SPI M2-D

UPDATED 2020

– ADDED KLV TAGS: PLATFORM HEADING ANGLE, PLATFORM PITCH ANGLE, PLATFORM ROLL ANGLE, IMAGE COORDINATE SYSTEM (5,6,7,12)

– UPDATED TO WORK WITH THE NEW SPI EO-IR ISR VIDEO CONTROL LIBRARY

– ADDED VGA SUPPORT.

– ADDED DRAWING OF OSD FIELDS FOR VGA.

– REMOVED ROTATION FIX.

 – NEW SPI HD GIMBAL COMMAND AND CONTROL ISR VIDEO PLAYER VERSION AVAILABLE.

– ADDED KLV TAGS: PLATFORM HEADING ANGLE, PLATFORM PITCH ANGLE, PLATFORM ROLL ANGLE, IMAGE COORDINATE SYSTEM (5,6,7,12)

– ADDED DRAWING OF OSD FIELDS FOR VGA.

 – VISIBLE OR IR INFRARED LASER POINTERS CAN ALSO BE ADDED TO THE M2D TURRET

The M2D drone thermal flir gimbal gyro stabilized imaging system can easily be mounted on Quad/multi copters and platforms like the DJI Phantom UAV, The M2D Mounts
to all DJI UAV’s and All commercial and custom drones. The M2D micro mini, rugged EOIR gimbal is also ideal for short, mid, and long range zoom remote sensing applications on fixed wing and rotary aircrafts.

Background: Military unmanned vehicles UAV’s of today and tomorrow rely heavily on electro-optical EO Infrared IR sensor payloads to perform their missions.
These are the sensors that detect light in many different spectra, and enable unmanned vehicles to see. Electro-optical Infrared EOIR payloads are the sensors
that enable unmanned vehicles (UAV/UAS/DRONE) to see and avoid obstacles, detect movement, navigate accurately, find the enemy, and warn of the potential
for buried improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Designers of electro-optical Infrared Thermal EOIR – T sensor payloads for unmanned vehicles are under intense
pressure to evolve their technologies to keep pace with fast-moving trends in the unmanned vehicles industry. Perhaps in no other market are needs for ever-smaller,
lighter, and less expensive payloads as urgent as they are in the unmanned vehicles business. Small size, weight, and power consumption-known by its ubiquitous
acronym SWaP-is a paramount concern.
Unmanned systems, UAV’s Uas, Suas, Drones, Unmanned Robots, especially the airborne variety, are proliferating at an explosive rate, and demand is extending
beyond the military to more cost-sensitive industries such as law enforcement, agriculture, commercial remote sensing, traffic monitoring, and sporting events.
Put simply, a growing number of people need unmanned vehicles that are small, inexpensive, and reliable, and they need electro-optical sensor payloads to match.
Not only is there demand for ever-smaller, lighter, and less expensive electro-optical Infrared IR (thermal FLIR imaging, Thermal imaging IR Infrared Camera)
Gimbal Turret payloads, but demand for capability also is increasing.
As electro-optical and electronic component technology becomes smaller, lighter, and more affordable, payload designers sometimes have the option of choosing
between smaller size and weight, or more capability. Sometimes they strive to do both, and this presents some interesting possibilities in design tradeoffs.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are at the forefront of unmanned vehicle research, development, and procurement. Although no less important than
unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and unmanned marine vehicles, it is the UAV that is setting the agenda for unmanned electro-optical sensor payloads.
At the top of that UAV/UAS/Drone/Robot agenda is a broad trend toward large and growing numbers of relatively small UAVs that can provide local-area
and short-duration surveillance-the kinds of UAVs that can provide squad leaders a view over the next hill.
In the not-too-distant past there was a big push on developing sensor technology, and size and weight didn’t matter because DOD had large aircraft like
Global Hawk and Predator, as well as manned aircraft, hyperspectral imaging sensors are small and rugged enough to fit on relatively small UAVs.
Hyperspectral imaging is a sophisticated discipline that samples a wide variety of bandwidths in the light spectrum to provide a rich data set and detect
objects of interest not visible to single-bandwidth imaging sensors.
The key element to to reduce size and weight, that is Key!
Engineers started with a very small gimbal, and added high-definition visible-light video along with hyper spectral sensor payload.
The imperative for small size and light weight has forced mfg’s to a common material set able to withstand harsh environmental
conditions such as the stress placed on UAV takeoffs and landings. “The tarmac in the Middle East can be 120 degrees, and the payload must go to
thousands of feet a few minutes later where it is much colder,”
As electro-optical Infrared (Thermal imaging FLIR camera) drone thermal flir gimbal (EOIR FLIR) payloads for unmanned vehicles must continue to shrink in size,
the engineering challenges become heavier and force engineers to make some custom designs where years ago they would have considered only off-the-shelf solutions.
Many thermal cameras and shortwave infrared (SWIR) cameras available off the shelf are not made to withstand the physical rigors of small UAV, As a result,
Companies have been forced to evaluate the size of electro-mechanical elements of these sensors, and invest in new detector technology for electro-mechanical components
Custom design like this does not come cheaply, but electro-optical payload designers are seeking cost savings elsewhere.

