Tag - UAS

09Mar

Veronte Autopilot Integrates Advanced INS

Inertial Labs, Inc. and Embention Complete Full Integration of Inertial Navigation System (INS-P) and Veronte Autopilot.

Veronte Autopilot Integrates Advanced INS

In November 2019, Inertial Labs announced the successful benchmark integration with Embention's Veronte Autopilot.

Embention began investigating Inertial Labs as a supplier for inertial measurement units (IMU) in 2013.

In subsequent years, the Inertial Labs Inertial Navigation System (INS) became an appealing GPS-Denied navigation source for Embention.

Veronte Autopilot Integrates Advanced INS

In 2016, Embention and Inertial Labs started discussing integrating the INS-P, the professional version of the INS, with the Veronte Autopilot.

After years of work, Inertial Labs announced the integration was complete and validated through testing.

The release is now available for purchase.

Customer Favorite

Initially, Inertial Labs released the INS product line in 2006.

Today, the INS line is in wide use in many applications.

Plus, it has proven its outstanding reliability and accuracy in challenging conditions -- high vibration, extreme temperatures, and tough mission profiles.

With integration complete, the INS is fully compatible and ready for autonomous unmanned flight system applications.

Tactical Grade IMU

The IMU component is tactical grade.

It is reliable for tactical guidance, navigation, flight control, stabilization, pointing systems, and other applications.

With Angular Rates and Accelerations data transfer rate reaching up to 2000 Hz rate, the low power consuming IMU provides an excellent SWAP-C advantage over legacy IMUs based off tactical grade fiber-optic gyros (FOG).

Plus, the on-board GNSS receiver is fully configurable to reach real-time position accuracy on one centimeter.

Veronte Autopilot

The Veronte Autopilot by by Embention features many top-of-the-line options which distinguish it in the marketplace.

Such features include: extended efforts for line of sight (LOS) and beyond line of sight (BLOS) communication, intuitive and high-performing software, and a configurable navigation solution for various applications - it is fast becoming a customer favorite.

Additionally, with the navigational accuracy provided by the INS-P, the autopilot offers highly accurate navigation in a GNSS-denied environment.

Plus, it is compatible with mission critical items such as tracker antennas, flight simulators and camera payloads.

This platform solution can customize to fit the needs of the end user.

About Inertial Labs, Inc.

Established in 2001, Inertial Labs is a leader in position and orientation technologies for both commercial/industrial and aerospace/defense applications.

About Embention

Founded in 2007, Embention develops components and critical systems for UAS.

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17Feb

Septentrio’s GNSS/INS Receiver for UAS

Septentrio's GNSS/INS Receiver for UAS

Recently, Septentrio introduced the AsteRx-i S UAS to their product line. This GNSS/INS receiver's design is specifically for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

AsteRx-i S UAS combines GNSS technology with an industrial-grade inertial sensor. It provides high-accuracy, reliable positioning and 3D orientation (heading, roll, pitch) to aerial drones and other compact robotic systems.

Septentrio’s AsteRx-i S UAS builds on the success of their existing UAV products, AsteRx m2 and m2a UAS.

Designed for UAS

This credit card sized receiver easily integrates into any UAS and is compatible with popular autopilots such as Pixhawk and ArduPilot.

Plus, its light weight and low power consumption optimizes UAV battery life. The result? Longer flight times and improved productivity.  

It is a single-package GNSS/INS product, with an on-board IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and standard connectors allowing flexibility of sensor choice.

“Quick receiver integration makes the lives of our customers easier. It also speeds up their system’s time-to-market,” said Danilo Sabbatini, Product Manager at Septentrio.

“Our goal was to combine a high-performance product with a simple and flexible plug-and-play integration design, suitable for any aerial system.” 

Designed to Excel

Septentrio reliable centimeter-level positioning is based on multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS technology (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS).

AsteRx-i S UAS combines a GNSS receiver with a high-quality IMU to deliver reliable positioning together with 3D orientation.

Septentrio’s unique GNSS – IMU integration algorithm provides continuous positioning during short GNSS outages (coasting) which can happen in flight near high structures, under bridges or during banking turns.

