NEW ACQUISITIONS
Low-noise sound recorder and microphones arrived
We acquired a Sound Devices 6 channel audio recorder with a variety of low noise and measurement microphones. The system will be used for sonification of geophysical data and health data.
Feb 2022
Hololens II arrived
A new augmented reality system, the Hololens 2 has been acquired from a recent MITACS project on The analysis of Full Motion Video acquired from Remotely Piloted Aircrafts. The Hololens 2 is a fully autonomous AR and VR system which does not require any external software of computing, but can be used anywhere including in the field. Feb 2021
Two Endaq accelerometers arrived
Endaq, a division of Mide Technology, has kindly donated two S4 piezoresistive accelerometers, previously called Slam Sticks. They sample up to 20 kHz and are rated up to 500g. They have been used to monitor vibration noise around Dirk, the superconducting gravimeter. They were also used ina Engineering Physics Thesis by Keegan Franks (BASc 2020). Feb 2020
Seafloor Systems EchoBoat arrived!
California based
Seafloor Systems has kindly donated an EchoBoat Unmanned Surface Vehicle to our group.
It will be integrated with the explorer magnetometer system mentioned below. Feb 2019
Marine Magnetics Explorer arrived!
Toronto based
Marine Magnetics has kindly loaned us a Marine Magnometer, the Explorer system, which will be integrated with an autonomous surface vessel (AUV) to arrive soon. The marine magnetometer will be towed by AUV to survey the magnetic field in Canadian Lakes. By surveying the magnetic field closer to the target, compared to alternative airborne surveys, much larger signals can be measured which lead to the detectability of smaller or deeper magnetic targets. MASc student Michtell Wootton will be integrating the sensors with the AUV. Nov 2018
Dirk arrived: Superconducting Gravimeter (iGrav) arrived at Queen's
The superconducting gravimeter named after Dirk Nowitzki (#41) due to its serial number arrived in August and is located in the seismic/gravimeter vault in Miller Hall. The instrument measures variations in gravity at sub-microGal precision, which represents a sensitivity of 1 part per 20 billion. Dirk will be used to monitor earthquakes, Earth tides, normal modes of Earth oscillations while in the lab. It can also be used as a field instrument and will be used to monitor mass changes in reservoirs including SAGD and water pumping applications. Aug 2018
New UAV donation by Sumac Geomatics
Sumac Geomatics has kindly donated a Tarot 960 hexacopter UAV. Mitchell Wooton, a 4th year undergraduate student has assembled it and prepared the heavy-lift UAV for implementation of a GEM Systems GSMP-35U magnetometer, which was loaned to us by GEM Systems. This is the 5th UAV of our fleet, and the 2nd which is able to carry a magnetometer system. 2017
Infrasound sensor acquired
An Infiltec INFRA20 infrasound monitor was acquired. The sensor is to be used in concert with microseismic monitors to separate ground and air signals.
Kestrel 5500 Weather meter acquired
We have acquired a Kestrel weather meter to be used in determining UAV behaviour in diverse wind conditions. Feb 2017
Two new UAVs join our group
Two new UAVs, a Tarot FY680 Hexacopter and XAircraft X650 X8 Octocopter join our fleet. They continue to be employed for UAV Magnetometry and photogrammetry. Oct 2016
Another 2 Honeywell HMR2300 Fluxgate Magnetometers
Two additional magnetometers,
Honeywell HMR2300 Fluxgate magnetometer were acquired. This brings the number of HMR2300 magnetometers in out lab to three, allowing us to develop magnetic gradiometry with 2 orthogonal baselines. March, 2016
Honeywell HMR3300 Compass
A 3-component magnetometer was acquired to be integrated into a gradiometer prototype. July 2015.
HMR3300 Compass spec sheet at Digikey
Oculus Rift DK2
The lab acquired an
Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 virtual reality system. The system was generously sponsored by
Kingston Aerials. The system will be used to visualize magnetic, geophysical and geospatial data in a virtual environment as well as in the field. June, 2015
Honeywell HMR2300 Fluxgate Magnetometer
A new magnetometer, the
Honeywell HMR2300 Fluxgate magnetometer was acquired. It will be used to map magnetic vector fields from terrestrial and UAV platforms.
ublox PPP GNSS receiver
A new GNSS receiver is available in the lab, a
ublox EVK-7 Precise Point Positioning evaluation kit. Its compact size will allow us to operate it on UAVs or GNSS gliders. Sep 2014
Novatel OEM GNSS receiver
SARpoint Engineering generously donated a Novatel OEM GNSS receiver with a GPS-701-GG Single Frequency Pinwheel Antenna. The system will be used for the development of a GNSS glider for water level monitoring. Aug 2014