Experiments on magnetic interference for a portable airborne magnetometry system using a hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Abstract

Abstract. Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for airborne magnetometry offers not only improved access and rapid sampling but also reduced logistics costs. More importantly, the UAV-borne aeromagnetometry can be performed at low altitudes, which makes it possible to resolve fine features otherwise only evident in ground surveys. Developing such a UAV-borne aeromagnetometry system is challenging owing to strong magnetic interference introduced by onboard electric and electronic components. An experiment concerning the static magnetic interference of the UAV was conducted to assess the severity of the interference of a hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV. The results of the static experiment show that the wing area is highly magnetic due to the proximity to servomotors and motors, whereas the area along the longitudinal axis of the UAV has a relatively smaller magnetic signature. Assisted by the static experiment and aerodynamic simulations, we first proposed a front-mounting solution with two compact magnetometers. Subsequently, two dynamic experiments were conducted with the setup to assess the dynamic interference of the system. The results of the dynamic experiments reveal that the strongest source of in-flight magnetic interference is the current-carrying cables connecting the battery to the flight controller and that this effect is most influential during pitch maneuvers of the aircraft.

Drone Magnetometry in Mining Research. An Application in the Study of Triassic Cu–Co–Ni Mineralizations in the Estancias Mountain Range, Almería (Spain)

“…The datalogger and batteries were securely fixed and balanced in the payload container of the drone's undercarriage while the GPS antenna was installed on the upper portion of the drone, so as to ensure a constant signal. Due to the magnetic interference that is generated by electromagnetic mo tors within the platform [5,24,25], the magnetic sensor was installed at a 3 m distance from the base of the drone, connected by cable, so as to counteract this electromagnetic effec The effect produced by the distance between the sensor and the surface generates a low decrease of spatial resolution and intensity compared to ground surveys [16,23,24], compensated by a regular and higher density data acquisition.…”

An Aeromagnetic Compensation Strategy for Large UAVs

“…The data of geomagnetic fields are collected using an aircraft magnetometer, with supporting equipment installed, for the scheduled measurement of a certain altitude. The data are then analyzed to map out the geomagnetic field and to infer the underground rock structure and the locations of the minerals [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In the course of the aeromagnetic process, the flight direction and changes in the motion posture will cause the magnetic elements of the UAV to produce a magnetic field, which interferes with the magnetometer and affects the accuracy of the measurement.…”

Magnetic Interference Analysis and Compensation Method of Airborne Electronic Equipment in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

“…Compared with a manned vehicle, a UAV has the advantages of convenient takeoff and landing, small size, low flight cost and high safety, so it will become the main development trend in the future for UAVs to replace traditional manned vehicles for underwater antisubmarine detection and unexploded ordnance detection [2][3][4][5]. However, the electronic equipment in UAVs is highly integrated as the space limited and most of them are driven by electricity, so the electromagnetic environment of the UAV platform is complex [6,7]. Research shows the strong magnetic interference of about 100nT that small UAVs produce near the magnetometer during operation [8].…”