Implementation of RTK Technology in an Unmaned Aircraft System (UAS) to Increase GNSS Precission

Abstract

This document presents the developed work performed, under HEMAV company support, focused on the creation of a new UAV platform. So, the main problem suffered by drone related companies is the flight autonomy of the multi rotored platforms. Though they are able to carry heavy loads and perform stationary flights, they own more rotors on board in front of other aircrafts which suppose a higher power consumption which, as consequence, produce a notable flight time reduction that affect services as high areas mapping. One of the main purposes of this project has been the proper design, building, testing and optimizing of a new low cost fixed wing UAV platform which will be used of high terrains mapping as well as for precision agriculture issues. So, the creation of this UAV platform has been optimally achieved and it is to fly over 28 minutes at 15m/s cruise speed and, is also able to scan a wide area up to 100ha with three different configurations as function of the onboard sensors. On the other hand, the second working line of this project has been the design, selection, test and integration in the designed drone of a new RTK low cost system. It has been achieved its optimal functioning in HEMAV multi rotored UAV at real time data processing. Then, it has been integrated on the designed drone and it has been achieved an optimal performance in ground post processing phase. These means during the flight, as the aircraft flies faster than multi rotors, the RTK system is not prepared to work at these speeds. However, as the main purpose of this working line is to set these modems totally operative for terrain mapping purposes, it is considered the main objectives here have been successfully achieved as this processing must be done after flight. Finally, in this document has also been performed the required documents a Spanish RPAS operator needs to certify a drone for commercial purposes as stipulated in current Spanish normative, the Real Decreto 8/2014 Art 50. Eventually, it must be said all requirements and objectives stipulated by HEMAV company and the project authors have been successfully achieve in the way a new quality, low cost and accurate tool has been developed for commercial agriculture and mapping purposes with the possibility to integer a RTK system which will give the positioning GPS coordinates with an accuracy of cm.