Skyfish M6 and M4 | In operation More functionality can be added via the AUX port, which has up to nine signal interfaces for controlling devices such as camera triggers. Lastly, Gremsy’s gMotion Controller is typically incorporated for 32-bit stabilisation control and up to 2000 motor-actuator corrections per second. “However, we further modify the gimbal they supply, and once we’ve taken delivery of one we tear the base off it and install another computing module underneath,” Pilskalns explains. “One of our problems is that we move a lot of data from the camera for computer processing, and HDMI and USB-3 signals can easily get messed up by EMI. So we use some proprietary methods for moving and safeguarding that data. We also co-locate a computing module with the camera, on board the gimbal, to minimise the risk of EMI having an impact on the quality of that data.” Although Skyfish is satisfied with the performance of the gimbal, it is now working on a next-generation gimbal in-house to further optimise its data collection. Between versions, Skyfish anticipates carrying over its proprietary algorithms for remotely and autonomously controlling third-party cameras via the onboard computer and gimbal companion computer. It notes that many other photogrammetry UAVs operate their own standard-issue, OEM cameras without issue, but often suffer all sorts of glitches and malfunctions when integrating a third-party camera – particularly highend ones from companies such as Sony, which could otherwise give better resolutions and offer other performancecritical features. Skyfish has worked closely with Sony to optimise its Skymind computer to automate changes of camera settings during missions. And although the Sony Alpha series is typically used (enabling resolutions of up to 61 MP) Skyfish emphasises that other payloads can be integrated and used, including a range of Lidars such as GeoCue’s Trueview series (which package Riegl and Hesai solutions), and thermal cameras from Workswell and Teledyne FLIR. Integrating an entirely new payload sensor is typically achieved in a matter of days, and in some cases same-day delivery has been possible. Skyfish puts this quick turnaround time down to having full control over their onboard computing software stack. Onboard computing Skymind runs on AM 335x and AM5729 ARM cores, and operates at 100 Hz to achieve fine control over the flight regime. Such tight control over the motors and interfacing with telemetry is key, as otherwise photographs could easily be geotagged incorrectly when the UAV travels at any speed over 3 m/s. “Within that is our selection of a very high-end MEMS IMU,” Pilskalns adds. “The onboard computer interfaces with that directly to adjust the flight system accordingly. “Previously, Skymind was built using Texas Instruments processors, but recently we’ve moved to Broadcom chipsets. They’re extremely powerful and fast for systems that are only a few matchboxes in size.” Skyfish does not currently build its 3D models in real time, however. It might do so someday, and customers have expressed interest in such a capability, but to do so in less than an hour during flight would require mounting a supercomputer on the M6 or M4. “For now, we use AWS as the host Hunt smarter not harder Over 12,000 engineers have visited our job portal in the first quarter of 2023. Do you have a career opportunity they need to know about? EMI can mess up HDMI and USB-3 signals from the camera , so we use some proprietary methods for moving and safeguarding the camera data
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