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19Sep

Refurbished Drones: considerations before you buy

Smart phones, game consoles, smart TVs...and now, drones. New technology is exciting but the cost of owning the latest gadgets prevent many from immediately running out and buying it. Many wait months before purchasing coveted products in the hopes that competition may eventually drive the price down. However, some savvy shoppers choose another path...refurbished products. From smartphones games consoles, refurbished electronics are a viable option for price-conscious consumers. Refurbished products offer consumers the chance to buy updated technology at a reduced price. However, when considering refurbished gadgets, a little due diligence is required.

An affordable way to keep pace

Technological innovation happens at a break-neck pace. Products are updated regularly and newer models are quickly made available. And, as manufacturers look to ever increase revenue, product cycles seem to get shorter and shorter. It is easy to see how consumers are out-matched. Refurbished products come from a variety of sources, including: ex-display items, items with slight defects from shipping, and previously owned items - to name a few. A refurbished product can have either some or all of its components replaced with newer ones. Some are done by the manufacturer. Others by private individuals or companies that specialize in the product line in question.  

Types of refurbished drones

Just like many other types of electronics, refurbished drones are the result of the consumerist economy we live in. Here’s a quick look at the aforementioned causes behind refurbished electronics and their advantages or drawbacks, if any:
  • Drones with Defects: Manufacturers take every precaution to ensure products reach the customer in full functioning condition. However, issues do arise from time to time. If a drone is found to have a defects it is usually returned to the manufacturer for repairs. In some cases purchasing a refurbished drone in this instance is an advantage. This is due to the detailed inspection, repairs and testing which are carried out by experienced and certified technicians.
  • Ex-Display Drones: Many retail shops display working prototypes so customers can examine and even demo the product. As such, demo drones are virtually new. Some stores make minor repairs to the item, if needed, and then offer it at a reduced priced. For those who don't mind a drone that's been handled a bit, it's an affordable option.
  • Shipping Damaged Drones: Getting the product from the factory to the end-user often involves transport via several carriers. As such, it is not unusual for some product to get damaged en route. When this occurs, the drone is sent back to the factory for repairs or resold as-is at a lower price.
  • Used Drones: Customers can change their mind and return a drone for numerous reasons, including: cost, a desire to upgrade, or personal preference. Such items are checked thoroughly before being offered for sale again, often at a lower price. This is a great way to own an almost-new drone at a fraction of the cost.
Many drone manufacturers offer refurbished drones. In many ways, it is a win-win. The manufacturer recaptures dollars they may have previously lost by refurbishing damaged goods and reselling them. And the consumer can upgrade their technology at a lower cost than buying new. These are items that are usually in an as-new condition and have been thoroughly checked before being re-listed for sale at a lower price. So while a refurbished drone is a viable alternative for anyone looking to buy a UAV is it a foolproof path to drone ownership? Perhaps but there are some considerations to remember before taking the plunge.  

Always purchase from reputable sellers

The best way to avoid pitfalls is to only purchase through reputable sellers. Some manufacturers offer refurbished products directly from their own retail stores or online shops. Another option is to find retailers who specialize in that product line. As such, they have the experience and expertise to ensure the drone is refurbished properly. In addition, major retailers such as eBay and Amazon specify whether a product is refurbished by the manufacturer or reconditioned by the seller.  

Consider purchasing a warranty

Another advantage of buying a refurbished drone from a reputable company is the option to purchase a warranty. A good warranty covers the most common repairs and the original issue.  

Check the return policy before buying

Before buying a refurbished drone, check to see if the retailer accepts returns for their refurbished line. Some do, some don't. Some consider it an as-is sale. So, it is buyer beware. Also, make note of the time period covered by the return policy.  

Inspect the drone

Finally, take the time to carefully inspect the drone. Check for any damage. Ensure the drone comes with all the accessories it should. Inspection is especially relevant to pre-used, open box and ex-display items where things like charging cables or instruction manuals could be missing. Of course, if buying a refurbished drone via an online reseller, a physical inspection is just not possible. That is why it is vital to ony purchase from reputable sellers.  

