payload• Endurance(hover):5minuteswith5lb(2.27kg)payload• Cruisespeed:35kt(40.28mph)

RequiredEquipment/Components• Fixed-wingflightcontrols:Autopilotand/orservocontrol(i.e.,primaryandsecondarycontrol;

e.g.,servoreceivers[RX]sorserialservocontrollers)• Quadrotorflightcontrols:Secondaryservocontrol(e.g.,servoreceiver[RX]orserialservo

controller)• Sensor(payload)• Onboardsensors• Antennas(primaryandsecondarycontrol,telemetry,andvideo)• Groundcontrol(primaryandsecondary)


AlternativeAirVehicleElementOptionsInadditiontoselectingandadaptingthebaselinecatalogoptions,youareencouragedtoexploreotherCOTSunmannedaircraft(UAVs)toconsiderassuitableplatformstomeetthischallenge.Thefollowing

subsectionsareprovidedtoserveasastartingpointofexamplesasyoubegintoresearchsuchaircraftplatforms.

Group1UASThiscategoryconsistsofsmallUAS(sUAS)thatweighlessthan20lb,operateunder1200ftAGL,anddonotexceedanairspeedof100kt:

Fixed-wingexamples• Trimble

o UX5o GatewingX100

• AeroVironmento Wasp

• MarcusUAVInco Zephyr2

• UAVER o Avian

• FliteEvolutiono FE1800SAerobot

• senseFlyo SwingletCam

• Aeromaoo Aeromapper

• CropCamo CropCamUAV

• LockheedMartino DesertHawkIII

• TriggerCompositeso Pteryx

• L3o Cutlass

• Innocono MicroFalconLPo Spider

• C-ASTRALAerospaceo BramorgEOo BramorC4EYE

• SurveyCoptero Tracker120

• Airelectronicso Skywalker

• Mavincio SIRIUS

• IDETECUnmannedSystemso Stardust

• ARAo Nighthawk

• EMTo Aladin

• LehmannAviationo LM450o LM960o GoProPersonalUAV(LA100)

• Raphaelo SkyliteB(Patrol)

• TriggerCompositeso EasyMap

• IAIo BirdEye400o Mosquito

Group2UASThiscategoryconsistsofsUASthatweighbetween21to55lb,operateunder3500ftAGL,anddonotexceedanairspeedof250kt:

Fixed-wingexamples• SilentFalconUASTechnologies

o SilentFalcon• AAICorporation

o AerosondeMark4.7(J-typeEngine)


o AerosondeMark4.7(K-typeEngine)

• Boeing/Insituo ScanEagle

• Aeronauticso Orbiter3STUASo Orbiter2MiniUAS

• Innocono MicroFalconLE

• SurveyCoptero DVF2000

• IAIo BirdEye650o MiniPanther

• UAVFactory

o PenguinBEo PenguinBo PenguinC

• ELILtd o SwanIII

• UMSGroupo F-330

• UAVSI/UniversalTargetSystemsLtdo Vigilant

• ROVAerospace o ROV-4(Electric)o ROV-4(InternalCombustion)

• AdvancedCeramicsResearcho SilverFox


AdditionalAirVehicleElement-ComponentOptionsThefollowingrepresentadditionalcomponentoptionstoimproveormodifytheAirVehicleElement.Youarefreetoselectanyoftheseoptionsorlocatesimilaronesthatyoudeemnecessary(please

providesupportingrationaleandatleastthesamelevelofdetailasisprovidedhereintheengineeringnotebook).

FlightControlsTheoptionsidentifiedinthefollowingtablecanbeusedtoimprovetheredundancyorperformanceoftheflightcontrolsystem.

Table3.AirVehicleElement–AdditionalFlightControlOptions


Universalbattery-

eliminationcircuitry(U-BEC)

Thisoptionrepresentsanalternativepowerregulationmodule

forprotectionofthecontrolsystem.Itprovidespowertotheservocontrols,withoutrequiringanadditionpowersource(i.e.,usesmainbatteryforpower).Whentheavailablepowerforthe

systemhasdiminishedtonolongersustainpowered/motoredflight,thesystemwillshiftpowersolelytotheflightcontrols(i.e.,servos)toenabletotheoperatortoperformacontrolleddescent

(e.g.,glideorautorotation).UseofaU-BECinsteadofabuilt-inBEC(partofESC)preventsgroundingorovertemperaturemalfunctionconditionsthatcouldleadtolossofallpowerinthe

system.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Configurable5Vor6Vpower• Powerrequiredat5.5Vto23V• 1.63”(L)x.65”(W)x.28”(H)

• 0.26oz

$20



SerialServoController

Thisoptionprovidesaserialinterfacethatcanbeusedtocontroluptoeight(8)hobbyservosorESCs.Thismoduleprovidesaflight

controlalternativetotheservoRXofahobbyradio.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• NOTE:IfthisoptionistobeusedtocontrolservositREQUIREStheuseofadataradiowithareceiveror

transceiveronboardtheaircraftandaPCtocontroltheserialservocontrollerfromtheground(seeoptionsintheCommand,Control,andCommunications(C3)Selection

GuidelinesandCatalogsection)• Requiresphysicalconnection(RS232)todatareceiver/

transceiver(supportsbaudratesbetween1200to38400)

• 5to16Vpowerrequired• 0.35oz• 1.22”(L)x1.95”(W)x.4”(H)

• Mustusesoftwareapplicationtocontrolservos• Mustmapoutthefollowing:

o Servoconnections(i.e.,outputoncontrollerto

actualservo;e.g.,output1toengineESC)o UsercontrolinputsfromPC(e.g.,joystickaxis,

joystickbutton,orcontrolonapplicationtoservo

movement)

$25



Autopilot

DeviceonboardtheUAV,autonomouslycontrolsservos/actuators,canbeswitchedON/OFFordynamically

reprogrammedwithuploadedparametersfromGCS.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Includes6-DOFIMU(3-axisgyroscopesandaccelerometers),digitalcompass,andbarometer

• Connectsin-linebetweenanexistingservocontrol(e.g.,serialservocontroller,microcontroller,orservoRX)andservos/ESCs

• Requires5to6Vpower• 0.81oz• 2.63”(L)x1.6”(W)x.26”(H)

• Requiresuseofcustomizable/re-configurablesoftware(e.g.,APMAutopilotSuite:http://ardupilot.com/?utm_source=Store&utm_medium

=navigation&utm_campaign=Click+from+Store)

$250

Multiplexer

Thisoptionprovidesaninterfacethatcanbeusedtoswitchcontrolofuptoseven(7)servosorESCfromtwoindependentcontrolsources(e.g.,servoRXorservocontroller).Thedetailsof

thisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Mastercontroller(inputA)determinescontrolorder(i.e.,whichinputhascontrol),unlesssignallossisdetected

(theninputBcontrolsservosuntilinputAconnectionrestored).

o Themastercontrollermusthaveaneighth(8)

channelavailabletoserveasaswitcho Replacesbuddy-boxconfigurationsofhobby

radios

• 4.8to6Vpowerrequired• 1.69”(L)x.7”(W)x.25”(H)• 0.53oz

$25

OnboardSensorOptionsThefollowingoptionscanbeusedtoobtaindatapertainingtoeithertheoperatingenvironment(e.g.,exteroceptive)orthestateoftheAirVehicleElement(e.g.,proprioceptive).Thefollowingtableissubdividedintoanalogsensors,digitalsensors,complexsensors,andsensorcapture,interpretation,and

loggingoptions.Table4.AirVehicleElement–AdditionalOnboardSensorOptions



NOTE:Useofthesesensorsrequiresadevice(eitherOPTIONAorOPTIONBundertheSensorCapture,Interpretation,andLoggingOptionssectionofthistable)tointerpret,log,storethecaptured/measured

data.

AnalogSensors

NOTE:Theuseoftheanalogsensorsrequiresanopenanaloginputconnectiononaprocessingdevicesuchasamicrocontrollerordatalogger.Digitalsensorsgenerateavariablesignal(i.e.,0to5V)thatisreportedtotheconnectedprocessingdevice.SeeTheBasics-SensorOutputValuesforfurtherdetail

regardinganalogsensors(http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jul97/basics.html)

Altimetersensor

• Measuresupto20,000’abovesealevel(ASL)with1’(0.3m)resolution

• 0.15oz

• 1.1”(L)x.62”(W)x.4”(H)• Requires4to16Vpower

$40

3-axisaccelerometer

• Measuresaccelerationsupto7G(intheX,Y,andZaxes

oftheairframe)• 0.15oz

• 1.1”(L)x.62”(W)x.4”(H)• Requires4to16Vpower

$30

Airspeedsensor

• Measuresfrom2to350mph(usingpitottube)with

1mphresolution• 0.15oz• 1.1”(L)x.62”(W)x.4”(H)

$45

Servocurrent

monitor

• Measuresfrom0to5Awith0.01Aresolution

• Weightandsizearenegligible(>0.01oz)

$25



Temperaturesensor

• Measurestemperatureupto420degreesF• Weightandsizearenegligible(>0.01oz)

$10

RPMsensor(halleffect)

• MeasuresRPMupto50K(usingattachedmagnet)• Weightandsizearenegligible(>0.01oz)

$10

RPMsensor(optical)

• MeasuresRPMupto50K(withoutuseofmagnet)• Weightandsizearenegligible(>0.01oz)

$15

Single-axisgyroscope

• Measuresangularratewitha+/-500degreespersecondrange

• Requires4to6Vpower• 0.28oz• 1.02”(L)x1.06”(H)x0.45”(H)

• NOTE:thissensorisnotcompatiblewithoptionA-OnscreenDisplay(OSD)andDataloggerwithLimitedTelemetryReporting

$35



DigitalSensors

NOTE:Theuseofthedigitalsensorsrequiresanopendigitalinputconnectiononaprocessingdevicesuchasamicrocontrollerordatalogger.Digitalsensors,alsoreferredtoasdigitalpulse-width

modulation(PWM)devices,generateadiscretesignal(i.e.,onorofforsteppedpositionssuchas9-bitvaluewithrangeof0to359)thatisreportedtotheconnectedprocessingdevice.SeeTheBasics-SensorOutputValues(http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jul97/basics.html)andPWM

(http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/PWM)forfurtherdetailregardingdigitalsensors.

