FY16 RWDC National Unmanned Aerial System Challenge: Moisture Detection in Precision Agriculture

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1 FY16 RWDC Natinal Unmanned Aerial System Challenge: Misture Detectin in Precisin Agriculture Backgrund By 2050, there will be an estimated additinal tw billin peple n Earth, which will significantly impact the availability f fd. It has been estimated that there will be a need t prduce 70% mre fd t address such a ppulatin grwth. Recent drughts thrughut the U.S. have shwn the need fr water cnservatin. Cnventinal methds fr misture detectin (satellite and manned aircraft) have their drawbacks. Satellite data are limited by hw ften the satellite passes ver the area f cncern, and tempral reslutin is imprtant fr determining crp health. Manned aircraft can prvide n demand data, but the csts assciated with the equipment and persnnel can be prhibitive. By using an unmanned aircraft system, detectin in the misture cntent f the grund and crps (t dry, t wet, r just right) can be determined when required and fr a lwer cst. With misture infrmatin, farmers can save mney and help cnserved water by nly applying water where it is needed. The challenge fr this year will be t design an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and assciated unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that can use current technlgy t detect misture levels arund a fd prducing crp. Unmanned systems, including UAS, unmanned grund vehicles (UGVs), and ther rbtic systems, represent remtely cntrlled assets used t perfrm tasks requiring precisin and repetitive functin, peratins in envirnments carrying a high degree f risk, r tasks beynd the capability f manned platfrms (i.e., dull, dirty, and dangerus). There are multiple private cmpanies, researchers, and gvernments develping unmanned systems t perfrm a variety f tasks, including precisin agriculture, cnservatin, wildlife mnitring, damage assessment, infrastructure inspectin, and research. One cmmn fcus f such develpment is the integratin f a diverse mix f cmpnents and capabilities int a single, unified framewrk. While the uses, designs, and peratins f the systems vary, they all rely n a cmmn rganizatinal cmpsitin based n paylad (e.g., sensrs, manipulatin cmpnent, and transprted material), remte vehicle, cmmand, cntrl, and cmmunicatin (C3), supprt equipment, and crew. The FY16 RWDC Natinal challenge will cntinue the fcus n unmanned systems and precisin agriculture thrugh the design and implementatin f a UAS t supprt precisin agriculture, specifically the detectin f misture arund a lcal fd prductin crp (reginal t yur area). The teams will use cncepts frm Engineering Technlgy (i.e., applicatin f science and engineering t supprt prduct imprvement, industrial prcesses, and peratinal functins) t identify, cmpare, analyze, demnstrate, and defend the mst apprpriate cmpnent cmbinatins, system/subsystem design, peratinal methds, and business case t supprt the challenge scenari. Thrugh use f an inquirybased learning apprach with mentring and caching, the students will have an pprtunity t learn 1

2 the skills and general principles assciated with the challenge in a highly interactive and experiential setting. Fr example, the students will need t cnsider and understand the varius unmanned system elemental (subsystem) interactins, dependencies, and limitatins (e.g., pwer available, duratin, range f cmmunicatins, functinal achievement) as they relate t the peratin, maintenance, and develpment t best supprt their prpsed business case. T supprt the inquiry based learning apprach, each team will perfrm and dcument the fllwing: 1) Task Analysis - analyze the missin/task t be perfrmed 2) Strategy and Design - determine engineering design prcess, rles, thery f peratin, design requirements, system design, crew resurces, integratin testing, and design updates 3) Csts - calculate csts and anticipated capabilities assciated with design and peratin, including mdificatin f the design t further supprt a cmpetitive and viable business case 4) Alternative Uses - identify alternative uses f system t imprve marketability and use cases As yu prgress thrugh the challenge, yur team will incrementally be presented with backgrund relating t the cmpsitin and peratin f unmanned system designs, engineering design principles, unmanned system applicatin t precisin agriculture, business management, and develpment tls. Yu will need t wrk tgether as a team with caches and mentrs t identify what yu need t learn, while pursuing the cmpletin f this challenge. By cnnecting yur wn experience and interest, yu will have an pprtunity t gain further insight int the applicatin f design cncepts, better understand applicatin f unmanned system technlgy, and wrk cllabratively twards cmpletin f a cmmn gal. Challenge This year s challenge is t update yur initial UAS design (state challenge submissin), which may als feature the integratin and cperative teaming frm several distinct remte vehicle elements (e.g., UAS [required], UGVs [ptinal], r rbtic systems [ptinal]), the creatin f a thery f peratin, and develpment f a business plan fr the cmmercial peratins f the system based n the fllwing scenari. Scenari: Due t yur well defined early system cncept (state challenge slutin), an investr has expressed interest in financing yur cmpany. Befre receiving funding, the investr wants yur cmpany t further refine and develp yur cncept s that it can better serve yur lcal area. Market research has shwn that many farmers in yur area are grwing multiple crps. Yu need t update yur initial unmanned aircraft system design (including at a minimum an apprpriate paylad, air vehicle element, and grund cntrl statin) t detect misture in a larger area (see Figure 1). This new detectin area cntains tw 1 mile x 1 mile fields that are grwing tw different fd prducing crps. Part f the area between the tw fields is a N Fly Zne. 2

