Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com UST 59 : DEC/JAN 2025 UK £15, USA $30, EUROPE €22 The god of thunder Takeoff for a heavy-lifter from Sweden More room in bed Embedded system chips shrink and gain power Ups and downs The latest on launch and recovery systems
Electric power for UAVs More power. More products. Acutronic designs, builds and delivers a full range of UAV power systems. • Alternators • Starter-alternators • Voltage regulators • Starters The power of experience. With decades of engineering and manufacturing experience, Acutronic builds power systems trusted by customers globally for their high power density and efficient design. Proudly made in the U.S.A. We solve your power systems integration challenges. acutronic.com Scan to view technical data More power. More products. Acutronic designs, builds and delivers a full range of UAV power systems. • Alternators • Starter-alternators • Voltage regulators • Starters The power of experience. With decades of engineering and manufacturing experience, Acutronic builds power systems trusted by customers globally for their high power density and efficient design. Proudly made in the U.S.A. We solve your power systems integration challenges. acutronic.com Scan to view technical data power_210x297mm.indd 1 12/10/22 8:41 AM More power. More products. Acutronic designs, builds and delivers a full range of UAV power systems. • Alternators • Starter-alternators • Voltage regulators • Starters The power of experience. With decades of engineering and manufacturing experience, Acutronic builds power systems trusted by customers globally for their high power density and efficient design. Proudly made in the U.S.A. We solve your power systems integration challenges. acutronic.com Scan to view technical data More power. More products. Acutronic designs, builds and delivers a full range of UAV power systems. • Alternators • Starter-alternators • Voltage regulators • Starters The power of experience. With decades of engineering and manufacturing experience, Acutronic builds power systems trusted by customers globally for their high power density and efficient design. Proudly made in the U.S.A. We solve your power systems integration challenges. acutronic.com Scan to view technical data More power. More products. Acutronic designs, builds and delivers a full range of UAV power systems. • Alternators • Starter-alternators • Voltage regulators • Starters The power of experience. With decades of engineering and manufacturing experience, Acutronic builds power systems trusted by customers globally for their high power density and efficient design. Proudly made in the U.S.A. We solve your power systems integration challenges. acutronic.com Scan to view technical data power_210x297mm.indd 1 12/10/22 8:41 AM More power. More products. Acutronic designs, builds and delivers a full range of UAV power systems. • Alternators • Starter-alternators • Voltage regulators • Starters The power of experience. With decades of engineering and manufacturing experience, Acutronic builds power systems trusted by customers globally for their high power density and efficient design. Proudly made in the U.S.A. We solve your power systems integration challenges. acutronic.com Scan to view technical data po
3 December/January 2025 | Contents Uncrewed Systems Technology | December/January 2025 20 04 Intro Safety is becoming an increasingly high-profile challenge that experts, manufacturers and designers are seeking to meet 06 Platform one: Mission-critical info Wave detectors for safety at sea, an underwater sampler that can retrieve data 2500 m below surface, AI-powered software for automating UAV survey behaviours, high-speed voltage regulators, a gyro’s mission to Mars, enhanced MANET radios for lightweight UAVs, and robots servicing satellites in orbit 20 In conversation: Pam Oakes The founder of autoINENG.co provides expertise in ADAS sensor technology to workshops and technicians, but she started out as a newspaper journalist, fixing her colleagues’ cars on the side 26 Dossier: ACC Thunder Wasp UAV After over 100 test-flight hours, a quadrotor using a gas turbine engine to lift very heavy payloads is set to enter series production 40 Focus: Embedded computing tech The drive to reduce size, weight and power in autonomous systems must now also consider AI and machine learning 50 Digest: SeaTrac SP-48 USV Two friends who met at MIT had a goal of developing a simple, solar-charged boat and they’ve come a long way since 58 Show report: Intergeo The myriad innovations displayed in Intergeo’s trio of expo halls 70 Engine dossier: UAVE 120 cc four-stroke We look at the DS120, a unique single-cylinder, spark-ignited engine, the result of 15 years of optimisation from UAVE, and which powers the company’s Prion Mk.3 (AKA Dragon) UAVs 80 Insight: Uncrewed platform development funding A wealth of competitions and calls for proposals invite innovators to put forward their ideas for new uncrewed systems 86 Focus: Launch & recovery External equipment like catapults enable UAV airframe designers to omit lift motors and tiltrotors, reducing maintenance 96 In operation: Magazino logistics UGV SOTO, an autonomous robot, is transporting materials around factory floors, providing ergonomic relief for industrial workers 104 Show report: DroneX An array of companies showed off their new designs, products and services at this year’s event at the ExCeL 108 In operation: Knightscope K5 robot Now in its fifth generation, the K5 ASR is a pioneering venture in autonomous security to defend public safety, but the company behind it has no plans to turn it into an armed ‘RoboCop’ 114 PS: L-DRIC and Firestorm A look at a UK military initiative and a concept for a high-volume, distributed manufacturing system for UAVs and spares 40 86 26 70
