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Pan-tilt units keep sensors on target

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 17, 2008

Rugged all-in-one design is compact and has flexible mounting options for single, or multiple payloads including video cameras, lasers, antennas and thermal imagers.

New from Directed Perception, the PTU-D100 family of computer-controlled pan-tilt units are suitable for fixed and mobile applications in military and industrial markets.

The extremely rugged all-in-one design is compact and has flexible mounting options for single, or multiple payloads including video cameras, lasers, antennas and thermal imagers.

Built-in dynamic control capabilities include on-the-fly speed and position command changes at over 60Hz supporting a wide range of applications including real-time tracking.

An available software API supports integration with custom applications.

Geo-pointing and stabilisation options are available.

The PTU-D100 provides the most complete set of features available in a cost effective package to address a wide range of modern sensing and communications applications that require real-time pointing of cameras, antennas and other sensors.

Applications include airborne surveillance cameras and communications, shipboard day/night vision systems, military and police ground vehicle camera systems, border and perimeter surveillance, intelligent video surveillance, force protection systems, industrial automation, and scientific R and D applications.

The integrated design of the PTU-D100 provides a complete turnkey positioning solution for fast, accurate, dynamic, computer-controlled positioning of pan and tilt through a wide range of motion.

Sensor and communications systems designers can save months of product development time by using the PTU-D100 as a complete, drop-in positioning solution.

The accuracy, high speeds, and dynamic control capabilities of the PTU-D100 enable applications such as long-range automated detection and tracking, which were previously difficult or impossible to implement in a cost-effective manner.

In the past, high-performance pan-tilt systems have been custom-designed for a specific application.

This drives up costs, and reduces availability.

Military and industrial customers today demand proven COTS solutions that can be put to work immediately, and without large engineering costs.

The PTU-D100 meets that need.

The patent-pending mechanical design uses worm gear design for superior dynamics and rigidity - no belts or pulleys.

Specific performance features include: payload capacities of 11kg (side mount) and 7kg (top mount); fully controllable pan and tilt speeds ranging from less than 0.0075 to 120deg/s; +/-0.0075 degrees positioning resolution in both pan and tilt axes; and 360-degree continuous pan with internal payload wiring.

The PTU-D100 includes a fully integrated controller with digital commands for fine-grained control of speed, acceleration, position limits, and power modes.

Unit can be commanded in terms of either position or velocity and allows on-the-fly command changes to support dynamic tracking applications.

Both RS232 and RS485 interfaces are built-in and an Ethernet option is available.

Control software interfaces available include a LabView driver and a C source-code API for use with embedded or desktop CPUs.

The PTU-D100 is constructed of anodised machined high-grade aluminium and provides a sleek, integrated package with flexible payload and pan-tilt mounting options.

The PTU-D100 has a number of design features to support rapid customisation to meet specific OEM requirements.

Customisation options include changes in: payload connectors/cabling, mounting brackets, slip-rings, encoders, and network interfaces.

The PTU-D100 is available now.

US pricing is $5900 (one-off) for the standard configuration.