Cyberinfrastructure for Optimizing Dataflow and Operations of the UAV

Arctic observing systems need to be enhanced with improved remote sensing technologies and capabilities ? particularly mid-altitude remote sensing - using air-borne platforms. Over the past decade a few but increasing number of researchers have begun using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to expand and improve upon existing remote sensing capabilities in the Arctic. Typically UAVs tend to be designed for a specific task or area of operation and so Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) are usually not easily customizable. The cyberinfrastructure project that will be presented recognizes the need to develop UASs that allow for customizable sensor packages, reliable communications between ground and aircraft, tools to optimize flight control, real time data processing, the ability to visually ascertain the quantity of data while the UAV is air-borne, and the ability to launch and land safely in these remote regions. We present a prototype software system that allows for this customization. This software has enhanced communication between ground and the UAV, can synthesize near real time data acquired from sensors onboard, can log operation data during flights, and can visually demonstrate the amount/quality of data for a sampling area.

The software has been designed to benefit an existing NSF Arctic Observing Network project that will focus on the remote sensing of landscape-scale vegetation structure and function. Our UAS includes a paraglider UAV that has a suite of sensors suitable for characterizing hyperspectral reflectance and other surface properties. This paraglider UAV flies relatively low and slow with a limited range but has a relatively large (ca. 13kg) payload. Sensors onboard relay operational flight data (airspeed, ground speed, latitude, longitude, pitch, yaw, roll, and video) as well a series of customizable sensor packages. Additional sensors can be added to an onboard laptop or a CR1000 data logger. This presentation will describe the development, use and customization of our UAS as well as the applicability of the UAS for our arctic research sites.