Maximizing autonomous performance of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle to reduce motion blur in taken images

Abstract

In this study, reducing motion blur in images taken by our unmanned aerial vehicle is investigated. Since shakes of unmanned aerial vehicle cause motion blur in taken images, autonomous performance of our unmanned aerial vehicle is maximized to prevent it from shakes. In order to maximize autonomous performance of unmanned aerial vehicle (i.e. to reduce motion blur), initially, camera mounted unmanned aerial vehicle dynamics are obtained. Then, optimum location of unmanned aerial vehicle camera is estimated by considering unmanned aerial vehicle dynamics and autopilot parameters. After improving unmanned aerial vehicle by optimum camera location, dynamics and controller parameters, it is called as improved autonomous controlled unmanned aerial vehicle. Also, unmanned aerial vehicle with camera fixed at the closest point to center of gravity is called as standard autonomous controlled unmanned aerial vehicle. Both improved autonomous controlled and standard autonomous controlled unmanned aerial vehicles are performed in real time flights, and approximately same trajectories are tracked. In order to compare performance of improved autonomous controlled and standard autonomous controlled unmanned aerial vehicles in reducing motion blur, a motion blur kernel model which is derived using recorded roll, pitch and yaw angles of unmanned aerial vehicle is improved. Finally, taken images are simulated to examine effect of unmanned aerial vehicle shakes. In comparison with standard autonomous controlled flight, important improvements on reducing motion blur are demonstrated by improved autonomous controlled unmanned aerial vehicle.