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66 Show report | AUVSI Unmanned Systems 2015 sea surface and subsurface vehicles. It provides full attitude, position and roll velocity information simultaneously using two separate antennae, integrated dual GNSS receivers and IMU. The primary receiver provides geo-location information for centimetre-level accuracy, while the other provides an antenna baseline to determine heading statically. The internals of the xNAV550 also include a real-time processor and onboard storage. The whole system is built into two circuit boards, which is available to integrators in the form of the xOEM550. The IMU also dispenses with the use of magnetometers, which are often used in lower-grade navigation systems to determine bearing, and instead just relies on the calibrated MEMS sensors to provide greater and more stable performance. The xNAV550 is agnostic regarding the type of platform – air, sea or land – it equips and the control systems it can work with. Until now, many of OxTS’ products have been used in ground vehicles, although the company is keen to increase the deployment of its navigation systems in unmanned aerial vehicles. VectorNav Technologies, based in Dallas, Texas, was promoting its new VN300 Surface Mount device at the show, where Jakub Maslikowski told us that it has been built around an inertial navigation system and a dual-antenna GPS compass. These are supplemented by three- axis accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers to provide attitude estimation, position and velocity; two onboard GPS receivers also provide compass bearings under stationary and low dynamic conditions. The system forms part of the overall VN300 family, and weighs around 5 g, while the slightly larger VN300 Rugged, which weighs around 30 g, has as its name suggests a ruggedised housing. In terms of functionality, both systems have the same performance and are particularly suitable for micro- and mini-UAV applications, although Maslikowski added that they can be used in any platform where saving size, weight and power is important, and that both can be used in unmanned land, sea and air vehicles. Stephen Brockman from Ulti-Mate connectors noted that the company has several products that are ideal for unmanned applications, telling us that the company has taken its “proven military technology” and made it “as small as possible”. The firm’s products in this regard include its Circular Breakaway connector, which meets the ever-pressing requirement for “small, robust, rugged and reliable” components. Launched towards the end of 2014, it has a pull- out strength of 1-8 lb, depending on the connector’s spring. Also available from the company is the Rectangular Nano connector, which has a quick-latching system that enables a quick disconnect, Brockman said. Also launched in 2014, it is now in use to support a sensor payload in an unnamed UAV. Ulti-Mate also showcased its Customer Terminatable Nano Miniature Connector at AUVSI. Brockman said, “This allows the customer to prototype their own cables and do quick repairs.” Brockman said, “The strength of our connectors is in their performance, as they are built for very tough applications in terms of temperature, and are environmentally sealed.” Summer 2015 | Unmanned Systems Technology VectorNav’s VN300 Surface Mount device features inertial navigation and dual-antenna GPS Ulti-Mate’s nano-wired connector allows users to prototype their own cables The IMU in the xNAV550 does not use the magnetometers often found in lower-grade systems but relies on calibrated MEMS sensors