Unmanned Systems Technology 007 | UMEX 2016 report | Navya ARMA | Launch & recovery systems | AIE 225CS | AUVs | Electric motors | Lethal autonomous weapons

8 Platform one April/May 2016 | Unmanned Systems Technology UAV endurance Battery craft tether boost The SAFE-T base station sends power to UAVs and can gather data from them (Courtesy of Drone Volt) A French start-up is aiming to tackle the problem of limited flight time for battery- powered small UAVs. Elistair, based in Lyon, has launched the first smart tethered station for civilian UAVs, called SAFE-T, a 100 m ultra- light micro-tether reinforced with Kevlar that delivers power to the UAV and the option of data back to the ground station through a fibre-optic cable. The ground-based unit manages the winding of the micro-tether automatically, linking with the navigation system in the UAV. This is required as regulators are still reluctant to certify tethered craft for operation if the UAV were to fall into populated areas, and tethered craft have to comply with the same regulations as those that are free-flying. Power from the base station enables an endurance ranging from a few hours to several days, and as the UAV is constrained within a given flight space, its communications cannot be intercepted and its power is guaranteed. That facility can be used for high-quality 4K cameras for surveillance as a cable provides a higher data transfer rate than wireless. The SAFE-T has already been selected by companies such as Paris Airports, EDF and Thales for applications including surveillance, live audio-visual transmission and industrial inspection. It is also being used by another French start-up, Drone Volt, for a hexacopter for surveillance applications. The Elistair system enables the operation of Drone Volt’s Z18 UF (Unlimited Flight) UAV at heights up to 40 m and a flight time of up to 24 hours. The hexacopter uses an 18x zoom camera that transmits to the Elistair ground station via a wireless link, and is intended for continuous surveillance where security and monitoring are a priority, as well as support after natural disasters. It is also aimed at inspection and surveillance of sites such as comms towers and antennas, oil refineries and drilling platforms and airports. Fischer Connectors has launched a connector for a single optical fibre (FO1) that is suitable for high-bandwidth camera links in autonomous systems. The FO1 connector is available either in pre-configured reels or integrated into custom assemblies for applications in instrumentation, sensor and video data. It integrates fully into the existing FiberOptic Series of connectors with UPC and APC polishing that reduces insertion and return losses, making connections more efficient, while IP68 sealing provides device protection. The push-pull locking system allows quick and easy connections and disconnections, making the connectors ideal for outdoor environments. The removable sleeve holder (monobloc mate adapter) ensures that end faces can be cleaned easily. The FiberOptic Series already includes two versions: a rugged fibre- optic connector with two or four fibres, and a rugged hybrid connector with two fibre channels and two electrical contacts. High-bandwidth fibre optics Connectors Fischer’s FO1 has a quick and easy push-pull locking system