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56 Show update | AUVSI Xponential 2020 The DX2 comes with one transceiver and two external antenna ports, uses OFDM modulation (as well as DSSS and CCK in the 2.4 GHz version), and offers a maximum physical layer data rate of 300 Mbit/s, consuming up to 7.5 W (or 2.8 W during normal operations) at 24 V. UAvionix has launched two new transponder products aimed at different types of autonomous aerial vehicles. The tailBeaconX is an Aireon- compatible, Mode-S Extended Squitter, ADS-B Out transponder. It integrates an internal Wide Area Augmentation System GPS into an LED rear position light, and is designed to meet transponder and ADS-B requirements for operating in controlled airspace worldwide. “By including an internal GPS receiver [augmented with SBAS], the tailBeaconX can function as its own position source,” explained Christian Ramsey. “It is the first commercially available avionics solution developed with urban air mobility in mind. “It weighs 90 g, measures 113 x 105 x 48 mm, incorporates its own antennas, and draws 3 W of power. This contributes to longer flight times and higher payload capacity for this new field of airborne mobility.” The company also told us about its new ping200XR, which is designed to meet the transponder and ADS-B requirements for operating UAVs in controlled airspace. It is configurable as any combination of Mode A, Mode C or Mode S transponder, including Extended Squitter ADS-B transmissions. “It integrates our ping200X Mode S ADS-B platform [currently undergoing FAA TSO authorisation], and is similar in concept to its predecessor, the ping200Sr, but is updated with new technology developed to DO-178C and DO-254C design assurance standards,” Ramsey said. Cobra Aero and its partner Power4Flight are in the late stages of developing their upcoming A99 engine. As Cobra Aero’s Sean Hilbert told us, there will be several variants of it, including a ‘soft’ hybrid approach that will power fixed-wing aircraft, a full parallel- hybrid that will be ideal for VTOL aircraft, and a series hybrid that will power electric craft. “It’s an inline, three-cylinder two-stroke, which is naturally aspirated, liquid-cooled, crankcase loop-scavenged – with separate crankcases – and has a 120 º firing frequency controlled by Power4Flight’s Intelliject ECU,” Hilbert said. “The 120 º spec means that the primary and secondary modes of vibration are perfectly balanced. In addition, the once- per-revolution torque pulse from a single or boxer twin is replaced with three torque pulses per revolution, meaning much smoother running and lower vibration, which will reduce stresses on the engine, airframe and, most important, the sensor payload.” Many of the design choices in the A99 have been enabled through extensive use of additive manufacturing, which has contributed greatly to the design of the cooling channels, exhaust system and many other aspects of the engine. “By segregating each crankcase from its neighbour, we can very accurately control the air-to-fuel ratio in each cylinder,” Hilbert added. “This has several advantages, including improved efficiency and robustness against misfires.” The engine will come with heavy- fuel compatibility, partially through the reduced bore diameter (for a given displacement) achieved by using three cylinders instead of two, which aids fast flame propagation and reduces knocking. The A99 will be installed in its first customer vehicle later this year, with several other evaluation installations planned over the coming 12 months and full commercial availability anticipated for late 2021. AlarisPro has updated its UAS operations and fleet management software with new user interface (UI) features aimed at enabling greater customisation and optimised decision- making capabilities. The software enables logging of flight data, maintenance data and component data such as engine and servo diagnostics, and predictive maintenance recommendations via identification of statistically significant trends. The new features in the UI include increased data visualisation options June/July 2020 | Unmanned Systems Technology uAvionix’s tailBeaconX transponder The A99 engine, from Cobra Aero and Power4Flight