DigitalThermometerSensor

• Measurestemperaturefrom-55to+125degreesCwithresolutionof+/-0.5degreeC

• Requires2.7to5.5VDC(1mAmaxcurrent)

• Connectstodigitalinputportonprocessingdevice• Weightandsizearenegligible(>0.01oz)

$6

DigitalCompassSensor

• Measuresmagneticheading(single-axis)with0.1degreeresolution(3to4degreesaccuracy)

• 5Vpowerrequired• Connectstodigitalinputportonprocessingdevice• 1.33”(L)x1.25”(W)x0.1”(H)

• 0.03oz

$45

Snap-actionSwitch

• Single-pole,double-throw(SPDT)momentaryswitch• Canbeusedtoidentifyifanybaydoors/accesspanels

areopenorifretractablegearareintheup/down

position• Connectstodigitalinputportonprocessingdevice• 0.39”(L)x0.25”(W)x0.40”(H)

• 0.1oz• 5A@125/250VAC

$1



InfraredDistanceSensor

• Measuresdistancesfrom2to10cm(configurablebetweenthisrange)

• Usefultodetermineifrotary-wingaircraftareontheground(i.e.,contactmadewithgroundduringlanding/takeoff)

• Requires5V(lessthan10mA)• Connectstodigitalinputportonprocessingdevice• Singlebitoutput(discretetrueorfalse)

• 1.02”(L)x0.79”(W)x0.15”(H)• 0.15oz

$10


ComplexSensors

NOTE:Thefollowingareexamplesofsensorsthatrequirecomplexinterfacesuchastransistor-transistorlogic[TTL]serialormultipleformsofinterfacing(e.g.,analog,digital,orcombination).Useofthese

optionsrequirestheuseofeitheramicrocontrollertointerpretthedata(viaTTLinterface)oradedicateddataradiotosenddatatothegroundcontrolstationforinterpretation(alsoviaTTLinterface).Ifaradioisselectedastheinterfacemethod,oneradiopersensorwouldberequired(beawareof

frequencymappingconsiderations).

9-Degreeoffreedom(DOF)Inertialmeasurementunit

(IMU)

Adeviceusedtomeasurethevelocity,orientation,andgravitationalforces.Thisoptionisaprimarycomponentofaninertialnavigationsystemthatistypicallyusedtoprovidedata

toanautopilotorgroundcontrolstation.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• 3-axisgyroscope(one16-bitreadingperaxis;reconfigurabletoa+/-250,500,or2000degreeper

secondrange)• 3-axisaccelerometer(one12-bitreadingperaxis;

reconfigurabletoa+/-2,4,8,or16grange)

• 3-axismagnetometer(one12-bitreadingperaxis;reconfigurabletoa+/-1.3,1.9,2.5,4.0,4.7,5.6,or8.1gaussrange)

• Requires2.5to5.5Vpower• 0.02oz

• 0.8”(L)x0.5”(H)x0.1”(H)• Interface(s)

o Atransistor-transistorlogic(TTL)serialinterface

tomicrocontrollercanbeimplementedasasingleconnectiontoreportdatafromallsensorelementssimultaneously

o [or]Eachconstituentsensorelement(e.g.,eachgyroscopeaxis,accelerometeraxis,andmagnetometeraxis)canbeconnectedto

microcontrolleranaloginputs(requiresnine[9]analoginputconnections)

• NOTE:ThissensorisnotcompatiblewithoptionA-

OnscreenDisplay(OSD)andDataloggerwithLimitedTelemetryReporting

$40


GlobalPositioningSystem(GPS)Sensor

DevicethatreceivesGPSsignalstodeterminepositionontheEarth.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Provideslatitude,longitudeandaltitude

• ReceivesGPSsignals/dataonupto66channels• Outputsdatainmorethansix(6)differentNational

MarineElectronicsAssociation(NMEA)GPSsentencesto

aTTL-levelserialport• 10Hzupdaterate• Requires3to4.2Vpower

• RedLEDtoindicateGPSfixornofixconditions• Capableofsatellite-basedaugmentationsystem(SBAS)

orQuasi-ZenithSatelliteSystem(QZSS)

o Wideareaaugmentationsystem(WAAS)o EuropeangeostationaryNavigationOverlay

Service(EGNOS)

o Multi-functionalSatelliteAugmentationSystem(MSAS)

o GPSandGeoAugmentedNavigation(GAGAN)

• Integratedceramicantenna• Canacquireafixfromcoldstartwithin32seconds

(acquireswithhot-startinone[1]second)

• RequiresTTLserialinterfacetomicrocontroller• NOTE:Useofthisoptionrequirestheuseofeithera

microcontrollertointerpretthedata(viaTTLinterface)

oradedicateddataradiotosenddatatothegroundcontrolstationforinterpretation(alsoviaTTLinterface).

$50


SensorCapture,Interpretation,andLoggingOptions

OnscreenDisplay(OSD)and

DataloggerwithLimitedTelemetryReporting

Low-fidelitytelemetry/onboardsensingoptionthatcanbeconnectedtoavideomoduletodisplaytheonboardsensordata

onthevisualfirstpersonview(FPV)camerafeedfromtheAirVehicleElement.Itprovidesthecapabilitytorecordthedatalocally(i.e.datalog)forreviewinpostprocess(i.e.,afterflight)

ortooverlayitontheFPVvideofeedfromaCCD/CMOScameraontheaircraft.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• NOTE:AnFPVcameraandassociatedtransmitter(onboard)/receiver(onground)combination

MUSTbeusedifthisoptionisselected• OSD–providesrealtimeaircraftsensordataover

existingvideolink

o 0.5ozo 0.5”(W)x1”(L)x0.25”(H)o 7to14Vpowerrequired

• Datalogger–torecordandstorethesensordataforlaterreview(i.e.postprocess;requiresuseofaPC)

o 0.8oz

o 0.75”(W)x1”(L)x0.25”(H)o 7to14Vpowerrequiredo Adjustableloggingrate(50samplespersecond

tooneeveryfiveminutes)! Powerreadings(current,voltage,

milliamp-hours,wattage)! Signalstrengthreading(receivedsignal

strengthindication[RSSI])

• GPS(position,altitude,speed,arrowtostartinglocation,distancefromstartinglocation)

o 0.4oz

o 0.5”(W)x0.5”(L)x0.25”(H)

$250


Microcontroller

High-fidelity/onboardsensingoptionthatcanbeconnectedtoacommunicationdevice(i.e.,telemetryradio)usingaserial

interfacetotransmitanaloganddigitalsensordatatoaPC.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• High-fidelitytelemetrycapture,logging,andreporting• NOTE:Ifthisoptionistobeusedtogatherlive

telemetryfromtheAirVehicleElementitREQUIREStheuseofadata/telemetrytransceiver

• Limitedbytheavailabilityofinputs/outputs(i.e.,analog

ordigital)o 12analog(theseinputscanalsobeconfigured

toprovidecontrolofupto12hobbyservosor

ESCs)o 6digital(0to5V)

• 1.8”(L)x1.10”(W)x0.40”(H)

• 0.35oz• 5to16Vpowerrequired• MultipleinterfacesavailableforconnectionwithaPC

o USB–Directconnectionfordebugging,tetheredcontrol,ordatatransfer(e.g.,sensordata)

o TTLadapter/Serial(RS-232)–Directorremote

(usingtransceiver)connectionfordebugging,tetheredorremotecontrol,ordatatransfer

• Mustusesoftwareapplicationtocontrolservos,readsensordata,anddisplaydata

• Mustmapoutthefollowing:

o Analogsensorinputs/outputs(i.e.,identifytheconnectiontypeandfunctionofeachport)

o Digitalsensorinputs

o UsercontrolinputsfromPC(e.g.,joystickaxis,joystickbutton,orcontrolonapplicationtoservomovement)

$100

PropulsionThepropulsionsystemsforsmallaircraftareeitherinternalcombustionenginesorelectricmotors.Glowfuelorgasolinearethecommonfuelsourcesforinternalcombustionengineswithtwo-andfour-strokevarietiesavailable.Therearemanymanufacturersofsmallaircraftengines.Afewofthemare

listedbelow.

• O.S.Engines• SaitoEngines


• EvolutionEngines• ZenoahEngines

Electricmotorsareeitherbrushlessorbrushed,butbrushlessmotorsaretypicallymoreoftenusedwithsmallaircraft.Therearemanymanufacturersofbrushlessmotors.Afewofthemarelistedbelow.

• AXi• E-flite• Hacker• Jeti• Neu

Therequiredpowerfromthepropulsionsystemwillbebasedonthesizeoftheaircraft.Forfixed-wingaircraft,thepropulsionsystemisdesignedtoprovidethethrustrequiredtocounterthedrag.Excessthrustisneededtoallowtheairplanetoaccelerateandclimb.Forrotorcraft,thepropulsionsystem

providestheliftinordertokeeptheaircraftintheair.OnlinehobbystoresforRCaircraftareagreatsourceofinformationonpricingofthedifferentpropulsionsystems.Thehobbystoresarealsoagoodresourcetodeterminethetypicalsizeofpropulsionsystemsusedonaircraftofdifferentweights.

Numerousonlinehobbystoresexist.Twolargehobbysitesareprovidedbelow

• HorizonHobby(https://www.horizonhobby.com)• TowerHobbies(http://www.towerhobbies.com)


VI.Command,Control,andCommunications(C3)SelectionGuidelinesandCatalogWhileyourteamreviewsyourcurrenttheoryofoperation(thatyoudefinedbasedonguidanceinsectionVI.AirVehicleElementSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogOptions),thinkabouthowyouplantointeractingwithyoursystem.Considerthefollowingquestions:

• Willyourelyonthemajorityofyourflightoperationsbeingcontrolledautonomouslywith

parametersbeinguploadedtoanonboardautopilotorwillyouuseamixofautonomyandmanualflightcontrol(i.e.,semi-autonomy)topurposefullydeviatefromapre-establishedflightplantomovetospecificareas?

• Doyouplanonmanuallyflyingtheaircraftusinganegocentric/firstpersonview?Howwillyouobtainthevisualfromtheaircraft?

• Howwillyouincorporatesecondarycontroltoimprovesafetyofthesystem?Willyouusea

hobbygraderadioorasecondGCS?• WillyouneedtomapcontrolstouserinputdevicessuchasaUSBjoystickorhandheldhobby

radio?

o Elevator(pitch)control–JoystickY-axiso Ailerons(roll)control–JoystickX-axiso Rudder(yaw)control–JoystickZ-axis

o Throttle(engineRPM)control–JoystickRz• HowdoyouplantodisplaythevisualandtelemetrydatacomingbackfromyourUAV?Hereare

someexamplestoconsider:

o DisplaytheFPVcamerafeedonbothasetofgoggles(pilot)andasecondaryLCDscreenforothersontheteamtoobserve

o OverlaythetelemetrydataontheOSDanddepictontheGCSlaptop

o DisplaythetelemetrydataonadedicatedLCDscreen• Willyouhavetocontendwithanyvisuallineofsightobstructionsintheareayouwillbeflying?

Howwillyouensureyoumaintaincommunications?

• Whatisthemaximumrangeforthecommunicationssignalyouwillneedtoestablishandmaintain?

Carefullyconsideralloftheuserinteractionsandcommunicationthatwillbenecessarytosupportyourproposedtheoryofoperationforthischallengescenario.Aswithprevioussectionsyouarefreeto

modifyorchangeeachoftheseoptionsasyoudeemnecessary(pleaseprovidesupportingrationaleandatleastthesamelevelofdetailasisprovidedhereintheengineeringnotebook).Keepinmindyouwillneedtodetermineaccuratecoststopurchaseandintegratethecomponents.Thefollowingrepresent

thecontrolprocessing,display,andcommunicationsoptionsassociatedwithC3.


