USS News

Phase One announces full integration of aerial cameras with DJI’s M600 and M600 Pro

Phase One Industrial recently announced the full integration of its iXU and iXU-RS aerial cameras with DJI’s M600 and M600 Pro drones. Built using DJI’s SDK, this is just the latest drone platform supported by Phase One Industrial. Phase One was the first to deliver 100-megapixel medium format aerial cameras. Since then, Phase One has continued to innovate inspection tools uniquely capable of addressing diverse aerial imaging applications. Those applications range from photogrammetry to critical infrastructure to monitoring projects.  

High quality solution for aerial imaging applications

The aerial cameras’ integration with DJI’s M600 and M600 Pro platforms is delivering high quality solutions for aerial imaging applications. “Using the Phase One Industrial IXU camera with the new Integration package for our DJI M600 drone, the results were extraordinary,” said UAV Flight Systems Manager Tobias Wentzler, Lufthansa Aerial Services. “We achieved millimeter per pixel accuracy, allowing us to inspect the required objects in exquisite detail and lift our mission results and accuracy to a new, high-end level, identifying the subtlest cracks or imperfections that were not visible to conventional inspection methods.” Phase One continues to develop aerial imaging solutions that meet the exacting needs of aerial imaging professionals. “When our clients hire us, they expect the best,” said Ron Chapple, CEO of Aerial Filmworks. “With the new Phase One Industrial aerial cameras integrated with DJI drones, Aerial Filmworks delivers robust performance, highest resolution and finest image quality to support our clients’ cinematic projects. “GEO1, the survey division of Aerial Filmworks, a solutions-driven provider in the electric and gas/oil marketplace, also benefits from this development. Now, we have the right solution to help satisfy our clients’ requirements for the high-resolution data and flight efficiencies.”  

Capabilities include

Phase One Industrial iXU and iXU-RS aerial cameras’ integration with DJI M600 and M600 Pro drone systems include:
  • 100MP and 50MP metric aerial cameras
  • Smart triggering of the camera by waypoints / fixed distance / fixed time
  • Support for mission planning applications (such as DJI Ground Station pro) – for waypoints missions
  • Geo-tagging of all files’ location and gimbal position
  • Dual remote controllers (drone and camera) enable each operator (UAV pilot and camera operator) to focus on their respective mission goals
  • Industrial-grade build of the camera and aerial lenses for use in harsh environments
Also, the integration provides a new iX Capture Mobile application for iOS. This application features an intuitive, user-friendly interface, and support for total remote control of the camera.  

Phase One DJI Integration

Designed using the DJI open platform development tools, iX Capture Mobile offers various operating modes, including:
  • Video Streaming
  • Auto or Manual Capture settings to determine the values of the ISO, shutter speed and aperture
  • Auto capture mode to enable image capturing by waypoints, fix distance or by time intervals
  • Camera control via DJI Lightbridge 2 dials
The iXU and iXU-RS series of high-resolution, metric cameras are known for precision imaging, small size and low weight. In addition, these cameras offer direct integration with other UAV manufacturers, including: Coptersystems, AerialTronics, Pulse Aero, and UMS Skeldar platforms. They also support the workflows of many leading image post processing software, such as: Pix4D, Agisoft, SimActive, and others. Designed to capture images with superior accuracy and quality, Phase One Industrial aerial cameras are capable of covering larger aerial surfaces in less time, resulting in less flight time needed for efficient flying. As such, operators can enjoy both unprecedented visibility and a lower cost by utilizing drones rather than traditional airplane or helicopter methods. In addition, drones offer improved worker safety across challenging environments, including: power line monitoring, inspection of wind turbines, railways, roads, bridges and other civil engineering jobs. Phase One iXU and iXU-RS series camera systems are available immediately from partners worldwide, including Unmanned Systems Source. Camera package prices begin from $29,000 (complete with integration kit and lens). For more information, please contact Unmanned Systems Source.

