MFAM: Miniature Fabricated Atomic Magnetometer for Autonomous Magnetic Surveys Bart Hoekstra Rahul Mhaskar Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping Workshop
Unmanned Vehicles The Future of Geophysics REMUS 100 AUV (Source: KONGSBERG) Modern Robotic Guards (Source: Robotic Assistance Devices) Autonomous Platform Decrease Field Time Survey Difficult to Access Places Decrease Risk to Field Personnel Liquid Robotics Wave Glider (Source: Liquid Robotics) X8 Fixed Wing UAV (Source: Feiyu-tech) Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 2
Implications for Geophysical Sensors Reduce Weight on Un-Manned Platforms Power Size High Sample Rate Simple Operating Interface Deployment Flexibility Maintain sensitivity and other critical parameters Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 3
MFAM Critical Specifications Power 2.5 W per Sensor Weight Less than 2 lbs in airborne configuration 15 cm 3 sensor elements Sample Rate 1000 Hz. Sensitivity 1 pt/ Hz Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 4
MFAM System Architecture Physics Physics Packages Package Cable Sensor Driver Sensor Connectivity Application Interface Application Connectivity MFAM Module MFAM Instrument Physics Packages Sensor Driver Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 5
MagArrow Prototype Photos courtesy of Ron Bell of International Geophysical Services Autonomous, fully selfcontained drone-mounted magnetometer with similar performance to existing Cesium Magnetometers Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 6
Autonomous Platform Photos courtesy of National Energy Technology Laboratory Package includes Wi-Fi for Downloading Battery GPS for Timing and Positioning Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 7
Sensor Validation G-859 MFAM Data courtesy of Ron Bell of International Geophysical Services Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 8
MagArrow Prototype Results Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 9
Survey Productivity 15 minutes of field time IGS Landfill Survey Same survey area same line spacing Ground Survey 3 days MagArrow Survey <1 hour Soccer Fields Survey Speed 7 m/s Internal Battery runs for 2.5 Hours WiFi downloading of data during platform battery swap Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 10
Hardware Features Easy to use begin data collection within minutes Visible status LEDs to ensure that the system is functioning correctly Internal GPS for timing Hot-swappable battery 1000 Hz Sample Rate Orient sensors to eliminate dead zones Data courtesy of International Geophysical Services and processed by Scott Thomas Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 11
Software Features App based interface for system health monitoring GPS data and PPS synchronization status Data export to ASCII file or direct import into Geosoft WiFi download no physical connection Remote update Field upgradable Commercially Available Batteries Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 12
Benefits of Magnetic Surveying Using Drones Shorten exploration time 10X Survey over inaccessible and hazardous terrain Higher spatial resolution than traditional airborne surveys Easy to export data Less expensive than either airborne or traditional ground surveys No operator input required during survey Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 13
In Summary ~2.5 pounds 2.5 hour battery life and a built-in GPS, On-Board Storage and WiFi connectivity High sample rate and sensitivity Easy to use Full unit commercially available next year module and development kit available now! Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 14
Photo courtesy of Ron Bell of International Geophysical Services Drones Applied to Geophysical Mapping 15