Unmanned Systems Technology 017 | AAC HAMR UAV | Autopilots | Airborne surveillance | Primoco 500 two-stroke | Faro ScanBot UGV | Transponders | Intergeo, CUAV Expo and CUAV Show reports

Intergeo, CUAV Expo and CUAV Show | Show reports capacity of up to 0.65 oz, as well as the 0.2 oz UAV3002 series with up to 2 lb load capacity, and the UAV3003, which handles up to 3 lb and weighs 0.2 oz. All three series can operate from -54 to +150 C, with maximum transmissibility rated at 3 for the UAV3001 and 4 for the two heavier types. “When you get to low spring rates, there is often a fragile isolator that is difficult to apply where it’s needed, and it’s unstable, because you need it to be very soft,” Kevin McInerney explained. “We’ve therefore used techniques centred on the geometry of each part, to try to make our rubber isolators soft and stable for use in delicate payloads that are subject to vibration.” The shape of each isolator is integral to how it moves as it experiences a range of shocks and vibrations. The rubber itself is based on a proprietary silicone compound the company makes for vibration isolation. McInerney said, “It’s a highly damped material. Most materials in this type of use case are only lightly reinforced, which isn’t always helpful for an aircraft that experiences a broad spectrum of frequencies at the same time, from aerodynamic as well as internal loads.” Laser Technology had its TruSense S200 laser sensor on display, which is used for measuring distances between UAVs and the ground. The system comes in enclosed and open OEM versions for integrating into payload gimbals or UAV undercarriages. The two primary applications suggested by the company are for mapping missions where the distance to the ground is required for the data stream. For example, that could be to prevent ‘pixel smear’, where the UAV’s vibrations or uneven ground can cause incorrect calculation of the pixels and loss of resolution. Another is for completing a UAV’s flight in areas where knowing the distance to the ground accurately is needed for a soft landing. The sensor weighs 2.7 oz and measures distances accurate to 4 cm at 0.5 miles. It consumes 150 mA at 12 V DC, and about 1.5 W specifically when firing, while operating at about 14 Hz. In addition to reading distance, it also gives measurements for intensity and the energy reflecting off a target, enabling the quality of the ground and objects below to be identified according to their reflective value. “We can identify the target we want out of multiple targets, and extract that data accurately back to our device,” said Clint Cowan. “If we’re flying over a wooded area, for example, we can tell the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees, based on the different reflective values of their needles and leaves.”