3 Figure 1. Field area shwing tw crps and N Fly Zne. Frmulate an updated slutin t detect misture in the larger field. The specific crps and lcatin will be left up t the individual teams s crps f reginal imprtance can be selected and the knwledge and experience f lcal agriculture mentrs and experts can be used. Each crp will still need a minimum f three (3) detectin flights as specified in the State challenge. Chice f crps will determine if the detectin flights fr bth crps will ccur at the same time (i.e. grwth cycles f the tw different crps might nt be the same). Decide whether a single UAS, multiple UAS, r UAS paired with UGVs r rbtic elements using cllabrative teaming, wuld be mst apprpriate, and identify the unique design f the ttal system (including all majr subsystem elements and csts), a thery f peratin, detectin flight pattern, and a business case supprting ecnmic viability. A cmpetitive slutin will require analyzing, dcumenting, and addressing challenges assciated with detectin, prductivity, csts, and business prfitability. The investr als wants yur cmpany t lk int an alternative use f the UAS during dwn time. Research and explain when yu are nt able t use yur UAS fr its primary missin (either when the crps d nt grw r when yu are nt needed during the grwth cycle). Lk int 3 pssible alternative uses fr yur UAS that culd be dne during the time yu will nt have wrk n frm yur primary missin. Explain why ne f yur alternative uses fr the UAS wuld make the mst mney fr the investr. Justify yur decisin using the cst f mdificatins t the UAS (include changes t the UAV, grund statin, and supprt equipment), additinal peratinal cst, and ptential additinal revenue. In additin, the fllwing new elements f the challenge will need t be addressed in yur updated slutin: 3

4 1. Discuss the reasning behind the tw crp chices. It shuld make sense that a farmer in the regin yu have selected wuld grw bth crps. Wuld a farmer in yur selected regin grw bth crps at the same time (efficient use f farmer s time and equipment)? Hw des yur crp chices affect the timing f the misture detectin flights? Are the grwth cycles f the tw crps similar enugh that misture detectin flights can be dne at the same time fr bth crps? If the grwth cycles are nt similar enugh, hw des this affect yur peratinal plan? 2. Identify hw yu can increase the efficiency f yur design and peratinal plan while still fllwing all FAA and lcal regulatins. 3. Identify three ther uses f yur UAS platfrm with ne f thse uses still misture detectin as its primary gal. Select ne f the three as the alternative use f yur UAS that yu wuld present t the investr. Describe the expected mdificatins required and csts, the estimated peratinal csts, and the estimated revenue. Explain why it wuld be prfitable t use yur UAV t perfrm additinal functins. The gals fr the Natinal challenge include the riginal gals f the state challenge in additin t identifying the details and ratinale supprting yur imprved design and thery f peratin. Fcus n adapting yur riginal State challenge slutin t address the expanded area and new requirements. When cmplete with all system design updates and analysis re-calculate the bjective functin. The aircraft restrictins frm the State Challenge (type, size, speed, etc.) still pertain t Natinal Challenge. Hwever, ne small mdificatin t the type f aircraft has been added. The aircraft must still be fixed-wing (tractr r pusher), and n lighter-than-air r rtrcraft are allwed. As befre, a hybrid design will be allwed if while in flight (hrizntal mvement), all the lift is supplied by the wings. The rtrs may nly be used during takeff, landing, and if yur aircraft is designed t hver at sme ther pint during its missin. While in hver, the aircraft may nly mve in the vertical directin (increase r decrease altitude). In hrizntal flight, lift must be supplied by the wings. Objective Functin The bjective functin fr the FY16 RWDC Challenge is: Where: Maximize { mean 1 W E W TO, 1 C AF C UAV, ( TR Year5 OE Year5 ) { TR Year5 }} Airframe Efficiency W E Empty weight f the aircraft. Included items are airframe, prpulsin, and required electrnics fr flight (actuatrs, wiring, sensrs, transmitters, receivers, 4

