Interface of optimal electro-optical/infrared for unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

Unmanned aircraft vehicles applications are directly related to payload installed. Electro-optical/infrared payload is required for law enforcement, traffic spotting, reconnaissance surveillance and target acquisition. A commercial off-the-shelf electro-optical/infrared camera is presented as a case study for the development of interface to control the UAV payload. Based on an architecture proposed, the interface shows the information from the sensor and combines data from UAV systems. The interface is validated in UAV flight tests. The software interface enhances the original performance of the camera with a fixed-point automatic tracking feature. Results of flight tests present the possibility to adapt the interface to implement electro-optical cameras in different aircrafts.