Integrated UAV Payload for Methane Leak Inspection
The LGU-M1 combines TDLAS laser methane remote sensing, a 40× optical zoom visible-light camera, a 640 × 512 thermal camera and a laser rangefinder on a three-axis stabilized gimbal. Designed for UAV-based inspection, it supports gas-leak surveys in oil and gas, gas utilities, chemical facilities and environmental monitoring applications.
Key Features
- Remote methane detection using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS).
- 40× optical zoom and 4K visible-light video at 30 fps.
- 640 × 512 thermal imaging at 25 fps with 11 color palettes.
- Laser ranging from 5 to 1,500 m.
- Single-camera, side-by-side and picture-in-picture display modes.
- Point, area and full-frame thermal temperature measurement.
- Quick-release and fixed-hole mounting options with vibration damping.
- Ethernet video output, configurable OSD and microSD recording.
Methane Remote Sensing
| Target gas |
Methane (CH4) |
| Detection principle |
Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) |
| Measurement range options |
0–50,000 ppm·m or 0–99,999 ppm·m |
| Detection distance options |
0–100 m, 0–150 m or 0–200 m |
| Response time |
≤0.02 s |
| Sensitivity |
5 ppm·m |
| Basic error |
±10% |
| Operating humidity |
5–98% RH, non-condensing |
| Laser control |
Detection laser and aiming laser can be switched on or off |
Measurement ranges and detection distances are configuration options; confirm the required configuration before ordering. Readings in ppm·m represent path-integrated gas concentration. Other gas-detection configurations, including HF, NH3 and ethylene, are listed as customizable in the manual and require separate confirmation.
Visible-Light Camera
| Sensor |
8 megapixels |
| Maximum photo resolution |
3840 × 2160 (16:9) |
| Video resolutions |
3840 × 2160 at 30 fps; 1920 × 1080 at 30 fps |
| Encoding |
H.264 / H.265 |
| Optical zoom |
40× |
| Focal length |
4.2–170 mm |
| Equivalent focal length |
29.4–1151.4 mm |
| Aperture |
F1.68–F5 |
| Focus modes |
MF / AFS |
| Wide field of view |
Diagonal 72°; horizontal 64.6°; vertical 39.2° |
| Tele field of view |
Diagonal 2.2°; horizontal 1.9°; vertical 1.1° |
Thermal Camera
| Detector |
Uncooled vanadium oxide infrared focal plane array |
| Photo resolution |
640 × 512 |
| Video resolution |
640 × 512 at 25 fps |
| Encoding |
H.264 / H.265 |
| Pixel pitch |
12 µm |
| Spectral range |
8–14 µm |
| NETD |
≤50 mK at 25°C, F/1.0 |
| Focal length |
18 mm |
| Equivalent focal length |
79 mm |
| Aperture |
F1.1 |
| Field of view |
24.2° × 19.5° |
| Color palettes |
11 |
| High-image-quality mode |
−20°C to +150°C; accuracy stated as ±2°C or ±2% of the reading |
| Wide-range mode |
0°C to +550°C; accuracy stated as ±3°C or ±3% of the reading |
| Temperature measurement |
Point, area and full-frame |
| Image adjustment |
Manual/automatic FFC and DDE levels 0–3 |
Laser Rangefinder
| Range |
5–1,500 m |
| Accuracy at distances ≤300 m |
≤1 m |
| Accuracy at distances >300 m |
Within ±2 m |
| Wavelength |
905 ±10 nm at 25°C |
| Ranging modes |
Single measurement; continuous at 1, 2 or 5 Hz |
Gimbal and System
| Model |
LGU-M1 |
| Stabilization |
3-axis: pitch, roll and yaw |
| Pitch range |
±110° |
| Roll range |
−45° to +45° |
| Yaw range |
±320° |
| Stabilization accuracy |
≤0.01° |
| Modes |
Follow / Lock |
| Gimbal controls |
Return to center, look down, manual control and zoom-dependent rotation speed |
| Video output |
Ethernet |
| Control interfaces |
1 × S.BUS; 1 × RS422; 1 × 100 Mbps Ethernet; 1 × serial; 1 × CAN |
| Input voltage |
10–28 V |
| Power consumption |
20 W |
| Ingress protection |
IP54 |
| Operating temperature |
−20°C to +55°C |
| Dimensions, excluding vibration damping |
109.5 × 155 × 160 mm |
| Weight, excluding vibration damping |
Less than 900 g |
| Mounting |
Quick-release interface and fixed mounting holes |
| Storage |
microSD up to 128 GB; FAT32 / exFAT |
| OSD |
Customizable overlays including model, serial number, coordinates, altitude, date and time |
Package Contents
- 1 × LGU-M1 laser methane gimbal payload
- 1 × vibration-damping mount with quick-release mechanism
- 1 × protective carrying case
Integration and Operation
Confirm aircraft compatibility, interface requirements and the chosen methane-sensing configuration before ordering. Communication protocol documentation and host-computer tools are available from the supplier on request. Specifications are supplied by the manufacturer.
Laser Safety and Care
Do not look directly into the rangefinder, detection or aiming laser when enabled. Follow the supplied operating instructions. The manual prohibits use in rain, snow and sandstorms. Do not immerse or directly rinse the equipment. Power down before removing the payload, clean the optical surfaces with suitable lens-cleaning materials and store the unit securely in its case.