5 batteries). Items nt included are paylad and fuel (if yur aircraft is electric, d nt include batteries used as the mtr pwer surce). W TO Maximum takeff weight Demnstrate use f a light airframe that can supprt a large takeff weight Airframe Cst C AF Cst f the airframe. C UAV Ttal cst f the air vehicle at maximum takeff weight (include the cst f a full tank f fuel if using). Demnstrate lw fixed cst n the airframe. Business Prfitability Operating Expense (OE Year 5) the summatin f all expenses relating t the business (i.e., labr, equipment, and cnsumables t supprt all anticipatin applicatins) at the end f the five-year perid Ttal Revenue (TR Year 5) the ttal incme received frm the business peratin at the end f the five-year perid Demnstrate prfitability by exceeding anticipated fifth year perating expense with ttal revenue fr the year Teams shuld strive t maximize the expected change assciated with each challenge fcus area: airframe efficiency, airframe cst, and business prfitability. The intent f the challenge is t design a UAS that can demnstrate, thrugh analysis, an efficient methd t mnitr misture, an effective way t design an air vehicle (light, cst effective, and can still handle the frces f flight), and an end prfitability f the business cncept. Thse submissins that demnstrate perfrmance f apprpriate statistical analysis, while justifying design decisins and recmmendatins, will represent a cmpetitive and successful slutin. Ideal slutins will result in an bjective functin that appraches a value f 1 r higher. When prceeding with slutin updates, carefully cnsider the fllwing: UAS design parameters (i.e., structural cmpnents, actuatin mechanisms, cnstructin material) and all vehicle-based subsystems such as prpulsin, pwer systems, etc. NOTE: Careful cnsideratin shuld be given the cncept fr initializatin (i.e., launch) and recvery (i.e., placement, hand-launch, catapult, etc.) since this will affect the requirement, design, and selectin f the landing gear, treads, r wheels (if necessary) Paylad selectin Flight pattern and the number f remte vehicle elements t achieve the missin Level f autmatin (autnmus, semi-autnmus, r manual) and the assciated cmmand, cntrl, and cmmunicatin (C3) equipment selectin Supprt equipment necessary fr peratin Manpwer tradeff between design, analysis, and testing versus purchase f cmmercial-ffthe-shelf (COTS) ptins (i.e., make versus buy) 5

