MagNIMBUS atomic total-field magnetometer
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MagNIMBUS is an ultra-sensitive airborne integrated magnetometer system from SPH Engineering, powered by QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 atomic total-field magnetometer sensors. HobiTech supplies it in India as an Official Partner of SPH Engineering.
System
| Sensor | QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 atomic total-field magnetometer |
| Configurations | Gradiometer, or single sensor with foldable mount |
| Sensor mount | Self-foldable mount with built-in QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 sensor |
| Gradiometer configuration | Mast with a second QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 sensor |
| Datalogger | SkyHub onboard computer (also runs terrain following mode for DJI drones) |
| Altimeter | Laser or radar |
| Flight planning / management software | UgCS Expert |
| Recommended data processing software | Geosoft Oasis montaj |
| Surface-to-sensor clearance | From a couple of dozen centimetres |
Drone
| Recommended drone | DJI M350 or M300 RTK |
| Standard kit | All mountings and cables for the recommended drone |
| Other drones (including Pixhawk-based) | Mounting sets available on request |
| Flight time on DJI M350 RTK with the system | 30 minutes |
Survey parameters
| Recommended flight speed (typical terrain, e.g. farm fields) | 2–6 m/s |
| Line spacing for small items (hand grenades, submunitions) | As small as 0.5 m |
| Line spacing for artillery / mortar shells | 1 m |
| Time to survey 1 ha at 0.5 m line spacing, 2 m/s | Approx. 4.5 hours (168 min flight time plus 15 min breaks between flights) |
| Flight time to survey 1 ha at 1 m line spacing, 6 m/s | 30 minutes |
Detection
| F1 hand grenade | Estimated sensor-target distance 1.0 m |
| Big UXO such as aerial bombs | At a distance of a few metres |
| Landmines | Some types with considerable ferrous metal (TM-62M, OZM-72 and similar); cannot detect most types |
| Utilities | Metallic pipes and underground power cables under load |
What is MagNIMBUS used for?
MagNIMBUS is an airborne magnetometer system. SPH Engineering lists these typical applications:
- Searching for UXO (unexploded ordnance) and landmines in metallic casings
- Tramp metals and lost GET (ground engagement tools) detection
- Locating buried infrastructure (metal pipes, shielded cables, power cables under load)
- Environmental surveys for abandoned wells, pipes and storage tanks, quickly and with precise positioning
- Geology and minerals prospecting: surveys for regional variations in the magnetic field
- Archaeology
Key features
- Very low flying height. The system design allows flights with extremely low surface-to-sensor clearance, starting from just a couple of dozen centimetres.
- Safe ground contact. If the sensor touches the ground, an obstacle or vegetation, this will not lead to a drone crash. SPH notes this is very important when searching for small UXO over fields with vegetation.
- Self-foldable sensor mount. It allows easy take-off and landing, without the extra operator qualification needed for magnetic sensors on suspension cords.
- Two configurations. Fly it as a gradiometer or with a single sensor on the foldable mount.
Gradiometer or single sensor: which should you choose?
- Gradiometer. This configuration simplifies data processing and makes a magnetometer base station unnecessary. It also makes magnetic surveys possible close to sources of EM fields, such as power lines.
- Single sensor with foldable mount. Detection capability is the same as the gradiometer set-up, but data processing needs more experienced specialists. A magnetometer base station is recommended in some cases.
What can MagNIMBUS detect?
The system can detect items from hand grenades up to big UXO such as aerial bombs. For a target such as the F1 hand grenade, the estimated sensor-target distance is 1.0 m. Aerial bombs can be detected at a distance of a few metres.
It can detect some types of landmines with a considerable amount of ferrous metal, such as TM-62M and OZM-72. Landmine search is not a direct application, because the system cannot detect most types of landmines. SPH Engineering states that it should never be used to confirm the absence of landmines or small UXO in an area. It can be a valuable asset during a Non-Technical Survey (NTS) or Technical Survey (TS) to confirm the presence of UXO or landmines with a considerable amount of ferrous metal.
The system is also effective for finding metallic pipes and underground power cables under load. In SPH's processed data from a former shooting range, the large anomalies were 72 mm and 150 mm artillery shells and a short piece of metal pipe.
What do you need to run MagNIMBUS?
SPH Engineering lists these main components of the system:
- Drone: DJI M350 or M300 RTK is recommended. The standard kit comes with all mountings and cables for this drone. Sets for other drones, including Pixhawk-based drones, are available on request.
- Sensor mount: foldable mount with built-in QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 magnetic field sensor.
- Gradiometer mast: mast with a QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 sensor, for the gradiometer configuration.
- Onboard computer: SkyHub acts as the datalogger for the magnetic field sensors and runs terrain following mode for DJI drones.
- Altimeter: a laser or radar altimeter.
- Flight planning and management: UgCS Expert.
- Data processing: Geosoft Oasis montaj is recommended.
Compare all drone magnetometers.
How long does a MagNIMBUS survey take?
Survey time depends on two factors: the distance between survey lines and the flight speed.
- For robust detection of small items such as hand grenades or submunitions (seen from 2 parallel lines), SPH recommends line spacing as small as 0.5 m.
- For bigger items such as artillery or mortar shells, the optimal line spacing is 1 m.
- Flight speed depends on flight safety and terrain. For typical terrain such as farm fields, SPH recommends 2–6 m/s.
Worst case (0.5 m line spacing at 2 m/s) for 1 ha: 200 survey lines, 20,000 m of lines plus 200 m of extra segments, so 20,200 m ÷ 2 m/s = 10,100 s, or 168 minutes of flight. On a DJI M350 RTK, flight time with the magnetometer system is 30 minutes. With a 15-minute break between flights for battery changes, 1 ha takes about 4.5 hours. With 1 m line spacing at 6 m/s, the flight time for 1 ha is just 30 minutes.
Why buy MagNIMBUS from HobiTech?
HobiTech is an Official Partner of SPH Engineering based in Bengaluru, India. Every order comes with a GST invoice, and our local team supports the sensor, the drone and the software. We also offer SPH's magnetometer training courses, including the trainer-led course on magnetic data processing and interpretation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sensor does MagNIMBUS use?
QuSpin QTFM Gen-2 atomic total-field magnetometer sensors: one on the foldable mount, plus one on a mast in the gradiometer configuration.
Which drones can carry MagNIMBUS?
SPH Engineering recommends the DJI M350 or M300 RTK, and the standard kit includes all mountings and cables for it. Sets for other drones, including Pixhawk-based drones, are available on request.
Do I need a magnetometer base station?
Not with the gradiometer configuration. With a single sensor, a base station is recommended in some cases.
How low can MagNIMBUS fly?
From just a couple of dozen centimetres above the surface. If the sensor touches the ground or vegetation, this will not lead to a drone crash.
Can MagNIMBUS detect landmines?
Only some types with a considerable amount of ferrous metal, such as TM-62M and OZM-72. It cannot detect most types of landmines, so it must never be used to confirm that an area is free of landmines or small UXO.
How do I buy MagNIMBUS in India?
Use Request a quote on this page, or call HobiTech on +91 70225 26509. We confirm the price and configuration, and every order comes with a GST invoice.