Table5.C3Element–Control/DataProcessingandDisplayEquipmentOptions


Hobby-gradeRemoteControl(R/C)Radio

Thisisatypical10-channelradiosystem(2.4Ghzspreadspectrum)usedtocontrolrobotics,modelairplanes,and

modelhelicopters.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• ServoReceiver(RX)–deviceonboardtheUAVthatcontrolsservos/actuatorsandreceivescontrol

commandsfromTX.NOTE:CommunicationsRXisbuiltintothisdevicesonofurthercommunicationsequipmentisnecessarytosupportoperations

o Requires4.8to6Vpower(e.g.,dedicatedbatteryorBEC)

o 2.4Ghzfrequency

o 2.06”(L)x1.48”(W)x0.63”(H)o 0.72ozo Diversityreceiver(selectsbestsignalfrom

dualbuilt-inantenna)• Transmitter(TX)–handhelddevicethatremains

onthegroundandsendscontrolcommandstoRX.

NOTE:CommunicationsTXisbuiltintothisdevicesonofurthercommunicationsequipmentis

necessarytosupportoperationo Twocontrolsticks(fourchannels)o Sixtoggleswitches

o Two(2)proportionalsliderswitches(replacesfunctionalityoftwoofthesixtoggleswitches)

o Requires9.6Vpower(fromincluded700mAhNiCdbattery)

• Thissystemisformanualorsemi-autonomous

operations(usinganautopilot)

$750



Tablet/PhoneControl

AportablesystemthatcanbeusedtocontroltheAirVehicleElement(UAV).Thedetailsofthisoptioninclude

thefollowing:

• Airbornecontroller-onboardtheUAV,receivescontrolcommandsfromandrelaysonboardsensordatatotheGCS(e.g.,pairingofserialservo

controlleranddatatransceiver).o Serialservocontrollerislimitedtomono-

directionalcommunication(controldata

fromGCStoUAV)o Microcontrollerrequiresbi-directional

communication(controldatafromGCSto

UAV,telemetrydatafromUAVtoGCS)o NOTE:Useofthisoptionrequiresselection

ofanAutopilot,SerialServoControlleror

MicrocontrollerunderAirVehicleElement-AdditionalAirVehicleElement-ComponentOptions(Table3andTable4)

andaDataTransceiverfromTable6.• Ground-basedcontroller–TabletorPhone–serves

asGCSsystemforcaptureofuserinput(control

commands),captureandinterpretationoftelemetrydata,anddisplayofvehiclestate.NOTE:

RequiresaDataTransceiverfromTable6.o Touchscreendisplay(inappropriatefor

manualcontrolmode)

o AndroidoriOSoperatingsystemo 64GBinternalmemory

Thissystemisappropriateforautonomousoperations(noadditionalGCSsidecomponentsnecessary)orsemi-

autonomous(whencombinedwithmanualcontrolsystem)

$400



PC(Laptop)Control

AsystemthatcanbeusedtocontroltheAirVehicleElement(UAV).Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethe

following:

• Airbornecontroller-onboardtheUAV,receivescontrolcommandsfromandrelaysonboardsensordatatotheGCS(e.g.,pairingofserialservo

controlleranddatatransceiver)o Serialservocontrollerislimitedtomono-

directionalcommunication(controldata

fromGCStoUAV)o Microcontrollerrequiresbi-directional

communication(controldatafromGCSto

UAV,telemetrydatafromUAVtoGCS)o NOTE:Useofthisoptionrequiresselection

ofanAutopilot,SerialServoControlleror

MicrocontrollerunderAirVehicleElement-AdditionalAirVehicleElement-ComponentOptions(Table3andTable4)

andaDataTransceiverfromTable6.• Ground-basedcontroller–Laptop(e.g.,Panasonic

Toughbook)–servesasGCSsystemforcaptureof

userinput(controlcommands),captureandinterpretationoftelemetrydata,anddisplayof

vehiclestate.o Requires12to32VDCpowerconnection

foroperationalperiodsthatexceedsfour

hourso 15.4”display(1920x1200)o Windows7operatingsystem

o Inteli5(2.80Ghzprocessor)o 4GBmemoryo 256GBSolidStateDrive(SSD)

o AMDRadeonHD7750MVideoCardo NOTE:Useofthisoptionrequiresselection

ofaDataTransceiverfromTable6.

• USBjoystick(e.g.,ThrustmasterHOTASWarthogJoystick)forcaptureofusercontrolinputs(frompilot)

• Thissystemisappropriateformanual,semi-autonomous,orautonomousoperations

$4,000(excluding

communicationsandservocontroller

equipment)



DedicatedPortableGroundControlStation

(GCS)

ThissystemoperateshasallthesamefeaturesandrequirementsofthePC(Laptop)Control,butalsoincludes

thefollowing:

• IntegratedLaptopDockingStation• Hot-swappablelithium-ionbatterieswithtwohour

duration

• Two(2)12V/50Wpoweroutputs• 17”TouchScreenDisplay• 12to32VDCinputrangeforexternalpower

• Over-voltage,overcurrent,andreversepolaritypowerprotection

• Integratedruggedizedcasefortransport(with

handles,wheels,andstraps)

$10,000

(excludingcommunications

andservocontroller

equipment)

PostProcessorPC(Desktop)

Thissystemisusedtoanalyzethecapturedsensordata.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Desktopconfiguration(e.g.,HPZ820Workstation),builtforhigh-endcomputingandvisualization

• Requires12to32VDCpower(forPCandMonitor)• XEONProcessor(2.5GHz),64-bitSix-core

Processor

• 16GBDDR3Memory• 1TBharddrive• Windows10(64-bit)

• NVIDIAQuadroK40003GBGraphicsCard• 24”LCDMonitor(1920x1200)

$6,000



PostProcessorPC(Laptop)

Thissystemisusedtoanalyzethecapturedsensordata.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Laptopconfiguration(e.g.,HPEliteBook8770w

MobileWorkstation)• Requires12to32VDCpowerconnectionfor

operationalperiodsthatexceeds5.5hours

• Inteli7(2.7GHz),64-bitfour-coreProcessor• 8GBDDR3Memory• 180GBSSD

• Windows10(64-bit)• NVIDIAQuadroK3000M2GBGraphicsCard• 17.3”LCDMonitor(1920x1080)

$3,500

AdditionalLCDDisplay

Provideadditionaldisplayformirroringofexistingviews

(e.g.,FPVview,telemetry,orcontrols)orextendingdesktopofcontrolsystem.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• 24”LCDMonitor(1920x1200)

• Requires12to32VDCpower

$200

FirstPersonView(FPV)Goggles

Videogogglesusedtoprovideaclosedvisualviewingenvironmentforoperator.Thedetailsofthisoption

includethefollowing:

• Glasslenswithrefractiveopticalengine• Rubbereyecupsforambientlightreduction• 30degreesfieldofview(FOV)

• Imagesize:45”@7’• Requires7to13Vpower• 640x480VGA

• NTSCorPAL(autoselected)• 3.5mmAVinport

$300

Table6.C3Element–CommunicationEquipmentOptions



DataandTelemetryCommunications

DataTransceiverSet

(900Mhz)–LowRange

Thissetoftransceiversallowsforwirelesscommunicationof

data(i.e.,controlcommandsortelemetry)onthe900Mhzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

o NOTE:Thisoptionisnotappropriatefortransferof

detailedPayload/visualsensordata.• Range

o Indoor/Urban:upto2,000’

o Outdoor/lineofsight:1milewith3dBidipoleantenna

• Sensitivity:-121dBm

• Transmitpowerupto20dBm(100mW)• Airdataratesupto250kbps• Frequencyhoppingspreadspectrum

• Airborneelement(onboard)o 0.2ozo Serialconnection

o 0.75”(L)x0.25”(W)x0.1”(H)o RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dBidipole

antennaincluded)

o 2.7to3.6Vpowerrequired• Groundbasedelement(connectedtoGCS)

o USBinterface(noexternalpowerrequired)o Allotherdetailssameasairborneelement

$90



DataTransceiverSet

(900Mhz)–HighRange


data(i.e.,controlcommandsortelemetry)onthe900Mhzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:



o Indoor/Urban:upto2,000’

o Outdoor/lineofsight:6.3mileswith3dBidipoleantenna

• Sensitivity:-101dBmat200kbpsor-110dBmat10

kbps• Frequencyband:902to928MHz• Transmitpowerupto24dBm(250mW)

• Airdataratesupto250kbps• Frequencyhoppingspreadspectrum• Airborneelement(onboard)

o 0.4ozo Serialconnectiono 1.3”(L)x1”(W)x0.25”(H)

o RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dBidipoleantennaincluded)

o 2.1to3.6Vpowerrequired• Groundbasedelement(connectedtoGCS)

o USBinterface(noexternalpowerrequired)

o Allotherdetailssameasairborneelement

$135



DataTransceiverSet

(2.4Ghz)–LowRange


data(i.e.,controlcommandsortelemetry)onthe2.4Ghzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:



o Indoor/Urban:upto300’


• Sensitivity:-100dBmat250kbps

• Frequencyband:2.4GhzISM• Transmitpowerupto18dBm(63mW)• Airdataratesupto250kbps

• Directsequencespreadspectrum• Airborneelement(onboard)

o 0.4oz

o Serialconnectiono 1.3”(L)x1”(W)x0.25”(H)o RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dBidipole

antennaincluded)o 2.8to3.4Vpowerrequired

• Groundbasedelement(connectedtoGCS)o USBinterface(noexternalpowerrequired)o Allotherdetailssameasairborneelement

$100



DataTransceiverSet

(2.4Ghz)–HighRange


data(i.e.,controlcommandsortelemetry)onthe2.4Ghzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:



o Indoor/Urban:upto300’


• Sensitivity:-100dBmat250kbps

• Frequencyband:2.4GhzISM• Transmitpowerupto18dBm(63mW)• Airdataratesupto250kbps

• Directsequencespreadspectrum• Airborneelement(onboard)

o 0.4oz

o Serialconnectiono 1.3”(L)x1”(W)x0.25”(H)o RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dBidipole

antennaincluded)o 2.1to3.6Vpowerrequired

• Groundbasedelement(connectedtoGCS)o USBinterface(noexternalpowerrequired)o Allotherdetailssameasairborneelement

$125

Video/SensorCommunications

NOTE:Thefollowingoptionsarenotappropriateforpairingwithsensorsthatcapturevisualdata

requiringsignificantprocessing(e.g.,multispectralcameraorLiDAR).TheyaremostappropriateforusewithCCD/CMOScamerastocapturevisualdetailsoftheremoteoperatingenvironmenttoincreasesituationalawarenessoroperatetheAirVehicleElementusingFPVvisuals.



