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Nov 20, 2023 17 tweets 7 min read Read on X
1. #Russian volunteers reported testing thermal cameras and night-vision cameras on their #drones. These cameras are very effective in the long & cool winter nights. What is the difference between night-vision and thermal cameras?

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2. The drone has a single video transmitter and can only show video from one #camera at a time. An electronic switch is used to select which camera’s video is transmitted. This provides simple multi-spectral capability.
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3a. It is important not to confuse night vision image intensifiers with night-vision cameras. Image intensifiers are analog devices that produce a distinctive green or blue-green image. There is no reason to use one of these on a FPV drone.
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3b. Here, an image intensifier is used to produce a distinctive blue-green image of the night sky. Likely, a phone camera was placed against the eyepiece.
4. Most cameras use a CMOS sensor (shown here) to capture images. These sensors can be inexpensive and have good performance. Importantly, all CMOS sensors are sensitive to near-infrared light and could, in principle, be used for night vision. Image
5. However, most cameras also have an internal filter that blocks infrared light. Shown here is a lens from a webcam. There is a filter mounted on the end closest to the CMOS sensor. Image
6. Without the filter, images would look strange. This is best illustrated with a security camera that has a night-vision mode where the infrared filter moves out of the way. Note how trees and lawn appear too bright when there is no filter.
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7. A common way to increase the low-light performance of a camera is to use a large, fast lens like the one shown here. This lens has a large diameter, short focal length and is a very fast f/0.95. Astronomers & photographers routinely use these lenses. Image
8. A very big and fast lens can capture a very nice image of the night sky. But lenses meant for full-size cameras are expensive and much too heavy for a small FPV drone. Regardless, expect a camera meant for low light use to a have a larger lens. Image
9. There are CMOS night-vision cameras for drones. The example shown here uses (as expected) a very fast f/1.0 lens. These cameras are low cost and have good low-light performance. These are not thermal cameras but rely on ambient light, e.g., moonlight.
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10. Thermal cameras often use sensors based on Vanadium Oxide (Vox) and have exquisite sensitivity to infrared radiation. These usually have a lower pixel count than CMOS ones. Germanium lenses are used because glass won’t transmit infrared radiation. Image
11. People emit infrared radiation because they are warm. The plot shows the amount of radiation emitted versus wavelength. Thermal cameras are very sensitive to radiation in the 7 µm to 14 µm range and will easily see a person even in complete darkness. Image
12. The advantage of thermal cameras is that they detect the infrared radiation emitted by people, vehicles and buildings. Thus, they work extremely well in complete darkness.
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13. Thermal cameras are available for small drones. A big disadvantage is their cost, e.g., 20 times the price of a night vision camera. A thermal camera can more than double the cost of a small FPV drone. (Note the distinctive reflective lens.) Image
14. Night vision and thermal cameras greatly enhance the capabilities of small drones and are in very high demand in Ukraine. For example, the folks at @FPVDronesUa discuss installing these cameras on the drones they provide.

15. Coupled with extra hardware, e.g., a FPGA, these cameras could provide a way for a drone to home-in on a target. This is not AI, it’s just image processing and programming. A semi-autonomous kamikaze would be straightforward and a bomber a bit harder.
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16. Night vision cameras & thermal camera are powerful technologies. Expect to see more developments in how these are being used in Ukraine.

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More from @DanielR33187703

Jun 20
1. What would have been unthinkable a few years ago is now routine. Several Ukrainian drones successfully attacked a russian drone factory located in Dubna, only 115 km from the kremlin. This is a smart move by Ukraine, and there may be more to this attack than at first seems. Image
2. Importantly, one video showed several drones attacking, one after the other. Oddly, there was remarkably little air defence heard as each drone approached over a lake. What happened to russia’s air defence? Image
3. This shows the factory with the lake on the left (west) side. This building is very large. The camera operator (for #1) was quite close and was almost hit by shrapnel. Image
Read 24 tweets
Apr 23
1. Developing a new weapon is hard so why not just copy another company’s design? Fibre optic drones are a hot product and part 4 of this series looked at a company (Skywalker) who developed their own. Other companies have rushed to make similar weapons. Image
2. Here are two fibre optics kits made by the Chinese company, Skywalker. Opening the boxes is the likely owner of PGI Technology, which operates in China but is effectively russian. Initially, this photo was confusing. Was Skywalker collaborating with PGI Technology? Nope. Image
3. PGI bought these two Skywalker kits with the goal of copying the technology and selling their own version. The following photos are very unusual since they show the design process. Here is the Skywalker canister with a large drone frame. Image
Read 25 tweets
Apr 4
1. Need to ship weapons? The previous thread in this series showed a small russian company, PGI Technology, making electronic warfare systems in China. But how do they ship these systems & other equipment to russia? Image
2. PGI Technology showed this photo of equipment being prepared to ship from China to russia. The packing tape has a company name & phone number on it. Note the Wallace restaurant and #24 bus across the street. Image
3.PGI also showed a video of this heater but it is the background that is interesting. Visible is the company name (3188 Kapro) and a phone number. There are also signs on the steps written in russian. Image
Read 14 tweets
Mar 21
1. This is a look at a small russian company that operates in China and exports military equipment to russia. One interesting aspect is this company manufactures some equipment, including electronic warfare kit, and places its logo on the products. Image
2. It currently calls itself “PGI Technology” but there are also references to “Dongguan PGI Technology”. Its location is murky but a now-defunct website gave an address in Tangxia Town in Dongguan. Image
3. This is a very small company likely run by the single person shown here. He is easily identified by a distinctive tattoo on his left arm. Oddly, his face is obscured in some videos but not in others. Here he is testing a drone jammer. Image
Read 18 tweets
Feb 21
1. Combining a low-cost drone with a fibre-optic communication link produces a formidable weapon that is impervious to electronic defenses. Here is a look at how a small Chinese company called Skywalker developed an easy-to-use fibre-optic kit that has changed the war. Image
2. Skywalker posted several videos while developing fibre optics for drones. The first was a short-range, e.g. 100 metres, test in June 12, 2024. The spool of fibre optic was not on the drone but remained on the ground. A rod prevented the fibre from tangling in the propellers. Image
3. The first video also showed a number of landmarks that help determine its location. The large building in the background is part of a pharmaceutical industrial park. Image
Read 33 tweets
Feb 16
1. Part 3 of Making Money from a War visits an office with a fantastic view. The Chinese company, Skywalker posted a number of videos including one from a fancy office building. A close look produces questions. Image
2. Skywalker posted a video showing how to attach a bomb release to a pricey (€13500) DJI Matrice 300 drone. It holds two rounds under the drone with a control module mounted on the top of the drone. There is also an excellent view from the office windows. Image
3. One question is, where is this office? The shadows suggest this view is towards the west. There is a straight road close to a water front and a group of very tall buildings is seen in the distance. A large, low building is at the bottom of the photo. Image
Read 16 tweets

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