My partner Tristan Ford and I worked on this capstone project together. Along the way we learned about communication protocol, radio hardware, and drone movement/simulation.

Project Background

Aeriosense provides industry leading Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) based inspection tools for elevated infrastructures and other difficult to access facilities. Aeriosense is currently developing drone automation software for inspection of elevated infrastructures. Sometimes when inspecting by drone, the terrain can impede the direct path of communication to the UAV. In this case, the pilot can receive a deteriorated video feed, and delayed or no info from the UAV. To resolve this issue a compact and lightweight relay station is to be built and tested that can be placed in elevated locations, midway between the UAV and the operator, or on a UAV itself.

The module should extend the range that drones can transmit information. Additionally, the signal should be more robust over terrain that would otherwise block the signal.

This system will be used by Aeriosense in the implementation of automated UAV drones for assisting the maintenance of power stations in the Rocky Mountains and other rural locations in BC.