Optical payload, or gimbal, is now an essential part of any drone used for surveillance, mapping, or photogrammetry. Different gimbal models are suitable for different missions and drone sizes. This cameras provide stabilization to remove the vibrations coming from the drone’s body. Stabilization is achieved with the help of brushless motors, in multiple axes, with the data coming from different sensors embedded in the device (IMU and encoders).
Based on the type of drone, 3-axis or 2-axis gimbals can be used. Some 2-axis gimbals have an internal roll stabilization axis for better aerodynamical performance. Some of the models also provide vision-based stabilization instead of mechanical. Computer vision algorithms similar to optical flow algorithms are used to make the position of the target stable at the center of the image. Using a communication datalink, the camera’s output video can be streamed to the Ground Control Station (GCS), allowing the GCS to record high-quality content, as well as onboard recorded video using the embedded DVR into the gimbal.
Aerial cinematography for movies and adertisements
Use imaging technologies for 2D or 3D mapping of cities, farms, and construction sites
Security monitoring of traffic, crime scenes, construction sites, etc.
Identifying and rescuing trapped individuals during natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods
Daylight gimbal is the simplest camera type that can be integrated into a drone. Pretty much the same sensor that is found in smartphones. SONY and PANASONIC are two of the best manufacturers of the camera sensors in the market, both of them providing industrial and commercial versions. Industrial versions come with temperature calibration which ensures the consistency of the video output quality. Camera sensors come with different resolutions, different dynamic ranges, and different performances under different lighting conditions.
These types of gimbals use either a thermal or an IR (Infra Read) sensor. Thermal sensors operate based on the temperature of the environment. They are suitable for operation in dark environments or places where there is no visual track of the subject to be seen by unarmed eye. They rely on the difference between the temperature of the subject and environment to the detection. On the other hand, IR sensors glow IR light into the environment. IR is not visible to human eyes but can be detected with specific designed sensors. The maximum range of detection relies heavily on the power of the IR projector that is used.
Multi sensor stabilizers combine two or more different sensors into one setup, e.g., a daylight sensor and an infrared (IR) or thermal night sensor. Switching between the different sensors is easy with the remote controller. Depending on the situation, it may be beneficial to combine and map the output of multiple sensors to gain better information about the environment. In some types of these gimbals, a laser is used for range detection.
These types have built-in auto tracker functionality, with different embedded algorithms and missing object recapture algorithms. They support custom user-defined characters to be used for the on-screen display (OSD). Many important pieces of information including the pitch and yaw feedback of the gimbal, zoom level, and GPS information can be displayed based on the user’s requirements.
Motionew offers a wide range of optical payloads, ranging from the base models with a single sensor camera and 10x zoom, up to multisensor gimbals embedded with night sensors. Panasonic and Sony’s sensors are embedded in the cameras which provide full-HD video output.
Our company also provides specific dome shaped designed payloads that are suitable for fixed-wing and VTOL drones. It helps with aerodynamics of the drone the reduce the sind resistance. They are superior over adding an external dome as they do not perform well under direct sunlight (unless you use photochromic domes which are expensive). Moreover, external domes are usually made from low-quality plastic and are easily scratched which obstructs the video output of the gimbal.
0 items in the cart (0.00 $)