900MHzVideo

System–LowPower(200mW)

Thisradio(RXandTX)allowsforwirelesstransmissionand

receiptofcameravideo(e.g.,low-fidelityFPV)onthe900Mhzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Range:.5mile

• AirborneTX(onboard)o Power:200mW(23dBm)o ReceiverSensitivity:-85dBm

o 0.53ozo 12Vpowerrequiredo 1.22”(L)x.94”(W)x0.39”(H)

o 4channels(910MHz,980MHz,1010MHz,and1040MHz)

o RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dbigaindipole

antennaincluded)• GroundbasedRX

o 4.06oz

o 12VDCpowerrequiredo 4.53”(L)x2.64”(W)x0.83”(H)o 3.5mmAVoutport

o RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dbigaindipoleantennaincluded)

$60



900MHzVideo

System–HighPower(1500mW)


receiptofcameravideo(e.g.,low-fidelityFPV)onthe900Mhzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Range:1.8miles

• AirborneTX(onboard)o Power:1,500mW(32dBm)o ReceiverSensitivity:-85dBm

o 3ozo 12Vpowerrequiredo 2.83”(L)x1.71”(W)x0.48”(H)

o 4channels(910MHz,980MHz,1010MHz,and1040MHz)



o 4.06oz



$120



2.4GHzVideoSystem

–LowPower(200mW)


receiptofcameravideo(e.g.,low-fidelityFPV)onthe2.4GHzfrequencyband.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Range:0.34miles


o 0.09ozo 3.7to5Vpowerrequiredo 0.7”(L)x0.72”(W)x0.18”(H)

o 4channels(2.414GHz,2.432GHz,2.450GHz,and2.468GHz)

o Whipantenna(fixed,1.8dBigain)

• GroundbasedRXo 4.06ozo 12VDCpowerrequired

o 4.53”(L)x2.64”(W)x0.83”(H)o 3.5mmAVoutporto RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dbigaindipole

antennaincluded)

$35



2.4GHzVideoSystem

–HighPower(500mW)



• Range:0.75miles


o 3ozo 12Vpowerrequiredo 2.83”(L)x1.71”(W)x0.48”(H)

o 4channels(2.414GHz,2.432GHz,2.450GHz,and2.468GHz)



o 4.06oz


• RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dbigaindipoleantennaincluded)

$75



5.8GHzVideoSystem

–LowPower(400mW)



• Range:0.57miles


o 1.0ozo 7to12Vpowerrequiredo 1.69”(L)x0.94”(W)x0.48”(H)

o 8channels(5.705GHz,5.685GHz,5.665GHz,5645GHz,5.885GHz,5.905GHz,5.925GHz,and5.945GHz)


• GroundbasedRX

o 4.06ozo 12VDCpowerrequiredo 4.53”(L)x2.64”(W)x0.83”(H)

o 3.5mmAVoutporto RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dbigaindipole

antennaincluded)

$100



5.8GHzVideoSystem

–HighPower(1000mW)



• Range:1.06miles


o 3ozo 12to15Vpowerrequiredo 2.83”(L)x1.71”(W)x0.48”(H)

o 8channels(5.705GHz,5.685GHz,5.665GHz,5645GHz,5.885GHz,5.905GHz,5.925GHz,and5.945GHz)


• GroundbasedRX

o 1.0ozo 12VDCpowerrequiredo 4.53”(L)x2.64”(W)x0.83”(H)

o 3.5mmAVoutporto RP-SMAantennaconnector(3dbigaindipole

antennaincluded)

$125

AntennaOptions

NOTE:ThefollowingoptionsareappropriateforextendingtherangeoftheData/TelemetryCommunicationoptionsortheVideo/SensorCommunicationoptions.However,itisessentialthattheappropriatefrequencytypebematched(i.e.,900Mhzantennawith900MHzTXorRX),otherwisethe

antenna,RX,andTXwillnotworkcorrectly.Thefollowingcalculatorcanbeusedtocalculatewirelesscommunicationranges(andanticipatedincreasesthroughuseofdifferingantennae):http://hobbywireless.com/Easy%20Wireless%20Range%20Calculator.htm



PatchAntenna

(900Mhz)-GroundBased

Improvescommunicationrange,butmustbepointedinthe

samegeneraldirectionastheopposingunit(e.g.,transmitter,receiver,ortransceiver).Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Gain:8dBi

• BeamWidth:75degrees(Horizontal)x60degrees(Vertical)

• 8.5”(L)x8.5”(W)x0.98”(H)

• Expectarangeboostofapproximately100%(multipleexistingrangeby2)

• NOTE:NotsuitableformountingonAirVehicle

Element.Recommendconsiderationofadiversityreceiverandtrackingdevice(notincludedascatalogoptions)forusewiththiscomponent.

$55

YAGI-Directional

Antenna(900MHz)–GroundBased

Significantlyimprovescommunicationrange,butmustbe

alignedwiththeopposingunit(e.g.,transmitter,receiver,ortransceiver).Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Gain:13dBi• BeamWidth:30degrees(Horizontal)x30degrees

(Vertical)• 57”(L)x1”(W)x1”(H)

• Expectarangeboostofapproximately300%(multipleexistingrangeby4)



$60



PatchAntenna

(2.4Ghz)-GroundBased



• Gain:8dBi


• 4.5”(L)x4.5”(W)x0.98”(H)

• Expectarangeboostofapproximately110%(multipleexistingrangeby2.1)



$40

YAGI-Directional

Antenna(2.4GHz)–GroundBased




(Vertical)• 22.8”(L)x1.5”(W)x1.5”(H)




$60



PatchAntenna

(5.8Ghz)-GroundBased



• Gain:8dBi


• 4.5”(L)x4.5”(W)x1”(H)




$55

YAGI-Directional

Antenna(5.8GHz)–GroundBased




(Vertical)• 16.5”(L)x3.25”(W)x1.5”(H)




$70


VII.SupportEquipmentSelectionGuidelinesandCatalogAswithprevioussectionsyouarefreetomodifyorchangeeachoftheseoptionsasyoudeemnecessary

(pleaseprovidesupportingrationaleandatleastthesamelevelofdetailasisprovidedhereintheengineeringnotebook).Keepinmindyouwillneedtodetermineaccuratecoststopurchaseandintegratethecomponents.Thefollowingrepresentthesupportequipmentoptionstocompleteyour

UASdesign.

Table7.DescriptionofUAVComponents


Shelter/Trailer

Streamline

Fleet

Armada

Essentiallyamobileofficeandworkshop,thiswillprovidethedeskspacefortheworkstationsoutlinedabove,aswellasroomtotransporttheaircraft,tools,fuel,

generators,andothersupportequipment.Thetrailerscanbeconnectedtoexternalpower(30A,120V)topowerlights,airconditioning,andequipment.

Thereareseveraldifferentsizestoaccommodateyour

team’sparticularUASconfigurationsandcontrolrequirements.ThesizeisindicatedbythenumberofUAVRacksthatcanbeinstalledwithintheShelter.A

singleUAVRackcanholdeithertwoUAVsthatare5ftorlessinlengthoroneUAVthatis10ftorlessinlength.Thefollowingrepresentthemodelsavailable:

• TheStreamlineSheltermodelsupportsone(1)

UAVRack(6’x12’,3,000GVWR,singleaxle)• TheFleetSheltermodelsupportstwo(2)UAV

Racks(6’x16’,7,000GVWR,tandemaxle)

• TheArmadaSheltermodelsupportsthree(3)UAVRacks(7’x10’,7,000GVWR,tandemaxle)

$5,000

Streamline

$7,500

Fleet

$10,000

Armada



AC/DCBatteryCharger

Deviceusedtobalanceandchargeuptotwobatteriessimultaneously(eachupto6cells).Thedetailsofthis

optionincludethefollowing:

• SupportsLi-Po,Li-Ion,LiFe,NiMh,andNiCdbatteries

• RequiresDC11to18V(30A)

• Dischargerate:0.1to5.0A(maximum25W,total50W)

• ChargeRate:0.1to10.0A(maximum200W,

total400W)

$150

InternalCombustionFlightLineKit

Equipmentusedtostartandtroubleshootaninternalcombustionengine.Thiskitincludesthefollowing:

• Storagecontainer• Enginestartermotor

• Glowplugstarter• Battery• Powermonitor

$130

CarTopLauncher

Deviceusedtolaunchafixed-wingAirVehiclefromtheroofofacar.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethe

following:

• ReleaseMechanism:ActuatedbyUAVrotation• Starter:Heavyduty12-24VDC• BatteryType:Removable,Lithium-Ion

• BatteryCapacity:43Wh• CarMountType:THULERapidAero™LoadBars• Weight:21.39lb(9.7kg)

$3,000



PneumaticCatapult

Deviceusedtolaunchafixed-wingAirVehiclefromtheground.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• 6kJman-portablecatapult

• 23m/smaximumspeed• Remotecontrolboxwithadvancedsafety

features(e.g.,audiblealarm,voltageand

pressuredisplays,permanentlaunchcounter)• Integratedcompressorwithreversepolarity

protection,thermalshutdownandpressurerelief

valve• Reliablecarriagewithfoldablelegs,ropelength

adjustmentandsafetypin.Carriageismadeof

hardanodizedaluminumformaximumwearresistance

$28,000

PowerGenerator-Lightweight

Deviceusedtogeneratepower.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Produces2,000W(16.7A)maximum/1,600W

(13.3A)rated• 12VDCoutput• Weight:47lb

• NoiseLevel:59dB(a)ratedload(1,600W),53dB(A)¼load

• Fuelefficiency:9.6hrpergallonofunleadedgasoline(0.95galloncapacity)

• Emptyweight:46.3lb

• Includespowerinverter(safeforPCequipment)• 98.5ccenginedisplacement• Thisgeneratorcanbeconnectedinparallelwith

anotherofthesametypetoproduceadditionalpower

$1,150



PowerGenerator–Heavy

Deviceusedtogeneratepower.Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethefollowing:

• Produces4,000W(33.3/16.7A)maximum,

3,500W(29.21/14.6A)rated• 120/240Voutput• Weight:155lb

• NoiseLevel:72dB(a)@ratedload(1,600W)• Runtimepertank(6.3gallons):9.4hr@rated

load(3,500W),15.7hr@½load

• Emptyweight:155lb• DoesNOTincludespowerinverter(unsafeforPC

equipmentwithoutlineconditioner)

• 270ccenginedisplacement

$1,800

LineConditioner

Devicethatconditionspowerforusewithsensitiveelectronics(i.e.,protectsfrombrownoutsandovervoltages).Thedetailsofthisoptionincludethe

following:

• 15Acircuitbreaker• 1200Woutputrating• EMI/RFIlinenoisefiltering

• 120VAC,10A,60Hz• Four(4)poweroutlets• 2.09lb

• NOTE:IfthePowerGenerator–HeavyoptionisselectedtopowerGCSequipment,this

componentwillbenecessary.

$100


VIII.UASPersonnel/LaborGuidelinesThecostsofthesystemarenotsolelymeasuredintermsofthecosttopurchaseindividualcomponents,

butarealsoreflectiveoftheengineeringefforttodesignandtestthesystemandthecosttooperateandmaintainthesystem,onceithasbeencompleted.Thefollowingsubsectionsprovidethedetailsforbothofthesepersonnelandlaborareas.Whendocumentingdesign,consideryourownhoursspent

performingtasksinsupportofeachoftheseroles.However,doNOTentereachoftheserolesandtheassociatedhoursastheEngineeringLaborcostvaluesforyourdesigneffort.Instead,useyourownexperienceandobservations,coupledwithresearchregardingtypicaltimetoperformsuchactivities

andguidancefromyourindustrymentorstoidentifyestimatedeffortsrequiredtoperformnecessaryactionstocompile,deliver,andtestanequivalentdesign.Usethisexperiencetobetterunderstandwhatroleswouldberequired,ataminimum,tocreateyourdesignfromconceptiontofinaldelivery.

