Tag - ADS-B

PingBuddy 2 now available for pre-order at Unmanned Systems Source

PingBuddy 2 now available for pre-order at Unmanned Systems SourceFebruary 8, 2017 – Unmanned Systems Source is pleased to announce that the PingBuddy 2 from uAionix is now available for pre-order. Units are expected to ship at the end of March 2017. Thanks to its small form-factor and inexpensive price, the original PingBuddy ADS-B receiver was a popular choice with prosumers and hobbyists, alike. uAvionix continues its path of innovation by offering a number of improvements to this popular item.  

PingBuddy 2 improvements

uAvionix describes the pingBuddy 2 as the world’s smallest and lightest Wi-Fi ADS-B receiver. It utilizes the GPS in Android and iOS devices. For phones not equipped with GPS, an external Bluetooth or GPS dongle is needed. Improvements include:
  • Integrated gimbal suction cup mounting system
  • Improved sensitivity
  • Dual antennas optimized for each ADS-B frequency
  • Redesigned USB flash drive sized package
  • Same low price
It also provides real-time air traffic reporting and weather updates to the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) of choice. Easy to use, simply power pingBuddy 2, join the wireless network, launch EFB software, and enjoy subscription-free traffic and weather.  

Additional features include

The pingBuddy 2 is a dual band (978MHz/1090MHz) ADS-B receiver with integrated Wi-Fi. It receives subscription-free in-flight weather (FIS-B) directly from FAA ground stations. FIS-B includes:
  • NEXRAD radar
  • METARs
  • TAFs
  • AIRMETs
  • SIGMETs
  • Winds and temps aloft
  • PIREPs
  • NOTAMs
  • TRFs
There is no assembly, software downloads or configuration required for the PingBuddy 2; users simply add power.  

Pre-order today

As an authorized re-seller of uAvionix products, Unmanned Systems Source is now accepting pre-orders for the PingBuddy 2. Visit us today to place your pre-order. Unmanned Systems Source will provide all pre-order customers with periodic updates of the expected ship date.  

About uAvionix

uAvionix develops the world’s smallest, lightest and most affordable ADS-B transceivers and transponders, Ping. UAvionix’s Ping network system combines hardware, software, and real-time airspace mapping to enable companies to safely and reliably operate drones in the National Airspace System (NAS). Shop uAvionix complete line of ATC devices at Unmanned Systems Source, today!

uAvionix tests dime-sized ADS-B for high traffic density drone operations

uAvionix tests dime-sized ADS-B January 30, 2017 - uAvionix Corporation based in Palo Alto, California continues to innovate within the ADS-B transceiver market. Today, uAvionix announced the development and test of a dime-sized transceiver weighing less than 1 gram. UAvionix worked under a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement with the FAA and other partners to test this prototype.  

Smallest transceiver to-date

This ADS-B module represents the smallest transceiver to date. Its small form factor is designed to integrate directly into professional and consumer-level drones with transmission power between 0.01-0.25 Watts. It could provide visibility to any aircraft equipped with ADS-B “in” avionics from 1-10 miles away. Currently, the product does not fall within current FAA standards due to its low power output transmission.  

Need for uAvionix dime-sized ADS-B

Recently, a study published in January by the MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation Systems Development (CAASD) envisioned a world of very high traffic densities of drones with on-board ADS-B. The study sought to understand the implications of such a scenario. It suggested that there is a nominal transmission power output between 0.01 and 0.1 Watts that, when coupled with limited drone traffic densities, can result in a compatible operation with the system as a whole. uAvionix believes this module is a step towards the future. “We developed this product to show the world the art of the possible,” said Paul Beard CEO of uAvionix. “We can’t yet sell this device because the standards that were developed for ADS-B did not take into account the value of air-to-air ADS-B communications between small drones or between drones and manned aircraft. It’s literally not legal to transmit at these low power outputs. We aim to lead the discussion and development of those standards and will work with any regulatory body to do so.”  

About uAvionix

uAvionix develops the world’s smallest, lightest and most affordable ADS-B transceivers and transponders, Ping. UAvionix’s Ping network system combines hardware, software, and real-time airspace mapping to enable companies to safely and reliably operate drones in the National Airspace System (NAS). Shop the complete line of uAvionix ADS-B products at Unmanned Systems Source.

uAvionix Ping200S granted FCC approval

uAvionix Ping200S granted FCC approvalJanuary 6, 2017 – uAvionix continues to roll-out innovative products within the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) arena. Their latest addition? The Ping200S Mode S Transponder, which just received FCC approval. The Ping200S provides a unique combination of small size, low power and high visibility. All these factors make it an ideal choice for drones and other beyond line of sight UAV operations. “We are excited to offer Ping200S to the market,” said Paul Beard, CEO of uAvionix. “Until now, operators requiring a transponder had to choose between unlicensed devices or heavier, power-hungry legacy solutions.”  