6 UAS Cnstraints Rutine maintenance shuld be able t be cmpleted by custmer/user Pst-prcessing shuld be able t be cmpleted by custmer/user with minimal training Antennas n-bard the vehicle(s) must be separated by a minimum f 18 inches t avid destructive interference Yur chice f system cntrl hardware, sensr selectin, remte vehicle element(s), C3, supprt equipment, and ther subsystem cmpnents is nt slely limited t catalged items; substitutins are permissible and encuraged with justificatin and analysis prvided in the design decisins in the Engineering Ntebk. Any designs must cmply with FAA guidelines and regulatins, in additin t lcal/state legislatin See the FAA Small UAS Ntice f Prpsed Rulemaking fr additinal cnstraints Assumptins Visual line-f-sight (VLOS) cntact must be maintained fr any UAS Cmmunicatins must be maintained with ALL remte vehicle elements (redundant secndary system required) The cntrl system: Include glbal psitining system (GPS) navigatin and telemetry fr perating the vehicle and paylad. Include ability t relay missin paylad cmmands (release dispersant, change pressure, etc.) frm cntrl statin, and ability t implement repetitive missin paylad cmmand rutines (e.g., release dispersant ver specific targeted areas lgged in GPS). NOTE: Autnmus cntrls can include capabilities t fllw a pre-prgrammed path (waypint fllwing) as well as the ability fr the peratr t update mvement (flight r driving) patterns in real-time during the missin A human peratr will be required t take cntrl f an unmanned system in an emergency (i.e., redundant secndary cntrl) U.S. Standard Atmsphere and Standard Day cnditins are assumed, with n winds alft Subject perating area is as fllws: Grund level shuld be expressed in feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) Crp 1 Width = 1.0 mile, Length = 1.0 miles (1 square mile r 640 acres) Crp 2 Width = 1.0 mile, Length = 1.0 miles (1 square mile r 640 acres) N Fly Zne Width = 1320 ft, Length = 2640 ft See the FAA Small UAS Ntice f Prpsed Rulemaking fr additinal assumptins Other Resurces RWDC State Unmanned Challenge: Detailed Backgrund (fr riginal guidance and example catalg ptins) RWDC Cntent Webinars 6

7 Overview f Unmanned Systems Systems Engineering and Vehicle Perfrmance Factrs Precisin Agriculture and Applicatin f Unmanned Systems Business Case and Cst Cnsideratins The RWDC Supprt Site with FAQs, tutrials, Mathcad mdules, material allwables, library f available prpulsin systems and fuselages, and ther supprting materials: Getting Started sectin f the RWDC website ( The fllwing represent the recmmended baseline remte air vehicle element (i.e., UAV) platfrms fr this challenge: Fixed-wing (tractr prpeller) UAS Design Fixed-wing (pusher prpeller) UAS Design Hybrid Design (rtrs nly allwed fr takeff and landing) Mentrs frm the aerspace and defense industry, gvernment agencies, and higher educatin Baseline CAD mdels fr each baseline remte vehicle element t be prvided PTC Tls PTC Cre, Mathcad Prime 2.0, and the Windchill cllabratin and data management site prvided by PTC Mathcad and Excel sizing, perfrmance, and cst wrksheets Team Submissins The Engineering Design Ntebk submissin including the business plan and appendices must be 80 pages r less. Detailed infrmatin regarding what must be dcumented can be fund in the Scring Rubric. Teams must submit the fllwing: 1. Design Ntebk (refer t scring rubric) 2. Presentatin fr the Natinal challenge (submitted after the design ntebk additinal infrmatin will be prvided) Scring Teams submissins will be evaluated based n criteria utlined in the RWDC FY16 Natinal Challenge Scring Rubric and in reference t the example missin scenari Technical scring will be based n deliverables t be incrprated in the Engineering Design Ntebk Engineering Design Ntebks shuld fllw the paragraph rder f the Scring Rubric Judges will be lking fr ability t express cmprehensin, and linkage between the design slutins with what students have learned. Specific recgnitin will be given fr design viability, manufacturability, innvatin, business plan develpment, and additinal applicatin beynd precisin agriculture 7

8 Merit Awards Special RWDC Merit Awards will be given at the Natinal Challenge Champinship. Merit awards will be granted at judges discretin t teams that d nt place in the tp three, but are tp perfrmers verall. Only ne merit award will be granted per team. Awards will be based n the team presentatin and Engineering Design Ntebks. Innvatin Design Viability Team Wrk and Cllabratin Effective Use f Mentrs Impact n STEM Best Presentatin Against All Odds Best Business Plan Best First Year Team Cntacts Dr. Ralph K. Cppla Directr, Real Wrld Design Challenge Phne: rkcppla@yah.cm 8