Engineering/DesignPersonnelandTeamMemberRolesTeammembersshouldberecruitedtoprovideavarietyofskillstotheteam.Thereshouldbedistinct

divisionsoflaborintherolesandfunctionsofeachteammember.Theexactsetofteamroleswillbeuptotheteamandmayvarybasedonlocalexpertiseandstrategy.Notethatnoteveryroleneedstobefilledandsometeammembersmayhavemultiplerolesdependingonavailableexpertiseandinterest.

NOTE:Pleasekeepinmind,itisnotnecessarytorecordactualtimespentworkingtowardscompletionoftasksin

assignedrolesasthesenumberswillnotbethevaluesenteredintothecostcalculations(i.e.,EngineeringLabor).Instead,thepurposeistogiveyouimportantexperiencetobetterunderstandtheintricaciesofdesignandprovide

anestimateofwhatwouldberequiredtoperformthiswork.Thevaluesenteredintothecostcalculationsshouldbeestimatesofwhatyoubelieveitwouldtakeexperiencedlabortodevelopandbuildyourteamsolution.Pleasetalk

toyourmentorstoworkongeneratingaccurateestimates.

Thenatureofeachteamwilldeterminehowitfunctions.Forinstance,teamsthatmeetafterschoolwillfaceadifferentsetofneedsthanteamsthatfunctionwithinaclassroom.YourTeacher/Coachwillhelp

youdecidewhichapproachwillworkbestinyourcommunity.Noteverymemberoftheteamneedstobeanexpertintheuseofallthetools.However,atleastoneteammember,theProjectEngineershouldpossessahighdegreeofskillwiththesoftware.Itisrecommendedthatallteammembershavea

workingknowledgeofthesetools.Thetoolsareprovidedtotheteamsforfree.Keepinmind,youshouldtrackyourlaborexpendedonthisprojectforeachroleinordertobetterunderstandengineeringlaborcostforthedeterminationofyourfinalUASdesigncost.Thefollowingrepresentthesuggested

rolesforyourteam:

NOTE:Full-timeEquivalent(FTE)isusedtoindicateonepersonassignedfull-timetothedesignatedrole.Forthis

competition,fractionalFTEswillnotbeallowed.Foroperationalcostcalculationpurposes,fractionsofanhour

shouldberoundeduptothenexthighestinteger.Costsarenotdependentonindividualsalaries,butareinstead

tiedtothevalueacompanyassignstotherolewhentheirservicesarequantifiedandpassedontoanexternal

customer.Usethisopportunitytodeterminecompetitiveratestoperformtherequiredtasksbyprofessionalsinthe


industry.Researchperhourcostsandfeelfreetoreplacethesevalueswithwhatyoufind,aslongasthevaluescan

beconfirmedfrommultiplesourcesandaredocumentedinyourEngineeringDesignNotebook.

1) ProjectManager[$75/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheProjectManagerwillberesponsibleforrecruitingawinningteamandleadingstrategydesign.TheProjectManagerisresponsiblefor

theoverallsuccessoftheproductorprogram.TheProjectManageristheindividualresponsibleformanagingtheprojectplananddeliverables,ensuringthatallprojectteammembershavethenecessaryresourcesrequiredtocompletetheproject,andreportingstatusfortheteam,

trackingtimelineandmilestones,andquality.Manytimesthisindividualplaysadditionalrolesintheproject.TheProjectManagerleadsthecross-functionalteamandistypicallyresponsibleforthedevelopmentoftheoverallproduct,program,orEngineeringDesignNotebook.Several

interrelatedsub-projectactivitiesengagedinbyteammembersareoftenmonitoredbythisrole.

2) DesignCoordinator[$50/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheDesignCoordinatorrolearisesifyourteamis

composedofmembersthataregeographicallydispersed.Therolewillnotapplyifyourteamiswithinasingleclass.TheDesignCoordinatoractsastheliaisonbetweenthedesignpartnerandotherinternalengineeringteams.TheDesignCoordinatorisoftenresponsibleforintegrating

newormodifieddesigndataintotheoverallproductdesign.TheDesignCoordinatoristheprimaryinterfacewiththethird-partypartner.TheDesignCoordinatorcoordinatespartnerengineeringresourcesandiseitherlocatedlocallyinanotherclassattheteam'sschool,or

remotelyinanotherschool.3) Systems&TestEngineer[$50/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheSystemsEngineerdefinestheproduct

architecture,itsmodules,andinterfaces.Heorshehasultimateresponsibilityforensuringthe

variouspartsoftheproductwillworktogetherasawholewhenfinallyassembled.Thisroleprovidesdirectiontothedesignteam,manageinterfaces,andparticipateindesignreviews.TheTestEngineerisresponsiblefortestingprototypesofdesignsandpre-productionproducts

createdbythedesignteam,reviewstestcasesgeneratedbythedesignteam,andcollaborateswiththedesignteamduringthetestingphase.Thisroleistheliaisonwithanengineeringmentor,assistingtheteamwiththeincorporationofengineeringadvice.Thispersonmayalso

beaprojectsimulationengineerontheteam.4) SimulationEngineer[$50/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheSimulationEngineeristheexpertinthe

authenticsimulationandmodelingtools,suchas3DCADandWindchill.TheSimulationEngineer

managestheWindchillDigitalProjectSpaceandisresponsibleforsimulationandmodelingapplicationinteroperability,filecompatibilities,andfiletransfer.

5) ProjectScientist[$50/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheProjectScientistshouldhaveabackgroundin

physicsorarelatedfield.Thisrolewillberesponsibleforthescientificintegrityoftheapproachandfortranslatingthescientificprinciplesintotheteam’sengineeringdesign.Thisroleistheliaisonwithasciencementor,assistingtheteamwiththeincorporationofscientificadvice.

6) ProjectMathematician[$50/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheProjectMathematicianshouldhaveabackgroundinmathematics,withaminimumofalgebraandtrigonometry.Thisrolewillberesponsibleforthemathematicalintegrityoftheapproachandfortranslatingthemathematical

principlesandapplicationsintotheteam’sengineeringdesign.


7) ProjectCommunicator(orCommunicationsSpecialist)[$50/hr.costper1.0FTE]:TheProjectCommunicatorintegratesideas,approaches,andapplicationsfromthedesignteamintowritten

documents,videos,andpresentations.Thisroleisresponsiblefortheteam'sbrand.Thispersonrepresentstheteamtothemediaandwillworkwiththeteacher/coachtocoordinateeventactivities.

DesignConstruction/AssemblyPersonnelSomeoftheelementsyouidentifyinyourdesignmayrequirecustomization,modification,and/or

assembly.Forthoseitemsyouwillneedtodeterminearole(notfilledbyanactualteammember),alaborrate,andtheamountoftimetocompletethetask.Forexample,ifyouareproposingthemodification/manualconstructionofanelementyouwouldidentifythatrole(e.g.,technician[wing

construction]),anappropriatelaborrate($25/hr),andtheestimatedhoursthetaskwouldtaketocomplete(e.g.,15hours).Thefollowingrepresentsamplerolesandrates:

1) AssemblyTechnician[$25/hr.costper1.0FTE]:AnAssemblyTechniciancanbeusedtoconstructandassembleawing,fuselage,orothercustomdesignedcomponent.Theyare

knowledgeableofmaterials,includingthemillingofmetal(e.g.,computernumericalcontrol[C&C]),coveringofwings(e.g.,applicationofplasticshrinkwrapfilm),applicationoffiberglass,andvacuumformingofplastics.

2) ElectronicsTechnician[$25/hr.costper1.0FTE]:AnElectronicsTechniciancanbeusedtodesign,develop,test,manufacture,install,andrepairbothelectricalandelectronicequipment.

TypicallyaFederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)and/orAircraftElectronicsTechnician(AET)certificationisrequired.

3) AircraftMaintenanceTechnician[$25/hr.costper1.0FTE]:AnAircraftMaintenanceTechnician

(AMT)holdsamechaniccertificateissuedbytheFAAtoservice,troubleshoot,andrepairaircraft.

OperationalandSupportPersonnelAnyUASperformingremotesensingforprecisionagriculturerequireavarietyofrolestobefulfilledby

personnelonthegroundinordertoensuresafeandsuccessfulapplicationexecution.Differentaircraft

andapplicationtypeswillrequiredifferentrolesandthereforedifferentnumbersofgroundsupport

personnel.Forthepurposesofthiscompetitionabasicminimumgroundpersonnelconfigurationcan

beassumed.Deviationsarepermitted,butmustbejustifiedwithsupportingrationale.Thetypicalroles

areoutlinedasfollows:

1) PayloadOperator[$35/hr.fullyloadedcostper1.0FTE]:Thispersonisrequiredwhenpayload

dataistelemeteredfromtheaircraftorrequiresmanualoperationduringtaskexecution.This

personwilltypicallysitatagroundstationinteractingwithagraphicaluserinterface(GUI)for

thepurposeofcontrollingthepayloadoperationsinreal-time.Forasensorpayload,thiswill

involvemonitoringthesensorpayloadstatusanddatatelemetryfromtheaircraft,steeringthe

payload(i.e.directingwherethecameraispointing),anddirectingtheaircraftoperatorwhere

toflytheaircraft.Foraerialspraying,thisrolecouldbeutilizedtodeterminepositionofaircraft,


enable/disablespraying,andverifyresults.Theexactnatureofthisrolewillbedrivenbythe

sensorpayloadselection.

2) DataAnalyst[$50/hr.fullyloadedcostper1.0FTE]:Thispersonisrequiredwhenpayload

sensordatafromtheunmannedaircraftcannotbeprocessedinreal-time.Thisrolecanbea

requirementfortelemetereddatawherereal-timesearchalgorithmsarenotavailableatthe

groundstation.Thisroleisalsoarequirementwhensensordataisrecordedonboardthe

aircraftfordownloadandanalysisuponaircraftrecovery(i.e.,nodatatelemetry).Thisrolemay

ormaynotberequired,dependingonthesensorpayloadselection.

3) RangeSafety/AircraftLaunch&Recovery/Maintenance[$35/hr.fullyloadedcostper1.0FTE]:

Thisindividualcanbeassignedmultiplenon-concurrentroles,andistypicallyahighlyqualified

technician.Rangesafetyincludesensuringfrequencyde-conflictionpriortoandduring

applicationexecutionaswellasairspacede-confliction.Thisindividualwillbetrainedintheuse

andoperationofaspectrumanalyzertoensurethatthecommunicationsandaircraft

operationsfrequenciesarenotconflictingwithotherpotentialoperationsinthearea.This

individualwillalsomonitorairtrafficchannelstoensurethattheairspaceremainsfreeduring

thetask.Thisindividualwillberesponsibleforcoordinatingwiththeairtrafficmanagement

personnelinadvanceoftheoperationtoensurethattheappropriateairspacerestrictionsare

communicatedtopilotedaircraftoperatinginthearea.Thisindividualmayalsoberesponsible

foraircraftlaunchandrecoveryoperationsaswellasanyrequiredmaintenance(e.g.refueling

orrepairs)inbetweenflights.

