Tag - uav

04Sep

KDE Direct Upgrades UAV Electronic Speed Controllers

KDE Direct recently announced new features for their UAS (unmanned aerial system) UVC electronic speed controller (ESC) series and KDE Device Manager V1.32 software. Upgrades include data logging and graphing, stall protection, and motor control optimizations. The new data graphing and logging features are accessible by updating the UVC Series ESC to the latest firmware. During a flight, the UVC Series ESC records the following:
  • Drive Voltage
  • Drive Current
  • Temperature
  • Motor Drive Power
  • Input Throttle
  • Output Throttle
  • RPM
  • Power Consumption
The new KDE Device Manager is customizable and has a new assortment of graphing features to view the ESC data log. The latest update also features a variety of display options, changeable units, and printing. The data log also offers a number of other intuitive features. Users can save data logs as well as upload a data log from a previous flight. Additionally, users can change the data log speed to allow the ESC to record more data. KDE have added the ability to record multiple flights and see all use time. This allows users to keep track of flights in a way that makes the most sense to accomplish their goals. All KDE ESC’s now have the option to turn on Stall Protection. This advanced algorithm allows for the immediate shutdown of electronics during propeller impact or alternate unsafe event. Stall protection also guards the ESC from damage and detects if a propeller is blocked. A number of motor control optimizations have also been added to the KDE Device Manager. The motor control algorithm on KDE’s ESCs have been optimized specifically to particular UAS Multi-Rotor Brushless Motors. This can be accomplished by selecting which motor is being used in the KDE Device Manager, and provides greater efficiency and overall improvements on the motor control.  

Shop KDE Direct's line of ESCs, motors and propellers at Unmanned Systems Source.

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10Aug

UgCS Unveils New Search Pattern Planning Feature for UAS

UgCS, provider of mission planning software for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), together with public safety and disaster response UAS experts Airborne Response, developed a comprehensive search capability for drones. The new feature allows remote pilots to more effectively conduct search and rescue operations using the UgCS platform.  

Software Enhancements

The new enhancements provides users with a variety of quickly customizable search patterns. Such patterns include the “expanding square” and “creeping line” which can easily deploy in emergency and non-emergency situations. Based on the flight altitude input by the operator, the UgCSsoftware automatically calculates key variables. These variable include, the course heading and track spacing necessary to provide the prescribed coverage area for a search target. “The new enhancements to the UgCS mission planning software allow remote pilots, at every skill level, to quickly plan and implement a professional search mission with a UAS,” said Tom “Oaty” Oatmeyer, Chief Pilot at Airborne Response.  

Expert Lends Expertise

Oatmeyer is an air rescue expert with 28 years of experience piloting helicopters for both the U.S. Air Force and the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue department. Oatmeyer worked directly with the UgCS development team to bring the new features to fruition. “The new UgCS search feature is designed to make searching for a target with a drone as simple and reliable as possible,” said Janis Kuze, Sales Director of SPH Engineering. “We look forward to our continued work with Airborne Response to further enhance capabilities and implement additional features.” Airborne Response and UgCS reached an agreement for Airborne Response to offer the UgCS mission planning software, and associated training, to public safety and emergency response professionals throughout the U.S. “When lives are on the line, every second counts,” asserts Oatmeyer.“UgCS now represents another valuable link in the UAS technology chain to enhance the public safety mission.”
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03Jul

VectorNav INS Selected for UAV LiDAR Mapping System

LiDAR USA announced the integration of  VectorNav's VN-300 Dual-Antenna Inertial Navigation System f0r its ScanLook Revolution UAV-based  mapping-system. The combined system provides LiDAR mapping capabilities targeted at applications that require a fast, efficient and easy-to-use solution.  

UAV-based LiDAR

Historically, the size, weight and power requirements of legacy LiDAR mapping systems primarily limited their use to manned aircraft. Plus, to keep costs feasible only large areas were best for mapping. Thanks to advances in both LiDAR and INS technology, a new generation of mapping systems are emerging. Today, LiDAR units weigh just a few hundred grams and can fit in the palm of the hand. They are also affordable enough for small businesses to develop services with a meaningful return on investment.  