ELECTRIC, HYBRID & INTERNAL COMBUSTION for PERFORMANCE ISSUE 155 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024 Performance wind-up Focus on electric motors Unleashing classic power The birth of the MG V64V Cuttingedge BMW NBE’s BTCC weapon www.highpowermedia.com UK £15, US/CN $25, EUROPE €22 THE COMMUNICATIONS HUB OF THE ELECTRIFIED POWERTRAIN Read all back issues and exclusive online-only content at www.emobility-engineering.com ISSUE 028 | NOV/DEC 2024 UK £15 USA $30 EUROPE €22 Going the distance On course to redefine recreational boating Leading the charge Protecting the pack More powerful, durable and faster OBCs Multi-functional dielectric materials for battery systems 4 December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Intro | December/January 2025 As autonomous systems become more prevalent, safety is becoming an increasingly high-profile challenge. Our interview with maintenance expert and assisted driving technology specialist Pam Oakes (page 20) highlights the need for education around safety issues as technologies mature. These challenges are not just on the road, but in the factory too, as we discuss in our UVIO on Magazino’s uncrewed ground vehicles (page 96) and the K5 robot from Knightscope on page 108. After years of detailed discussion, standards are now coming through for assessing the risks of driverless vehicles in operation, as we show in Platform One (page 6), along with a new approach for achieving more nuance in driving behaviour via end-to-end neural network software. All of this needs higher-performance, embedded controllers with functional safety, as well as more sensors. The latest in controllers (page 40) and sensors from the recent Intergeo exhibition (page 58) provide engineers with the means to develop systems that keep passengers, operators and workers safe. Nick Flaherty | Technology Editor Safety first Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com UST 59 : DEC/JAN 2025 UK £15, USA $30, EUROPE €22 The god of thunder Takeoff for a heavy-lifter from Sweden More room in bed Embedded system chips shrink and gain power Ups and downs The latest on launch and recovery systems Editorial Consultant Ian Bamsey Deputy Editor Rory Jackson Technology Editor Nick Flaherty Production Editor Vickie Johnstone Contributor Peter Donaldson Technical Consultants Paul Weighell Ian Williams-Wynn Dr Donough Wilson Prof James Scanlan Dr David Barrett Design Andrew Metcalfe [email protected] UST Ad Sales Please direct all enquiries to Simon Moss [email protected] Subscriptions Frankie Robins [email protected] Publishing Director Simon Moss [email protected] General Manager Chris Perry 2025 media pack now ‘live’ The medium Our content is accessible online and in print, enabling a global network of engineers to read it however and whenever they choose. The message Our content is 100% original, peer reviewed and exclusively written for uncrewed engineers. The means Our content, your solutions - side by side. Advertise your components or service at the point at which engineers are open to discovering them. Print & digital versions of our 2025 media kit detailing the 6 issues we’ll publish next year now available at www.ust-media.com or by emailing [email protected] Volume Eleven | Issue One December/January 2025 High Power Media Limited Whitfield House, Cheddar Road, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4EJ, England Tel: +44 1934 713957 www.highpowermedia.com ISSN 2753-6513 Printed in Great Britain © High Power Media All rights reserved. Reproduction (in whole or in part) of any article or illustration without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. While care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information herein, the publisher can accept no liability for errors or omissions. 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Read all back issues online www.ust-media.com UST 56 : JUNE/JULY 2024 UK £15, USA $30, EUROPE €22 Big bytes Secure centralised computing engines Golden receivers Antennas for comms and mission success Dynamic duo How Insitu’s ScanEagle and Integrator are staying on top in the age of VTOL The medium The message The means
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6 Mission-critical info for uncrewed systems professionals Platform one Edinburgh engineers have developed computational and experimental tools to enable autonomous robots to maintain a steady position amid irregular, buffeting waves at sea, writes Nick Flaherty. Wave-detecting devices are tethered to the seafloor, and measure the direction and height of incoming waves, relaying the information in real time to a robot working nearby. This enables uncrewed machines to pre-empt complex waves, precisely counteracting these to maintain a stable position. This is suitable for autonomous underwater or surface vessels used for monitoring or for offshore wind-turbine maintenance. The non-linear, predictive, dynamic positioning model for remotely operated vehicles is compatible with robots operating both near the surface or at greater depths, where disturbances can still be felt strongly. The researchers say the technology improves on conventional control systems, which operate in a corrective fashion with a feedback loop. These are prone to respond slowly to the ocean’s fast-changing, nonlinear disturbances, making them much less reliable in such conditions. A major limitation is that a vessel needs to be able to perceive and counteract environmental disturbances effectively, restricting the use of small subsea vehicles, which can