Unmanned Systems Technology 012 | AutoNaut USV | Connectors | Unmanned Ground Vehicles | Cobra Aero A33i | Intel Falcon 8+ UAV | Propellers | CES Show report

77 to the adoption of self-driving vehicles,” said Steve Beringhause of Sensata. “The S3 system fits seamlessly into automotive architectures.” Flex, the contract manufacturer formerly known as Flextronics and the second largest contract manufacturer after Foxconn, is building the sensors for other markets. LeddarTech has taken a different approach for its sensors, teaming up with suppliers of illumination systems. Rather than working directly on the analogue signal, the LeddarTech approach is to iteratively expand the sampling rate and resolution using successive pulses. It then analyses the resulting signal using the timing information that comes from the different types of pulses, giving the distance of every object in the field of view (FOV). TriLumina has developed a 256-pixel 3D solid-state Lidar system using LeddarTech’s sensor technology. TriLumina’s laser illumination module uses an array of specially designed vertical cavity (VCSEL) laser devices to provide higher power output to increase the range of detection to 200 m. “TriLumina’s illumination modules address some of the most difficult technical hurdles facing solid-state Lidar development,” said Brian Wong of TriLumina. “We are building complete Illumination modules with our patented, back-emitting, flip-chip VCSEL arrays and driver circuits to provide the highest efficiency and most powerful illumination available.  “The 3D solid-state Lidar solutions presented at CES will demonstrate the capabilities of our laser solutions and how they can be rapidly deployed to enable new signal processing capabilities such as those in the LeddarCore ICs.” At the show TriLumina also announced it is working with Analog Devices (ADI) on a new integrated, solid-state illuminator module for automotive Flash Lidar systems. The VCSEL-array laser emitters will be combined with ADI’s high-speed pulse laser driver, which should provide a high optical power output in a single, small surface-mount IC package. “When coupled with ADI’s driver technology, these VCSEL lasers provide higher optical power, enabling Flash Lidar systems to achieve greater range,” said Wong. Thermal sensor and camera developer FLIR launched two new dual-sensor thermal cameras for UAVs. They use FLIR’s Lepton thermal micro- camera core and multispectral dynamic imaging technology. The FLIR Duo is the first multi-sensor camera to use Lepton alongside a HD 1080p visible camera. Thermal images in the 7.5-13.5 μm band are recorded at 7.5 fps at 160 x 120 pixels on a Micro SD card, and the camera can be controlled in real-time via a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone. Operators can switch between the FLIR Duo’s thermal and visible cameras during flight or view both in a picture-in-picture mode. The Duo can be mounted to any airframe capable of holding the most popular action cameras, and will accept dc input voltages of 5 to 26 V to fit in with the power supplies available on commercial UAVs. “These new thermal imaging devices further extend the utility and value of low-cost thermal imaging into consumer and small business applications,” said Andy Teich of FLIR. “Thermal imaging is more accessible than ever these days by making the technology smaller, more powerful and more affordable.” The FLIR Duo R adds temperature measurement accurate to ±5 º for commercial applications including agricultural, construction, civil engineering, building inspection and public safety applications. CES 2017 | Show report Unmanned Systems Technology | February/March 2017 Quanergy’s headlight concept features its S3 solid-state Lidar sensor LeddarTech’s sensors iteratively expand the resolution using successive pulses