Tag: UAS

Klau Geomatics launches MakeItAccurate GNSS correction service

Klau Geomatics has launched MakeItAccurate, a global GNSS data correction and processing service.

MakeItAccurate takes data from any GNSS receiver on drone or survey equipment and makes it accurate. Users can now achieve centimeter (cm)-level accuracy without the need for base stations, real-time kinematic (RTK) links, data from Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) or other external inputs.

MakeItAccurate requires only the raw GNSS data from a drone to produce a highly precise trajectory and turn the traditional autonomous 3-5m GPS accuracy to 3-5 cm anywhere in the world.

In many parts of the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, absolute accuracy of 2-3 cm XYZ will be achieved. In these areas, the KlauPPK processing engine applies sophisticated hybrid PPK/PPP algorithms, merging global PPP clock and orbit corrections with many distant CORS stations to achieve this high absolute accuracy.

The service enables enterprise drone operations to achieve high accuracy across their entire global operations with one repeatable workflow.

Sectors such as insurance, telecommunications and utilities can scale their operations without additional survey expertise and site-specific data constraints. The same process works for multiple operators on thousands of sites enabling consistent, high accuracy every time, the company said.

MakeItAccurate supports data from all GNSS manufacturers. Native support for DJI M 210v2 RTK or Phantom 4 RTK drones returns precise camera positions with centimeter-level accuracy. Other drones using external PPK GNSS products also can achieve highly accurate kinematic trajectories and camera coordinates.

A MakeItAccurate application programming interface (API) is available to push raw GNSS data to the processing engine and return highly accurate coordinates, with full reporting on the accuracy achieved for the entire trajectory or each camera event. GNSS hardware manufacturers can offer a custom service to add value to their products. Software developers offering artificial intelligence technology, photogrammetry processing or other outcomes that benefit from high accuracy can use the MakeItAccurate API.

April 14, 2020
Iris Automation launches onboard detect-and-avoid system for drones

Iris Automation released Casia 360, an onboard detect-and-avoid solution with a 360-degree radial field of view to enable commercial beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

According to the company, Casia 360 system has the ability to detect other aircraft in all directions. It then uses computer-vision algorithms to classify them, makes intelligent decisions about the threat they may pose to the drone, then triggers an alert to the pilot in command and automated maneuvers to safely avoid collisions.

Casia 360, a low size, weight and power system, is composed of two onboard controllers and five long-range optical cameras that provide a 360-degree field of view. The software is packaged in a self-contained embedded supercomputer that works with the machine vision cameras onboard, the company said.

“Casia 360 allows a drone to have a complete sense of its surroundings so it can avoid potential collisions from any direction,” said Alexander Harmsen, CEO of Iris Automation. “We developed this technology based on feedback from our customers and regulatory bodies around the world. It enables drones to be used for an even greater range of long-distance use cases and saves money, increases safety and unlocks applications across multiple industries: railway, energy sector, utility powerline inspections, package delivery, and life-saving search and rescue operations.”

Iris Automation, based in San Francisco, is an artificial intelligence and safety avionics company building collision-avoidance systems for autonomous vehicles.

April 6, 2020
FAA, AUVSI to co-host fifth annual FAA UAS Symposium

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will co-host the 5th Annual FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium June 16-18 in Baltimore. The event will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center.

The symposium will bring together representatives from the FAA, other government agencies, the industry and academia. According to the show organizers, the presenters and panelists will discuss the latest information and advancements related to the diverse uses of unmanned aircraft, and how these new entrants are being safely integrated into the National Airspace System.

The show will include four primary educational tracks, including public safety, technology and innovation, international and policy. The public safety track will explore topics such as addressing community concerns, security, and using drones to conduct safer and more effective public safety missions. The technology and innovation track will cover how drones and drone technologies are innovating rapidly and fundamentally changing aviation. The international track will feature discussions on how national and international UAS experts, industry representatives, civil society stakeholders, non-governmental organizations and policy makers are working to integrate and use drones across the globe. Finally, the policy track will allow attendees to hear directly from policy decision makers and get their thoughts on regulatory, operational and technical concerns.

In addition, the FAA will operate as an on-site resource center to answer questions from UAS owners and operators. Subject matter experts will be on hand to answer questions about airspace authorizations, waivers, the Part 107 small UAS rule, changes in hobbyists’ drone operations, the Remote Identification rulemaking, and other policies and regulations, the organizers added.

