On Jan. 12, TOPODRONE used its synchronized lidar, airborne photogrammetry and bathymetric surveying methods to study a floating solar farm in Israel. This was completed upon request from the UAV service provider ERELIS, to help conduct a pilot project of reservoir surveying with a UAV for ETZ HADEKEL in northern Israel.
As the surface of the reservoir in Northern Israel is covered by solar panels, it is difficult to use standard methods of surveying from a boat. The goal of this study was to create 3D models, which can be used for high-precision assessments of sediment volumes, general monitoring of reservoir banks and visual monitoring.
Image: TOPODRONE
During this project, ERELIS performed two-stage UAV surveying to create the 3D model of the reservoir. In the first stage, aerial photogrammetry and lidar surveys were performed using a DJI M300 UAV. The UAV was equipped with the P61 TOPODRONE camera and a lidar high-resolution system to determine the location of obstacles. The lidar scanning provided accurate detection of cables in the water.
The second stage included an underwater bathymetric survey using the TOPODRONE AQUAMAPPER mounted to the DJI M300 UAV. The flight mission was planned and executed with the UgCS software by SPH Engineering.
All data collected from the study was processed by TOPODRONE Post Processing software. This generated a georeferenced orthophoto map, a 3D model of the relief and objects, a 3D model of the bottom of the reservoir and a model of contour lines and isobaths.
Microchip Technology has launched the MIC69303RT 3A Low-Dropout Voltage Regulator, a radiation-tolerant power management device for space application developers. This high-current, low-voltage device targets low-Earth orbit (LEO) space applications.
The MIC69303RT operates from a single low-voltage supply of 1.65 v to 5.5 v and can supply output voltages as low as 0.5 v at high currents. It offers high-precision and low dropout voltages of 500 mv under extreme conditions. The MIC69303RT is a companion power source solution for Microchip’s microcontrollers, such as the SAM71Q21RT and PolarFire field-programmable gate arrays.
This device is designed for harsh aerospace applications and remains operational in temperature ranges from -55 C to +125 C. It is offered in 8-pin and 10-pin package configurations with radiation tolerance up to 50 krad.
Additionally, the MIC69303RT is manufactured in compliance with MIL Class Q or Class V requirements, including screen testing, qualification testing and more.
The MIC69303RT is available for prototype sampling in both plastic and hermetic ceramic. The plastic MIC69303RT is compliant with high-reliability plastic quality flow derived from AEC-Q100 automotive requirements with specific additional tests necessary for space applications.
This device is available in limited sampling upon request.
MGISS, a United Kingdom-based geospatial technology company, has launched the Interruption Prevention Alert Service (IPAS) project to help minimize disruptions to gas and water supplies in the UK. The European Space Agency (ESA) has partly funded this project, which will run for two years to test its technical and commercial viability and to develop a go-to-market plan.
As gas and water outages caused by construction are a growing problem in the UK, IPAS will offer a preventative solution. By leveraging satellite data and services, IPAS will automatically detect changes to the built environment and alert utility providers. The IPAS is expected to be a cost-effective solution and help utility providers reduce carbon emissions.
MGISS is collaborating on this project with Geospatial Insight, its data partner, Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) and Northern Gas Networks (NGN), its client partners, and funding partners including the ESA and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).
The launch of the pilot project is the result of a joint workshop with ESA and NWG’s 2020 Innovation Festival, and two years of ongoing collaboration with NWG and NGN.
Image: Vincent Ryan/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images
On Jan. 6, HERE Technologies, a location data platform, announced its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud platform. This collaboration will deliver improved performance for indoor and outdoor positioning capabilities, enabling AWS third-party developers to track and manage internet-of-things (IoT) devices.
HERE Positioning enables developers to switch between different localizing technologies, and it does rely exclusively rely on GNSS for the location of a device or application. This is being integrated with the AWS IoT Core Device Location feature, which makes it possible for developers to track and manage IoT devices without relying on GNSS/GPS hardware.
The integration of the two platforms makes devices and applications location-aware globally with a high-level of positioning accuracy and data security.
HERE Positioning maintains a global database of more than 200 million Cell-ID and 5.6 billion Wi-Fi access point locations, which is updated and populated through machine learning algorithms. It supports a variety of device types, regardless of operating system, using Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
Browsing through the news from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas last week, there seems to have been the regular number and variety of ‘robots’ demonstrating various capabilities from basic movement to almost complete human-like animation and speech. There were also a few more demos related to navigation and autonomy that could be of more interest to our readership. In particular, the case was made for more extensive use of drones for deliveries and in agriculture.
Apparently, the FAA was at the show – promoting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for ‘last mile’ deliveries. The gist of one presentation was that UAV deliveries could possibly reduce the need for people to drive to a store for a pick-up. If we drive, we periodically have accidents – probably someone has estimated the probability that anyone getting into a vehicle will have an accident and suffer varying degrees of damage to property, life or limb.
