Unmanned Systems Technology 028 | ecoSUB Robotics AUVs I ECUs focus I Space vehicles insight I AMZ Driverless gotthard I InterDrone 2019 report I ATI WAM 167-BB I Video systems focus I Aerdron HL4 Herculift

44 Focus | Engine control units must be typed into control consoles to test the ECU against them. It can therefore be very cost-effective and time-efficient (and not hugely complicated) for ECU developers to produce software algorithms and maps aimed at putting tested ECUs through the appropriate ranges of environmental conditions and engine power levels, temperatures, faults, altitudes and so on. A single test cell running a new ECU operational profile can then generate a full and detailed data set, and map out the speed against power or specific fuel consumption for a wholly new engine configuration in less time than ever before. Conclusion The growing diversity and customisation of unmanned vehicle designs is spurring similar diversity in the requests for how their engine systems are configured to run. As powertrains evolve to meet the demands of the rapidly changing unmanned space, it will be vital that ECU engineers can design systems to handle the increasing complexity of ECU tasks without upsetting the balance between the avionics and other electrical systems on UAVs. Acknowledgements The author would like to thank James Bossard of Orbital UAV, Ross Hoag and Bill Vaglienti of Power4Flight, Brian Lewis of Performance Electronics, Denis Makarchuk of UAV Factory, Sergio Moscat of Moscat Ingenieria, and Jim Ratcliffe of Northwest UAV for their help with researching this article. October/November 2019 | Unmanned Systems Technology AUSTRALIA Currawong Engineering +61 3 6229 1973 www.currawongeng.com Orbital Corporation +61 8 9441 2311 www.orbitalcorp.com.au AUSTRIA Bosch General Aviation Technology +43 1 79722 4300 www.bosch-aviation.com GERMANY Sky Power +49 617 226 54258 www.skypower.online ITALY Zanzottera Technologies +39 0344 326 86 www.zanzotteraengines.com LATVIA UAV Factory +371 29191590 www.uavfactory.com SPAIN Moscat Ingenieria +34 91 491 0236 www.moscatingenieria.com UK Advanced Innovative Engineering +44 1543 420700 www.aieuk.com Ilmore Engineering +44 1604 799100 www.ilmor.co.uk Rotron Power +44 1747 440 510 www.rotronuav.com UAVE +44 1545 561111 www.uave.co.uk UAV Engines +44 1543 481819 www.uavenginesltd.co.uk USA Cobra Aero +1 517 437 9100 www.cobra-aero.com Collins Aerospace +1 860 654 6000 www.collinsaerospace.com Ecotrons +1 248 891 6965 www.ecotrons.com EFI Technology +1 310 793 2505 www.efitechnology.com HFE International +1 520 578 0818 www.hfeinternational.com Northwest UAV +1 503 434 6845 www.nwuav.com Performance Electronics +1 513 777 5233 www.pe-ltd.com Power4Flight +1 541 308 0650 www.power4flight.com PI Innovo +1 734 656 0140 www.pi-innovo.com Examples of ECU manufacturers and suppliers