Developing a Lightweight UAS sensing Payload for Environmental Data collection

The emergence of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) has revolutionized environmental monitoring by bridging the gap between stationary ground-based stations and coarse-resolution satellite imagery. However, integrating high-fidelity sensors into lightweight platforms remains a challenge due to strict Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) constraints. This study presents the development and deployment of an advanced, portable sensing payload designed for high-resolution environmental data collection.

The integrated payload consists of a suite of low-cost yet calibrated sensors capable of measuring Isme PM2.5, CO2, NH4, Smoke and O3 at high temporal frequencies. To ensure data integrity, the system incorporates an onboard microprocessor for real-time data fusion, GPS-tagging, and active aspiration systems to mitigate the effects of rotor wash and thermal interference.

Preliminary field campaigns were conducted across two locations (Dehradun, Uttarakhand and New Delhi) to evaluate the system’s performance. Results indicate that the payload provides vertical and horizontal spatial resolutions previously unattainable with traditional methods. This work highlights the potential of modular UAS payloads to provide actionable insights into boundary layer dynamics and pollutant dispersion in complex terrains.

To ensure data integrity, the platform integrates active aspiration systems designed to decouple sensor readings from the effects of rotor wash and localized thermal artifacts. Initial experiments demonstrate that the payload achieves high-granularity in vertical and horizontal spatial resolutions.