Dual-axis rotary platform with UAV image recognition and tracking

Abstract

In recent years, rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has caused many problems in security. In order to prevent UAVs from random intrusion of no-fly zones and famous buildings, various anti-UAV defence systems (AUDS) have been developed in the world, including UAV radars, high energy laser guns, and other anti-UAV defence systems. However, these systems are expensive, making them difficult to be accepted by the general public. This paper develops a dual-axis rotary tracking platform for the anti-UAV defence system. It performs a scanning mission for aerial reconnaissance with full-color camera and thermal imager. When UAV enters the scope of visual detection, visual recognition function of this system immediately performs UAV dynamic coordinate tracking. By controlling the two-axis step motor with a dual-axis rotary platform, the dynamic coordinate of the UAV is tracked. The coordinate is then locked and the UAV image is aligned into frame center. In the meantime, Google Map is used for recording UAV flying trajectory.In the end, this article uses DJI MAVIC UAV to perform tracking test in the air. This research successfully performed the tracking task using methods of thermal and full color image at 30 m and 100 m. This tracking system also smoothly let Google Map perform dynamic path tracking of the UAV. This paper successfully completed the design and testing of a UAV tracking device, a key technology of anti-UAV defence systems.