Modular Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoy Deploymentfrom Unmanned Aerial SystemsStudent Team: Jason Chang, Eric Fernandes, Maria Manoussakis, Herb ZiegerMentor: Dr. Barry Bunin

HOMELAND SECURITY CHALLENGE

APPROACH / METHODOLOGY

OUTCOMES / RESULTS

CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under Cooperative Agreement No. 2014-ST-061-ML0001. The viewsand conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, eitherexpressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The team aimed to develop a UAS-based buoy system to enable a rapid deployment, low cost capability to enhance USCG and CBP operations. This system would be helpful in applications such as search and rescue operations, drug interdiction, and ocean modeling.

• Prototype ModelØ Small, lightweight buoy made from fiberglassØ 3D printed hinges and moldsØ Simple solenoid release mechanismØ Fully functioning, rotating armsØ Inexpensive yet durable prototype

• Software & ElectronicsØ Configurable autonomous releaseØ Solenoid control circuit & softwareØ GPS and GSM connectivityØ Buoy monitoring dashboard

Dr. Hady SalloumDr. Barry Bunin

Beth Austin-DefaresLeAnn Blunt

Christopher Francis

Brian WilsonDr. Richard SheryllBradley Kaufman

Sumukh Patil

Dr. Brendan EnglotMilan SimonovicMary Ann Piazza

Dr. David Zimmerman

• Mechanical designØ Met with representatives from DURO UAS and industry

professors for insight on buoy designØ Used SolidWorks to create 3D model of buoy

• FiberglassØ 3D printed mold for arms and cardboard for remaining moldsØ Created fiberglass pieces from moldsØ Lightweight, durable, waterproof, inexpensive

• Solenoid releaseØ Solenoid pin sits on top of bar that is attached to droneØ When buoy needs to drop, current is run through solenoid

and the pin pushes in• Electrical designØ Raspberry Pi connected to a circuit that controls solenoidØ Adafruit FONA module to receive GPS location and transmit messages

• SoftwareØ Python script to calculate trajectoryØ Flask server allows for autonomous releasingØ Initial State dashboard for real-time monitoring

In conclusion, the project successfully created the software and electronics required for testing the buoy and began fabrication of a prototype. In future another team could continue this work and finish construction and begin redesigning based on prototype tests.