Unmanned Systems Technology 033 l SubSeaSail Gen6 USSV l Servo actuators focus l UAVs insight l Farnborough 2020 update l Transforma XDBOT l Strange Development REVolution l Radio telemetry focus

59 Farnborough Airshow 2020 | Update UAVs, it supports six Gigabit Ethernet ports, CNSA/IPSec encryption and advanced mobile ad hoc networking services. The second technology discussed was the Data Transport System (DTS1) Network Attached Storage (NAS) device for storing, removing and transporting critically sensitive data. This was unveiled as the embedded industry’s first COTS data-at-rest (DAR) storage solution to support two layers of full-disc encryption in a single device. “Those two layers of encryption support leading encryption certification levels, including NSA-CSfC, NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue and Common Criteria,” Curtiss-Wright’s Steven Petric said. “It’s also qualified to operate from -45 C to +85 C, using conduction cooling in harsh environments.” Development of the DTS1 was spurred following demand for DAR protection on UAVs, in case of their loss or capture in the field. By supporting two distinct layers of AES 256-bit encryption in one device, it is evaluated to protect top-secret data more safely and cost-effectively than traditional NSA Type 1 devices. The DTS1 NAS weighs 3.77 lb (1.71 kg) and measures 38 x 127 x 165 mm, while integrating a 4 Tbyte SSD with two layers of certified encryption. It also supports the PXE protocol, enabling network clients to quickly boot from the encrypted files on the DTS1. This facilitates software updates for network clients and significantly reduces SWaP by eliminating the need for individual hard discs in each network client. Optisys, which additively manufactures antenna elements in unmanned systems, spoke about some of its latest projects. “We have been keeping up with demand for our electronically steered arrays [ESAs] for comms and slotted flat panels for radar applications,” Janos Opra said. “Most notably, in the comms domain we have been developing technology for Satcom On The Move for large military UAV platforms. On the same types of platforms, we have also been using our slotted flat panels for very high-resolution, all-weather radar.” Optisys’ additive manufacturing enables its engineers to combine RF horns into single-phase chips, sometimes packed as densely as 32 horns per chip. This can reduce the power consumption of its RF systems from multiple kilowatts to as low as 100 W in some cases, while still providing the data rates of kilowatt- level systems. The ESA antennas consist of tens of thousands of elements with precise interconnections. To design, manufacture, and optimise these for reliable RF performance, Ansys and Rescale were used extensively by Optisys’ engineers. Structural and thermal models were also extensively simulated, as some of the company’s ESAs also work as heat sinks and structural elements for the platforms they are integrated into, owing to their monolithic aluminium constructions. “Also, our arrays are the only ones capable of Tx and Rx in the same aperture, making them small enough for UAVs but also able to cater for full Ku- to Ka-band coverage in the same product,” Opra added. “Equally, our lightweight slotted flat panels, which are narrowband in comparison to our arrays, are proving suitable for high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imagery for detecting vehicles, personnel and even weaponry in bad weather or through clouds.” Auterion followed up on its previous discussions with UST with more details about its new Skynode product. “Skynode’s OEM module measures 97 x 47 x 30 mm and weighs 83 g,” Kevin Sartori said. “It therefore fits large VTOL-transition craft as well as small quadcopters.” As well as integrating open interface standards such as MAVLink and FMUx5x, the newly announced Pixhawk Payload Bus and Pixhawk Smart Battery Standard will enable UAV manufacturers to build scalable integrations with payloads, batteries and battery management systems that are compatible with their respective protocols. Also, after a growing number of requests for expanded computing capabilities and a higher-level development environment for UAV software, Skynode has integrated a full Linux computer to run Auterion’s software distribution and allow customers to write their own apps in Docker containers. “This allows developers to build computer vision or deep-learning algorithms without having to go down into the low-level flight control software,” Sartori said. “The connectivity module also enables developers to build workflows over a software development kit and connect UAVs to existing enterprise infrastructure; UAVs then basically become flying servers. “And recently we announced our own ruggedised handheld GCS for government customers, Skynav Gov, to help them control UAVs with Skynode or Auterion software out of the box.” Unmanned Systems Technology | August/September 2020 Optisys’ slotted arrays, additively manufactured for radar applications