Visit Booth 325 at XPONENTIAL to meet the Unmanned Systems Source Team

May 9, 2017 – Unmanned Systems Source is looking forward to connecting with clients, vendors and friends May 8-11 at the XPONENTIAL show in Dallas, TX. Unmanned Systems Source provides users a single source of supply and information for unmanned and remote sensing applications. “We are often referred to as the ‘Amazon’ of the Unmanned world,” said Jennifer Jerrick, CEO of Unmanned Systems Source. “Prosumers, developers, manufacturers, and procurement agents, alike, can find what they need to outfit their unmanned projects. We are a one-stop-shop.” Unmanned Systems Source, though, is more than just an e-commerce site.  

Industry experience, customer support

“The level of service and support our team provides customers is one of the key factors that distinguishes us within the marketplace,” said Jerrick. “Our industry experienced Solution Engineers listen, answer questions and help customers select the right systems, payloads and peripherals for their application.” Thanks to numerous distribution partnerships with recognized manufacturers, the product offering at Unmanned Systems Source continues to grow. Customers can shop, compare and buy top-tier products at retail pricing…or better.  

About Unmanned Systems Source

Unmanned Systems Source is an online warehouse that supplies unmanned systems, components, subsystems, and services. With more than 30 years combined experience, the team at Unmanned Systems Source has the insight to help power projects for commercial, governmental, and public sectors, alike. Visit booth 325 to find out how Unmanned Systems Source can create buying and procurement solutions for your projects.

AsteRx-m2 UAS ultra-low powered GNSS receiver offers unmatched jamming robustness

AsteRx-m2 UASMay 8, 2017 - Septentrio, a leading manufacturer of accurate and reliable GNSS solutions, announced the release of the AsteRx-m2 and AsteRx-m2 UAS OEM boards. These OEM boards bring the latest in GNSS positioning to the market with unmatched interference mitigation technology all on ultra-low-power. Septentrio will showcase these OEM boards in Dallas, Texas at AUVSI's Xponential 2017.  

Centimeter-level RTK position accuracy, and more

The credit-card sized AsteRx-m2 and the AsteRx-m2 UAS offer all-in-view multi-frequency, multi-constellation tracking and centimeter-level RTK position accuracy for the lowest power of any comparable receiver. Additionally, the AsteRx-m2 and the AsteRx-m2 UAS can receive TerraStar satellite-based correction signals for PPP positioning. Also, both boards feature Septentrio’s AIM+ interference mitigation system: the most advanced on-board interference mitigation technology on the market. It can suppress the widest variety of interferers, from simple continuous narrowband signals to wideband and pulsed jammers. Increased levels of radio frequency pollution coupled with the intrinsic danger of self-interference in compact systems such as UAS, makes interference mitigation vital to any UAS GNSS system.  

AsteRx-m2 UAS for unmanned systems

The AsteRx-m2 UAS is designed specifically for unmanned systems. It brings plug-and-play compatibility for autopilot software such as ArduPilot and Pixhawk. And event markers can accurately synchronize a camera shutter with GNSS time. In addition, the board can receive power directly from the vehicle power bus via its wide-range power input. The AsteRx-m2 UAS works seamlessly with GeoTagZ software and its SDK library for RPK (ReProcessed Kinematic) offline processing to provide RTK accuracy without the need for ground control points or a real-time datalink. “The market demands increasingly accurate and reliable GNSS positioning systems for inspection, mapping and aerial survey” stated Gustavo Lopez, Product Manager at Septentrio. “Septentrio’s answer is the AsteRx-m2 and the AsteRx-m2 UAS. They offer multi-frequency and multi-constellation tracking as well as robust interference protection all for the lowest power on the market.” If attending XPONENTIAL, find out more about the AsteRx-m2 UAS by stopping by Septentrio's booth, #749, or Unmanned Systems Source at booth #325.  

About Septentrio

Septentrio designs, manufactures and sells high-precision multi frequency multi constellation GPS/GNSS equipment. Receivers, designed by Septentrio, deliver consistently accurate GNSS positions scalable to centimeter-level. They perform solidly even under heavy scintillation or jamming. Receivers are available as OEM boards, housed receivers and smart antennas. Shop Septentrio's line of GNSS receiver solutions at Unmanned Systems Source.

