Inside Unmanned Systems

APR-MAY 2017

Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.

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April/May 2017 53 unmanned systems inside O R D E R A N E V A L U A T I O N K I T T O D A Y W W W . S W I F T N A V . C O M / I N S I D E MULTIPLE BANDS, MULTIPLE BENEFITS Faster start and reacquisition times are just the beginning of what Piksi ™ Multi has to offer. Piksi Multi supports GPS L1/L2 and its dual- frequency operation offers RTK convergence times measured in seconds. Centimeter-level accuracy delivers the precise results needed for mission-critical robotics and autonomous driving applications. At $595, Piksi Multi embraces Swift Navigation's foundation for unmatched affordability at a much lower price than comparable systems, to enable rapid prototyping and integration. ENGINEERING. PRACTICE. POLICY. two-way connectivity—firms should be able to confirm the update's receipt. The update service is an interesting example of a market that emerged from nowhere, Pearce said. "OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) want a global solution and they want a one-touch solution. They don't want to manage a prolif- eration of different technologies and they certainly don't want a Balkanized world where they have to put a different kit on a car depending on where it's going to end up." The global reach of satellite constellations and new antenna technology has implications for providing services to vehicles well beyond software. "The connected car is the entertained car," Pearce said. "That's broadband to the guys in the back seat wanting to be entertained and stop asking their parents 'Are we there yet?'" Inmarsat has also been sharpening its services for small, unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Last year the firm and its technology partner Cobham launched the AVIATOR UAV 200 system, which enables Inmarsat Class 4 SwiftBroadband con- nectivity in a package that, at 3.2 lbs., was 76 percent lighter than the nearest competing model at the time. The AVIATOR UAV 200, which requires 28 watts, can be installed internally and, with Inmarsat, used across the full potential f light range of an unmanned aircraft "It enables people to use a smaller drone with a very interest- ing through-life cost," said Mike Holdsworth, Inmarsat's sector development director for transportation. "...Its very useful for people looking at things like railway monitoring, infrastructure monitoring—the pipeline monitoring where they're looking at reasonably regular f lights. Often they're competing against ei- ther manned aircraft or typically helicopters—so the helicop- ters got a cost per hour, if you like, and obviously the UAV's a lot cheaper in most instances." Inmarsat can also provide connectivity for data and video downloads to its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) " SINCE THOSE ARE SMALLER THEY NEED SMALLER ANTENNAS AND THEY NEED SATELLITES THAT CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE SMALLER ANTENNAS. AND SO THAT'S DRIVING NEW TYPES OF SATELLITES." Mark Daniels, vice president of new technologies and services, Intelsat General Corporation

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