Refunds and buyer protection

Lastly, online payment providers such as PayPal and credit card companies often provide or extend buyer protections. This additional protection, helps in the event the consumer needs to claim a refund or file a dispute at a later date.   Thanks to the fast pace of innovation and the constant release of new products, the market for refurbished drones continues to expand. To minimize risk, follow the considerations above and begin the search for a great deal on a good quality refurbished drone.
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12Sep

Drone Inspections go nuclear with GPS and RADAR

AsteRx-m2 UASHigh-precision GPS receivers mounted on drones able to identify 1mm hairline defects in cooling towers  

Drones rise to the challenge

How do you inspect a structure that’s almost 160 m high and 120 m in diameter? With a few weeks to spare, a crash course in abseiling and a head for heights, a person could certainly give it a go. Imagine, however, that you need to collect enough data for a 3D model with the precision of 1 mm…all within a week. This was the challenge facing Aetos Drones. The company was tasked with inspecting a cooling tower at Tihange Nuclear Power Station near Liege in Belgium.  

Keeping reactors in top condition

The three reactors at the Tihange Power Station came online between 1975 and 1985. This makes the oldest of the three over 40 years old. Cooling towers built in this era have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. But, with careful maintenance, the lifetime can extend a further 20 years. The Tihange reactors contribute about 25% of all electricity generated in Belgium. The plan is to decommission the towers in 2025. Until then, the cooling towers need to be kept in good working order. Fortunately, drones equipped with highly precise and reliable GPS receivers can help.  

Corrosion and cooling towers

Pressurized Water Reactors, such as at Tihange, have cooling towers. These towers supply cold water to the condenser which works to cool the steam back into water. The steam drives the electricity-generating turbines. Cooling towers are elegantly simple in their operation. Warm water from the condenser sprays into the tower through a network of sprinklers, warming the surrounding air and causing it to rise. This in turn draws cooler air in through openings in the base of the tower maintaining a constant, natural draft of cool air through the tower. Corrosion is a possibility in any system where water plays a part. Cooling towers are hollow, thin-walled structures made from reinforced concrete. Over time, the humid environment can corrode the metal elements of the tower. In every cycle through the cooling tower, about 2% of the water evaporates forming the characteristic steam clouds. This increases the salt concentration in the remaining water which increases its corrosive power. In addition, high winds and winter icing can also cause damage and weaken the cooling tower.  

The inspection

Aetos Drones, were called in to carry out the inspections. And, Belgian's first certified drone pilot, Lieve Van Gijsel, took the helm. An octocopter fitted with a high-resolution camera, a RADAR system and an AsteRx-m UAS receiver conducted the inspection. The air vehicle took photographs at regular intervals as it traveled vertically up and down the sides of the cooling tower. The RADAR system was AIRobot’s Ranger, an add-on sensor specifically designed for distance detection on UAVs. The octocopter needed to get close enough to get quality images. However, the octocopter needed to maintain enough distance so as not to risk getting tossed around by the turbulence generated by the tower.  

Processing the images

Over the course of 4 days, more than 19,000 photographs of the cooling tower were taken. During the flight, the AsteRx-m UAS receiver logged GNSS measurements and the exact time each photograph was taken. After the flight, these shutter times and GNSS measurements were combined with GNSS measurements from a nearby base station using Septentrio’s GeoTagZ software. As such, each photograph was stamped with the cm-level precise RTK position of the camera – the ideal input for the next processing stage. After processing with GeoTagZ, the photographs were then uploaded to the photogrammetry software Agisoft PhotoScan. Over the course of several days, the photographs were stitched together to produce a highly-detailed 3D model of the cooling tower, precise to the level of 1 mm. Experts at Tihange then analyzed the surface of the cooling tower down to any required level of detail.  