be tossed about in bad weather. “By forming a prediction of future wave disturbances and integrating this within the control system, we are able to expand this range with little to no change to the robot hardware. In terms of translating this technology into the field, this is a huge benefit and makes our system applicable to most vehicles on the market,” said Dr Kyle Walker, who developed the work as part of his PhD at the University of Edinburgh. The complete end-to-end control architecture combines a non-linear model predictive controller (NMPC) combined with a deterministic sea-wave predictor (DSWP). The DSWP continuously measures wave elevation upstream of the vehicle to form a forecast of its temporal evolution at the vehicle’s location. The predicted wave parameters are then used to estimate the impending wave-induced hydrodynamic loading, giving accurate short-term disturbance forecasts that can be used by the control system of a USV or UUV. Experimental testing confirmed the validity of the wave predictor, producing an error as low as 1.7 mm. The researchers said the NMPC outperforms a similar disturbance-mitigating feed-forward controller, with average improvements of up to 52%. It even performs better with noisy, lower accuracy wave predictions, and with communication time delays. Future research aims to improve the ability of autonomous machines to perform precise tasks, such as using robotic arms to detect rust or fix electric equipment while holding a steady position in water. Underwater Detectors enable robots to pre-empt complex waves at sea Novel algorithms for predicting waves (Image courtesy of Uncrewed Systems Technology) December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology
7 Platform one The University of Southampton is working with ecoSUB Robotics on an autonomous underwater sampler, writes Nick Flaherty. The sampler collects discrete volumes of water at depth for later analysis using the ecoSUB range of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). This gives marine researchers the ability to retrieve water up to 2500 m below the surface without the need for human interaction. The sampler is available in multiple configurations and can be integrated with any of the ecoSUB Robotics systems, including the ecoSUBµ5 Micro-AUV. Traditional underwater data collection has relied heavily on the manual gathering of samples that are taken to laboratories for analysis. This is manually intensive and often requires the use of expensive ships when operating at sea. The water sampler overcomes this limitation by designing a sensor that fits into the smallest AUV to retrieve samples without manual intervention. The ecoSUBμ5 Micro-AUV measures 660 mm long and 111 mm in diameter. Designed as a cylinder with no protrusions, it is easy to launch and recover. Weighing 4 kg, it has a range of 40 km and 12 hours on its alkaline batteries. It has a 250 mm antenna for satellite and wi-fi connections when on the surface, and it also has an acoustic nano-modem to take part in underwater communication networks. The sampler is integrated with the ecoSUB AUV to collect discrete water samples at predetermined points and then it uses optical sensors to measure trace concentrations of methane, with plans for measuring carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. The sampler was tested in the lab at Southampton to assess fieldworthiness and potential improvements, with local deployments to trial and validate the technology. The system will be deployed with an ecoSUB AUV on a mission to the Arctic to monitor marine terminating glaciers and sea ice where ice fall is a risk. “This is a significant step forward, giving researchers, regulators and industry a new tool to quantify water quality,” said Dr Adrian Nightingale of the School of Engineering at the University of Southampton, who oversaw the research. “It strengthens a productive relationship between the university and marine business, and is part of a wider move to increase marine autonomy for smarter, cost-effective and less carbon-intensive environmental science.” Sensing A water sampler deployed in an AUV (Image courtesy of ecoSUB) Uncrewed Systems Technology | December/January 2025 Water sampler can plunge to depths of 2500 m
8 Overwatch Imaging is known for its intelligent multi-sensor payloads for airborne survey operations, but it recently developed an AI-driven software called Automated Sensor Operator (ASO) for automating image collection and analysis tasks for common video gimbal platforms. A key part of what sets ASO apart from other automated image-collection and analysis systems is that it has been designed to work at the edge, onboard the uncrewed platform. This ensures maximum fidelity and quality of data, compared with systems that work on the ground or in the cloud, where data often has to be compressed or it can be lost. “Taking advantage of all that data at the same time in one processing step, before it gets compressed or transmitted, simply allows us to find more in the data stream compared to software that works later and downstream of where ASO works,” said Greg Davis, founder and CEO of Overwatch Imaging. Overwatch Imaging provides ASO on a small, Nvidia GPU-based device, which the systems integrator connects first to their imaging system and then to either the comms system for the ground operations crew or to the autopilot. “By operating in real time at the edge, we’re able to automate an operational ‘closed-loop’ around intelligent detections of mission-critical items,” Davis said. Typical automatic target recognition or machine learning-based object-detection models for UAVs do work well, but Davis comments that