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Artificial Light Detection as a Method for Poacher Detection from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Atypical methods of detection are required to accurately and consistently detect poachers in the African Savannah. A promising idea is utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to detect and monitor these poachers. This paper investigates the design and development a sensor system that can be mounted on a fixed wing UAS and integrated with other optical sensors. A trade study was conducted that determined that a light detection sensor had a strong possibility of success, but had to be developed using a light sensitive camera and a filtration script. Signal to noise ratio (SNR) was determined to be the main quantifiable metric for determining success, and initial feasibility calculations indicated that the intended design would perform well. The system was then successfully prototyped for flight testing. Several variables were measured including type of light source, weather conditions, camera mount angle, and direct or indirect light. Flight tests were successfully conducted, and post processing scripts were developed to flag images with light and determine SNR. It was found that the system delivered a higher SNR under cloudy weather, gave a decreasing SNR but increasing probability of detection by increasing mount angle and produced a higher SNR with light sources shined at the ground as opposed to directly at the UAS. Flight testing also determined the optimal exposure value of the system. ∗Undergraduate, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Seattle, WA 98195, AIAA Student Member. †Undergraduate, Department of Electrical Engineering, Seattle, WA 98195 ‡Lead Electrical Engineer, Vulcan Inc., Seattle, WA, 98104 §Research Assistant Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Seattle, WA 98195, Member AIAA.