Unmanned Systems Technology 026 I Tecdron TC800-FF I Propellers I USVs I AUVSI 2019 part 1 I Robby Moto UAVE I Singular Aircraft FlyOx I Teledyne SeaRaptor I Simulation & Testing I Ocean Business 2019 report

processor with two 32-bit cores running at 240 MHz. This processor runs the first of the two layers in the TC800-FF’s software architecture, which manages all the low- level platform devices and computer security. The second, higher layer is only needed to run complex algorithms such as those to enable autonomous navigation, for example, and is handled by a separate standard computer connected to the embedded processor. As well as wi-fi and 3G/4G, the embedded computer supports most widely used network interface and data bus standards. These include Ethernet for IP data, CAN for comms between microcontrollers, for example, RS-232/485 serial interfaces, ADC and GPIO for voltage selection, SPI for short-distance comms in embedded systems, and I2C and 1-Wire for low- level comms between small sensors and other devices. This variety makes it easier to integrate a wide range of payloads. The system also provides industrial-grade safety with, for example, protection against over- and under-voltage conditions. The basic comms fit is a WPA2 wi-fi system that is used mainly for piloting over short ranges and for data uploads and downloads during maintenance. Tecdron has also built up a network of partners specialising in high- performance and secure radio systems operating in the 868 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.1 GHz bands, and the company can offer point-to-point and mesh networking systems with ranges greater than a kilometre. These can be integrated on demand according to the environments in which customers need to operate. The company chose to develop its own software instead of going down the commercial or open source route partly to avoid licencing problems, but mainly because open source robotics software is either not considered reliable enough, like Arduino, or is not embedded, such as the Robot Operating System (ROS), Mammana says.