Silvus to release SC4400 MIMO Radio designed for unmanned system applications

SC4400 MIMO RadioSilvus Technologies is preparing to showcase its new StreamCaster 4400 radio at the upcoming AUVSI XPONENTIAL show in Dallas, TX. The SC4400 is a 4×4 MIMO radio designed for unmanned systems applications. It transmits high-definition video, data and communications at near zero latency over long distances. Also, it can deploy as a point-to-point data link or as part of a comprehensive, self forming/self healing mesh network. And it intelligently optimizes signal transmission in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight operations.  

SC4400 Mimo Radio

The SC4400 MIMO Radio utilizes four antennas for true 4×4 MIMO. It comes equipped with standard connections including: Ethernet, USB, Push-To-Talk voice, RS-232 and a Wi-Fi port for connecting a phone, tablet or laptop to access the StreamScape user interface. This comprehensive network manager allows users to monitor signal strength, data rates and radio stats, and to test links and make adjustments. The spectrum scan diagnostic tool enables the user to analyze the available range of frequencies and select a channel that is free of interference. An embedded mapping display also enables nodes to be tracked in real time, providing a bird’s eye view of the entire system. “The StreamCaster 4400 delivers a significant increase in range and overall robustness, making it a great fit for larger aircraft,” said Silvus Technologies Director of Sales, Kasey Cooper. “Our existing StreamCaster 4200 radio is also getting an upgrade with dual band capability, providing the ability to tune across two disparate bands for maximum reliability in a smaller form-factor. Together, the StreamCaster 4200 and the more powerful StreamCaster 4400 can combine to optimize video, command and control and bi-directional data transmission for UAVs of any size, in any range.”  

About Silvus Technologies

Silvus Technologies develops military-grade Mobile Networked MIMO (MN-MIMO) waveform technology, which comprises the core of the SC4400 MIMO Radio. Its distinctive beam-forming ability boosts signal strength, reducing power consumption while increasing overall range. Silvus claims that the SC4400 is the world’s first tactical MIMO radio to employ 4×4 MIMO transmit beam-forming, an advanced method of signal processing that is capable of doubling transmission distance reach. MIMO’s tenacious ability to bounce off obstacles and reroute signals also features prominently in the SC4400. “We’ll be performing live demos on the show floor to give just a small taste of the kind of wireless connectivity we can achieve,” added Cooper. “We’ll be showing how our StreamCaster radios operate with the latest UAVs and subsystems from Overwatch, Latitude and Isensys, to name a few.” If you're attending XPONENTIAL, stop by booth 518 to watch Silvus Technologies demo the SC4400. And make sure you stop and visit Unmanned Systems Source at booth 325. You can shop Silvus' line of MIMO radios at Unmanned Systems Source.

VectorNav’s VN-200 aids in precision geo-pointing for miniature Epsilon series of gyro-stabilized gimbals

Octopus ISR Systems, a division of UAV Factory Ltd., announced the release of a new feature, "Precision Geo-Lock", for its miniature Epsilon series of gyro-stabilized gimbals. Precision Geo-Lock combines a state-of-the-art GPS-aided inertial navigation system (GPS/INS) with dedicated software algorithms and payload operator software. It provides the user with highly accurate target geo-location, range-to-target, as well as Geo-Lock functionality and moving map user interface.

Precision geo-location challenges

Equipping a miniature airborne gimbal with precision geo-location presents a multitude of challenges. First, the gimbal operates in a high vibration environment, high accelerations and extreme ranges in temperature. Also, unmanned aircraft often use miniature gyro-stabilized gimbals. Thus, small size and low power consumption are significant factors. “Traditionally, small gyro-stabilized gimbals use an external heading source to estimate the geo-location of the target,” stated UAV Factory CEO Konstantins Popiks. “Onboard the unmanned aircraft, the attitude data is usually supplied by an autopilot. The estimate accuracy is imprecise due to the nature of low-cost sensors used in miniature autopilots. Miniature autopilots simply do not need the precise heading data required by the gimbal. As a result, the heading error generates large geo-location errors and provides little to no use for the unmanned aircraft operator. Additional errors occur due to misalignment of the gimbal and autopilot; these are separate subsystems mounted in different locations on individual soft vibration mounts.” For the Geo-Lock feature to work, a highly accurate external GPS/INS  needed to be integrated into the system. “Today the state-of-the-art miniature gyro-stabilized gimbals have a narrow field of view of less than 1.3 degrees," said Popiks. "Therefore, pointing accuracy should be significantly better than 1.3° to prevent the target pointing location from going out of frame.”  

