Multi-degree of freedom isolation system with high frequency roll-off for drone camera stabilization

Active control; Hexapod; Image stabilization; Stewart platform; Vibration isolation; Adjustable stiffness; Centralized control; High quality images; Inertial measurement unit; Multi degree-of-freedom; Spurious resonance; Technological development; Voice coil actuators; Computer Science (all); Materials Science (all); Engineering (all)

Abstract :

[en] The technological developments in the field of image based sensing have led to a vast growth in the use of drones in various domains. The drone is usually equipped with an image sensor (camera) which collect images over the target area. These images are then post-processed to extract the important information. Efficiency and accuracy of the image based sensing are largely dependent on the captured image quality. Therefore, it is important to prevent the transmission of the drone vibrations to the camera. Most of the current camera mounting systems use passive rubber mounts for isolation. However, these mounts are effective only in vertical direction and essentially adds damping to the system which degrades the performance of the isolation at high frequency. In this paper, a multi-degree of freedom isolation system, based on a Stewart platform configuration, is proposed for drone camera stabilization. The important features of the proposed isolation system are — (i) high frequency roll-off, (ii) no use of flexible joints, (iii) uses non-contact voice coil actuator thus avoiding spurious resonances of the legs, (iv) adjustable stiffness, (v) 3D printed lightweight parts and (vi) centralized control using a single sensor (inertial measurement unit). A prototype of the proposed system has been manufactured and validated experimentally. The proposed isolation system is found to reduce the response of the isolation system near resonance without compromising performance at high frequency. The application of the isolation system can be easily extended to other fields which require high quality image acquisition.

Disciplines :

Engineering, computing & technology: Multidisciplinary, general & others

Author, co-author :

Verma, Mohit ; CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai, India

Lafarga, Vicente; Precision Mechatronics Laboratory, BEAMS Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

Dehaeze, Thomas ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Aérospatiale et Mécanique (A&M)

Collette, Christophe ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Active aerospace structures and advanced mechanical systems ; Precision Mechatronics Laboratory, BEAMS Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

Language :

English

Title :

Multi-degree of freedom isolation system with high frequency roll-off for drone camera stabilization

Publication date :

2020

Journal title :

IEEE Access

ISSN :

2169-3536

Publisher :

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Volume :

Pages :

176188 - 176201

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

http://xplorestaging.ieee.org/ielx7/6287639/8948470/09206556.pdf?arnumber=9206556

Funders :

Wallonia

Available on ORBi :

since 07 May 2025

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