these rarely do more than place an annotated bounding box around the recognised object and flag an alert, leaving the loop “open”. As ASO controls payload sensors in an automated fashion upon detecting and recognising an object, it can be configured to have the gimbal or aircraft react intelligently to the finding. This could mean maintaining focus on the target or returning periodically to track its movements, or looking around the area to see what approaches. Either way, this reduces the burden on the operating crew to physically intervene to trigger a reaction from the UAV or sensor payload. Developing ASO was partially made possible through what Davis calls Overwatch Imaging’s “lake” of data: hundreds of terabytes of multi-spectral, high-resolution, air-to-ground imagery, showing countless relevant scenes of interest to UAV operators. “That enables us to train models, and not just first-order model training, because we’ve captured a huge number of corner or edge case examples, so we can train our models against those, which has helped us make the system more useful,” he said. “Being able to discriminate in many cases between ‘subtle targets’ and ‘non-targets very similar in appearance to targets’ helps the case for operators to be assigned very different tasks, most likely reducing their workload to tasks appropriate for human intelligence and skillsets, within an uncrewed operation.” The importance of this stems from one of the biggest deterrents for survey organisations thinking of adopting UAVs, which is that doing so often entails enlarging field-survey crews, or making them work harder or undertake considerable training. Automating image analytics and responses about the sensor stands to make surveyors’ lives easier by using UAVs. By building its own sensors, Overwatch Imaging has populated its data lake with images across multiple spectral bands, and can rapidly update its models in isolation from one another, and from its core architectural software. That also means the ASO is fully functional with imaging cameras operating in the UV, visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR bands, along with fullmotion video. “We anticipate search-and-rescue operations being performed by the different military branches in dangerous and obscure conditions, and coast guard search and rescue, where personnel are racing against time to perform the hugely difficult task of finding souls lost at sea – as one especially vital initial application of ASO,” Davis added. AI Automating image collection and analysis with AI Platform one December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology ASO is designed to work at the edge, onboard the uncrewed platform, ensuring maximum quality of data
StreamCaster LITE 5200 SL5200 OEM Module Redefining C2 & Comms Mesh Networking at the Tactical Edge THE POWER TO PERFORM Delivering powerful MANET radio performance for leading-edge unmanned systems, the SL5200 unifies C2, sensor and telemetry data with communications relay capabilities in an ultra-low SWaP OEM module (52 g). TAKE YOUR MISSION FURTHER Powered by Silvus’ battle-proven MN-MIMO waveform – connect multiple UAVs, UGVs, sensors and personnel through one massively scalable mesh network that’s natively compatible with 4000-series StreamCaster MANET radios. Available access to Spectrum Dominance expansive suite of LPI/LPD and Anti-Jamming capabilities provides secure & protected comms in contested environments without sacrificing performance. GROUP 2 PERFORMANCE – GROUP 1 FOOTPRINT 2 Watts Native, Up to 4W Effective Transmit Power Up to 100 Mbps Data Rate; 550+ Node Scalability I/O Interfaces: Ethernet, USB, RS232 Advanced Encryption: AES256, FIPS 140-3 Actual Size Learn More silvustechnologies.com
10 High-speed voltage regulators are key to the safety of autonomous vehicles, writes Nick Flaherty. As autonomous driving systems advance, ensuring functional safety is critical. However, as operational conditions expand and vehicles assume more responsibilities, creating entirely error-free, malfunction-proof systems becomes increasingly challenging. In the case of electric power steering (EPS) or steer-by-wire failure during autonomous operation, there is a risk of losing vehicle control and a greater likelihood of lane departure. To mitigate this, the system switches to a subsystem that provides minimal steering assistance before transitioning to manual operation. However, even after control is transferred to the driver, the loss of power assistance significantly impairs operability, making it vital to have robust, fail-safe mechanisms in place. Similarly, any failure of the battery management system (BMS) can necessitate an emergency stop, potentially causing high-speed collisions, especially with following vehicles. A multi-tiered approach is essential to address the challenges of functional vehicle systems can have more time for appropriate fault handling, allowing for the implementation of more sophisticated safety mechanisms. Analogue voltage-monitoring integrated circuits can operate up to 20 times faster than digital devices, directly contributing to the safety-critical ability to meet FTTI requirements in vehicles, allowing more time in fault handling, and enabling complex safety mechanisms and new handling methods. For example, the S-19990/9 series of automotive step-up switching-regulator controllers can be used for backup power for electronic control units (ECUs). While most ECUs operate using 12 V auxiliary batteries as their main power supply, if a vehicle is subject to a severe impact, such as from a traffic accident or collision, and power is lost, the ECUs will stop operating. Backup power supplies can