February 14, 2020
New UAS manufacturer specializes in defense drones
CP Aeronautics offers American-built combat-proven unmanned aerial systems for defense, homeland security and civil applications

CP Technologies has launched a new division, CP Aeronautics, to provide integrated turn-key solutions based on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) platforms, payloads, data links, ground control stations (GCS) and communications for defense and civil applications.

Designed as leading-edge UAS-based solutions, CP Aeronautics’ systems offer operationally proven solutions for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems requirements. CP Aeronautics’ broad product portfolio has demonstrated excellent performance and operability in demanding environments, the company stated in a press release. Backed by continuous research and development, these systems are built on three decades of technological and operational experience.

“Through our in-house capability as a UAS manufacturer and integrator with specialist subsidiaries and technology partners, we offer a complete range of subsystems including air vehicles, inertial navigation and avionics, electro-optical payloads (EO), communications, propulsion systems, launch and retrieval systems, command and control units,” said Brad Pilsl, vice president of business development at CP Aeronautics. “We also offer high-end training solutions for our partners and customers.”

CP Aeronautics will support government and commercial customers with the entire infrastructure necessary for development, production, integration, flight-testing, certification and operational support of UAS throughout their service.

The combat-proven operational systems include:
- Orbiter 2 Small-UAS (SUAS)
- Orbiter 3 Small Tactical UAS (STUAS)
- Orbiter 4 Small Tactical UAS (STUAS)
- Aerostar Tactical UAS (TUAS)
- Dominator XP (MALE UAS)
- Pegasus 120 high-performance multi-mission vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS
The Dominator XP UAS. (Photo: CP Aeronautics)
February 10, 2020
Phase One Industrial signs aerial imaging agreement with AI-Survey

Phase One Industrial, a provider of medium-format metric cameras and imaging solutions for aerial applications, has signed an agreement with AI-Survey GmbH, a developer of UAS survey packages, services and tailor-made solutions.

Together, the companies’ high-end products are opening up opportunities in drone-based high-accuracy mapping and inspection markets, the companies said.

Under this agreement, AI-Survey will support Phase One Industrial’s iXM range of cameras in the UAV market for high-accuracy mapping and inspection. AI-Survey offers fast and efficient, simple and reliable UAS solutions tailored for geodesists with millimetre imaging results.

“Our cameras exemplify AI-Survey’s mission to optimize, increase efficiency and inspire UAV mapping and inspection missions,”said Dov Kalinski, CEO, Phase One Industrial. “As an industry leader, we are confident that they will help our strategic efforts to evolve the industry through innovative solutions using Phase One Industrial technology.”

“We have developed long-term relationships and collaborations with many global technology partners, like Phase One Industrial,” said Carsten Rudolph, managing director, AI-Survey explains. “As an independent solutions provider, with such a large international network at our disposal, we are free to offer the best possible solutions to meet our customer needs and achieve their required accuracies. With Phase One iXM cameras, we now have the best global sensor for UAV mapping available, we believe.”

February 5, 2020
Silent Falcon UAV surpasses 500 hours of flight test time

The E1 UAV completed 500 hours of successful flight testing and operations. (Photo: Silent Falcon UAS Technologies)

Silent Falcon UAS Technologies’ (SFUAS) E1 UAV completed 500 hours of successful flight testing and operations.

According to the company, the E1 is a solar electric, fixed wing unmanned aircraft system. It has a 20-pound payload capacity and a ceiling of 20,000 feet above ground level. It’s ideal for consumers who do not have the expertise to operate their own UAS, as SFUAS provides full service as well as sales, the company said.

The Silent Falcon E1 features 12 different sensor types, is vibration free and is beyond visual line of sight capable with a live feed. It also boasts four- to 12-hour duration configurations.

In addition, Silent Falcon has an application pending before the Federal Aviation Administration for type certification of the E1.

“Successfully passing 500 hours of flight is a significant milestone for the E1, confirming for federal regulators that it is a safe and durable aircraft model,” Silent Falcon said in a press release.

The full line of SFUAS products, services and support is now available via GSA Contract No. GS07F248BA, the company added.

January 16, 2020
DroneUp to provide Alaska with public drone services
DroneUp LLC and the State of Alaska have signed a Participating Addendum for the NASPO ValuePoint contract for unmanned aerial vehicle services.

The contract begins the offering for the purchase of complete drone solutions to all state agencies, commissions, political subdivisions, institutions and local public bodies allowed by law.

DroneUp is an end-to-end drone pilot service provider for aerial data collection. In August 2019, the company was awarded the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Services Master Agreement #E194-79435 by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The services under this latest award (Contract Number #2020DRONE0002) are available for use by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States through the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) ValuePoint Cooperative Purchasing Organization.