How it works

Mobile LiDAR mapping requires several components to work synergistically in order to provide a suitable output. Components include: a LiDAR scanner, attitude/orientation sensor, positioning system, timing reference system and a vehicle or mobile platform. Traditionally, users had to either piece all the components together. Or users had to buy expensive systems designed for survey applications which incorporated L1/L2 GPS receivers with RTK positioning techniques. These types of systems also required the added expense of communicating with a reference base station or reference network system in order to maintain such accuracy. Clearly, there was a growing need for a low-cost, easy-to-use mapping system available to a wide-range of users. A system that required no advanced training, or complex setup and expensive post-processing. Enter LiDAR USA. Leveraging 18 years of experience, LiDAR USA developed the ScanLook Revolution system.  

Why VN-300?

LiDAR USA selected the VN-300 Dual-Antenna INS to keep the Revolution small, accurate and fully featured. “The VN-300 stood out among the rest for it’s exceptional performance in a wide range of operating conditions and especially for its small size and low weight. The VN-300 is a powerful sensor,” said Jeff Fagerman, CEO of LiDAR USA. “It’s tiny, only weighs 30 g and has performance comparable to much higher-priced systems,” In part, LiDAR USA selected the VN-300 because it does not rely on magnetometers for heading estimation. “Relying on magnetometers for accurate heading estimation is typically highly problematic,” according to Jakub Maslikowski, Director of Sales and Marketing at VectorNav. The VN-300 uses two GNSS receivers and a technique known as Carrier Phase Interferometry. This technique enables the VN-300 to estimate the heading solely from GPS signal measurements when the vehicle is stationary. Development of the Revolution was a challenging endeavor and required a lot of experimentation and fine tuning. “Working with the VN-300 and the team from VectorNav has been excellent. They’re responsive, extremely knowledgeable and a great team to work with,” said Fagerman.  

Shop VectorNav's entire line of solutions at Unmanned Systems Source.

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12Jun

FT Technologies Announces New, Lightweight Wind Sensor for Use on Drones, UAVs

FT Technologies announced the launch of the first in a new generation of lightweight ultrasonic wind sensors -- the FT205. Made from a graphite and nylon composite, and weighing only 100g (3.5oz), the FT205 is designed specifically for use on drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).  

FT205 Technology

Powered by FT’s unique Acu-Res® Technology the sensor uses ultrasound to derive air speed, direction and temperature. It also features a built-in compass. Although light, the compact size and shape of the FT205 makes it physically very strong. It is resistant to vibration, shock, electrical interference and is also fully-sealed and water-resistant. It can operate at altitudes up to 4000m and at temperatures between -20°C and +70°C. With low power requirements, and reading wind speeds up to 75m/s, the FT205 is ideal for UAV flight control systems and environmental monitoring from drones and remotely piloted aircraft.  

Mount options

To provide accurate wind measurements, the wind sensor must be mounted away from the wash of the drone rotors. Every drone is different so the FT205 is designed to fit either to a pole or to flat surface. It can also be mounted upside down. It can output data via RS485, RS422 or UART. Units of measure can be set to metres per second, kilometres per hour or knots. “The FT205 is the first in a new generation of lightweight ultrasonic wind sensors,” said Fred Squire, Director of Sales and Marketing. “It is unique in the market in that it combines a weight of only 100g with a wind speed reading range up to 75m/s. The light weight of the FT205 together with the proven FT Acu-Res® Technology make it ideal for use on aerial drones and other applications where weight is critical.” Like all FT wind sensors, the FT205 was thoroughly tested in a HALT (Highly Accelerated Life Cycle) chamber. The FT205 was heated to +90°C and cooled to -40°C while being vibrated in six dimensions up to 60g. During and after the testing the test sensors continued to communicate accurately so it is well able to survive normal service.  

Shop FT Technologies line of sensors at Unmanned Systems Source.

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25Apr

Introducing the AsteRx-i for IMU-enhanced GNSS Positioning and Attitude

GNSS receiver manufacturer Septentrio recently announced the launch of the next generation AsteRx-i. The announcement occurred at IEEE/ION Position Location and Navigation Symposium in Monterey, US. The AsteRx-i combines Septentrio’s latest compact, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS engine with an external industrial grade MEMS based IMU. It delivers accurate and reliable GNSS/IMU integrated positioning to the cm-level. It also delivers full 3D attitude at high update rates and low latency.  

