Aeromagnetic surveying using a simulated unmanned aircraft system

Abstract

Carleton University and Sander Geophysics are developing an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with technologies to create a platform uniquely suited for aeromagnetic surveying. As an early indication of the expected performance of the UAS, a simulated UAS (sUAS) was built. The sUAS is a helicopter suspended T-shaped structure built with the same sensors and the same configuration as the UAS.An 8.5 km area near Plevna, Ontario, was surveyed with the sUAS suspended 50 m above ground. The survey area was chosen on the basis of its complex geological structure. The total magnetic intensity (TMI) data recorded was compared to that obtained during a conventional fixed-wing survey and a ground survey. Data from an experimental transverse magneto-gradiometer was also recorded by the sUAS and analyzed.

A Lightweight Prototype of a Magnetometric System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

“…The output current is proportional to the magnetic field that strikes the air gap. Because they are rugged and lightweight, the fluxgate sensors are the most widely adopted in these portable systems [ 28 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 41 ].…”

“…If from one hand, it excludes any possible magnetic interference due to the rotors or to the circuits, on the other, it introduces some noise in the measures due to oscillations of the sensor. This solution, which avoids dealing with magnetic interference, has been adopted also in other analogous experimental magnetic systems [ 36 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

Integration of an Aeromagnetic Measurement System Based on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platform and Its Application in the Exploration of the Ma’anshan Magnetite Deposit

“…With the development and maturity of the UAV technology, through the integration of UAV equipment, it has been widely used in public security border defense, agricultural monitoring, natural resources exploration, aerial photography and other fields [14], [15]. In recent years, the UAV aeromagnetic measurement system has been developed rapidly because of its high safety, low cost, and strong endurance, which can maintain an extremely low flight altitude and obtain high-resolution magnetic data [16]- [18]. The UAV geophysical platform has become an emerging branch of airborne geophysical technology.…”