Unmanned Systems Technology 016 | Hydromea Vertex AUV | Power management systems | Unmanned Space Vehicles | Continental CD-155 turbodiesel | Swift 020 UAV | ECUs | DSEI 2017 Show report

80 “This in turn could lead to loss of packets of data or the data being presented in the wrong order along the way. Our method recaptures the lost data using forward error correction, so you can have up to 30% errors in your data stream but still retain full video.” To test the system, VITEC demonstrated streaming to two separate decoders, and introduced a loss of signal to compare the unaffected stream with the protected feed. The company has also launched its Gen2 H.265 codec. Principally designed for airborne ISR operations requiring latencies below 200 ms, it is available on all MGW Ace systems already in the field through the use of an FPGA core, with new enhancement modules programmed into the Gen2 HEVC core algorithm for pre-processing, picture enhancement and rate control. Irish robotics company Reamda attended DSEI to launch the Reacher EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) robot, which features several design aspects to advance the dexterity and versatility of such UGVs. A sliding turret in the Reacher’s upper arm gives a movement range in the x axis of 800 mm, which was provided principally to enable greater capability in under-vehicle EOD scenarios – a common weakness in many such robots. As Roy Geraghty explained, “We’ve also designed in a cargo bay or toolbox on the robot, allowing quick switching between different tools such as remote disruptive platforms or others mid-mission.” The dexterity achieved by the sliding turret and the inclusion of feedback from Reacher’s manipulator allows for pre-set position selection but also ensures no possibility of self-damage. Bogeys are installed in the front of the vehicle to pivot when travelling over obstacles, and lock when lifting heavy objects. Rear axle steering capability has also been added to prevent overturning and excessive battery consumption when trying to turn at speeds reaching 9 kph. Accounting for the firing of disruptor- type EOD tools was the biggest design challenge, owing to the recoil of such weapons and the resulting damage to the UGV’s arm. To resolve this, the Reacher’s mounting bracket uses internal buffers integrated with gas springs to absorb and buffer the recoil force. Phoenix Dynamics has been developing connectivity solutions for the aircraft, military and motorsport industries for the past 30 years, using competencies gained in each one to apply to the others in the pursuit of improved weight, flexibility and EMC shielding in its wiring harness products. As Steve Kilminster told us, the newest EMC braids use a composite of polymer fibre and steel in order to save weight without a significant increase in manufacturing cost, with the newest connectors and backshells also using various composite materials. The group is working to develop connectors with higher density as well. “If you can run more wires through a single shell, you keep the same physical size and ultimately save on weight,” Kilminster said. Blue Bear Systems Research showcased a design for a UAV with a fully modular open-architecture body for tailoring to specific missions within seconds. Sensors, power and avionics are designed into cartridge-like sections that can be plugged into and unplugged from the 3 ft UAV body. Ian Williams-Wynn commented, “Payloads, batteries and computers advance every day. Today we’re working October/November 2017 | Unmanned Systems Technology The Reacher EOD robot is designed with enhanced UGV dexterity in mind Phoenix Dynamics’ EMC braids use a composite of polymer fibre and steel