be installed for ECUs in electric door latches and E-Call communications to maintain operation for a set period of time, for example, even after an accident. This power is generally composed of capacitors/ batteries and a step-up circuit, because when low-voltage capacitors/batteries are used, a step-up circuit is required to boost this to 12 V of backup power. Safety Layered approach and backup power supply essential safety in autonomous vehicles. This strategy emphasises the importance of systems transitioning to a safe state when encountering unexpected situations. For example, the EPS should switch to a subsystem, providing minimal steering assistance through a safety mechanism before transitioning to manual operation. Similarly, the BMS should have a backup power supply to maintain critical functionalities. This layered approach provides redundancy, ensuring multiple safety mechanisms are in place to prevent or mitigate potential accidents. Transitioning to a safe state is a crucial process and involves three key steps: detection, notification and handling. The time to complete these steps is critical and that is regulated by the Fault Tolerant Time Interval (FTTI), specified in ISO 26262. Detection involves identifying anomalies in the system, and notification is the process of communicating this to the parts of the system responsible for managing faults. Handling is the final step, where the system takes action to mitigate the issue. This could involve activating backup systems, adjusting operational parameters or initiating a safe shutdown. By optimising these steps, particularly detection and notification, autonomous Functional safety timing (Image courtesy of Ablic) December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Functional safety timing (Image courtesy of Ablic)
TDK has launched its second generation of 6-axis IMUs for automotive safety applications, writes Nick Flaherty. The IMU provides reliable motion data for decision-making algorithms, and it can accurately detect vehicle dynamics in real time. The 6-axis IAM-20689 IMU has a set of safety mechanisms that ensure real-time monitoring of sensor parameters, and 30 embedded diagnostics elements eliminate the need for an external controller to reach the required functional safety as a Safety Element Out-of-Context (SEooC). This allows customers to easily integrate the MEMS IMUs into safety applications up to ASIL D in critical automotive applications, such as electronic/roll-stability control (ESC/RSC) and drive-by-wire. 3-5.5 V and current consumption below 10 mA in all operating conditions. The sensor is available in a small, 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.1 mm³ QFN package with wettable flank options that allow visual inspection at the end of the assembly line for automotive-quality levels. Sensing Detecting real-time vehicle dynamics “With the IAM-20689, TDK can offer more flexibility to automotive safety customers by eliminating the need for multiple 3-axis sensors in the vehicle,” says Alberto Marinoni Sr, director, product marketing automotive at InvenSense, a TDK Group company. “This simplifies system complexity, enhances ease of use and provides opportunities for miniaturisation. “Most safety applications today rely on a limited number of axes, rendering current solutions partially blind and unable to gather all vehicle dynamics. Transitioning to a 6-axis solution ensures no motion information is missed, unlocking broader application possibilities for developers.” There are 16 bit analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs), programmable digital filters and embedded self-testing on the device, which has an operating range of A 6-axis accelerometer (Image courtesy of TDK Invensense) WWW.TMOTOR.COM A SERIES MODULAR PROPULSION A next level with an upgraded cooling connguration Upgraded cooling channels temperature can be reduced by about 25% WWW.TMOTOR.COM UAV A SERIES MODULAR PROPULSION A next level with an upgraded cooling connguration A SERIES MODULAR PROPULSION Dual Inputs: PWM/CAN Thrust Up To: 2-60kg A next level with an upgraded cooling connguration
12 The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a standard to minimise the risk of manoeuvres for autonomous driving, writes Nick Flaherty. BSI Flex 188 gives guidance for selecting the minimal risk manoeuvres (MRMs) and minimal risk conditions (MRCs) that highly automated vehicles (AVs) require when an automated driving system (ADS) is degraded or fails. It provides a framework for consideration of the risks involved in AV manoeuvres, and those related to conditions at the location where the vehicle stops to minimise the overall risk involved, and combines them to select the lowest overall risk using MRX trigger information. This applies to driverless vehicles used in developmental testing, advanced trials and deployment. It covers prototype vehicles, and passenger and freightcarrying services on public roads. The standard does not cover functionality or manoeuvres associated with the normal expected behaviour of an ADS, changes of destination or route requested by passengers, or an external agent such as the police, or manoeuvres that do not result in the AV stopping at a minimal risk condition. Standards Removing risk from AV manoeuvres and achieve the safest possible outcome. A popular example is failure of the core system on a motorway, whether the vehicle pulls over to the side to stop or continues at a slower speed. The nature of the event triggering the MRM is key to selecting the combined MRM and MRC with the lowest overall risk. The BSI standard covers the functionality or manoeuvres beyond the normal expected behaviour of an