The State of Alaska is now able to use the award for the benefit of state departments, institutions, agencies, political subdivisions, and other eligible entities.

DroneUp’s award includes but is not limited to service categories for
- Emergency Support Services,
- Law Enforcement Support,
- Aerial Inspection or Mapping Data Services,
- Agricultural and Gaming, and
- Agency Media Relations and Marketing.
Primary users are expected to be
- Agriculture & Game Management,
- Emergency Management,
- Transportation,
- Forestry,
- Mines,
- Minerals and Energy, and
- Public Universities and Community Colleges.
“We appreciate the efforts to streamline public sector access to leading-edge UAS services through the contract with the State of Alaska, and we look forward to supporting our hardworking state and local agencies,” said Tom Walker, DroneUp’s CEO.
January 14, 2020
FAA issues proposed rule on remote identification for drones

Photo by: aerogondo/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration issued a proposed rule that would require unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to be identifiable remotely.

The rule, deemed the “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Remote Identification,” would apply to all drones that are required to register with the FAA (recreational drones weighing under 0.55 pounds are not required to register), as well as to persons operating foreign civil UAS in the U.S.

“Remote ID technologies will enhance safety and security by allowing the FAA, law enforcement and federal security agencies to identify drones flying in their jurisdiction,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

According to the FAA, nearly 1.5 million drones and 160,000 remote pilots are registered with the administration. Equipping drones with remote identification technologies would build on previous steps taken by the FAA and the UAS industry to safely integrate operations, including the small UAS rule, which covers drones weighing less than 55 pounds, and the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, which automates the application and approval process for most UAS operators to obtain airspace authorizations, the FAA added.

“As a pilot, my eye is always on safety first,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “Safety is a joint responsibility between government, pilots, the drone community, the general public and many others who make our nation so creative and innovative.”

The proposed rule will be accompanied by a 60-day comment period to receive public feedback and help the FAA develop a final rule to enhance safety in the skies over the U.S.

December 27, 2019
Hitec Commercial Solutions acquires Straight Up Imaging

Hitec Commercial Solutions LLC has acquired Straight Up Imaging (SUI).

Hitec stated in a press release, “SUI’s experience in engineering and manufacturing small unmanned aircraft systems contributes perfectly with our expanding unmanned product platforms and progressive mapping and data acquisition solutions.”

Hitec Commercial Solutions continues to obtain integral assets which strengthen those products utilized for efficient surveying in agriculture, energy and gas, public safety, construction and first response services.

The acquisition agreement was closed Aug. 9 after approval by core members of the board of directors.

Hitec offers a variety of unmanned platforms, including the XENO FX, its proprietary fixed wing platform. The company also partners with Quantum Systems.

Founded in 2015, SUI provides technology in professional-use small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) with its Endurance and Endurance LT customized multirotor packages and ground controller system.

December 17, 2019
Trimble’s compact GNSS board gives high-precision positioning to UAVs

The UAS1 GNSS receiver module has been designed for UAV/UAS applications requiring centimeter accuracy in a small package. (Photo: Trimble)

Trimble has introduced a compact, high-precision GNSS board specifically designed for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

The Trimble UAS1 has a simple connectivity and configuration to allow UAS system integrators to easily add satellite-based positioning — with the ability to upgrade its capabilities — using rugged connectors and Trimble’s easy-to-use software interface.

The new UAS1 incorporates the latest Trimble Maxwell technology with advances in high-precision GNSS positioning. Its GNSS engine with 336 channels is capable of tracking L1/L2 frequencies from the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou constellations for robust centimeter-level, real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning.

The compact board includes a broad range of receiver capabilities — from high-accuracy GPS-only to full GNSS features for positioning. Firmware options and features are password upgradeable, allowing functionality to be added as requirements change.

The receiver also supports fault detection and exclusion (FDE) and receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM). System integrators also have the ability to detect interference with the RF Spectrum Monitoring and Analysis tool embedded in the receiver.

“UAS manufacturers demand high performance, reliability and high-quality customized support for their positioning solutions,” said Thomas Utzmeier, general manager of Trimble’s Integrated Technologies Division. “The new UAS1 board delivers the latest GNSS technology in an easy-to-integrate form factor for UAV/UAS applications.”

Designed for easy integration and rugged dependability, the Trimble UAS1 has a Remote Network Driver Interface Specification (RNDIS) that enables manufacturers to access the web UI with the USB connector. As with similar Trimble embedded boards and modules, easy-to-use software commands can simplify integration and reduce development times.