AsteRx-i S UAS comes with built-in industry leading Advanced Interference Mitigation (AIM+) technology.

In aerial drones, where lots of electronics are crammed into a small space, neighboring devices can emit electromagnetic radiation which interferes with GPS and GNSS signals.

AIM+ offers protection against such interference resulting in faster set-up times and robust continuous operation. A built-in power spectrum plot allows users to analyze interference, helping locate its source and mitigating it.

Shop Septentrio's complete line of UAS receivers at Unmanned Systems Source.

About Septentrio

Septentrio provides high-precision, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GPS/GNSS positioning technology for use in demanding applications. Reliable centimeter-level positioning enables machine autonomy and ensures operational continuity, efficiency and safety. Septentrio provides positioning solutions for professional applications in such industries as autonomous vehicles, robotics, construction, mapping, marine, logistics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

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20Nov

AsteRx-i S joins Septentrio’s GNSS/INS product portfolio

The AsteRx-i S combines Septentrio’s compact, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS engine with ultralight external industrial grade MEMS based IMU.

Calibrated for wide temperature ranges, the AsteRx-i S delivers accurate and reliable GNSS/IMU integrated positioning to the cm-level as well as full attitude at high update rates and low latency.

 

Key benefits for users:

  • GNSS/INS positioning with 3D attitude: heading pitch and roll
  • Multi-constellation, multifrequency, all-in-view RTK receiver
  • AIM+ interference monitoring and mitigation system
  • High-update rate, low-latency positioning and attitude
  • Small & ultralight IMU (10 grams)
  • Robust calibration for wide temperature ranges
  The AsteRx-i S is designed around demanding requirements for size, weight, power consumption and temperature variation. It is ideal for various applications such as inspection with UAV's, UAS photogrammetry, automation, robotics, and logistics. “We are delighted to broaden our AsteRx-i GNSS/INS solutions range, bringing maximum flexibility and choice to our customers. Whether for direct georeferencing in mapping applications with UAVs, for managing containers in a port or for innovative small robots in agriculture, the compactness, affordability and robustness of the AsteRx-i range allows our customers to focus on their success.” said Francesca Clemente, Product Manager at Septentrio.  

Learn more about the AsteRx-i S and shop Septentrio's entire GNSS/INS product line at Unmanned Systems Source.

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08Nov

FAA Targets UAS Violators for Enforcement

Pilots of unmanned aircraft who interfere with first responder efforts are now more likely to face serious civil penalties...even for first time offenses. Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released guidance (PDF) for agency personnel who handle possible drone violations. Now, all cases involving interference with first responder operations are referred to the FAA Chief Counsel’s office for possible enforcement action.  

Fines increase

In July 2016, Congress authorized the FAA to impose a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 for drone operators who deliberately or recklessly interfere with emergency response efforts. Under FAA guidance, inspectors generally use non-enforcement methods. For example, educating the operator can correct unintentional violations that arise from flawed systems, simple mistakes, or lack of understanding. However, given the potential for direct and immediate interference with potentially life-saving operations where minutes matter, offenders are now immediately considered for enforcement actions. Possible enforcement actions include: revocation or suspension of a pilot certificate and up to a $20,000 civil penalty per violation.  

The need for deterrence

Deterring interference with first responders is critical, particularly as drone use expands exponentially. When a drone enters an area, firefighting aircraft are required to suspend flights to avoid a possible mid-air collision. A drone flying over a crime scene or accident site can hamper police or medical aircraft operations. Ultimately, interference by a drone can cost lives. The FAA’s rules for flying unmanned aircraft are clear. Pilots can save themselves and others serious problems by following them to the letter. Don’t let your decision to fly cause someone else to die.
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26Jan

Deadline for UAS Flight and Payload Challenge Approaching

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently issued a Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) competition. The challenge? Design and build a cost-effective drone that carries the biggest payload and stays airborne the longest. The top ten designs in the Unmanned Aerial Systems Flight and Payload Challenge compete for prize awards totaling $432,000. Hosted by NIST Public Safety Communications Research Program, the challenge consists of three stages. Stage 1, concept paper submission, closes January 29, 2018 at 3pm ET. In addition, finalists will showcase the UAS with paid travel to the NIST Robotics Lab and the 2018 PSCR Stakeholder conference. Results from the UAS Flight and Payload Challenge support the public safety community and its stakeholders.  