4) LaunchandRecoveryAssistants[$15/hr.fullyloadedcostper1.0FTE]:Inthecaseofsome

largerunmannedaircraftoperatinginunimprovedareas(e.g.,group3UAS),oneortwo

assistantsmayberequiredtohelppositiontheaircraftontothelaunchsystem(e.g.,catapult)

andtorecovertheaircraftfromthecapturemechanism(e.g.,snagline).

5) SafetyPilot[$35/hr.fullyloadedcostperassignedFTE]:Thisindividualisresponsiblefor

bringingtheaircraftsafelyinforrecovery.Forthiscompetition,wewillassumeline-of-sight

(LOS)operationatalltimes,meaningthatthesafetypilotwillneedtobeabletoobservethe

aircraftatalltimesduringflight.Duringsemi-autonomousflightoperations,thesafetypilotis

responsibleforimmediatelytakingovercommandoftheaircraftandbriningitsafelytothe

groundshoulditexhibitunanticipatedflightbehaviors,orinthecaseofpilotedaircraftentering

theflightoperationsareaascommunicatedbytherangesafetyofficer.Thisroleisalsoreferred

toasthe“Observer”,responsibleformaintainingVLOSwiththeaircraft.

6) OperationalPilot[$35/hr.fullyloadedcostper1.0FTE]:Inthecaseofautonomousorsemi-

autonomousoperations,theoperationalpilotisresponsibleformonitoringaircraftstate

(attitude,altitude,andlocation)toadjustingaircraftflightpathasrequiredforsuccessofthe

applicationtask.Thepilotwilltypicallyspendmostoftheoperationlookingatascreenatthe

groundcontrolstationmonitoringthetelemetryfromtheaircraft’son-boardflightcontrol

computer,andadjustingtheaircraft’sprogrammingasnecessary.


IX.FlightPlanningGuidelinesYourteammustcreateaFlightPlanthatdocumentshoweachAirVehicleElement(UAV)inyourUAS

designwillbeflownandhowthepayloadwillbeoperatedinordertocompletetheapplication:• TakeoffandInitialClimb• Surveyingcroparea

• CoordinatedTurns• Approach,Landing,andRefueling/Maintenance• TotalFlightTimeCalculation

NOTE:Ahypotheticalprecisionagriculturalscenariocanincludeoperationalphasesbeingrepeated,and

performedinnon-sequentialorder.

ForallportionsoftheFlightPlan,payparticularattentiontotheforwardspeedoftheaircraft.Iftheaircraftistravellingtooquickly(tooslowly)ortoohigh(toolow)thentheaircraftmightnotusethedetectionpayloadtoitsfullestpotential.

TakeoffandInitialClimbDuringtakeoffandtheinitialclimb,thesizeofthesensorfootprintchangesbasedonaltitude.Untilthe

aircrafthasreachedasufficientaltitude,thegroundcoveredbythesensorfootprintwillnotbeusableforconsistentdatacapture,becauseofvariationinsensorperception.

DataCaptureduringStraightandLevelFlightOneofthebasicflightmaneuversforremotesensingisstraightandlevelflight.Duringstraightandlevelflight,theUAVtravelsinastraightlineataconstantspeedandaltitudewhilethesensorpayload

capturesdatabelow,coveringlongstretchesofterrain.Yourteammustdeterminehowitwantstooperatethesensorpayload(pan,tilt,zoom)whiletheUAVisinstraightandlevelflight.Twomethodsareoutlinedbelow.

Method1:(Basic)Keepthesensorpayloadpointeddownward.Ifthesensorpayloadispointedstraightdownwardduringstraightandlevelflight(zeroroll,zeropitch),

thenthecamerafootprintbecomesarectanglewithaforwardlengthandasidewayswidthdeterminedbycalculatingthepositionsofthecornersofthecamerafootprint.Thismethodcreatesalongrectangleofcoverageareawhosewidthisthesameasthesidewayswidthofasinglecamerafootprintandwhose

lengthisstretchedtobecomewhateverdistancetheUAVcontinuestotravelinstraightandlevelflight(seeFigure10earlier).

Forthismethod,yourteamwillpickaflightaltitude,flightspeed,andthezoomedcamerafieldofviewtobeusedinstraightandlevelflight.ShowthattheUAVflightspeedisslowenoughfordetection.This

canbedemonstratedbycalculatingthatthedistancetravelledbytheUAVduringthedetectiontime(flightspeedtimesdetectiontime)isnotgreaterthantheforwardcamerafootprintlength.


Method2:(Advanced)Sweepthesensorpayloadbackandforth.Amoreadvancedmethodfordatacaptureduringstraightandlevelflightistosweepthesensorpayloadleftandrighttoincreasethewidthofthecoverageareabeyondthewidthofasinglecamerafootprint.Thismethodrequiresadditionalanalysistoconfirmthatthefullareatracedduringeachsweepcycleis

coveredforthefulldurationofthedetectiontimerequirement.Teamsusingthisoptionmustconsiderthefollowing:

• Whenthesensorpayloadisnotpointedstraightdown,itisnolongerrectangular.Ifcamera

pitchiszero,butthecameraisrolledtotheleftortheright,thenthecamerafootprintistrapezoidal.Ifboththepitchandrollvaluesarenon-zero,thecamerafootprintbecomesageneralquadrilateral.

• Theangularrateatwhichthesensorpayloadissweptbackandforthcannotexceedthelimitsofthesensorpayloadasspecifiedinthepayloadcatalog.

• Thecoverageareaforthesweepingmotionmustbeshownforafullcycle.

• Atthemaximumrollvalueused,thefarcornersofthecamerafootprintmustbeshowntobewithintheviewablecone.

• Thesensorpayloadmustbrieflypauseatthemaximumpanleftandpanrightpositionssothat

theedgesoftheseregionsarecovered.• TheUAVforwardflightspeedmustbeslowenoughtobecompatiblewiththesweepingmotion

sothatthesubjectarea(i.e.,sectionsorindividualcomponentsofthecrop)wouldremain

withinacamerafootprintwithnocoveragegaps.

DataCaptureduringaCoordinatedTurnTheUAVmustbeabletoturnaroundtocontinuescanningthearea.Yourteammayfinditusefultouseturnsofdifferentradiitofullycoveryourdatacapturearea.Duringacoordinatedturn,thebodyoftheUAVisrolledtoprovidealiftingforcewhichpointstowardthecenteroftheturningarc.Thetighterthe

turn,themore“g”sarepulledbytheUAV,increasingthestressonthewings.YourwingsmustbedesignedtosustainthetightestturnradiususedinyourMissionFlightPlanwiththeappropriatesafetyfactor.

Duringacoordinateturn,camerafootprintrotatesastheUAVrotatesabouttheturn(seeFigure11

earlier).Iftheforwardflightspeedismaintainedfromstraightandlevelflightduringacoordinatedturn,thenthemiddleofeachcamerafootprintwillcoverthegroundforthesameduration;however,attheinsideoftheturnthegroundwillbecoveredbyalongerdurationandattheoutsideoftheturnthe

groundwillbecoveredbyashorterduration.Thecoveragedurationofthisoutsideedgemustbelongerthantherequireddetectiontimetocontributetothetotalcoveragearea.

FlightPathforFullCoverageoftheSubjectAreaIntheprecisionagricultureremotesensingapplication,oneoftheprimarygoalsistoscantheentiresubjectcroparea.TheflightmaneuverscalculatedinyourMissionFlightPlanbecomebuildingblocksto

documenthowyourUAVswouldflytocovertheentirearea.StraightandLevelFlightManeuverscanbestretchedlongerasneeded.CoordinatedTurnFlightManeuverscanbecreatedfordifferentradius


values(seeFigure12earlier).CreateaflightpathforfullcoverageofthesearchareainsupportofyourMissionFlightPlan.

Approach,Landing,andRefueling/MaintenanceWhileconductingamissionortask,eachUAVwillhavetoreturntobaseandlandatsomepoint.This

willhappenateitheraplannedtime,suchasforrefuelingorattheendofthemission,oratanunplannedtime,formaintenance,erraticbehavior,etc.InyourMissionFlightPlan,describethisprocessanddemonstratethateachUAVinthesystemhasenoughfueltocompleteitsportionofthe

taskandreturnhomeandland.Ifrefuelingisrequired,documentthiswiththeFlightPath.Forinternalcombustionenginedesigns,adda5%fuelmargintoaccountforfuelthatcouldgetstuckinthecornersofthefueltank.

TotalMissionTimeCalculationThefinalportionofyourteam’sMissionFlightPlanistotabulatethetotalmissiontimerequiredto

setuptheUAS,launcheachUAV,flythechosenflightpathtoscantheentireareawithallUAVs,refuelasrequired,returntobase,land,andbreakdownthesystemtoloaditbackintothetrailer/shelter.

CommunicationsConsiderationsYouwillwanttoprovideadetaileddescriptionofhowyouwillmaintaincommunicationand

coordinationamongalltheaircraft,ensuresafety,andfullycoverthesubjectarea.

SpectrumAuthorizationandTransmissionRulesInaccordancewiththeFAANotice8900.227UnmannedAircraftSystems(UAS)OperationalApproval,

thereareseveralimportantconsiderationsnecessarytousecommunicationsequipment.

1. Everyuser(operator)musthavetheappropriateNationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministration(NTIA)orFederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)authorizationorapprovaltotransmitusingradiofrequencies(RF).TheseRFareusedintheuplinkanddownlinkportionof

theUAScommunicationsfortransmissionandreceiptofcontrolcommands,telemetry,andsensor/payloadinformation.Thisisachievableusinglicensedbands,whichrequireanoperatorlicensesuchasanAmateurRadioLicense–TechnicianClass(validfortenyears).Beawarethat

eachlicensetypehasrestrictionsconcerningtheuseofspecificfrequenciesandtransmissionpowerlimits.

2. Non-Federalpublicagencies(otherpublicentitiesandcivilUASusers)generallyrequireanFCC

approvedlicensetotransmitonfrequenciesotherthantheunlicensedbands(900MHz,2.4GHz,and5.8GHz).However,keepinmindthattherearelimitationsonthetransmissionpowerusedbyunlicensedoperatorsontheunlicensedbands(seePart15oftheCodeofFederal

RegulationsTitle47regardingRadioFrequencyDevicesandtheirtechnicalrequirements).Itshouldbenotedthatinaccordancewith47CFR97,§97.215Telecommandofmodelcraft,anamateurstationtransmittingsignalstocontrolamodelcraftmaybeoperatedasfollows:


a. Thestationidentificationprocedureisnotrequiredfortransmissionsdirectedonlytothemodelcraft,providedthatalabelindicatingthestationcallsignandthestation

licensee'snameandaddressisaffixedtothestationtransmitter.b. Thecontrolsignalsarenotconsideredcodesorciphersintendedtoobscurethe

meaningofthecommunication.

c. Thetransmitterpowermustnotexceed1Watt(W).3. DepartmentofDefense(DOD)agenciestypicallydemonstrateUASspectrumauthorization

throughaSpecialTemporaryAuthorization(STA)issuedbytheNTIAorafrequencyassignment

intheGovernmentMasterFile(GMF).4. Non-DODFederalpublicagencies(e.g.,NASA,USCG,andUSCBP)alsorequireanSTAissuedby

theNTIAorfrequencyassignmentintheGMF.

