A magnetometer based payload for a PTOL UAV with application in geophysical surveys

Applying the principles of physics to studying the Earth has given rise to the field of geophysics, which has been recognised as a separate discipline since the 19th century. The practical implementation of this field has led to a separate branch, aptly named exploration geophysics. Exploration geophysics aims to measure various naturally occurring phenomena associated with the Earth in order to make predictions about what might lie beneath the Earth’s surface. One of the fundamental phenomena associated with the Earth is the magnetic field or geomagnetic field. By localising magnetic anomalies within the geomagnetic field one can make predictions or inferences about the localised geophysical makeup and potential ore bodies, hydrocarbon deposits or archaeological artefacts that might exist below the surface. The fundamental sensor used to perform these surveys is the magnetometer. The concept of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been around since 1915, with the first manufactured UAV appearing in 1916. Subsequent to the realisation of the UAV in the 1950s by Ryan Aeronautical for military reconnaissance, the idea of using UAV platforms to perform dull, dirty and dangerous functions has become common-place in the military environment. The first practical use of a UAV came in the 1991 Gulf War. The subsequent appearance of UAVs in the civilian realm can largely be attributed to the advent of low cost, high power density, lithium based batteries in the 1990s and the growth of the radio controlled (RC) hobbyist market.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Electrical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Ocker, Darcy

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Verrinder, Robyn
• Gouws, Danie
• Saunderson, Elda

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9091

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9091