The Terrifying Technology Inside Drone Cameras

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UAVs operate in the world of tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or ISR, generally providing immediate support for military operations often with constantly evolving mission objects. Traditionally, airborne ISR imaging systems were designed around one of two objectives, either looking at a large area without the ability to provide detailed resolution of a particular object or providing a high resolution view of specific targets, with a greatly diminished capability to see the larger context. Up until the 1990s, wet film systems were used on both the U2 and SR-71. Employing a roll of film 12.7 cm or 5" wide and almost 3.2 km or 2 miles long, this system would capture one frame every 6.8 seconds, with a limit of around 1,6000 frame captures per roll.

BIRTH OF DIGITAL
The first digital imaging system to be used for reconnaissance was the optical component of the Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System or ASARS. Installed on the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft in the late 1970s, ASARS used a large, phased-array antenna to create high-resolution images of the ground below using radar. Complementing the radar, was an imaging system that used a Charge-coupled device or CCD camera to capture visible light images of the terrain being surveyed. This CCD camera operated in synchronization with the radar system and had a resolution of around 1 meter or 3.3 feet per pixel.

A CCD sensor consists of an array of tiny, light-sensitive cells arranged in an array. When combined with the limitation of computing hardware of the time, their designs were generally limited to less than a megapixel, with resolutions as low as 100,000 pixels being found in some systems.

CMOS
By the early 1990s, a new class of imagining sensor called active-pixel sensors, primarily based on the CMOS fabrication process began to permeate the commercial market. Active-pixel sensors employ several transistors at each photo site to both amplify and move the charge using a traditional signal path, making the sensor far more flexible for different applications due to this pixel independence. CMOS sensors also use more conventional, and less costly manufacturing techniques already established for semiconductor fabrication production lines.

FIRST WAMI
Wide Area Motion Imagery takes a completely different approach to traditional ISR technologies by making use of panoramic optics paired with an extremely dense imaging sensor. The first iteration of Constant Hawk’s optical sensor was created by combining 6 - 11 megapixel CMOS image sensors that captured only visible and some infrared light intensity with no color information.

At an altitude of 20,000 feet, the "Constant Hawk" was designed to survey a circular area on the ground with a radius of approximately 96 kilometers or 60 miles, covering a total area of over 28,500 square kilometers or about 11,000 square miles. Once an event on the ground triggers a subsequent change in the imagery of that region, the system would store a timeline of the imagery captured from that region. This now made it possible to access any event at any time that occurred within the system’s range and the mission’s flight duration. The real time investigation of a chain of events over a large area was now possible in an ISR mission.

In 2006 Constant Hawk became the first Wide Area Motion Imagery platform to be deployed as part of the Army’s Quick Reaction Capability to help combat enemy ambushes and improvised explosive devices in Iraq. In 2009, BAE System would add night vision capabilities and increase the sensor density to 96 megapixels. In 2013, full color imagery processing capability would be added.

The system was so successful that the Marine Corps would adopt elements of the program to create its own system called Angel Fire and a derivative system called Kestrel.

ARGUS-IS
As Constant Hawk was seeing its first deployment, several other similar systems were being developed that targeted more niche ISR roles, however one system in particular would create a new class of aerial surveillance, previously thought to be impossible. Called the ARGUS-IS, this DARPA project, contracted to BAE Systems aimed to image an area at such high detail and frame rate that it could collect "pattern-of-life" data that specifically tracks individuals within the sensor field. The system generates almost 21 TB of color imagery every second. Because ARGUS-IV is specifically designed for tracking, a processing system derived from the Constant Hawk project called Persistics was developed.

Because this tracking can even be done backwards in time, the system now becomes a powerful tool for forensic investigators and intelligence analysis of patterned human behavior.


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By: New Mind
Title: The Terrifying Technology Inside Drone Cameras
Sourced From: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpLdL8ONEm4

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of drones do professional pilots use?

Drones offer amazing opportunities for aerial photography. They can capture video footage from above and also take photos. They can also be used to survey land and take measurements.

These devices are often used for commercial purposes such as mapping large areas or checking construction sites. They can also be used for other purposes than business.

Drones provide entertainment value for friends and families. You can fly these drones in many ways and discover new places. Drones can be used to photograph and record special events and celebrations.

The sky is the limit with drones. If you've been wondering how to make the most out of your flying machine, keep reading to learn more about these incredible tools.

Is it OK to fly a drone at night?

