An Airborne Multi-angle Power Line Inspection System

This paper gives a brief description of an Airborne Multi-angle Power Line Inspection System (AMPLIS). AMPLIS is composed by 3 CCD cameras, a Position and Orientation System (POS), a stabilized platform, the data collection and control subsystem. It can be equipped on a helicopter and fly along the lines at a speed of about 100 km/h at a relative height of 100 m over the power lines. AMPLIS is capable of detecting the distance between the power lines and the ground surface with an accuracy of less than 0.5 m. It can automatically find the dangerous objects beneath the lines which can greatly decrease the man power and cost in power line inspection. It has been successfully tested with good performance in Wuhan, China, 2005.