VectorNav VN-200

In order to guarantee the successful implementation of the Precision Geo-Lock feature, UAV Factory partnered with VectorNav Technologies. VectorNav develops and manufactures high performance inertial navigation systems using the latest in MEMS sensor and GPS/GNSS technology. “VectorNav’s VN-200 was the only product on the market that offered a high-level of performance but small enough form factor for direct integration into the optical bench of the gimbal” said Popiks. “When the product delivered that level of accuracy despite the high vibrations, accelerations and temperature fluctuations of our application the choice was obvious.” UAV Factory’s Precision Geo-Lock provides better than 0.3 degree accuracy and is ‘Plug-and-Play’. This allows the customer to install the Epsilon gimbal and get accurate results on any platform and in a high-vibration environment. Epsilon gyro-stabilized turrets will be available with VN-200 single GPS-based INS solution, as well as the VN-300 dual GPS-based INS. A single GPS/INS solution is suitable for dynamic platforms such as manned and unmanned aircraft. Dual GPS/INS is a necessity for platforms with low dynamics, such as aerostats, ships and helicopters. You can shop VectorNav's entire line of sensors at Unmanned Systems Source.

MicroPilot autopilot solutions now available at Unmanned Systems Source

April 4, 2017 – Unmanned Systems Source is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with MicroPilot, producers of full-featured UAV autopilots. “MicroPilot is a world leader in small autopilot systems for UAS,” said Drew Osbrink, Business Development Director for Unmanned Systems Source. "The MicroPilot product line is a great fit for customers looking for a reliable solution to manage complex autonomous behaviors for their UAS platforms,” said Osbrink. Introduced in 2004 and weighing only 28 grams, MicroPilot's MP2x28g2 raised the bar around the world for functionality and value in small UAV autopilots. Paired with this full-feature UAV autopilot, the MicroPilot HORIZONmp ground control software provides a user-friendly, point-and-click interface for mission planning, parameter adjustment, flight monitoring, and mission simulation. Building on the success of these proven innovations, MicroPilot now offers a series of autopilots, software, accessories, and customized UAV training and integration services.  

MicroPilot autopilot solutions

  • Small size without sacrificing functionality: 28 grams, 4 cm by 10 cm
  • GPS waypoint navigation with altitude and airspeed hold
  • Completely independent operation, including autonomous takeoff, bungee launch, hand launch, and landing
  • Powerful script language command set
  • Open architecture – all state fields fully accessible
  • Fully integrated with 3-axis gyros and accelerometers, GPS, pressure altimeter, pressure airspeed sensors, all on a single circuit board
  • Extensive data logging and telemetry capabilities
  • UAV configuration wizard and installation video simplify installation
  • Includes HORIZONmp ground control software
 

Seamless upgrade path

From the single-use autopilot (MP2x28xp) to the powerful VTOL autopilot (MP2128HELI), MicroPilot provides a seamless upgrade path. No other autopilot manufacturer offers this high degree of adaptable technology and range of autopilot options. Once an individual learns how to operate a MicroPilot autopilot, the knowledge translates across the product line. This makes MicroPilot the single-vendor solution for autopilot hardware, software, and accessory needs. MicroPilot’s line of autopilots allows customers to grow and adapt at a fraction of the cost offered by many competitors. Visit Unmanned Systems Source to learn more about MicroPilot's autopilot solutions.  

About MicroPilot

Incorporated in 1994, MicroPilot serves UAV manufacturers who maintain high standards for both the hardware they integrate into their systems and the software that drives them. MicroPilot customers require products that are reliable, scalable and customizable. They have a solid reputation that supplies consistent products, services and support. MicroPilot has maintained itself as the world leader in professional autopilots for UAVs and MAVs.