Evaluación de integración de una cámara Alticam al sistema de comando y control de un RPAS de vigilancia tipo multirrotor de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana.

Abstract

In Colombia, the study of unmanned aircraft began in 2006 thanks to the Colombian Air Force, specifically with the Scaneagle line. These aircraft are used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions against terrorist organizations, taking advantage of their autonomy and small size. The Scaneagle model has an Alticam camera manufactured by HOOD TECH, but its operation is limited by software and it is unknown how it interacts with the hardware. To effectively reuse the obsolete cameras, the Air Force's Center for Aeronautical Innovation Technology (CETIA) proposed integrating one of them into the command and control system of a multirotor surveillance RPAS. A reverse engineering process was performed to decode the camera commands and an ARDUINO UNO microcontroller was used as a translator. A wireless system was implemented using Herelink radio control, consisting of a ground controller and an aerial unit that connects to the drone. A mount was designed to install the camera on the drone, ensuring stability and reducing vibrations. The main objective of the project was to reduce planned obsolescence and take advantage of the discarded Scaneagle cameras in future RPAS, saving significant costs. This will allow the Colombian Air Force to carry out intelligence operations and other missions without the need to acquire new cameras.