Precise yes, but also reliable

3D inspection models with 1 mm resolution are made possible using high-quality, multi-frequency GNSS measurements from high-end receivers like the AsteRx-m. Not only does the positioning have to be precise, it has to be reliable. This requires: accurate error models, continuous tracking during mechanical jolts and advanced satellite integrity monitoring (RAIM). For large-structure inspections, such as this, multi-constellation positioning is essential to ensure there are always enough satellites available to work with. The receiver will also need a good multipath mitigation filter (APME) to disentangle direct and reflected satellite signals to avoid jumps in the calculated position.  

AsteRx-m2 UAS

The AsteRx-m UAS established itself as the receiver of choice for UAV applications requiring high-precision positioning. With the recent release of the  AsteRx-m2 UAS, drone inspections can take on applications at an entirely new level of difficulty. The AsteRx-m2 UAS adds BeiDou and Galileo as well as L5 frequency tracking. It also includes the AIM+ interference mitigation system. The additional constellations allow operation in areas where overhead structures limit the scope of single and dual-constellation receivers. Shop Septentrio's line of high accuracy receivers at Unmanned Systems Source.
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31Aug

Portable Rapid Charging Systems arrive at Unmanned Systems Source

The power to extend flight time while in the field just got a little easier thanks to Colorado Drone Chargers. Formerly known as P-Squared Group, Colorado Drone Chargers is a leading designer and manufacturer of rapid charging systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. The company focuses exclusively on charging technology and ease of use for the customer. The complete line of Portable Rapid Charging Systems (PRCS) is now available at Unmanned Systems Source. “Our mission is to make and market the best products,” said Johnny Podrovitz, founder of Colorado Drone Chargers. “From day one, we have been committed to delivering exceptional products for the drone battery charging industry.”  

Colorado Drone Chargers

For the past several years, Colorado Drone Chargers made significant advances in drone charger technology. The line or Portable Rapid Charging Systems rapidly charges manufacturer smart batteries from major brands such as: DJI and 3DR. Some PRCS systems enable users to charge 4 batteries, plus the controller, simultaneously. PRCS Systems also feature smart technology that manages the batteries charging current, voltage and temperature…all in one convenient storage/carrying case.   Find and shop Colorado Drone Chargers entire line of PRCS at Unmanned Systems Source.
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28Aug

NuWaves Engineering completes work on bidirectional amplifiers for communications, telemetry and warfare markets

NuWavesNuWaves Engineering announced the completion of the IRaD phase for their newest miniaturized 10 watt C-band bidirectional amplifier (BDA). This product adds to the existing line of NuPower Xtender bidirectional amplifiers. Currently, plans are to price this at $2,900/ea in quantities of one hundred. It is available Q4 2017. NuWaves is an international Radio Frequency (RF) and Microwave solutions provider. NuWaves continues to push their presence and expertise to higher-frequency applications. The NuPower Xtender C10RX01 and C10RX02 BDA modules follow the release of the 20 W C-Band Power Amplifier (C20R01) and the 20 W C-Band bidirectional amplifier (C20RX01). This latest BDA offers the performance of a traditional power amplifier coupled with a low noise amplifier for receive mode. It provides an amplification solution in one miniaturized package for half-duplex transceivers.  

The specifications

Both the C10RX01 and C10RX02 provide saturated RF output power of 10 Watts in transmit mode and 10 dB of gain in receive mode across the C-band frequency range of 4.4 to 5.1 GHz. Both accept a +30 dBm input signal, for compatability with common datalinks that typically provide a 1 W output. The NuPower Xtender C10RX01 requires a manual transmit/receive (T/R) control input signal. Additionally, the NuPower Xtender C10RX02 offers an autosense T/R control mode where the transmit/receive condition is determined automatically. The BDA’s aluminum chassis features improved heat dissipation characteristics for higher temperature operation. Its compact size makes it small enough for integration into a variety of platforms: air, ground, test, training. “These bidirectional amplifier modules provide the system integrator with additional options for enhanced operability across multiple scenarios in the military communications market, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). They fill the gap in the market for small bidirectional amplifiers,” said Jeff Wells, President and CEO of NuWaves Engineering. “We take pride in our ability to provide a full spectrum of solutions in support of the Warfighter.”  