ADS, and introduces the concept of a minimal risk event (MRX), which combines MRM, MRC and MRX triggers. It also categorises manoeuvres and conditions according to the risks December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology high power, data throughput, scalability and electronic warfare resilience for operations at the tactical edge. “Designed for seamless integration into a wide range of uncrewed systems, the SL5200 unifies C2, sensor and telemetry data with communication relay capabilities in one OEM module.” To help facilitate systems integration, Silvus has sought to enable onboard interfacing with the SL5200 with a diversity of connection types; Ethernet, USB and RS232 serial all compatible. The module functions using Silvus’ proprietary MN-MIMO (mobile-networked MIMO) waveform, which the company describes as a blend of established CODFM (coded orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexing), MIMO and MANET techniques. It enables the connection of hundreds of nodes in any operational environment, with at least 550 as the confirmed minimum number. These nodes may be multiple UAVs, UGVs, USVs, sensors, personnel and optionally crewed platforms operating simultaneously over a wide area to generate a common operating picture through a single, scalable, mesh network. For interoperability, the device is also compatible with Silvus’ 4000 series StreamCaster MANET radios. For data-link security, both AES256 and FIPS 140-3 encryption are available for installation in the SL5200, and the solution features available access to Silvus’ Spectrum Dominance expansive suite of LPI/LPD (low probability of intercept/low probability of detection) and anti-jamming resilience capabilities. Radio Enhancing MANET radio tech for uncrewed systems Silvus Technologies has launched its StreamCaster LITE 5200 (SL5200), designed and developed to be the US company’s next-generation, mobile, adhoc network (MANET) radio OEM module. The highly SWaP-optimised and easily integrated SL5200 is intended for use in uncrewed systems as small and weight-restricted as Group 1 UASs (UAVs weighing up to 20 lb, or 9 kg). Weighing 52 g, it provides data rates up to 100 Mbps, with up to 2 W of native output power or 4 W of effective power, thanks to Silvus’ proprietary TX Eigen Beamforming technique for maximising signal strength and system performance in MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) communications. “The StreamCaster LITE 5200 marks a significant advancement in MANET radio technology for uncrewed systems,” said Neema Daneshvar, vice-president of product at Silvus Technologies. “Delivering Group 2 performance in a Group 1 footprint, the SL5200 provides The SL5200 (Image courtesy of Silvus Technologies)
Annapolis Micro Systems 64 GS/s Direct RF Is at Hand! FEATURING Altera Agilex ™9 Jariet Electra-MA™ Analog Devices Apollo MxFE™ 3U & 6U VPX & Small Form Factors Reduce SWaP-C & Latency! Annapolis Micro Systems SOSA Sensor Open Systems Architecture MEMBER Tel: 410-841-2514 www.AnnapMicro.com DeepRoute.ai has announced plans to develop end-to-end neural network software for self-driving, writes Nick Flaherty. The software will run on the latest DRIVE Thor platform from Nvidia, which is based on the new Blackwell GPU architecture, designed for transformer and generative AI workloads. Scheduled for launch next year, it will be adopted by passenger vehicles first, integrated with DeepRoute.ai’s smart driving software. Unlike traditional autonomous driving solutions that separate into perception, prediction, planning and control modules, the end-to-end model integrates all four into one neural network, so no information is lost. The model learns from a repository of video clips that provide insight into more The company began conducting road tests of the end-to-end architecture from training to deployment on the current processor chip, called Orin, in August 2023. Road tests demonstrated proficiency in navigating complex scenarios with oncoming vehicles and pedestrians in a natural, polite manner while ensuring safe and efficient driving. Another example showed the vehicle carefully changing lanes to pass when recognising a taxi dropping off passengers. “DeepRoute has demonstrated remarkable technology innovation prowess in recent years, evolving into a staple within the transportation industry for AI driving systems,” said Rishi Dhall, vice-president of automotive at Nvidia. Deeproute.ai continues to add data for the next iteration of the model. AI The power of four driving solutions nuanced driving behaviour. One example of this sophistication is the model’s capacity to understand courtesy and consideration towards pedestrians during heavy rain, adjusting its actions to take cues from their behaviour. “The end-to-end model is revolutionary for autonomous driving, signalling the end of rule-based AI and the dawn of a new era that is learning-based,” said Maxwell Zhou, CEO of DeepRoute.ai. Platform one End-to-end AI for autonomous driving (Image courtesy of DeepRoute.ai) • Highest performance • Lowest weight • Comparative measurements of powertrains • More than 40 years experience Project (high Altitude) improve from max. 15.000ft up to 17.000ft • Adaption to mountain Solution • Performance Improvement • Significant height adjustment only by changing the Propeller • no other changes on the Drone! +49 40 500 167 83 [email protected] magcad.de AZ_Magcad_92,5x136_11_24.indd 1 08.11.24 11:42 Tel: 410-841-2514 ● www.AnnapMicro.com Annapolis Micro Systems TM TM TM 64 GS/s Direct RF Is at Hand! 3U & 6U VPX & Small Form Factors FEATURING: Altera Agilex 9 Jariet Electra-MA Analog Devices Apollo MxFE Reduce SWaP-C & Latency!