Features also include integrated Trimble RTX technology, an industry-standard camera hot-shoe interface to geo-position photographs, and LED indicators for status checks. The Trimble UAS1 can also output to RINEX, a common postprocessing format.

The Trimble UAS1 supports Trimble CenterPoint RTX GNSS corrections, which enable precise and robust positioning without the use of a base station via a subscription service. CenterPoint RTX allows users to achieve better than 2-centimeter horizontal and 5-centimeter vertical accuracy.

Trimble’s UAS1 is suitable for UAS applications requiring centimeter accuracy in a small package. Manufactured and tested to Trimble’s highest quality standards, the compact design allows for easy setup, configuration and installation in a customers’
system.

Using a full metal shield (the form factor is 71 x 46 x 13 millimeters), the board’s design enables high-precision GNSS signal protection from electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the host UAS platform. In addition, the receiver is FCC- and CE-certified, which speeds compliance for the customer’s overall system and can reduce time to market.

October 23, 2019
Skyward releases airspace maps, access for drone pilots
The drone operations management platform provides information on 3D vertical structures and obstacles, and access to digital airspace, to improve drone flight safety.

Skyward, a Verizon company, has introduced Advanced Airspace Intelligence for drone pilots.

Skyward’s drone airspace maps provide airspace data combined with essential ground intelligence including 3D views of key structures, transmission lines, and more than a million vertical obstacles.

The platform also provides access to LAANC, the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability program provided by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Drone pilots in the field need to know how the surrounding area, including infrastructure, could affect flight, and Skyward offers this critical safety data to all users.

Skyward introduces Advanced Airspace Intelligence from SkywardIO on Vimeo.

“Showing airspace is important, but it’s only part of the picture. The more intelligence that is available to understand how an area will affect the flight, the less risk a pilot has in the field,” said Mariah Scott, president of Skyward. “Skyward Airspace Intelligence is the only solution that provides easy-to-understand data for things like transmission lines, runways, over a million vertical obstacles, and a 3D view of key structures. It’s the next best thing to physically being in the field.”

In addition to comprehensive airspace information, the following data is now available for situational awareness:
- Vertical structure obstacles (over one million structures identified from the FAA and FCC databases)
- Major power transmission lines
- Airports
- Runways
- Heliports
- U.S. and Canadian National Parks
- Stadiums
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Pedestrian walking paths
Skyward Airspace Intelligence is part of a complete workflow that enables pilots mitigate weather, environment and business-specific risks.

Image: Skyward
October 1, 2019
UAvionix offers free receivers for Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts

UAvionix is offering free pingRX unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ADS-B receivers to first responders and UAS service organizations participating in rescue and recovery efforts associated with Hurricane Dorian.

Hurricane Dorian is expected to travel along the Eastern coast of the U.S. northward at a slow pace, creating extensive damage from winds and flooding.

UAvionix is a designer and manufacturer of communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) equipment for unmanned and manned aircraft.

The pingRX. (Photo: uAvionix)

PingRX is a dual-frequency ADS-B receiver designed for use onboard a UAS. Retailing for $249 and weighing 5 grams, pingRX can provide the operator with a digital view of ADS-B-equipped aircraft in the airspace up to hundreds of miles away.

When integrated with a compatible autopilot — such as ARDUPILOT, Pixhawk, PX4 or the Cube — local ADS-B traffic is displayed on the ground control station (GCS) display.

Image: National Weather Service

The FAA’s mandate for ADS-B OUT equipage on manned aircraft has a deadline of Jan. 1, 2020, so equipage levels are currently high. Users are cautioned, however, that equipage is not at 100%, so reliance on ADS-B as a sole means of detect and avoid (DAA) is not advised.

In 2017, in response to Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in Houston, Texas, UAS were used extensively for the first time in recovery and rescue efforts. The use of UAS has continued to grow in response to hurricane efforts ever since.

Photos: NOAA

“Over the past few years, the use of drones in hurricane and natural disaster recovery efforts has increased significantly due to the value of the real-time data collected in combination with ease of deployment,” said Christian Ramsey, uAvionix president. “First responders and recovery crews will undoubtedly work tirelessly for weeks in response to Dorian. We hope to make these efforts just a bit safer and encourage good airspace safety practices with the use of the pingRX systems.”

The FAA has published guidance for UAS operators, urging strict adherence to Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR). The airspace in these areas can be crowded and unpredictable.

First responders and UAS service organizations are encouraged to contact uAvionix at [email protected] for details on the offer.

Grand Bahama Island before Hurricane Dorian. (Photo: Google)

September 3, 2019