The challenge

Currently, one of the barriers for UAS used in a public safety realm is payload versus flight time. Multi-rotor UAS offer users many capabilities. However, limited flight time is still a very real challenge. Flight time is further reduced with the addition of a payload. Of course, payload capacity, energy source and flight time are all linked. Optimized design trade-offs can provide greater efficiency and flexibility. The focus of this design challenge is to keep the UAS, and its payload, airborne for the longest time possible. Such enhanced capacity supports first responders’ communication technology on the ground while they conduct their search. The advancement of UAS research will help search and rescue operations support payloads for wireless communications or other life-saving goods to save lives. There are no fees or qualifications needed to enter the first stage. Stage 1 winning ideas are eligible for remaining stages of the competition.
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21Dec

Brushed or Brushless Motor: What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference between brushed and brushless motors, unsurprisingly, is the brush. Otherwise, the principle behind the internal workings of brushed and brushless motors are much the same. As the motor windings energize, it creates a temporary magnetic field to repel or attract permanent magnets. This magnetic force is converted to shaft rotation, allowing the motor to do work. As the shaft rotates, the electric current is routed to different sets of windings. This maintains electromotive repulsion or attraction, forcing the rotor to continually rotate.  

History of Brushed and Brushless Motors

The use of brushed DC motors began in 1856. Today, electrical propulsion, cranes, paper machines and steel rolling mills all use brushed motors. One problem with brushed motors is that the brushes wear down and require frequent replacement. Brush wear became a significant drawback as application demands increased and high-electric discharge noise became an issue. Hence, a new motor was born...the brushless DC motor. Brushless DC motors use electronic speed controller devices and quickly displaced brushed motors for many applications. Advancements in solid state technology in the early 1960s resulted in the invention of the first brushless DC (BLDC) motor in 1962. T.G. Wilson and P.H. Trickey called it a “DC machine with solid state commutation.” The key element of the brushless motor is that it requires no physical commutator, making it the most popular choice for computer disk drives, robotics, and aircrafts.  

Brushless Motor Advantages

Brushless DC motors, with no brushes to wear out, represent a huge leap forward in technology. They also provide significantly higher efficiency and performance. They also offer a lower susceptibility to mechanical wear than their brushed counterparts. Brushless motors offer several other advantages, including:
  • Higher torque to weight ratio
  • Increased torque per watt of power input (increased efficiency)
  • Increased reliability and lower maintenance requirements
  • Reduced operational and mechanical noise
  • Longer lifespan (no brush and commutator erosion)
  • Elimination of ionizing sparks from the commutator (ESD)
  • Near-elimination of electromagnetic interference (EMI)

Today's Brushless Motors

Despite their reliability, the initial downside to early brushless motors was that they could not generate a great deal of power. When better permanent magnet materials became available in the 1980s, they enabled brushless motors to generate as much (or more) power as the previous brush motors on the market. In the late 80s, Robert E. Lordo built the first large-scale brushless DC motor with ten (10)  times the power of the earlier brushless motors. Today’s brushless motors solve many limitations of brushed motors by combining a higher output power, smaller size and weight, better heat dissipation and efficiency, wider operating speed ranges, and very low electrical noise operation. Brushless motors have no electrical contacts designed for wear, providing the greatest advantage in reliability and reduced maintenance intervals for commercial and industrial applications.  

KDE Direct Brushless Motors

Designed and engineered in the United States, KDE Direct’s brushless motors provide best-in-class power, performance, and efficiency. From design redundancy standards and fail-safes to payload capacity and thrust performance, KDE Direct motors are engineered for longer flight times, higher efficiency and higher payloads that push the limits of today’s technology. The KDE Direct UAS Multi-Rotor Brushless Motor Series presents high-quality and engineered motors specific for multi-rotor and UAS applications. The series was designed to provide market-leading performance and zero-vibration operation for hours of maintenance-free usage and market-leading performance. Shop KDE Direct's complete Brushless Motor Series at Unmanned Systems Source.
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