MS230TG Two-Axis Tri-Light Pod

The MS230TG Two-Axis Tri-Light Pod is an advanced electro-optical system designed for small and medium-sized UAVs performing day and night reconnaissance and surveillance missions. This integrated pod combines an uncooled infrared thermal imager, 30x continuously zoom visible light camera, laser rangefinder, and two-axis servo-stabilized platform with autonomous identification and tracking capabilities. It delivers high precision target detection and long operating range performance. The system simultaneously outputs real-time infrared and visible light video feeds for mission personnel. Seamlessly compatible with mainstream Chinese flight control platforms and ViewControlStudio software, it enables rapid UAV system development. Key features include automatic target tracking, memory tracking with brief loss recovery, adjustable tracking gates, and precise coordinate calculation using laser rangefinding and pod orientation data. The pod operates across multiple modes including automatic search, manual search, follow-up, and tracking. With HD-SDI and 100Mbps Ethernet video outputs, bidirectional control station communication, and photo and video recording functions, it excels in reconnaissance, border patrol, personnel search and rescue, and forest fire prevention applications. Weighing under 8.5kg with compact dimensions, it operates reliably in temperatures from minus 40 to 60 degrees Celsius and withstands light to moderate rain conditions.

The MS230TG electro-optical pod integrates an uncooled infrared thermal imager, a 30× continuously zoomable visible light camera, a laser rangefinder, a two-axis servo-stabilized platform, and an image processing module capable of autonomous target identification and tracking. Designed for high precision and long operational range, the pod is well suited for deployment on small to medium-sized UAVs to perform day-and-night reconnaissance and surveillance missions over target areas.

Equipped with the uncooled infrared thermal imager and visible light camera, the optoelectronic pod enables round-the-clock detection, identification, and tracking of ground targets. It simultaneously outputs real-time infrared and visible light video streams for mission personnel to monitor.

The pod has been adapted to several mainstream flight control platforms in China, ensuring seamless integration with existing flight control systems. It can also be connected to our organization’s ViewControlStudio display and control software platform, helping the overall system integrator rapidly complete UAV system development.

Typical applications of this optoelectronic pod include reconnaissance missions, border patrol, personnel search and rescue, and forest fire prevention.

I. Photos of the actual product

S230TG

Figure 1 Product Image

II. Product Functions

a) Capable of automatically identifying and tracking typical targets.
b) Equipped with self-test and fault reporting functions.
c) Provides 30× optical zoom for visible light.
d) Supports both long-wave infrared and visible light detection, and can output infrared and visible light images.
e) Visible light channel features optical zoom, autofocus, manual focus, and low-light capabilities.
f) Infrared sensor supports 4× continuous zoom.
g) Integrated with laser ranging functionality.
h) Supports two-degree-of-freedom movement in azimuth and pitch.
i) Offers multiple operating modes, including automatic search, manual search, follow-up, and tracking.
j) In manual search mode, can receive commands from the control station and perform pod operations accordingly.
k) Capable of isolating carrier disturbances and stabilizing the line of sight.
l) Supports target locking/unlocking; once locked, the pod outputs an image with a tracking frame.
m) Features automatic target tracking with resistance to natural interference.
n) Includes memory tracking, enabling rapid re-acquisition of a target after brief loss.
o) Allows adjustment of the gate size.
p) Supports tracking point switching.
q) Can calculate target coordinates using laser ranging data, pod azimuth and pitch angles, and UAV attitude information.
r) Enables bidirectional communication with the control station via 100 Mbps Ethernet/RS422, and outputs infrared images, visible light images, system status, camera working status, and optical axis position.
s) Provides HD-SDI and 100 Mbps Ethernet multi-channel video output interfaces.
t) Supports photo and video recording.

III. Mounting Platform

Vertical take-off fixed-wing drones, rotary-wing drones, tethered drones, etc.

IV. Main Technical Parameters

modelS230TG
Infrared thermal imager
Detector typeUncooled focal plane detector
Operating band8 m 14 m
Detector resolution640 512
Pixel size12 m
Lens focal length25mm to 75mm continuous zoom
Field of view17.5 14 5.9 4.7
Noise equivalent temperature differenceNETD 50mK
Minimum distinguishable temperature differenceMRTD 500mK
Visible light camera
resolution1920 1080
Response band0.4 m to 0.9 m
Pixel size2.8 m
Optical zoom30 times
Mixed Variable Multiplication60 times
focal length4.3mm 129mm
Field of view63.7 35.8 2.3 1.3 ( 5%)
zoom modeAutofocus, manual focus
Minimum Illumination0.01 Lux (Black and White)
Laser rangefinder
wavelength1535nm
Maximum ranging distance 6km (under conditions of visibility 15km)
Minimum ranging distance 20m
Distance measurement accuracy 2m
Ranging frequency1 5Hz
Servo Platform
Orientation angle360 n (360 continuous rotation)
Pitch angle-120 +90 (positive for upward)
Frame corner accuracy 0.06㣨1ң
Stable accuracy 0.05mrad (1 )
Angular position accuracy 1mrad (1 )
Maximum turning speedAzimuth  60 /s, Pitch 60 /s
Maximum turning accelerationAzimuth  100 /s2, Pitch 100 /s2
System Indicators
Image trackingAutomatic tracking of selected targets (optional)
AI recognitionAutomatic detection and identification of typical targets
Rated operating voltage24VDC
Power supply voltage range20V to 32VDC
powerStable power consumption:  60W
weight 8.5Kg
volume 230mm 245mm 316mm
interface
Control InterfaceRS422/100Mbps Ethernet
Video interfaceHD-SDI/100Mbps Ethernet
Storage interface 128G memory card (Mini SD card)
Image formatJPG format
Video formatAVI format
Environmental adaptability
Operating temperature-40 60
Storage temperature-45 60
Vibration conditionsThe acceleration is 2g; 30 minutes each in the vertical, horizontal and longitudinal directions.
Impact conditionsPeak acceleration 20g, duration 11ms
Protection levelCan fly in light to moderate rain

V. Mechanical Dimensions and Installation Interfaces

S230TG
S230TG

Figure 2 Product mechanical dimensions diagram