How it works

Transponders are a vital part of airspace safety. They provide separation and safe operation to thousands of aircraft every day. The Ping200S transponder allows the same safety and situational awareness capabilities of traditional aircraft transponders. The device allows an aircraft to respond to interrogations by traditional radar and TCAS found on many manned aircraft. In addition to providing replies to Mode C and Mode S interrogations, it also reports the unmanned aircraft identification, type, position, velocity and course at one-second intervals using ADS-B. Manned aircraft equipped with ADS-B receivers or TCAS can identify and display a Ping200S equipped UAVs miles in advance of visual contact. Thereby, greatly increasing awareness and reducing the chance of a collision or a near-miss scenario.  

Ping200S FCC approval

FCC approval of the device means it met the rigorous standards to transmit safely on the 1090MHz with a nominal output of 250W. In addition, the Ping200S meets the performance requirements of the TSO-C199 as a Class A Traffic Awareness Beacon System (TABS). Weighing just 50 grams, the Ping200S has such low power consumption that it can be powered by a battery pack for hours and provide visibility to other aircraft up to 200 miles away. “The Ping200S will extend flight time and increase available payload for high altitude balloon and beyond line of sight (BLOS) UAV operators with no compromise to safe operation or performance,” said Beard.

Shop Unmanned Systems Source to find the Ping200S and other ADS-B solutions.

 

ADS-B Technology Solutions for Enhanced Aviation Tracking and Safety

What exactly is ADS-B and do I need it?

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's NextGen air traffic control modernization mandate. This mandate requires all aircraft within US airspace to transmit “ADS-B Out” information to ADS-B ground stations and other ADS-B equipped aircraft by 2020. The transmitted information includes aircraft identification, altitude, speed, and velocity - thus, creating a new, real-time situational awareness and surveillance program. Additional system upgrades may allow aircraft to fly outside the typical strict air traffic corridors, thus, introducing more "bandwidth" by expanding into areas that were previously not utilized. Air traffic control towers may also expand into new areas since ADS-B data is available anywhere over the internet. Currently, several countries utilize ADS-B, including Canada and Australia, with Europe and Asia rolling out their own systems in the coming years. With the mandate looming, many pilots are looking for affordable ADS-B technology solutions they can integrate into their setup.  

How does it all work?

The ADS-B system is comprised of multiple parts, including ground stations and aircraft installed equipment.  The ADS-B equipment package installed on the plane includes a GPS unit for providing location information, processing hardware, and antennas for transmitting and receiving the ADS-B signals. ADS-B receiver ground stations pick up ADS-B information broadcast by aircraft flying over head. This information is used by air traffic controllers as a supplement to radar-based tracking. Airspace safety should improve by giving pilots and air traffic controllers additional information about the position of each aircraft in the system, which should help prevent mid-air collisions or close calls during takeoff and landing. As systems such as ADS-B come on-line, existing flight corridors should safely handle an increasing number of daily flights by adding accuracy and redundancy to the existing airline tracking systems.  

Simplified ADS-B Network Example

ADS-B Technology Solutions1. GPS satellites provide location information to ADS-B equipped aircraft. 2. ADS-B equipped aircraft transmit altitude, speed and velocity information to other ADS-B equipped aircraft and ADS-B ground stations. 3. ADS-B ground receive stations provide aircraft location back to other aircraft, as well as air traffic control centers. "ADS-B In" systems can be installed on any aircraft to display location information of other aircraft with ADS-B Out transmitters. Aircraft also transmit their location directly to other “ADS-B In” equipped aircraft within their transmit area. Thus, forming a long-range mesh network that shares real-time position information. For pilots flying with Visual Flight Rules cockpit-based ADS-B receiver displays provide earlier warning of aircraft in their flight area. This helps improve safety during inclement weather conditions.  

ADS-B Technology Solutions: Receiver Ground Stations

For operators of ADS-B ground stations, Southwest Antennas offers a high performance omni-directional antenna that operates at 1,090 MHz. This product was designed specifically for the ADS-B market; with a peak gain of 5.5 dBi which occurs 5 degrees above the horizon. This design offers long range performance for air-to-ground communication. It features an optimized horizontal pattern to help pull in signals from aircraft that are close to the ADS-B station or at high elevation angles. This antenna is designed for compatibility with any ADS-B receiver. As more aircraft fill existing routes, ADS-B helps air traffic controllers and pilots track active aircraft with more precision. These improvements not only increase safety but work to ensure the drone industry integrates smoothly and safely into national airspace.   Special thanks to Adam Krumbein of Southwest Antenna for allowing us to reprint this news item. Be sure to shop Southwest Antennas entire line to find affordable solutions for your next project!