About NuWaves Engineering

Veteran-owned, NuWaves Engineering is a premier supplier of RF and Microwave solutions for Department of Defense (DoD), government, and industrial customers. NuWaves offers a broad range of design and engineering services which develop and sustain key communications, telemetry and electronic warfare systems, as well as a complete line of commercially available RF products. NuWaves’ products include wide-band frequency converters, high-efficiency and miniature solid state power amplifiers and bidirectional amplifiers, high intercept low noise amplifiers and miniature RF filters. Shop NuWaves' entire line of RF Solutions at Unmanned Systems Source.
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24Aug

StreamCaster 4200 radio by Silvus Technologies selected by MILREM

The StreamCaster 4200 (SC4200) radio by Silvus Technologies was recently selected by MILREM, a manufacturer of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) based in Estonia. MILREM will integrate the SC4200 onto the Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) platform. THeMIS UGV is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform. It assists with target acquisition, logistics support, and other missions. The SC4200 serves as the datalink, providing wireless command/control and video. It pairs with high performance antennas to allow the THeMIS to drive extended ranges, and push video and data communication farther than before. “Silvus is offering rugged and high quality MIMO radios which have proven to provide reliable wireless video and data communication over extended range,” said Rivo Opik, MILREM’s Chief Engineer.  “The technical support and guidance from the Silvus team has been quick and very effective.” SC4200 2x2 MIMO radio features transmit beamforming which nearly doubles the signal range. The ability to significantly extend range is why MILREM choose the SC4200 for the THeMIS. Companies purchasing the THeMIS can control, one, two or an entire fleet of these UGVs. In addition, users can monitor what is happening using a real-time, live HD-video feed from the Silvus radios.  

About Silvus Technologies

Silvus created its StreamCaster series of Mobile Networked (MN) MIMO radios to enable military-grade wireless video, data and voice communications in the most extreme situations. The ability to create an ad hoc, self-forming/self-healing mesh network is essential for the dynamic tactical operations. This powerful method of wireless connectivity is a natural fit for UGVs, and in particular, for several major US Military UGV programs where stringent performance requirements dictate the use of advanced communication techniques. MILREM serves a variety of customers in the defense and commercial industry. Shop Silvus’ line of MIMO radios at Unmanned Systems Source.
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22Aug

Tightening security data: DJI makes its move

security data DJIThat didn’t take long. DJI, the Chinese-based company, took little time to address the gathering noise over cyber security concerns. At the beginning of August, the U.S. Army called for troops to cease and desist use of DJI drones, equipment and cameras for any operations. The Army's announcement seemed to catch DJI unaware. In the last few days, DJI announced that it will accelerate the release of a new feature, Local Data Mode.  This feature will be a part of the DJI controller app. When selected, Local Data Mode will allow pilots to disconnect from the internet during flights. The update releases at the end of September. “We are creating Local Data Mode to address the needs of our enterprise customers, including public and private organizations that are using DJI technology to perform sensitive operations around the world,” said Brendan Schulman, DJI Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs. “DJI is committed to protecting the privacy of its customers’ photos, videos and flight logs. Local Data Mode will provide added assurances for customers with heightened data security needs.” This feature is designed to stop internet traffic to and from DJI’s flight control application. This would make it “impossible” for the craft to communicate any flight log data, photos or videos with DJI servers. It would also prevent any accidental syncing with DJI servers. DJI believes Local Data Mode offers users some level of data management. DJI hopes this feature will help alleviate privacy and security concerns for sensitive operations.  

Drawback of Local Data Mode

Disconnecting from the internet means the application will not receive continuous updates. As such, operators lose the features that makes flight safer and easier, including: updates of maps, newly issued flight restrictions, software updates, and geo-fencing information. However, it is up to each operator to decide whether the operation requires Local Data Mode for privacy or security reasons. And, at least now operators have an option. Local Data Mode may not be available in all countries depending on specific regulations. DJI made its move. Only time will tell if this is enough to diminish the concerns of enterprise and government entities.
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