SIYI Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. ZT30

The SIYI ZT30 is a three-axis pod with four sensors for heavy multicopters. The maker is based in Shenzhen, China. The pod combines a 4K zoom camera, a 2K wide-angle camera, a thermal camera with 640 × 512 pixels and a laser rangefinder with a range of up to 1,200 m.

The thermal detector is uncooled; the type is not named. It delivers 640 × 512 pixels in the spectral range of 8 to 14 µm at 30 Hz. The daylight camera has a 1/2.7-inch Sony sensor with 8 MP (4K) and a zoom of 30x optical and 180x hybrid; only the optical share raises detail resolution. For temperature measurement, SIYI lists point, box and full frame. The unit weighs about 870 g including the damping mount and has an IP4X rating, that is, protection against solid objects with water resistance not rated.

At 30 Hz, the frame rate lies above the 9 Hz limit above which thermal modules fall under the EU Dual-Use Regulation. Images of people and property fall under data-protection law, and the operator must be registered. The pod counts towards the take-off mass of the aircraft.

For measurement reports, what counts is that temperature values per pixel are stored in the image file (a radiometric file), not just measuring functions on screen; the two are not the same. A pod with four sensors suits search and monitoring: the thermal image finds the target, zoom and rangefinder identify it. Wear points are zoom mechanics, gimbal motors, dampers and connectors; with IP4X, rain and dust are to be avoided.