Drones become more popular by the day. Drones offer amazing aerial shots of our houses and businesses. They are also great for delivering goods to large areas or capturing footage of sporting events. There are currently very few regulations that govern drone usage. Some states in America have banned them altogether, while others have restricted where they may operate.

Drone flying in daylight hours is quite safe. But, at night there are risks. Drone pilots and others could be at risk if they are flying at night. It is difficult to spot obstacles or hazards so mistakes by the pilot could result in an accident.

Drones have become increasingly popular. We need to be able to safely use them. There are two main types: fixed-wing, and rotary wing. Fixed-wing drones are generally smaller and easier to control compared to rotary-wing models. A fixed-wing model typically has four propellers whereas a model with a rotary wing has only one.

To avoid potential accidents, you should become familiar with your local laws and ensure that your drone is always within your reach. Another important safety tip is to ensure that your drone is fitted with lights, particularly ones that flash red and green. This makes it easier to spot potential threats. If you plan to take photographs, you should protect your camera lens against damage. It is also a good idea to use protective goggles when flying your drone.

Drone flying at night presents a variety of dangers including collisions with power lines and trees as well as buildings. Drones also have the potential to become lost, or even fall out of sight. Keep your drone clear of obstructions and close to the ground. Drones can be exposed to wind gusts and abrupt weather changes. These factors can affect your drone's flight and lead to it landing on its feet.

Drones are becoming more popular but they can pose health risks. These devices emit noise that can cause headaches and damage to the ears. The vibrations from drones can also cause harm to the body. You could also face legal action and fines for flying drones without an operator licence.

You can prevent accidents by following these guidelines. Keep your drone within your sight line when flying. If you are flying near airports, make sure that you obey any restrictions imposed by airport authorities. Avoid flying your drone on water because it can increase the chance of a crash.

What is best drone for photography?

Drones are a fascinating technology that can be used in many ways. They can be used to take aerial photos, make movies, or even deliver packages. But what makes drones such useful tool? Drones are now very popular for two reasons. Drones are extremely versatile. There are many uses for drones. You can use them for almost every task that you would normally use a camera to accomplish. They are also very simple to operate. Quadcopter flying is easy if your experience with quadcopters is good.

Drones also have the ability to capture stunning images. The drone can take amazing photos of places you may not usually visit. These include remote areas where you could potentially fall into dangerous situations.

Drones are simple to use, and anyone can quickly learn to fly one. Once you've mastered the basics you can fly your drone and take stunning photos no matter where it takes you. Take a look at our drone selection if your goal is to capture better photographs.

Statistics

• Again, no stabilization is applied, and the 50% throttle stick position cuts the power to the motors. (photographypro.com)
• Among the biggest improvements, the Skydio 2+ has over the standard 2 is a 20% longer battery life, longer range if you add the Beacon, and a neat AI video creation tool called Keyframe. (thedronegirl.com)
• A grey card is just a piece of thick paper that is a specific shade of grey (18%), which will be the foundation on which we choose our color temperature. (dronegenuity.com)
• 60 second video with branding, captions, contact information, and music Strip / Convenience / Neighborhood / Community Centers pricing per center (up to 400,000 sq ft) PLACE ORDER (dronebase.com)
• Though the Mavic 3 is about 50% heavier than the Mavic Air 2, it's still conveniently sized. (nytimes.com)

External Links

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• Mr. CAMPS / Drone Camps RC - YouTube

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How To

How can I make my drone photos look better?

A drone photo is a great way of capturing amazing images. If done correctly, the results can be even better than photos taken with a DSLR.

But there are ways to improve the quality of your images. One of them is making sure that you use the best settings for your particular model.

Several apps and tools can be used to edit photos after they are taken. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom allows you to import multiple files simultaneously and edit each one individually.

You can also crop your image and make it more interesting. This can include removing unwanted objects, changing lighting and contrast.

Snapseed also offers basic editing tools such as cropping or brightness adjustments and color correcting.

Post-processing is important, but it's also crucial to ensure that your final product looks professional.

This means that you need to know how to set up your camera properly and how best to position yourself.

You must also ensure that your lens settings are correct. For example, if you're shooting landscapes, choose a longer focal length (such as 200mm), while if you're shooting close-ups, go for a shorter focal length (such as 50mm).

Learn how to shoot RAW format, which gives you more control over the final image.

Once you master these techniques, you will be able to create stunning drone photos that will impress everyone.