Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Payload and Sensor Technologies

Catalog description

This course explores payload and sensor technologies for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), with a focus on UAS used in commercial, civil, and space-based applications. Students examine sensor payload integration and data collection techniques for aerial imaging, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and off-world exploration. Topics include high-resolution imagery, RGB and EO/IR (electro-optical/infrared) cameras, thermal imaging, hyperspectral sensors, short-wave infrared, vegetation indices, and synthetic aperture radar. Emphasis is placed on the role of onboard sensors, ground control stations, global positioning systems (GPS), and inertial measurement units (IMUs) in UAS remote sensing. Students also explore payload capacity, obstacle avoidance, flight controllers, and post-processing methods. The course considers the growing relevance of artificial intelligence, situational awareness, and actionable intelligence in UAS operations. This foundational course prepares students for advanced work with UAS payloads in diverse commercial and civil applications. (Prerequisite: SPST351)