AsteRx-i key benefits:

  • IMU-enhanced GNSS positioning with full attitude: heading pitch and roll
  • Quad-constellation, multifrequency, all-in-view RTK receiver
  • AIM+ interference monitoring and mitigation system
  • High-update rate, low-latency positioning and attitude
Designed around demanding requirements for size, weight and power consumption, the AsteRx-i is ideal for optical inspection and photogrammetry. Accompanied by a UAS-tailored carrier board, the AsteRx-i integrates seamlessly into light UAVs. The versatility of design and range of connection interfaces extend the AsteRx-i applicability to automation and robotics as well as logistics. The AsteRx-i includes Septentrio’s GNSS+ suite of positioning algorithms to convert difficult environments into good positioning: LOCK+ technology to maintain tracking during heavy vibration, APME+ to combat multipath and IONO+ technology to ensure continued position accuracy during periods of elevated ionospheric activity. It also features AIM+ interference mitigation and monitoring system which can suppress the widest variety of interferers, from simple continuous narrowband signals to the most complex wideband and pulsed jammers. “Complementing our GNSS portfolio with an INS offering is a natural evolution of our product range. At Septentrio, we design our GNSS solutions with a focus on reliability and availability. Smart integration of inertial sensors builds on these strengths to make affordable high-precision positioning and orientation solutions possible for ever more demanding applications,” said Francesca Clemente, Product Manager at Septentrio.  

Shop Septentrio's line of products at Unmanned Systems Source.

 

About Septentrio

Septentrio designs, manufactures and sells high-precision, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GPS/GNSS equipment for use in demanding applications. Septentrio products are used in a wide variety of industries including marine, construction, agriculture, survey and mapping, geographic information systems (GIS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
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19Apr

Altavian Awarded US Army TUAS Contract

Altavian, Inc., announced they were awarded a $250MM Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract with the US Army. With this award, Altavian now supports the largest small UAS program in the world. It exists under the Program Executive Office Aviation, Products Office for Tactical Unmanned Aircraft (TUAS), The US Army Family of Systems, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (FoSUAS) includes the RQ-11, the RQ-20. It supports control and communications equipment, and other technologies fielded over the contract period of performance. All systems are for a single, dismounted war-fighter. The design enables the individual to carry, assemble, and deploy the system for immediate over-the-hill surveillance and reconnaissance.  

Altavian contract award

Altavian supports the mission of the Army to provide critical, real-time intelligence for warfighter protection and extended operational reach. “The entire Altavian team is proud to be supporting our warfighters," said John Perry, CEO of Altavian. "It is part of our mission to design and build incredible technology. Knowing that it is at work in service of those who defend the United States is our highest honor. We are committed to meeting the challenges of this contract and accelerating innovation in the US Army UAS capabilities.” Under this new contract, Altavian is in competition to provide quality components to sustain the FoSUAS fleet. It is also competing to provide upgrade offerings which increase capability, resiliency, and cost-effectiveness of the fleet. New offerings include upgraded avionics and radios with increased frequency options. Plus, a handheld ground control station (H-GCS). Altavian continues to supply RQ-11 and RQ-20 direct replacement parts for the Government. “We are proud to continue to bring competition to Group I [under 20 lbs] UAS.” said Thomas Rambo, co-founder of Altavian. “Our prior efforts were successful in breaking vendor lock on non-integrated components such as composite structures and ancillary parts. This new contract brings the opportunity to open the rest of the system (flight control, radio, payloads, and ground control) for greater integration. All the technologies that we are proposing for this contract embrace the US DoD’s Open Systems Architecture objectives and by adopting this technology will ensure the continued sustainment, upgradeability, and interoperability of Group I UAS for years to come.” This contract has a base award period of five years and is the primary acquisition method for Group I UAS in the Army. Altavian performed sucessfully on the predecessor contract since 2012.  

Shop Altavian's line of UAVs at Unmanned Systems Source.

 
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