So, if drone and automated ground vehicle deliveries were to be universally accepted and implemented, lives would be saved, people’s lives wouldn’t be as disrupted and costs for hospital care and vehicle repairs would be reduced. All good, right? However, people are still not sold on UAV flying over their neighborhoods because they might fall out of the sky and hurt someone or damage property, make lots of noise and disturb their peace and quiet or use the opportunity to invade their privacy. Therefore, delivery start-ups are still struggling through FAA and local red-tape to get airborne — which at this stage is probably not a bad thing — as we get safety objectives straight, and train people well enough to reduce error rates to below acceptable limits.
Another example used by the FAA at CES was the health risks for pilots of crop spraying aircraft, which are largely used on medium to large scale farms in the United States. The health hazard of the pesticide spray and aircraft accidents during aircraft crop dusting — rapidly, repeated ‘swoop’ to low over the field, low level overflight to spray, then rapid climb and turn maneuver — could be largely avoided by UAV spraying systems, which have already been implemented in many countries around the world. The problem, however, is that the adoption of UAV spraying has perhaps been slower than anticipated.
A UAV delivering groceries. Image: WalmartCrop dusting. Image: Stefan Krause
Crop dusting aircraft can apparently treat about 600 acres/day on larger farms, while drones are only able to carry much smaller spray tanks, with a capacity of about 8 gallons, which enables spraying of 30 acres-per-hour. In addition, batteries on UAV need to be exchanged regularly, hopefully at the same time as spray tanks are refilled. While one pilot flies a crop duster aircraft, a UAV operation not only requires a skilled pilot to fly the UAV, but also a line-of-sight observer under FAA regulations. So, labor costs are higher, somewhat offsetting the lower operational costs of a UAV.
Nevertheless, the limited number of crop dusters requires scheduling out days, several weeks even in the busy seasons. Whereas, if you own an agricultural UAV only the weather determines when you can treat your own crops.
So why is it taking time for this alternative approach to take off?
Let’s say you buy your own small UAV — one capable of 1-2 gallons-per-acre for a small farm. You would first need to take an operator’s course and qualify for a pilot’s license, then you would have to work city hall to obtain an aerial applicator’s license and a state pesticide applicator’s license. Then you would have to pass an FAA physical, and maybe obtain an exemption to fly a UAV over the standard 55 lb weight. If you wanted to fly after dark, you would also need a night operator’s license. If you wanted to fly several UAV simultaneously (a swarm) to get the job done quickly, you would need to train and become qualified. These things are a significant barrier to entry for individual farmers. Therefore, companies are springing up that will charge equivalent prices for turn-key UAV crop applications as for aerial crop dusting – say between $11 -14 per acre.
UAV do have a place in the business of agriculture for crop spaying, even alongside conventional crop-dusting aircraft, and costs seem to be competitive if a farmer were to buy turn-key spraying. The obstacles to overcome for someone to start a UAV spraying business seem somewhat prohibitive, but companies are taking on the challenge and offering services. Farm owners who want to manage their own regular pesticide and fertilizer applications using their own UAV have a steep learning curve to climb.
GPS III Space Vehicle 06 (SV06) was launched Jan. 18 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 7:24 a.m. EST. It is the 18th GPS satellite to broadcast the L5 signal. On Jan. 12, the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) had completed encapsulation of SV06 within the Falcon 9 payload.
The launch of SV06 contributed to the SSC’s objective to create resilient GPS, which ensures all users have access to stable positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. SV06, also known as SVN-79, will go through extensive on orbit testing after being introduced into the operational constellation on or about Jan. 25.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the main contractor for the GPS III SV06 space vehicle and SpaceX provided launch services. This is Falcon 9’s fifth GPS launch since SpaceX launched GPS III-2 in December 2018.
SV06 is named after the daring pilot Amelia Earhart — the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and to attempt to circumnavigate the world.
The next launch — GPSIII-07 — will take place in 2024.
Constellation Changes. The U.S Space Force Second Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) indicates that GPSIII-06, SVN-79/PRN-28, will expand the A2 node in the A plane. It will be identified as position A2F in the vicinity of SVN-52.
SVN-41/PRN-22, forecast unusable until further notice (FCSTUUFN) on Jan. 23, is being set unhealthy and will be used as a test vehicle in AEP.
SiLC Technologies has launched the Eyeonic Vision System. This system is a frequency-modulated continuous wave lidar solution, which delivers high levels of vision perception to identify and avoid objects with low latency.
At the core of the Eyeonic Vision System is SiLC’s fully integrated silicon photonics chip. It provides more definition and precision than legacy lidar solutions, with roughly 10 milli-degree of angular resolution coupled with millimeter-level precision. These features enable this solution to measure the shape and distance of objects with high-precision and at a large distance.
The system combines the Eyeonic Vision Sensor and a digital processing solution based on a powerful field-programmable gate array. The flexible architecture enables synchronization of multiple vision sensors for unlimited points per second.
SiLC demonstrated the Eyeonic Vision System at CES 2023. It was named by the CES award committee as an honoree for the CES Innovation Award.
The compact, powerful, vision solution is suitable for autonomous vehicles, smart cameras, robotics and other advanced products. It is available now. Pricing varies depending on configuration.
Ness Czech will supply the Czech Railway Administration with a Digital Technical Railway Map (DTRM) with help from Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure and Geospatial division. The DTRM project has been underway since September 2022 and will be implemented by 2025.
