Kite Camera

Group Members:Marc Bland

Mark BurchillWalter Perry

Robert PopovitchAndrew Theriault

Presentation Outline

• Existing Technology• Design Objectives and Goals• Components for Design• Cost Analysis• Schedule • Conclusions• Questions

Existing Technology• Kite Aerial

Photography (KAP)

– Began with Hobbyist– Still-Photography– Simple suspension

systems

Design Objectives and Goals

• Design a controllable aerial photography system to accurately capture pictures and video– construct suspension and cradle system – maximize range of motion with

motors/electronics• Live streaming video

Components for Design

• Kite• Camera Cradle• Cradle Suspension• Camera• Video Transmission• Pan & Tilt Controls

Kites• Winged-Box

– Stable in heavy winds due to it’s boxed frame

– Flies in light winds due to its’ winged design

• Rokkaku– Solidly built– Adjustable tensioning– Winds ranging from 4-8

mph

Kite Selection• Parafoil

– Steady and easy to control

– Inexpensive– Easily assembled– Excellent lift– Winds ranging from

8-25 mph– 17 square feet

Cradle System

• Cradle design crucial for maximum camera control

• Goal to obtain pan and tilt motions• Critical Design Characteristics

– Center of Gravity– Range of Motion– Support Type

Cradle Design Types• LL Design

– Most simple design– Lightweight– Supports only

smaller cameras– Smaller range of

motion

Cradle Design Types• UU Design

– Little more supportive

– Capable of heavier weights

– Larger range of motion

– Tilting motion only

Cradle Design Types• UU Hover Variation

Design– Most complex– Largest range of

motion– Capable of horizontal

and vertical motions (tilt and pan)

Cradle System Designs

Suspension Types

Pendulum Picavet

Pendulum

• Made of two rigid tubes• Hard to control camera’s movements• Uncontrollable swinging leads to

inaccurate and blurry pictures

Picavet• Contains a self-leveling platform that resists

rotation• Suspension line attached various ways• Small cross resists rotation better than a large

one

Attaching the Picavet Suspension• Ball bearing

• Pulleys

• Eye holes

•Cord locks

Attaching the Suspension to the Kite

• Prussik Knot

• Line Tree

• Brooxes Hangup

Threading the Line

Threading SequenceA1 - 1 - B1 - R - 4 - A2 - R - 2 - B2 - 3 - A1.

Cameras• Snap Shot

– Takes still images– Blind shots– Smaller

• Video– Allows for live

streaming video– More expensive

Digital Video Cameras• JVC GR-D70U

– 16x optical zoom– Sports mode– Li ion battery

• Mustek DV 5500– Lightweight– Cost effective ($100)– Li ion battery

Video Transmission• Types

– Fiber Optic Cable

– Wireless RF Transmitter

– S-Video Cable

Fiber Optic Transmitter• Includes a transmitter and receiver• Power supply needed for transmitter

Wireless RF Transmitter• Includes a

transmitter and receiver

• No mess with wires• Quality may not be

great

Pan and Tilt Controls• Controlled by PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller)

– PIC16F873

Pan and Tilt Controls

• PIC will be wired up kite line to power 180O servo and a 360O servo or stepper motor attached to the camera cradle

Cost AnalysisMaterials Quantity Cost ($)Kite 1 200Camera 1 250Camera cradle 1 30Cradle suspension 1 30Servo (one 180deg, one 360deg rotation) 2 100#12 THHN Cu wire (stranded) 100 ft. 20Fiber optic cable transmission 1 200Power supply 1 50

Total: 880

Schedule

Conclusion

• Integrated systems of Kite Camera• Funding is a possible problem• Testing and experimentation is vital

Questions

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