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12 FlyTech UAV has developed a high- speed photogrammetry algorithm that allows a high-resolution camera to replace a Lidar sensor for monitoring power lines (writes Nick Flaherty). The Polish company has done this by mounting a 42 MP camera on a fixed-wing UAV called Birdie. The photogrammetry technique uses post- processing on a desktop computer to Teledyne Marine has shown its latest underwater modems in the most recent interoperability test for the JANUS acoustic modem standard (writes Nick Flaherty). Although a number of commercial comms solutions and protocols are now available from different suppliers, until recently there has been no set standard to ensure interoperability between them.  JANUS is now recognised as a NATO STANAG standard, and will make military identify the condition of the power lines. The system uses a technique called orthophoto to give an image resolution of 8-10 mm, even at a height of 60 m, and a resolution of 10 mm for a 30 m area around the lines. The images can be used to create digital surface models of the power lines for simulations and monitoring, as well as reports on vegetation clearance and tree trimming. The algorithm allows the Birdie to map and civilian, NATO and non-NATO devices interoperable, providing them all with a common language with which to communicate and arrange to cooperate.  The Teledyne Marine TS-9400 deck box and ATM-900 series of modems have added an emergency plug designed for rescuing submarines in distress, and the Automatic Identification System designed as a status-reporting service to broadcast identification and localisation information. Each surface up to 10 km of transmission line in a single 60 minute flight, as there is no need to carry a heavy Lidar sensor. This allows 1000 km of power lines to be analysed in a month using a single UAV rather than the manned helicopter currently used. The Birdie uses PPK error correction on the GPS signal to get the accuracy needed for mapping the power lines, and transmits the images via a 4G cellular link to the ground station. unit can operate using cables from 2 to 200 m long with a mating transducer for each cable. Directional as well as omnidirectional transducers are available. Camera can replace Lidar Modems pass JANUS test Airborne vehicles Underwater vehicles February/March 2020 | Unmanned Systems Technology The Birdie UAV uses a 42 MP camera and photogrammetry processing to replace Lidar for power line monitoring, dramatically extending the mission time (Courtesy of FlyTech UAV) The ATM-920 acoustic modem uses the latest JANUS standard for interoperability underwater (Courtesy of Teledyne Marine)