DTRM is a railway-specific geographic information system (GIS), that provides access to transport and technical infrastructure information to better prepare investments and repair work. The basis of the DTRM project is the Technical Map Information System (ISTEM) developed by Ness and Hexagon.
The project includes digitization and consolidation of all available Czech Railway Administration data, covering more than 9,200 km of tracks, 27,000 km of technical infrastructure and an area of 21,000 ha. The delivery also includes three data centers.
The project is a legislative obligation of the Czech Railway Administration as the state is developing a national map, which will be fully operational by 2024. The Digital Technical Map of the Czech Republic is being built across the country by connecting regional digital maps, maps from the Railway Administration and maps provided by the Directorate of Roads and Highways. The connection is provided by the Czech Land Surveying and Cadastral Office.
uAvionix has received approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) small unmanned aerial flight in North Dakota. The test flight to secure approval took place at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in North Dakota.
Vantis is North Dakota’s UAS network, which serves many UAS operators across different sectors. By leveraging Vantis, uAvionix demonstrated to the FAA it had established adequate risk mitigations to satisfy required safety standards for BVLOS operation within the national airspace system.
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site partnered with Thales USA to develop and implement Vantis. The UAS system enables UAS pilots to command and control the UAS and remain clear of other aircraft when flying BVLOS. Vantis includes ground-based aviation infrastructure, which lowers the barrier of entry to BVLOS flights for multiple users.
The FAA approval to conduct BVLOS UAS flights is another step in bringing UAS to commercial sectors. UAvionix continues to collaborate with FAA as regulations evolve to ensure Vantis meets all necessary requirements.
Percepto has announced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the use of its UAV-in-a-box solution to perform highly automated beyond visual line of sight (HA BVLOS) inspections and monitoring operations at a large solar power plant in Texas.
The HA BVLOS UAV will fly at 200 feet above ground, which is double the altitude of any previously approved operation in the United States. The ability to fly at a higher altitude will enable greater operational flexibility to monitor large areas and tall structures in the future, including mapping and modeling.
Percepto’s HA BVLOS UAV enables an automated detect and avoid cycle, eliminating the need for remote pilot in command interventions if other aircraft are detected. Additionally, this capability negates the need for a pilot or visual observer on site.
The FAA approval for the solar plant deployment serves as a model for other industries including mining and oil and gas, to potentially increase site efficiency through automated remote inspection operation.
In December 2022, uAvionixannounced its updated product line for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) command and control (C2). The SkyLine C2 management platform and muLTElink airborne radio systems (ARS) are designed to integrate, which enables a self-healing C2 network capable of both path and link diversity. This eliminates lost-link possibilities over broad terrain and altitude ranges.
Image: uAvionixImage: uAvionix
MuLTElink ARS consists of two models — muLTElink915 and muLTElink5060, the core of the uAvionix C2 system. The muLTElink915 model combines globally licensed aviation LTE, enhanced with frequency hopping 902–928 MHz industrial, scientific and medical frequencies capability. The muLTElink5060 model combines global LTE with aviation-protected 5,030–5,091 MHz C-band for customers holding C-band licenses for control and non-payload communication (CNPC) operations.
Each muLTElink model allows up to one external CNPC radio to be optionally connected to allow simultaneous use of all three frequency ranges, higher power C-band operation or future radio integrations.
UAvionix updated its previous line of microLink and SkyLink ARS radios and relaunched them under the SkyLink ARS banner. Each SkyLink ARS can operate as a point-to-point radio or integrate with muLTElink and SkyLine for managed C2 operations. SkyLink915micro, formerly named microLink, offers a robust form factor and Lemo connector for UAS requiring hardened installations.
SkyLink5060micro and SkyLink5060 offer 100 mW and 10 W 5,030–5,091 MHz aviation protected C-band CNPC options.
Both platforms meet standards set by RTCA DO-362A and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s draft Technical Standard Orders-C213a and may receive similar validated orders through other global aviation regulators.
On Jan. 4, TDK Corporation announced the addition of the IIM-42653 and IIM-42652-I platforms to its InvenSense SmartIndustrial family of compact and low-power sensor platforms. IIM-42653 and IIM-42652-I consist of 6-axis IMUs, which target industrial and navigation applications requiring high force sensitive resistor (FSR) performance or inertial navigation software.
The IIM-42653 platform—a robust, low-noise, low-power, 6-axis IMU—is capable of a gyro-programmable output of 4,000 dps and an accelerometer-programmable output of 32 g. These features make IIM-42653 ideal for applications including industrial-grade or high-end automated guided vehicles, automated mobile robots and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The IIM-42652-I platform, a compact 6-axis IMU, offers hardware authentication and can be integrated with TRACK dead reckoning software from Trusted Positioning, a TDK Group company. The TRACK software, which is available for purchase through a licensing agreement, filters GNSS multi-path errors and provides a continuous navigation solution when GNSS signals are unavailable.
IIM-42653 is available now for select partners and customers only and will be available at TDK distribution partners in April. IIM-42652-I is available now at InvenSense-authorized distributors.