PreventingInterferenceWhenoperatingmultipleaircraftorincloseproximitytootheraircraftinanareayouwillneedto

preventcommunicationsinterferenceamongthevariousaircraftandthegroundcontrol.Thiscanbeaccomplishedusingavarietyofmethods,includinguseoffrequencyhoppingequipment,frequencymanagement,staggeringflights,anddirectionaltrackingantennae.ThefollowingfiguredepictssixUAS

operatinginafivemilebyfivemilesubjectareausinglow-powercommunications(onemilerange)andtheresultinginterferencethatcouldoccurfromoverlappingcoverage.

Figure18.SixUASwithlow-powercommunicationsoperatinginsubjectarea(interference).


UseofMultipleAntennaeItispossibletousemultiplecommunicationpathswithasingleaircraftthroughemploymentofamultiplexerdeviceonboardtheUAV.Amultiplexerisadevicethatprovidesauserwiththeabilitytoselectoneofseveralinputsanddesignateastheprimary(single)signal.Usingsuchadevicemakesit

possibletomonitorthereceivedsignalstrengthindication(RSSI)ofeachinputandselecttheonewiththeleastnoise,strongestsignal,ormostreliablesignal(strongestovertime;averaged).InmanycasesthesedevicescanbeconfiguredtomonitorRSSIandautomaticallyselectonethatmeetsdesired

conditions(e.g.,leastnoise,strongest,reliable).Whenamultiplexerisintegratedintoacommunicationsystem,itbecomespossibletouseseveraltransmittersfromthegroundcontrolstation;eachfittedwith

theirownantenna.Thisstrategycanbeemployedtosupportuseofomni-directional(circularradius)anddirectionalantennae(e.g.,Yagi-Uda,lens,orpatch).Thefollowingfiguredepictsuseofamultiplexerdevice(inred)tosupportbothlineofsight(LOS)andbeyondlineofsight(BLOS)

communications.

Figure19.UASfeaturinguseofamultiplexer(inred).

UseofTrackingAntennaTrackingantennafeatureamovingbasethatcanchangethepitchandyaw(heading)oftheantennaor

antennae.Theycanbemanuallycontrolledbyhandorautomatedthroughuseoftelemetry.Inorderto


automate,thepositionandorientationofboththetrackingantennaandtheUAV(airvehicleelement)mustbeknownandcommunicatedtothegroundcontrolstation.Usinggeometry-basedalgorithmsthe

groundcontrolstationwilldeterminetheappropriatepitchandyawtoorientthetrackingantennasothatitpointsatandtrackstheaircraftwhileinflight(seethefollowingfigure).

Figure20.TrackingAntennaexample.

Inaddition,directional(highlyfocused;e.g.,patch,Yagi-Uda,orlens)antennacanalsobeusedin

combinationwithatrackingandpointingbasetoavoidoccurrencesofinterferencebymaintainingeitherverticalorhorizontalseparation(seethefollowingfigure).


Figure21.Multipleaircraftanddirectionalantennaseparationexample.


X.BusinessCaseGuidelines

TheRWDCcanbeviewedasaprojectthatprogressesthroughtheprovenprototypeoutsideofthecurrentFAApart107regulationstoshowthatthepart107islimitingtheopportunitiestomakemoneywithunmannedsystems.YourteamshoulddevelopabusinesscasethatincludesthenecessaryinformationrequiredbytheFAAandcompaniesthatyoucanperformthespecifiedmissionsforprecisionagriculturemoreeffectivelyandsafelyunrestrictedbythepart107regulations.YourplanshouldshowthatbygoingoutsideoftheregulationsthatyoucansafelymakeasignificantlygreaterprofitthantheDJIAgrasMG-1andtheeBeeSQthatoperateinsideoftheregulations.Tofollowisanelaborationofthefivekeycomponentsofabusinesscasethatwillassistyouincreatingasuccessfulplan.Thinkoffollowingkeycomponentsofabusinesscasetohelpyoudevelopyourbusinesscasesection:

1.Providestherationaleforaproductdevelopmenteffort

2.Explainsthemeansbywhichtheprojectwillproduceareturnoninvestment

3.Outlinestheoverallfeasibilityandrisks

4.Explainsthecompetitivelandscape

5.Providestheoverallscope,timeframe,andfundingrequirements

Rationale

Whywouldyoutakethisservicetomarket?Theinvestmentcommunityisbyitsverynaturehighlyskepticalofnewproductideas.Thisisbecausemostnewbusinessideasdonotsucceed.Thecaseforfullcommercialdevelopmentofaproductmustdemonstratethatitmeetsacompellingneedinthemarket.Further,potentialcustomerswhohavethiscompellingneedmustbeshowntobewillingtopayfortheproductatapricethataddressesallcostsoftheproductincludingresearchanddevelopment(R&D),manufacturing,operations,overheadcosts,thecostofcapital(i.e.,thereturnonthefundinginitiallyinvestedintheproduct),andtheFAAwantstomakesureyouareoperatingsafelywhereyouareoutsideoftheregulations.

ReturnonInvestment

Willyourproposedbusinessmakemoney?Itisuptoyoutoexplainhowyouintendtomakemoneywiththisservice,aswellasthelikelihoodofsuccess.Therearemanythingstoconsiderwhenyoumaketheargumentthatyourplanwilllikelybeprofitable.Forthisyearschallengewearegivingyouthecompetitorthatyouaretryingtodobetterthansofirst,youmustdecidehowyouwillprovidethe


serviceswillareaskingyoutocomplete,alongwiththeassociatedtargetmarketanditssizeandgrowthparameters.Themarket,marketsize,andproposedcompellingneedforthebusinessprovidesomeindicationofthepossiblepricelevelofyourproduct,butitisimportanttorememberthatprofitabilityisthedifferencebetweenthecostoftheserviceanditsprice.Thecaseforthereturnoninvestmentmustalsodemonstratethattheservicemaybedoneatareasonablecostthatwillsupportatargetprofitmargin.Thisshouldbecarefullyconsideredassomeapplicationsforyourproductmaybemorecostlythanothers—andcorrespondingly—somemarketsmaybefarmorepricesensitivethanothers.Thebasicproductandmarketentrystrategyshouldbeclearlyunderstoodsothatyouhaveabasisformakingcost/benefittrade-offanalyses.

FeasibilityandRisk

Canyourdesignperformhowyousayitwillwhenperformingthisservice?Areyouadequatelyaccountingforsafelyintheareasthatyouplantogooutsideofthepart107regulations?Areyouabletoperformthetasksbetter/moreprofitablythanthegivenexistingsystem?BeforeattemptingtoconvincetheinvestmentcommunityandtheFAAthatyourteamiscapableofdevelopingandlaunchingthisplaninthemarket,youmustbeconvincedyourself.Itisatthisstageofdevelopingtheplanandthebusinesscasethatexperiencecounts.Ifyouarenotcertainoftherisksorofyourowncapability,don’tneglecttoreachouttosubjectmatterexperts.Also,rememberthatwhenseekingfundingfromtheinvestmentcommunitysuchasventurecapital,youaredealingwithindividualswhohavefundedmanysimilarventuresandarequiteawareofthelimitationsofdevelopmentteams,andtherisksthatcangetinthewayofsuccessfulmarketlaunches.Besure,therefore,tointensivelybrainstormpossiblerisks.Youdonotwanttoleavesomethingoutofyourbusinesscase,orbeaskedsomethingbyapotentialinvestor—andareunabletogiveananswer.

CompetitiveLandscape

ForthisyearsChallengeyouwillbecomparingyourdesigntotheDJIAgrasMG-1andtheeBeeSQaspairofUAV’susedtodetectandsprayforCornBillbugsonafieldofDentcorn(Zea mays var. indentata). ThedesignsgiventoyouoperateinsideofFAApart107regulations.YouareseeingifthereisanopportunitytoperformthetasksofsprayinganddetectionwithadesignthatisnotlimitedbythePart107regulations.Belowarethespecificationsofthepricingandexpensesthatthecombinedsystemhastocompletethemissionsoverafieldof2milesby2miles(2560acres).InthisChallengeyoushouldassumethatyoumustdoyourdetectionovertheentirefield.Whencalculatingcreatingasprayingplanyoumustassumethat10%ofthefieldisinfestedwithCornBillbugs(256acres).TheSolvitolPesticidewillkilloftheinfestationintheappropriatevolumesspecifiedinthevolumesection.Thecompetitorthatyouwillbeworkingagainstwillbeassumedtohave1DJIAgrasMG-1and1eBeeSQtocompletetheremissionandwewillnotbeaccountingforthecostofSolvitolPesticide.

CompetitorsPerformance

SpecificationsforDJIAgrasMG-1andtheeBeeSQtreatmentofthefield:

eBeeSQ

• Willcompletethefielddetectioninapproximately5hours(asspecifiedinperformance)• Thecostofthedetectionwillbe$175($35perhourX5hoursforthepilotfortheentirefield


• BatteriesarechargedwithaDieselGeneratoratacostof.4gallonsperhour.Thecostofchargingthebatteriesis$4.10(.4gallonsperhourX5hoursX$2.05pergallonofDiesel)

• Aircraftcost$10,490• Dataanalysissoftwarecost$1,500(doneinrealtime).

DJIAgrasMG-1

• Willcompletethesprayinginapproximately36.6hoursoftreatmentdoneover3daysofdaylightflighttocompletethesprayingofthe256acreinfestedareaofthefield.

• Thecostofpilotingforthesprayingis$1281($35perhourX36.6hoursofpilotingtime)• Costoflaunchrecoveryassistancewhoalsoreplacespesticide$549($15perhourX36.6hours

ofmissiontime)• BatteriesarechargedwithaDieselGeneratoratacostof.4gallonsperhour.Thecostof

chargingthebatteriesis$30.02(.4gallonsperhourX36.6hoursX$2.05pergallonofDiesel)• Aircraftcost$15,000

Costtotreatjustthesamplefieldisapproximately$32,500($29,029.12+$3,470.88(profit))

Thecostperacrebasedonthesamplemissionflightisapproximately$12.70peracre($32,500/2560acres)

Forthiscompetitivelandscapeyouwillbecomparingyourselfwiththegivensystemabove.Youmaychoosetotargetfieldsofdifferentsizesandfindouthowyoursystemscalesincomparisontothesystemabove.Ataminimumyouwillbeabletoshowhowyoursystemisabletodothedetectionandsprayingofthefieldbetterthanthesystemabove.Youmaychoosetoamortizeorspreadyourcostsoverflyingovermultiplefieldsoryoumaydecidetojustbereallyefficientoverone.Themostimportantthingyoushouldkeepinmindfromabusinessstandpointisthatyoushouldbemakingagreaterprofit.Ifyouflythefieldfasteryoumaybeabletoflyovermorefieldsthanthegivensystem.Ifyoucandoitcheaperyoumightbeabletoperformthemissionsforlessmoneyorincreaseyourprofitmargins.Thesearethethingsyoushouldtakeintoaccountwhencomparingyoursystemwiththeexistingsystem.

