Innovative UAV-Based Digital Imaging System for Heavy Lift Aircraft Project

1. David Eells (Mechanical Engineering) Concept Level Project PlanP08110 – UAV Based Digital Imaging System

2. Concept Level Project Plan Project Name UAV Based Digital Imaging System Project Number P08110 Project Family Multi-Platform Payloads - Family of Projects Track Aerospace Systems and Technology Track Start Term 2007-2 End Term 2007-3 Faculty Guide Dr. Marcos Esterman – My choice Faculty Consultant Dr. Jeff Kozak (ME) – Confirmed Faculty Consultant Dr. Carl Salvaggio – Confirmed Primary Customer Name, ITT Space Systems, Title – As-yet unknown representative of ITT.

3. Phase 0: PlanningMission Statement Product Description This product will be a digital imaging system to be taken aloft in the RIT SAE Aero Design Team Heavy Lift Aircraft UAV. Key Business Goals The primary business goals of this product are to -This section is waiting on a customer interview. Primary Market ITT Space Systems (customer) RIT Mechanical Engineering Department Future SD Teams in this project family Secondary Market Other aerial imaging groups Stakeholders Stakeholders in the design of our product include the following: -The customer, ITT Space Systems -The RIT Aero Design Team -Future SD teams -RIT

4. Phase 0: PlanningStaffing Requirements Mechanical Engineers 2-3 -The MEs will be responsible for designing and constructing the enclosure for the Imaging System. This will include making sure that the total system meets the gross physical specifications (size and weight) to be able to fit in the Aero Design Team's Heavy Lift Aircraft. -Also, the MEs will need to do analyses of the system with an eye towards durability and shocks. Electrical Engineers 1-2 -The EEs on the team will focus on control systems (largely reprogramming the PC104 chip) for the Imaging System. Industrial and Systems Engineers 1 The ISE will be responsible for systems integration. Computer Engineers 1-2 -The CEs will work with the EEs on developing the control systems for the Imaging System Business Majors 0 At this time, I do not believe that a business major is necessary for this project. Imaging Science Majors 0-1 -An IS major may be needed for theoretical work.

5. Phase 0: PlanningResource Requirements People -The Aero Design Team has designed, built and flown a first-generation model of the UAV we will be using to carry the imaging system. Their information will be needed for the overall design. Also, the Aero Team will be needed when the project is ready for flight testing. -ME, EE, CE Faculty. The ability to consult with experienced faculty will be invaluable. -Other needs will be identified subsequent to customer interviews Environment -The project team will need a secure storage space for project parts. -The project team will need the ability, late in the project, to flight-test the project. -Other environment needs will be identified subsequent to customer interviews Equipment -The project team will need access to simple tools, the machine shop, CAD programs, circuit design tools and other resources. -Other environment needs will be identified subsequent to customer interviews Materials At this time, I am not certain what materials may be needed for this project. This will be clearer after customer interview(s).

6. Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Interviews Primary Customer(s) ITT Space Systems is still determining a representative to work with the Senior Design Team. Once they have done so, one or more interviews will be needed to determine customer needs. Other Stakeholder(s) An interview with the lead of the Aero Design Team will be needed to determine gross physical specifications of the system. The system must fit in the cargo bay of the Heavy Lift Aircraft and be light enough to allow the plane to get off the ground. Also, the Aero Team will be needed for flight testing of the project. Past Senior Design Team(s) I was unable to find any prior SD teams involving the Heavy Lift Aircraft in the EDGE Database. However, a recent SD team (P07521) had a project to create an imaging platform for the Micro Air Vehicle. Dr. Esterman was the Faculty Guide for that project. I recently spoke with Dr. Salvaggio of CIS, and got a look at this system, which would be easily adapted for use in this project.

7. Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Benchmarking Competitive or Cooperative Solutions The College of Imaging Science has an imaging system that was designed to fly on the MAV. It will be a simple matter to adapt this system to the needs of this project. Dr. Salvaggio was a consultant on the project that developed the system, his help will be invaluable. Internet Search http://www.storaenso.com/CDAvgn/main/0,,1_EN-1361-16304-,00.html-EnsoMOSAIC aerial digital imaging system. Both hardware and software, but currently requires a manned aircraft. Investigation needed. Technical Literature Search A search of the RIT Library website did not yield any good hits. I will need to contact the Engineering consultant at the Library for further assistance.

8. Phase 1: Concept DevelopmentIdentify Customer Needs - Interpret Needs Statements: Imaging System must meed gross physical requirements of payload bay The maximum payload bay size is approximately 6”x6”x18”. The 18” dimension is a maximum, the 6”x6” is a needed size for snug fit. The maximum lift weight for the Heavy Lift Aircraft is approximately 15 pounds. The system must be approximately balanced about the centerline. Imaging System must be vibration-damped to allow clear pictures System must be able to be “locked-in” to the payload bay (things shifting in flight is BAD). System available from CIS is already vibration-damped. Graphical Interpretation Due to lack of known needs, graphical interpretation is impractical at this time. Organize the Needs into a Hierarchy Again, lack of known needs makes this impractical. Establish the Relative Importance of the Needs Customer interview is needed to establish relative importance of needs. Reflect on the Results and the Process I have some outstanding tasks including searches, interviews, and confirming a faculty guide and, possibly, more faculty consultants.

9. Notes on the imaging system The CIS imaging system is well within the physical limits of this project In fact, the system will need a redesign to allow it to fit better in the heavy-lift aircraft. The CIS system is already vibration-damped The system is self-powered. Battery power source good for about 8 hours. The system stores images on a standard Compact Flash card

10. System notes II The current system has a dome-mounted camera. Full 180° hemisphere range of motion. Keeps camera pointing down even when aircraft is not level May need to be changed to a look-down-only model due to space concerns. Two problems... The team that developed the system corrupted the PC104 chip that runs it during a ground test. The chip had some “legacy” code on it that was not backed-up, so the chip will need to be reprogrammed. The accelerometer currently in the system may be needed by another CIS student's project. If that is the case, a new accelerometer would be needed.

11. Future PlanWhere do you go from here? Once ITT finds a representative, customer interview(s) will be needed to establish customer needs. A confirmed Faculty Guide is needed. Thorough Internet and Literature searches are needed once customer needs are established. An interview with the Aero Design Team is needed to establish more detailed physical parameters, as well as to establish the possibility of integration with the UAV control system. NEED A CONCRETE END GOAL.