UAV application for geophysical research

Abstract

The paper provides an overview of the main features of the aeromagnetic survey techniques and some of their types with regards of their use with a new type of small unmanned carriers such as remotely piloted copters or drones. In connection with the emergence of a new set of requirements for on-board magnetometers for drones the development of the corresponding instrument was carried out. The comparison of the created flux-gate magnetometer LEMI-026 technical parameters with similar instrument from abroad is given; a number of its advantages over the known one by such the most important parameters — the sensitivity threshold and especially energy consumption — are noted. Using two constructed experimental models of magnetometer LEMI-026 the possibility of obtaining the data suitable for further processing was tested, and the results of these tests are described. It is shown that a strong anomaly of the magnetic field can be confidently identified and at the same time a number of problems that require solutions for more efficient use of small light UAV with a magnetometer was outlined. So, it is pointed that in order to take advantage of vector measurements that provides flux-gate sensor, the method of reducing the system of coordinates of mobile sensor to the geomagnetic coordinate system requires further upgrade. Existing algorithms for stationary magnetometers solve the problem only partially. Also further attention requires suspension system for separation by mechanical vibrations of drone motor and suspended magnetometer.