The Evolution of Small lightweight affordable EOIR Thermal imaging Gimbal Turret Payloads incorporating
FLIR TV SWIR MWIR LWIR, CCD, BSTFA, Color Night vision, Cooled and Uncooled Infrared Technology will continue
To advance with the advent of smaller more efficient and sensitive detectors and lasers, The Gyro Stabilization will Get much better and smaller as well

Highly accurate telephoto optical zoom in both CCTV EO camera and thermal IR camera

M2D Airborne video footage link

The M2D now has long range zoom HD 1920X1200 EO camera included, The system is the premier gyrostabilized target tracking drone thermal camera gimbal platform.

* BROCHURE- CLICK HERE FOR the M2-D MICRO STABILIZED GIMBAL EOIR FLIR MINI GIMBAL DATA SPEC SHEET

* BROCHURE – M2D_Gimbal_install_basic_Data_EOIR_Integration_Updated

* BROCHURE – SPI M2D Gyro Gimbal Integration Data Sheet EO-IR

* BROCHURE – M2D_Gimbal_Gyro_Stabilization_FLIR_EO_IR_integration Data

* BROCHURE M2D_FLIR_VISUAL_EOIR_GYRO_STABILIZED_DRONE_UAV_UAS_GIMBAL_DATA_REV65

* BROCHURE M2D_full_axis_protocol_for_Integration_EO_FLIR_IR_Data_sheet_DJI_Universal_Drones_install

* BROCHURE M2-D gimbal turret payload data Camera Pinout

* BROCHURE M2D_Gimbal_mounting_option_DUAL_Channel_FLIR_EO_OPTICAL_ZOOM_TELE

* BROCHURE M2D EOIR GIMBAL FLIR THERMAL HD SBUS LIGHTBRIDGE

**CLICK HERE FOR NEW LINK SBE1 M2D EOIR IP ENCAPSULATION GIMBAL RECORDING TRACKING DATA SHEET MODULE

The search for the “Perfect” drone day/night thermal flir EOIR vision imaging gimbal can be a daunting one with so many options,  Look no further, SPI has coupled the worlds best materials, mechanicals, electronics and sensors into one divine low cost imaging payload. 

The affordable M2-D is an all weather, rugged, High speed, high performance micro mini flir gimbal for drones, uav, uas, Suas, multicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle, land and marine applications, Rock steady stabilization on all Axis ensures the imagery remains steady while moving. Optical Telescopic telephoto zoom is included in both the EO channel as well as the thermal imaging FLIR camera channel. Weighing in at 160 Grams, the M2/D is the worlds smallest, lightest and highest performing gimbal ball turret payload thats simple to integrate into any platform.

The M2D Family of ultra lightweight, ultra micro compact EO/IR payloads are hand built and developed to meet reliable, high performance demanding Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting/Tracking (IRST) mission applications.

