A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Advanced Technoologies

Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003

Aerial platforms can be separated into static and dynamic platform. The acquisition system is installed in a platform. The purpose of this thesis first is to design the aerial platform which is easy to transport, simple to fly and low price. Kite-balloon, the static platform, was improved to enhance its operability at higher altitude, flight stability, and robustness. The images obtained from improved kite-balloon always remain at the same position. Thus this platform suited to apply for long-time monitoring such as oil spill or wild fire monitoring. For dynamic platform, radio control paramotor, which able to fly at low speed so appropriate to record detailed and precise images, is designed. However the system has to be developed more especially the canopy for producing more lift to the payload. The second objective of this thesis is to developed real-time acquisition system so the remotely controlled operators can adjust instruments directly during flight and provide positional information quickly. Both on-board equipment and ground control station were developed to enables relaying real-time images to a ground station. In the image, there is significantly additional information including image location and acquisition date.