Uncrewed Systems Technology 046

65 would create something of a dust cloud in some of the industrial facilities it was used for surveying in.” Riegl attended to showcase a variety of its latest high-power Lidar solutions, including the miniVUX-3UAV, VQ-840-G and the VUX-120. “The miniVUX-3UAV is Riegl’s most robust, compact, cost-effective, miniaturised Lidar sensor for UAV integrations. It has a maximum pulse repetition rate [PRR] of 300 kHz, which is effective for a field of view [FoV] of 120 º ,” said Abby Clark. “The operator can also reduce the PRR to 100 kHz to expand the FoV to 360 º . “The VQ-840-G is on display at the show fitted to the Harris Aerial H6- HL heavy-lift UAV platform, as Riegl’s compact topo-bathymetric Lidar system for larger UAVs and helicopter integrations. Its green-channel laser wavelength of 532 nm is key for penetrating water and measuring submerged objects, down to depths of 2.5 secchi [a measure of water transparency].” The smaller miniVUX-3UAV weighs 1.6 kg and consumes 18 W when performing 100 scans per second. The VQ-840-G weighs 12 kg in standard configuration, or 15 kg if the optional GNSS-IMU as well as camera (or IR rangefinder) modules are selected, and consumes up to 220 W. uAvionix presented its new muLTElink solution, which is a data link manager with a built-in LTE radio for UAV command and control (C2). “It is designed to integrate seamlessly with, and intelligently switch between, multiple C2 radios simultaneously,” said Cyriel Kronenburg. “By that we mean it will effectively determine from all the open links available which is the most optimal and safety-reliable that should be used for controlling or monitoring a UAV. “The LTE radio is network-agnostic: it uses an eSIM so it will work with any LTE network. It keeps that LTE link on permanently at the same time as any C2 link it has selected.” The system simplifies and automates the process of radio selection for improved comms autonomy in uncrewed systems, a process that is otherwise usually a very manual and burdensome one for mission operators. Commaris attended the expo to exhibit its flagship Seeker UAV, a VTOL- transitioning craft with fixed twin-boom mounted quadrotors and control surfaces mounted on its wings and an inverted vee-tail. “It has been designed around missions requiring long endurance with relatively light payloads, such as mapping, surveys and surveillance,” said Jason Daub. “It can fly for more than 3 hours, up to 16,000 ft above sea level, and from -40 º C to +60 º C. CUAV Expo Americas 2022 | Report Uncrewed Systems Technology | October/November 2022 Flyability’s Elios 3 allows 3D modelling Riegl’s miniVUX-3UAV, part of its range of Lidar solutions