The Long Range, high altitude, high speed capable Precision, Rugged/High Shock, rock steady multi stage, multi axis Gyro Stabilized platform along with Top of the line advanced solid state EO/IR sensors, optics & real time advanced processing make the M2D drone thermal flir gimbal ideal for applications such as:

Military, ISR, IRST, Situational awareness, search and rescue, special operations, force protection, maritime, law enforcement, military, over the hill recon, specialty operations & multiple aerial critical missions mounted on FIXED WING, ROTARY WING, SUAV, SUAS, UGV, USV, VTOL, UAV, AEROSTAT, DRONES, BLIMPS, ROBOTICS & a wide array of MANNED AND UNMANNED PLATFORMS

Imaging is displayed in Wide field of view with zoom to get tight distant targets incorporating both optical and digital zoom. similar drone thermal flir gimbal systems cost 3 to 4 times as much and dont deliver the performance as the M2-D. With pricing starting at at $9995, The M2-D drone thermal flir gimbal is affordable for users seeking high end multi sensor gyro stabilized applications. The M2-D drone thermal flir gimbal offers Zero backlash extremely accurate positioning, high impact, rugged housing, retractable housing, additional mechanical dampeners to further keep the unit and imagery Rock steady. Ultra smooth powerful yet precise motors with extreme accuracy stabilize the shakiest and harshest/windiest missions. High speed payload aiming with great accuracy mechanics coupled with optimal image quality sensor electronics make the M2-D drone thermal flir gimbal the premier unmanned eo/ir imaging platform available anywhere. The M2D drone thermal flir gimbal is also ideal for Robotic UGV / Unmanned Ground Robotic Vehicle applications in harsh rough terrain true track stabilization at full long range narrow FOV (Field Of View) Zoom from both thermal and CCTV imagers.

The m2D drone thermal flir gimbal can be mounted in a variety of different vertical, horizontal, or custom pitch angled configurations based on mission requirements.

The M2-D drone thermal flir gimbal is suitable for custom drones as well as COTS Multicopters like DJI models. The unit offers phenomenal lift and endurance dynamics along with easy integration for end users, developers, integrators, UAV designers and manufacturers. The M2-D drone thermal flir gimbal is fully universal and is all open source which ensures simple integration into any system.

The M2D drone thermal flir gimbal is a precision, high resolution, high sensitivity micro Mini dual-channel EO/IR steerable multi axis stabilized camera with an incredible light weight of 160 grams [5.6 oz].  The M2D drone thermal flir gimbal provides unparalleled capabilities in its weight category, providing an excellent choice for those in need of a light and powerful camera Gyro Image Stabilized camera system.

• • Visible channel EO
  • 1920 HD
  • PAL / NTSC day camera
  • Zoom : 40x or 80x
  • HFOV : 30° WFOV – 4.7° WFOV – 2.3° DFOV down to 1 degree
  • Thermal channel FLIR
  • PAL / NTSC thermal camera
  • Resolution: 1280 HD or 640 x 512 / 384 x 288
  • LWIR uncooled 7-14µm
  • Zoom : continuous zoom with ultra narrow IRFOV

• • Range of rotation / Data
  • System: sealed 100% duty cycle
  • Tilt : -45° to 135
  • Angular Velocity : Up to 105 deg/sec
  • Power Requirement : 9-32 VDC
  • Power Consumption : <9W
  • Temperature : -20°C to +60°C
  • Weight : 160 Grams
  • Diameter : 53mm [2.099”]
  • Height : 78mm [3.07”]

• Weight : 160 grams [5.5 oz.]The M2-D Gyro stabilized Mini Gimbal ball provides superior image quality both during day and night times, outstanding gyro stabilization, and low power consumption. It incorporates top-of-the-line components: a sensitive thermal FLIR sensor, high-end motors, hardened/coated optics, all at an affordable SWaP package. Ideal for quadcopters, hexacopters, multicopter, fixed wing & rotary, unmanned copters, drones, UAV, UGV, SuAS, balloons, aerostat and all remote vehicles.

