2024-01-10 Project ideas

# 2024-01-10 Project ideas ## UAV builds We would like to build several UAVs for missions and testing. We build UAVs according to our [build howto](https://wiki.searchwing.org/en/home/mini-talon-build-doc). Without UAVs that are ready for mission we can not plan missions. UAVs currently in "production": * Emmeline (Berlin) * Grace (Berlin) * Lilian (WiFi) (Berlin) * Beate (Augsburg) * UAV from Sylt? (Augsburg) * Resqship UAV? (Berlin) We track the build process in [gitlab](https://gitlab.com/searchwing/development/drones/). ### WiFi UAV (Lilian) Lilian is a UAV where we integrate a WiFi station for image transmission to the groundstation in flight. It is a test plane. Once the UAV is ready we would like to do test flights at land and see. Planning and preparing proper test flights is another import task! ## Sensors Right now we use two raspberry pi version 2 cameras. We have multiple ideas for new sensors. ### New RGB cameras We bought 2-4 new PI cameras and would like to integrate the sensors in a test plane and test the cameras in-flight. E.g. check if the cameras with auto-focus survive multiple flights. Double check the camera mount and make sure it does what it should. ### Thermal sensor We tested thermal sensors in the past and the results were very promissing. One project could be the integration of the proposed thermal sensor into the current box. Design another version of the box where we can integrate a thermal sensor. ### Low light cameras We bought a low light camera that we could test. Integrate the low light camera into a test UAV and do some test flights in low light conditions. Collect image data and sensor data and make the data available for tests of the detection algorithms. ### WiFi probe request sensing Mobile phones send out probe request for accesspoints they know but are not activly sending beacons to the phones. Maybe we can sense these probe request from the UAV with a wifi interface in monitor mode. Setup a prototype for sensing probe request, do a calculationof the link budget, build a prototype we can integrate in a test plane and generate some data from test flights. ## Flying at night As soon as we have low light cameras or thermal sensors we would like to operate our UAVs at night. Come up with a concept for flying at night. Maybe we need to automate the full flight for that, e.g. the landing. Check if we can integrate lights and how. ## Antenna ground station ### DCDC for RFD The RFD900 maybe needs a seperate DCDC converter. Come up with a proper concept for integrating this converter into the system. ### ADS-B tracker The integration of an ADS-B tracker into the ground station box is done. A very simple web-interface displays information about planes in the air. Create a better interface for working with the data, e.g. integrate a call-sign filter, altitude and distance around ship filter, etc. Add notifications to the system, e.g. if a plane circles somewhere. ### Misc issues There are a few "easy" tasks open for the groundstation box: https://gitlab.com/searchwing/development/groundstation/antennagroundstation/rpi-gen-antenna-groundstation ## Waterproof battery At the moment we use a liquid rubber (PlastiDip) to water proof the battery. It is a very complicated and the end result is not perfect. Come up with other concepts for waterproofing batteries. E.g. design a box to waterproof the battery that fits into the current UAV. ## LiIon We would like to use LiIon batteries for the UAV. We prototyped a few batteries with our spot welder but have no proper concept for a maybe selfmade battery for the UAV. One idea is to design a battery that can be assembled on ship from parts we send to the ship. This would ease the logistical problems we have with the current batteries and LiIon batteries in general. ## ROS howto We use ROS on our camera payload. Get familiar with ROS. Setup a small simulation envirnoment for a fixed wing UAV. Connect a ArduPilot to the simulation. Add different sensors to the simulation. Add a maritime envirnoment. Integrate our ROS setup into the simulation. Check if we can use the simulation for development and testing of our system. Document the ROS/gazebo setup in the wiki for other developers. ## Catapult For take-off we would like to have simple catapult that launches the UAV. Design and build a prototyp that can launche a 2.3kg Mini Talon. Test the prototyp. Should be ready for the maritime env.. ## Ceramic bearings Even tough we use stainless steal bearings in our motors they tend to corrode. Do research on ceramic bearings, propse bearings for a first test, setup two motors with bearings, run some static tests, fly a few hours with the new bearings. https://wiki.searchwing.org/en/home/Development/Mechanical/searchwing-waterlanding#keramiklager ## Analysis of the propulsion system Analyse the complete propulsion system. We have a motor/prop test stand available that we can use for static tests. Collect data on motor, prop, ESC, battery combinations. Make suggests for the change of individual components based on the analysis. ## UAV transport box We use a aluminium box for transport. Right now the box does not have any custom inlays. Design inlays so we can transport two UAVs including wings safely. ## ExpressLRS Integrate ExpressLRS into our system. Follow up on the first test we did and propose hardware and software for integration into our system. https://gitlab.com/searchwing/development/drone-electronics/drone-electronics-issues/-/issues/5 ## speedybee flight controller integration Speedybee produces a cheap FC board that is an alternative to the current board. Test the speedybee flight controller. Create a configuration for ArduPilot. Integrate the FC board into our hardware design. ### Software #### QGroundControl QGroundControl is the central software to control our UAV. Work with the upstream team (Philipp included) on a stable release of QGC. Implement missing features for our usecase. E.g. improve the creation of search patterns. #### SAR Mission planner The SAR mission planner is a small web app to plan SAR specific missions. Based on the ship location, the possible case location and a landing spot the tools computes the best mission. It takes into account the camera setup and the sun conditions. The project is quite new and there are a few ideas and issues: https://gitlab.com/searchwing/development/groundstation/searchwing-sar-missiontools/-/issues #### SearchWing GUI The SearchWing GUI is a image viewer for the images our payload produces. It is a central piece of software. Apart from the images it displays detection and tracking results from our image analysis algorithms. Issues related to the GUI: https://gitlab.com/searchwing/development/groundstation/searchwing-gui/-/issues #### Remote controller Fix bugs in telemetry script, e.g. arm/disarmed not shown when fail-safe was triggered. #### Deployment in general Make sure all software components of our system can be deployed and there is a proper release and deployment process. ## Funding We need funding to accomplish our goals. We use betterplace to collect individual donations, we get money from foundations and NGOs that use our system. Improve our betterplace presence. Check for funding rounds which fit to the project. Write applications for funding. ## Website rework Move the website to SearchWing e.V. owned infrastructure. Convert the wordpress website to a modern static site? Reorganize content. Make sure all content is uptodate.