14 Researchers in the US have developed robots that can service satellites in orbit, writes Nick Flaherty. The team at the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Naval Centre for Space Technology (NCST) developed and tested the suite of robot hardware and software over the last seven years. The Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) Integrated Robotic Payload (IRP) will be integrated with Northrop Grumman’s spacecraft bus, the Mission Robotics Vehicle (MRV), for launch in 2026. “Our algorithms team developed machine vision, position control, collision avoidance, and compliance control algorithms that support robotics control and enable autonomous grapple capabilities,” said William Vincent, the RSGS programme manager. Engineers tested all aspects of the payload, including avionics, cameras and lights, and demonstrated all operations, including launch-lock deployments, calibrations and tool changing. The test verified SpaceWire comms and robotic compliance, and visual servo control. Two robot arms with seven motors each give seven degrees of freedom for the repairs. Dr Glen Henshaw, NRL senior scientist for robotics and autonomous systems, says: “Satellites are the only expensive equipment we buy that can’t be repaired in the field. We intend to demonstrate we can upgrade and repair these valuable assets using robots.” Space Robot care for orbiting satellites Platform one December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Silicon Sensing Systems is to supply a miniature gyro for a mission to Mars, writes Nick Flaherty. Two of the CRM200 gyros will be used by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for use in the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission being run by the Japanese space agency, JAXA. This mission will travel to Mars and the two gyros will be used in a 25 kg rover vehicle that will explore the larger of its moons, Phobos. The rover is being developed by DLR and the French CNES research agency to collect samples ready for the return to Earth. The Pinpoint gyros will be used to detect any unintended movements of the rover on the unknown surface. Depending on the initial checkout of the collection, the spacecraft will return to Earth carrying the material from Phobos. The current schedule has a launch date in 2026, followed by a Martian orbit insertion in 2027, returning to Earth in 2031. Space Mini gyro will explore Phobos moon drivetrain, which includes the gyros, an optional safety module will be activated in the software to automatically prevent instability during the rover’s drive sessions. The 5 mm x 6 mm Pinpoint single-axis gyros are hermetically sealed in a ceramic LCC surface-mount package for temperature and humidity resistance with integrated temperature sensor. The gyros have successfully completed total iodising dose (TID) testing at 17kRad Radiation and Proton tests (up to 68 MeV proton) for use in space. The gyro uses a micromachined sensor to precisely measure angular rate with a low bias instability (12º/hr) over a short integration period of under 1 s. The dynamic range is selectable at 75º/s, 150º/s, 300º/s and 900º/s. After observation and sample The MMX rover with the E-Box, where locomotion electronics including CRM200s are installed (Image courtesy of DLR) Robotic arms for satellite repair (Image courtesy of US Navy/Sarah Peterson)
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16 Dr Donough Wilson Dr Wilson is innovation lead at aviation, defence, and homeland security innovation consultants, VIVID/ futureVision. His defence innovations include the cockpit vision system that protects military aircrew from asymmetric high-energy laser attack. He was first to propose the automatic tracking and satellite download of airliner black box and cockpit voice recorder data in the event of an airliner’s unplanned excursion from its assigned flight level or track. For his ‘outstanding and practical contribution to the safer operation of aircraft’ he was awarded The Sir James Martin Award 2018/19, by the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. Paul Weighell Paul has been involved with electronics, computer design and programming since 1966. He has worked in the realtime and failsafe data acquisition and automation industry using mainframes, minis, micros and cloud-based hardware on applications as diverse as defence, Siberian gas pipeline control, UK nuclear power, robotics, the Thames Barrier, Formula One and automated financial trading systems. Ian Williams-Wynn Ian has been involved with uncrewed and autonomous systems for more than 20 years. He started his career in the military, working with early prototype uncrewed systems and exploiting imagery from a range of systems from global suppliers. He has also been involved in ground-breaking research including novel power and propulsion systems, sensor technologies, communications, avionics and physical platforms. His experience covers a broad spectrum of domains from space, air, maritime and ground, and in both defence and civil applications including, more recently, connected autonomous cars. Professor James Scanlan Professor Scanlan is the director of the Strategic Research Centre in Autonomous Systems at the University of Southampton, in the UK. He also co-directs the Rolls-Royce University Technical Centre in design at Southampton. He has an interest in design research, and in particular how complex systems (especially aerospace systems) can be optimised. More recently, he established a group at Southampton that undertakes research into uncrewed aircraft systems. He produced the world’s first ‘printed aircraft’, the SULSA, which was flown by the Royal Navy in the Antarctic in 2016. He also led the team that developed the ULTRA platform, the largest UK commercial UAV, which has flown BVLOS extensively in the UK. He is a qualified full-size aircraft pilot and also has UAV flight qualifications. Dr David Barrett Dr David Barrett’s career includes senior positions with companies such as iRobot and Walt Disney Imagineering. He has also held posts with research institutions including the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, MIT and Olin College, where he is now Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, and Principal Investigator for the Olin Intelligent Vehicle Laboratory. He also serves in an advisory capacity on the boards of several robotics companies. Uncrewed Systems Technology’s consultants Researchers in the US have developed a heat-shield material to protect reusable autonomous spacecraft returning from orbit, writes Nick Flaherty. The thermal protection system (TPS) is based on silicon carbide. Developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Sierra Space, the TPS is composed of a tile face made from advanced materials and an insulative tile backing, which, when installed on a space