The M2D is a premier choice for thermal / HD EO Gyro stabilized fixed wing platforms, the low cost solution offers
exceptional Multi Axis Gimbal Turret Stabilization & Performance at long ranges

The M2-D is a third generation product, the rock steady gyro stabilized EO IR camera is the most powerful, lightest and smallest production gimbal in the world. Fully compatible with all third party software and hardware.
The M2-D delivers EO, ZOOM, IR, Gimbal & Stabilization – all within 160 grams.  The EO daytime color/low light camera of the M2D incorporates x6.6 zoom + x2 digital zoom to a total of x13.2 zoom.  The thermal FLIR camera channel of the M2-D can incorporate HD 1280×1024 SXGA thermal IR, 640×512 or 384×288 resolutions choices. Our systems receive hand selected ultra clean detectors. Spi has been building robust high quality EOIR equipment for almost 2 decades for industrial, law enforcement, law eforcement and military customers.

Info release 9/11/15

Micro Stabilized FLIR Thermal and Visual UAV Payload M2-D
SIERRA PACIFIC SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 GIMBAL, STABILIZED GIMBAL, UNCATEGORIZED LEAVE A COMMENT
A micro gimbal for UAV and vehicle use that only weighs 160 grams is an amazing thing all by itself. But a micro gimbal that weighs 160 grams, has both a FLIR thermal camera and a visual camera with optical zoom and is gyro stabilized now that is something that you would call impossible. But its not. It is real. The unbelievable new M2-D micro stabilized gimbal features a 640×480 high resolution thermal camera with all the features (gain, level, polarity, color, digital zoom, etc). Co located is a very nice EO visual camera with OPTICAL zoom. Thats right this is not a kludge digital zoom but a true optical zoom down to 4.5 degrees FOV. Then of course there is a digital zoom kicker on top of that. Normally a 4 degree FOV in a UAV or ground vehicle will produce a very shaky unusable image. Thats why everyone fly’s with the consumer grade GoPro with its super wide angle lens. When using wide angle optics it is very easy to get smooth relatively shake free images but it is also very hard to get usable imagery and detail from any altitude. Try reading license plates with a GO PRO (maybe if your flying at 10′ AGL). The M2-D has advanced gyro stabilization just like the $1,000,000 FLIR balls that they fly on helicopters and military aircraft. This degree of stabilization is way beyond the consumer Chinese stuff you see on the web. With the Micro M2-D Gyro Stabilized EO/IR gimbal you can zoom in and read license plates from hundreds of feet AGL. This becomes a very useful tool for a wide range of applications. Ideal for a multitude of rotary and fixed wing uav’s, uas, ugv, multicopters, quadcopters, hexacopters. The unit is also compatible with DJI products.

The M2-D is built to the most exacting standards to withstand the harsh environment of UAV and Ground vehicle operation. There are also a host of accessories to make integration into any flying platform a breeze. There is a series of mounting options starting with a basic hard mount shock absorbing plate all the way up to a full blown retractable affair that can lift the payload completely up and into the body of the UAV when needed.

Control is also simple. There is a PC interface for bench use or integration into a larger software driven system. But, the most popular feature is the handy protocol converters. These tiny boxes can interface with any common Radio Control format. There is a PWM interface and a hot SBUS interface. Both easily integrate with auto pilot or manual controllers. They are both fully map-able via USB interface and included software.

Finally (as if this wasn’t enough), there is a geo reference tracking module that allows the unit to be directed to specific geo target locations and also return specific coordinates of any spot on the ground being viewed. This is real top end hardware and amazingly available in the ultra compact Micro Stabilized M2-D gimbal platform.

Its clear that the UAV imaging payload world has been stood on its head by SPI CORP. The M2-D is higher performance than any other system on the market. But that’s just the beginning of the story. The M2-D is about 1/4 the size of anything else on the market with these features and to seal the deal it is also a fraction of the price of anything ever made. The M2-D can also be custom installed onto military and industrial aerial vehicles such as aerostats, balloons, and a wide array of airborne, mobile, vehicle, marine and fixed platforms with radar, gps & remote sensing / tracking applications.

