Drone Selection & Prototype Payload Build

Liam Broderick, Mark Broderick, Conor Graham, Ian O’Connor, Olaf Jensen, Heather Lally

Which drone to use?

Objectives:

• Critically evaluate all types and sizes ofrotary aircraft currently available on themarket for their suitability to conduct waterquality sampling and monitoring.

• Select a drone platform for payloadadaptation allowing water samples andphysico-chemical data collection.

Which drone to use?

Initial Requirements to meet project goals:

• Drone must be able to lift a slung payload of 6 kg.

• Fly for a minimum of 10 minutes

• Fly 200 m carrying this payload weight.

• Capability to fly in wind speeds up to 8 m/s.

• Drone including the payload must not exceed 15kg

• Must be capable of providing “loss of a single motor”redundancy.

• Must have GPS + GLONASS capability withredundancy available between them.

• Retractable undercarriage.

• First person view (FPV) integrated zoom camera of atleast 12 MP.

Which drone to use?

• Suitable for dual operators where the cameramovements can be controlled by a second operatorwith two compatible pilot / camera HD monitorssupplying a live view with HDMI output.

• The primary controller must be able to provideadditional channels available for integration with thepayload.

• The controller system must allow for softwaredevelopment kit (SDK) integration.

• The radios must operate on primary EU ISM Band 2.4GHz transmission with optional 5.8 GHz backup.

• Drone must give real time telemetry information forthe duration of the flight.

• Drone and all its accessories must be CE approved.

Drone Selection MatrixName of

UAV

Manufacturer Size

(diagonal)

mm

UAV

weight

(kg)

Maximum

payload

weight

(kg)

Flight

speed

(m/s)

Flight

duration

(mins)

Wind

speed

(m/s)

Waterproof EU Regulatory

Legislation†

Matrice

600 Pro

DJI* 1133 10

(including

batteries)

6 17 16 8 Splash proof Open category

– A3

Register UAV

operator with

IAA

Conduct theory

and flight

exams

Hold third party

insurance

Skymatri

x X-FI

Prodrone** 1534 13.2 20 (10 l

spray tank)

16 13 - 25 8 Waterproof

and for use in

all weathers

PD6B –

Type II

Prodrone** 1348 11.5 30 16 10 - 30 10 - Specific

category – SOP

required

Register UAV

operator with

IAA

Include risk

assessment

Agras

T16

DJI* 1833 18.5

(excludin

g

batteries)

16 (16 l

spray tank)

10 10 8 Spray proof

Agras

MG-1P &

MG-1S

DJI* 1500 &

1515

10

(excludin

g

batteries)

10-14 (10 l

spray tank)

7 20 - 22 8 Spray proof

*Data on DJI UAV models was taken from the DJI official website www.dji.com

**Data on Prodrone models was taken from the Prodrone website www.prodrone.com

†EU Regulatory Legislation pertains to the new EU Implementing (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947)

and Delegated Regulations (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945) which take effect of 1st July 2020. See

www.iaa.ie/general-aviation/drones for more information.

Selected Drone

DJI Matrice 600 Pro

Objectives:• Investigate various water sampling attachments

(payloads) in operation.

• Examine the applicability of using standardisedphysico-chemical probes as sensor attachments tothe payload.

• Explore the safest means of operating the packageon site, particularly for take off and Landing modes.

• Consider communication needs between theoperator and attached payload.

• Assess the ability of the drone to remotely store andtransmit physio-chemical data.

Prototype Payload Build

Prototype Payload Criteria

Retrieve 2 litres of water from 10 cms below the surface of the lake.

Water sample must not be contaminated by the system

Collect and log “time stamped” chemical measurements when in the water

Final weight suitable for drone transportation

Automated payload operation from water entry to exit

Waterproof and completely buoyant

Prototype Payload Build

The payload build and design is subject to a non-disclosure

agreement (NDA) and is currently deemed to be commercially sensitive

Prototype Payload Build

Key features:

• Prototype payload weight is 6kg outbound and 8kginbound.

• A remotely operated camera and “live link” verifiespayload operations.

• Flight time from take off to return is 6 mins, includingsample time in the water of around 3 mins.

• Altitude for flight was maintained at less than 15 m inall cases.

• Samples were taken more than 100 m from the lakeshore.

Prototype Payload Build

• Collection of a 2 L water sample and in-situ real timechemical analysis was collected with 100% reliability.

• Operational testing on site verified that Safe “Oneperson” Take off and Landing remote from theshoreline can be deployed in difficult locations ifrequired.

• An emergency release has been incorporated andtested should the payload become fouled or droneperformance deteriorate

Prototype Payload Build

Limitations encountered during field trials

Limitations UAV with attached water sampling payload

Weather Limited by wind speeds greater than 8 m/s

Limited by moderate – high rainfall levels

Payload Payload weight should be less than 10kg

Payload swings in the wind

UAV Operational carrying capacity of M 600 drone

Personnel Must have experienced, licensed UAV pilot