vehicle, will be able to withstand multiple launches and the high temperatures of atmospheric re-entries over short periods of time. The high temperature and corrosion stability properties of silicon carbide are merged with the high-strength, high-temperature consistency of carbon fibre. The two materials are combined into a low-density, low-profile, composite thermal barrier that is critical for providing insulative protection and stable flight dynamics. This will help maintain the aerodynamic surface over multiple flights by resisting changes to size and shape. “Keeping a consistent outer mould line is important for reusability,” said ORNL principal investigator Greg Larsen, referring to the need for a smooth exterior surface. “It keeps the aerodynamics the same to allow the vehicle to fly as designed. “The key to achieving a flight cadence driven by fast landing-to-launch turnaround times is reusability of the TPS. The materials we are exploring will push the boundaries of reusability that translate directly to commercial viability for space access providers.” ORNL and Sierra Space have completed the first material-development phase of the project, and they have jointly applied to patent it. The second phase will focus on developing a manufacturing process for the insulative tile backing. Sierra Space plans to use the TPS on the DC-100 Dream Chaser, a winged commercial spaceplane, designed to carry crew and cargo into low-Earth orbit. Materials Shielding spacecraft from heat in re-entry December/January 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology A new silicon carbide material for heat shields (Image courtesy of Sierra Space)
Platform one ANELLO Photonics is developing a new type of laser gyroscope for space missions, writes Nick Flaherty. The Resonator Laser Gyroscope is being created for the US Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the US Space Force. The gyro will be used in space missions to navigate autonomous systems and align laser communication systems accurately. ANELLO has developed the silicon photonics optical gyroscope, or SiPhOG, based on integrated, photonic systemon-a-chip technology. This is similar to a classical, interferometric fibre-optic gyroscope, where phase-modulated light is launched into a waveguide; the light experiences equal but opposite additional phase shifts during rotation. This additional phase shift is known as the Sagnac Effect. The return light from the waveguide is coupled into a photodetector, where the two returnbeams produce an interference signal that is linearly proportional to the angular rate. ANELLO has used silicon photonics and waveguides to do this on an ultra low-loss chip for a smaller inertial measurement unit for rugged, autonomous vehicles. There is an ongoing effort to balance sensitivity and size when an optical technology will need to be radiationhardened for use in space designs. The first phase of the project will design a chip-level, symmetric RLG. Further investigation into what is required to push the design to the EP will be done, as this is still at an early stage of development. The next phase will produce a sensor that satisfies complete performance requirements, and the prototype gyro and Phase II electronics will be tested in an actual dynamic environment with DC rate, AC rate and reasonable temperature ranges. The data will be used to validate behavioural models from Phase II. Sensing Space gyroscope aims to surpass navigational grade system is operated at what is termed an exceptional point (EP) in a nanophotonic system, which occurs when gain and loss are balanced. This can radically change the behaviour of the optical system, creating large changes in system response to external stimulus. The sensitivity of the macro-scale, ring laser gyro (RLG) is highly dependent on the optical ring-resonator loss and the enclosed-path length that the light travels. The project aims to develop a singlechannel gyro with better than navigationalgrade performance with a volume of 1 in3 and 1 W power consumption. The The Class of 2024 Access the directory online, or pick up a printed copy at leading uncrewed related tradeshows across the globe www.ust-media.com/ust-magazine/Co24 6 Class of 2024 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Advanced Navigation Advanced Navigation is a world leader in AI-based robotics and navigation technologies across land, air, sea and space applications. Founded on a culture of research and discovery, Advanced Navigation’s mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution. Fields of expertise include artificial intelligence, sonar, GNSS, radio frequency systems, inertial sensors, robotics, quantum sensors and photonics. Today, Advanced Navigation is a supplier to some of the world’s largest companies, including Airbus, Boeing, Google, Tesla, NASA, Apple, and General Motors. Categories • Navigation System • IMUs, Gyros & Accelerometers • UUVs • Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Sonar/Acoustic Systems Address Level 12, 255 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Website www.advancednavigation.com Telephone +61 2 9099 3800 Email [email protected] More info: Avionics & electronics 37 Uncrewed Systems Technology | Class of 2024 Development inputs COVE COVE is where marine technology leaders develop solutions for a better and sustainable world. On the water and around the world, COVE propels the ocean economy. COVE is where ideas become solutions, technologies become ventures, and opportunities become careers. We connect people, ideas, resources and assets to propel solutions and sustainable growth for Canada’s ocean sector. A 13-acre waterfront facility in Canada’s deepest harbour provides the best space in the world to turn ideas into commercial solutions. 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To further meet our customers’ demands, Futaba can develop semi-custom products from existing OTS parts and fully customized parts from scratch. With the introduction of the FMT05 Ground Control Station, integrating Panasonic’s Toughbook platform, Futaba provides next-level control sophistication and ruggedness for UAV applications. Contact Futaba to discuss all of your company’s radio control and actuator needs. Categories • Servo Actuators • Ground Control Stations • Radio Links & Telemetry Address 5401 Trillium Blvd, Suite A225 Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 Website www.futabairc.com Telephone +1 815 701 3650 Email [email protected] More info: Mission & application systems 89 Uncrewed Systems Technology | Class of 2024 No more holes. For more than 35 years, Click Bond has been a leader in the design and manufacture of adhesive-bonded assembly solutions for the aerospace, defense, marine, UAV, advanced air mobility, automotive, and industrial sectors. 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