Size: 160g palm of the hand
Payload: FLIR THERMAL AND VISUAL WITH OPTICAL ZOOM
Stabilization: GYRO STABILIZED
Price: Fraction of any other system.

pwm autopilot

The M2D UAS gimbal is compatible with all drones including the dji phantom, inspire series, s900, s1000

The M2D UAV/Drone Thermal imaging FLIR EOIR gyro stabilized gimbal can easily be configured for side mounting, ball up or ball down mounting preferences.

Complete long range zoom EO-IR gimbal camera systems can house long range LWIR MWIR SWIR high-definition video tracking, target tracking and image enhancement and processing capabilities. Multi sensor gimbal payload systems enable users to select a range of cameras and sensors unique to individual mission requirements and can be deployed onboard a broad selection of fixed-wing UAVs, unmanned helicopters, UGVs and USVs. We have laser pointers and LRF laser rangefinder options as well.

EO IR Sensors for UAVs

EO-IR sensors and camera systems are suited to a broad spectrum of unmanned aerial platforms, including VTOL multirotor UAVs, fixed-wing and hybrid UAVs, as well as tethered drones, aerostats and balloons. In addition they can be fitted to fixed site installations, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and unmanned surface vehicles USV).

Miniature EO/IR Gimbals

Developed for short, medium and long-range aerial missions, EO/IR gimbal payloads for UAVs are designed to meet a variety of SWAP (Size Weight and Power) requirements. Often miniature EO/IR gimbals are engineered for specific mission types and conditions, for example daytime, night-time and tactical operations. Lightweight and easy to mount, they can be efficiently swapped out depending on drone and/or mission requirements.

Gyro-Stabilised EO/IR Gimbals

Depending on the type and maximum payload capacity of the UAV or unmanned system, gyro-stabilized EO/IR gimbals can have 2, 3 or 4 axis:

• 2-axis gimbals – gyro stabilized pitch and roll

• 3-axis payloads – gyro stabilized yaw, pitch and roll

• 4-axis systems – gyro stabilized yaw, pitch and roll, plus up and down motion

Gyro-stabilized EO gimbals can be fitted, alongside a variety of LWIR (longwave infrared), MWIR (medium wave infrared), SWIR (shortwave infrared) and NIR (Near infrared) thermal cameras.

EO/IR Gimbal Camera Systems

EO/IR gimbal camera systems can contain a variety of cameras and sensors, such as single and double Field of View (FOV) cameras, daytime and night-time sensors, thermal imaging cameras, CCD sensors, and various strength optical zoom cameras.

The M2D family of rugged, mini, lightweight long range multi sensor EO/IR Gimbal for UAVs & Drones offer the smallest, lightest and highest performing EO/IR gimbals at the lowest most affordable pricing. Ideal for integrators looking to save time and money, the systems are easy to learn, mount and operate. Options include long range HD cooled MWIR and LWIR uncooled zoom thermal down to 1 degree FOV (Field of View) with 10 kilometer human detection and 20 kilometer vehicle detection capabilities.

The m2-d Electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) thermal imaging payloads are utilized within drone and unmanned systems targeting and tracking systems, developed for high end surveillance, security and defense applications.

Our systems are mounted on multiple high level drones.

The M2D EO/IR gimbal payloads are manufactured for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), drones and unmanned vehicles (including USVs and UGVs) as well as manned fixed-site installations.

Applications for the M2D EO/IR gimbals fitted to unmanned systems include; counter-drone measures, unmanned aerial and ground vehicle observation, surveillance and targeting, coastal and border patrol, and security.

Used for detection, recognition and identification of aerial, land-based and maritime targets, gyro stabilized EO/IR gimbals form a critical part of unmanned surveillance systems. Capable of real-time, short, medium and long-range detection, they are used for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance), as well as counter-UAS and anti-drone defenses, and search and rescue operations.

EO/IR gimbal payloads, cameras and sensors are also used onboard industrial inspection drones, UAVs used for mapping, survey, aerial inspection and environmental monitoring. The SPI gimbal family of EOIR gimbals are the worlds most robust platforms with small size, light weight, compact structure, high adaptability, lower power dissipation and great cost-efficiency, features include ultra sharp HD image quality, long range zoom optics, Video tracking, real-time target detection and target tracking, manual / auto-tracking and target locking (lock-on)