MakingaCaseofCostSavingsforFarmers

Overallwhenyouaredesigningaplanforyoursystemyoushouldkeepinmindthatyourcustomerisafarmer.Keepinmindthatyouarenotthefarmerandthatyouarenotsellingyoursystemtoafarmer.Insteadyourdesignisusedtoperformaserviceforthefarmertohelpthefarmereliminateaninfestationthatishurtinghiscrops.Thedistinctionofyourselfasaseparatefromthefarmerandnotsellingaproducttothefarmerisanimportantonewhenyoudesignyoursystemandcreateabusinesscase.Whatisimportanttokeepinmindisthatyoushouldbetryingtoincreasethefarmer’sprofitsbyimprovinghiscropyield.ThewayyouhelphimwiththatisbyeliminatingtheCornBillbugthatisdestroyingthefarmer’scrops.Bypayingyoumoneyheorshecangetmoneyfromcropsthatwouldotherwisebedead.WhatyoushouldtrytodoismakesurethatthecostyougivetofarmersislessthatthetotallossesheorshewouldsufferfromtheCornBillbugsdamagetohisorherfield.Forthisscenariowehavegivenyouafewvariablesthatcanhelpyoufigureouthowmuchyoucansavethe


farmer.Belowarethecalculationsofhowmuchafarmermightbeabletosaveperacreandforthesamplefieldfromyourtreatmentoftheinfestation.Forthesecalculationsrememberthatthegivenvaluesarearangeofpossibledamageover10%ofthefieldassumingthatthefieldhastheworstlevelofcropdeathfromtheinfestation.YoushouldtrytobewellundercosttothefarmergivenbelowbecausethereisachancetheCornBillbugsdoeslessdamagethantheamountgiven.

Potentialcroploss

Givens

• 10%offieldsinfested• 40%oftheinfestedcropsarelost• Thefieldis2560acres• Thecornproduces175.3BushelsperAcre• Thecostofthecornis$3PerBushel

GivenFieldLoss

$53,852.16totallossonthefield=(2560acresX175.3BushelsperacreX$3perBushelX10%infestation)X40%croplossperinfestedacre

Averagelossperacre

$21.04perAcre

Savingsthefarmermakeswithgivensolution

Peracresavings=$8.34

Fieldsavings=$21,350.40

Amortization(optional)

Youmayalsoseehowyoucanimproveyourcostsbyamortizingyourcostsspreadingyourfixedcostsorcostforyouraircraftovermorethanonemission.Amortizingyourcostsisfairlysimple,asabusinessyouwouldlikelywanttoflyovermorethanonefieldinayear.Amortizingyourcostsspreadsyourfixedcostsoverthecourseofthenumberofmissionsyouplanonflying.Amortizingisgreatforspreadingyourcostsoutoverthelifeoftheequipment.Seeasamplebelow.

Costpermission(field)=(fixedcost/numberofmissions)+variablecosts

Summary

Ifyourteamisabletodefinitivelyanswerthe“Who?(resources)What?(scope),When?(schedule),Where?(market),How?(feasibilityanddesigntradeoffs),andWhy?(compellingneed,returnoninvestment)”,thenyourchancesofreceivingfundingforacommercialdevelopmentandmarketlaunch


riseconsiderably.Belowisadditionalinformationtohelpyouwitheachofthesectionsofthebusinesscaseinyourengineeringdesignnotebook.

MakingaStrategy

Youcanhaveyourdesigngetusedonlargerorsmallerfieldsthanthegivenoneassumingthe10%cropinfestation.Itisimportanttocomeupwithaplanforbecomingsuccessfulinyourbusiness.Creatingabusinessstrategywillhelpyoutokeepyourdesigndecisionsalignedwithyourbusinessplan.Ifyourdesigndecisionsaremadewithoutconsideringhowtheyfitintoyourstrategythenyourbusinessplanwillnotworkandyouwillhaveahardertimejustifyingyourdesigndecisionsinyourbusinesscasesection.Thereare2broadstrategiestoconsiderwhensellingaproduct,allproductsaretryingtodooneofthe2andproductsthattrytodobothstrategiesatthesametimetendtohavetroubleormaylosemoney.Thefirststrategyistobealowcostprovider.Alowcostprovidertriestosellthecheapestoptionpossibleforaproduct.Lowcostproviderstrytomakemoneybysellingalotofproductsmakingalowprofitoneachitemsold.Anexampleofalowcostproviderwouldbeaflipphoneorapayphone.Thesecondstrategyistobeadifferentiator.ADifferentiatortriedtodosomethingbetterthanthealternativeortriestoappealtoaparticulargroupinthemarket.DifferentiatorswhotrytodosomethingbetterthananyoneelseusuallypickoneareaofabusinesstobebetteratthaneveryoneelselikeNordstromclothingstoretriestohavebetterservicethanotherdressclothingstores.Becauseadifferentiatordoesajobormakesaproductbettertheyareabletochargemoremoneyforit.Theotherdifferentiatorthatcaterstoaparticulargroupmightnotbethebestinanareabutitcatersitsbusinesstoaparticulargroup.YoucouldforexamplebebetterthananyotherUAVathelpingcranberryfarmersbecauseofthedesignyouhave.Whenmakingyourmarketingstrategyyouneedtoresearchwhatisouttherethatdoesthejobsthatyouwantyouraircrafttodo.MakesuretogetasenseofthecostofthecurrentoptionanddecideifyourUAVcandothejobfaster,cheaperorbetter.UsetheresearchtoassesswhatotheroptionsfarmersmayuseinsteadofpurchasingyourUAV.Keepinmindsomeoftheoptionsmaybetocheckthingsbyhavingapersonwalkthroughthefield.

Cost/BenefitAnalysis

Whenyouareresearchingwhatoptionsareavailabletothefarmeryoushouldkeeptrackofthecostsofdifferentwaystodothejob(s)yourUAVcando.UseyourresearchtoassessthehowthemissionsyourUASdoescomparewiththewaysthosetasksaredonewithtraditionalagriculture.ExplainhowyourUASaccomplishesitsmissionseitherbetterorcheaperthanthegivensystem.ExplainwhyyouchosethecomponentsincludedonyourUAS.Describehowthecomponentsofyourdesignaddvaluebyeitheraddingmoremissionsorimprovingperformanceforyoursystem.Explainhowyoubalancedhigherperformanceofexpensivecomponentswithanincreasedcostofcomponents.Alsomakesuretohownotbeingconfinedbypart107allowedyoutoimproveyourdesignsefficiencyandperformancewhilemaintainingsafety.


XI.3DCADModelRequirementsThree-dimensionalCADmodelsareprovidedtorepresentthethreebaselineexampleunmannedaircraftplatformsincludedinthechallenge(e.g.,fixed-wingpusher,fixed-wingtractor,andhybrid).Each

teamisencouragedtomodifythesemodelstobegraphicallyrepresentativeofanyunmannedaircraftdesignsincludedintheirsubmission.Itisalsopermissibletocustomcreatea3DCADmodelinCreoforeachunmannedaircraftdesign.Thefinished3DCADmodelmustmeetthefollowingrequirements(i.e.,

basicitemstokeepinmindwhendesigningfor3Dprinting):

NOTE:Whenyouaredesigninga3Dmodelforprintorvideothereislittleneedtopayanyattentiontoreality.Mostscenesandobjectswillonlycontainthemeshesthatarevisible;objectsdonotneedtophysicallyconnect.

1. Objectsmustbeclosed:3Dprintingcompaniesliketocallthisbeing'watertight'.Itcan

sometimesbeapaintoidentifywherethisproblemoccursinyourmodel.2. Objectsmustbemanifold:Thefulldefinitionofmanifoldisquitemathematic.Forourpurposes,

ameshwillbecomenon-manifoldifithasedgesthataresharedbetweenmorethantwofaces

(seeFigure22).

Figure22.3Dcubeswithonecommonedge.

3. Observethemaximumsizeandwall-thickness:Themaximumsizeofyourobjectandthe

minimumwall-thicknessdependontheproductionmethodthatyouareplanningtouse.4. Correctnormal:Allsurfacesofyourmodelshouldhavetheir“normal”pointinginthecorrect

direction.Whenyourmodelcontainsinverted“normal”3Dprinterscannotdeterminetheinside

oroutsideofyourmeshormodel.


Whilemodelingfor3DPrintingisquitedifferentfrom'traditional',itisnotdifficult-ifyoukeeptheconstraintsinmindfromthestart.

XII.AdditionalInformationandResources• RWDCContentWebinars

o OverviewofUnmannedSystemso SystemsEngineeringandVehiclePerformanceFactors

o PrecisionAgricultureandApplicationofUnmannedSystemso BusinessCaseandCostConsiderations

• RWDCSitewithFAQs,tutorials,Mathcadmodules,materialallowables,andothersupporting

materials:http://www.realworlddesignchallenge.org/• Thefollowingrepresenttherecommendedbaselineremoteairvehicleelement(i.e.,UAV)

platformsforthischallenge:

o Fixed-wingPusherUASDesigno Fixed-wingTractorUASDesigno Rotary-wingUASDesign

o MultirotorUASDesigno HybridUASDesign

• Mentorsfromtheaerospaceanddefenseindustry,governmentagenciesandhighereducation

• BaselineCADmodelsforeachbaselineremotevehicleelementtobeprovided

PTCTools• PTCCreo2.0andMathcadPrime2.0• MathcadandExcelsizing,performance,andcostworksheets

TeamSubmissionsTheEngineeringDesignNotebooksubmissionincludingthebusinessplanandappendicesmustbe80

pagesorless.DetailedinformationregardingwhatmustbedocumentedcanbefoundintheScoringRubric.

Scoring• Teams’submissionswillbeevaluatedbasedoncriteriaoutlinedintheRWDCFY18State

ChallengeScoringRubricandinreferencetotheexamplemissionscenario

• TechnicalscoringwillbebasedondeliverablestobeincorporatedintheEngineeringDesignNotebook

• EngineeringDesignNotebooksshouldfollowtheparagraphorderoftheScoringRubric

• Judgeswillbelookingforabilitytoexpresscomprehensionandlinkagebetweenthedesignsolutionswithwhatstudentshavelearned

• Specificrecognitionwillbegivenfordesignviability,manufacturability,innovation,business

plandevelopment,andadditionalapplicationbeyondprecisionagriculture

Documents

FY18 RWDC State Unmanned Aerial System Challenge ... · Unmanned Aerial System Challenge: Practical Solutions to ... , Real World Design Challenge ... , unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV])