The Saucer Shark is a Magnetometer Payload suspended below an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to reduce platform induced magnetic noise while maintaining high sensitivity. This payload is an evolution in the geomagnetic sensing realm; boasting a high and adjustable sampling rate, low noise, ease of portability (additionally used as a walking ground survey), real-time data downlink, user interface for a spatial understanding the live data, and a strong pipeline to intelligent system development which includes payload suggested or directed operations.
The Saucer Shark payload system not only provides improved sensor collection, but also improves the ability to collect actionable data. The payload is suspended much lower than many other systems, while maintaining the orientation relative to the UAV regardless of the wind direction. The system is designed to be both statically and dynamically stable – such that it dampens and reduces swinging, pitching, rolling, and twisting. The system is also equipped with a release mechanism to jettison the payload to improve the safety and operation of the system in a filed environment.
Consists of 4 separate assemblies and systems:
-
Drop Release – Remote release/deployment of the payload
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Sling & Brace – Keeps payload stable and in the same yaw orientation as the UAV
-
Payload – Sensor meshed data recorded locally and downlinked
-
Ground Station – Live view data with predictive source detection
How does it work?
The Saucer Shark consists of various sensors: magnetometer, IMU, GPS, and distance LiDar sensor. Each of these asyncrous data streams are meshed into one data stream that are recorded locally at over 130hz. Some of this data is also downlinked to a ground station (via BisonCore) for live viewing and predictive processing/enters pipeline for payload directed operations.
The drop release mechanism consists of multiple attachment points to the sling, that remotely controlled to provide the operator with the ability to release the payload. For example, if the payload becomes stuck or made a fast the operator can release the payload and safely land the aircraft.
The sensors are mounted in a payload enclosure at the base of a long and stable sling that allows the multi-rotor UAV to pitch and roll without changing the attitude of the payload, but at the same time always maintain the yaw direction of the UAV. This enables the user to point the sensor in a any desired direction, regardless of transect pattern or wind direction.
As common with hung payloads, their aerodynamics play a large role in the behavior of the sling. Common Geo-Mag payload enclosure designs are optimized in the forward flight direction, but this means any off directional wind will cause the payload to yaw and twist. While flying a VTOL air vehicle at slow speeds, the common wind direction may in fact be due to the wind or another component in the resultant vector. The Saucer Shark Aeroshell/payload fairing is designed to be optimum in all lateral wind directions, and aerodynamically stable in vertical, or high angles of attack, flow environments.
Data is downlinked to a ground station using the BisonCore system. This data is then viewable by users, from nearly any device(s) of their choosing. The data is displayed in the form of each sensor’s plot over time or in a spatial representation to where the data was collected--MagMap. MagMap enables the user to make real-time assessments geographic points of interest and of how the data collection is progressiong, without having to wait for the vehicle to land and download the data. This system brings the ability of edge computing, live processing, and a pipeline to payload directed operations.
Why is it innovative?
Saucer Shark enables the collection of high resolution, low noise, airborne magnetic data that can be live-viewed. With increased sensitivity the sensor can detect smaller source signals. This leads to finding sources much faster without risking staff trudging through the field but, if a ground survey is desired the payload is light and ergonomic enough to be directly used in walking surveys. With the data downlink and use of the BisonCore System, the Saucer Shark is capable of future payload directed source finding, and real- time geologic feature detection.
What can it do for USGS
Saucer Shark increases the USGS’s abilities in new, novel, and critical mineral detection and assessment studies. By providing the ability to perform novel earth-science studies: groundwater assessments and hazards, earthquake and volcano hazards, and natively georeferenced data for geologic mapping.
The Saucer Shark is a Magnetometer Payload suspended below an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to reduce platform induced magnetic noise while maintaining high sensitivity. This payload is an evolution in the geomagnetic sensing realm; boasting a high and adjustable sampling rate, low noise, ease of portability (additionally used as a walking ground survey), real-time data downlink, user interface for a spatial understanding the live data, and a strong pipeline to intelligent system development which includes payload suggested or directed operations.
The Saucer Shark payload system not only provides improved sensor collection, but also improves the ability to collect actionable data. The payload is suspended much lower than many other systems, while maintaining the orientation relative to the UAV regardless of the wind direction. The system is designed to be both statically and dynamically stable – such that it dampens and reduces swinging, pitching, rolling, and twisting. The system is also equipped with a release mechanism to jettison the payload to improve the safety and operation of the system in a filed environment.
Consists of 4 separate assemblies and systems:
-
Drop Release – Remote release/deployment of the payload
-
Sling & Brace – Keeps payload stable and in the same yaw orientation as the UAV
-
Payload – Sensor meshed data recorded locally and downlinked
-
Ground Station – Live view data with predictive source detection
How does it work?
The Saucer Shark consists of various sensors: magnetometer, IMU, GPS, and distance LiDar sensor. Each of these asyncrous data streams are meshed into one data stream that are recorded locally at over 130hz. Some of this data is also downlinked to a ground station (via BisonCore) for live viewing and predictive processing/enters pipeline for payload directed operations.
The drop release mechanism consists of multiple attachment points to the sling, that remotely controlled to provide the operator with the ability to release the payload. For example, if the payload becomes stuck or made a fast the operator can release the payload and safely land the aircraft.
The sensors are mounted in a payload enclosure at the base of a long and stable sling that allows the multi-rotor UAV to pitch and roll without changing the attitude of the payload, but at the same time always maintain the yaw direction of the UAV. This enables the user to point the sensor in a any desired direction, regardless of transect pattern or wind direction.
As common with hung payloads, their aerodynamics play a large role in the behavior of the sling. Common Geo-Mag payload enclosure designs are optimized in the forward flight direction, but this means any off directional wind will cause the payload to yaw and twist. While flying a VTOL air vehicle at slow speeds, the common wind direction may in fact be due to the wind or another component in the resultant vector. The Saucer Shark Aeroshell/payload fairing is designed to be optimum in all lateral wind directions, and aerodynamically stable in vertical, or high angles of attack, flow environments.
Data is downlinked to a ground station using the BisonCore system. This data is then viewable by users, from nearly any device(s) of their choosing. The data is displayed in the form of each sensor’s plot over time or in a spatial representation to where the data was collected--MagMap. MagMap enables the user to make real-time assessments geographic points of interest and of how the data collection is progressiong, without having to wait for the vehicle to land and download the data. This system brings the ability of edge computing, live processing, and a pipeline to payload directed operations.
Why is it innovative?
Saucer Shark enables the collection of high resolution, low noise, airborne magnetic data that can be live-viewed. With increased sensitivity the sensor can detect smaller source signals. This leads to finding sources much faster without risking staff trudging through the field but, if a ground survey is desired the payload is light and ergonomic enough to be directly used in walking surveys. With the data downlink and use of the BisonCore System, the Saucer Shark is capable of future payload directed source finding, and real- time geologic feature detection.
What can it do for USGS
Saucer Shark increases the USGS’s abilities in new, novel, and critical mineral detection and assessment studies. By providing the ability to perform novel earth-science studies: groundwater assessments and hazards, earthquake and volcano hazards, and natively georeferenced data for geologic mapping.