Onboard system for synchronizing video and telemetryon a small UAV

摘要

Data acquisition with multiple sensors requires accurate registration in both time and space for effective data fusion. This paper presents a system that permits synchronization for GPS and video, but it can be expanded to include other sensors (i.e. infrared, SAR, etc). We begin with a discussion on the using a pulse-per-second signal for synchronization. We then describe the workings of the Global Positioning System. We compare different autopilots, cameras, frame captures, processors, operating systems, and data storages that can be used for the system, and provide our hypothesis for device selection. We introduce the overall idea of video compression, briefly summarize the different methods, explain our choice of MPEG-2, describe the metadata format, compare the choices of encoders, and explain the MPEG transport stream. We present the benefits of using certain transmission frequencies and the legal restrictions, and give our frequency choices based on available transmitters and receivers. We finish with a summary of the entire system.