The ability for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to simultaneously leverage multiple and diverse Command and Control (C2) radios is a key part of mission-critical operations. This capability allows the UAS to use the most appropriate radio or frequency band for the specific mission or location and provides an essential backup C2 link in case of a lost link scenario with the primary system.
uAvionix successfully demonstrated its new Link Executive Manager (LEM) module to transfer Command & Non-Payload Communication (CNPC) control of a drone between a separate LTE and C-band radio while in flight. The new uAvionix LEM is a fundamental part of the design in DO-377A as envisioned by RTCA, which will enable multiple CNPC links from different radios to function in parallel on a UAS platform, ensuring optimal connectivity and link stability required for BVLOS flight.
Functioning in-between the radio and autopilot, the radio agnostic LEM will enable the Remote Pilot to switch the active CNPC link to the most optimal radio and continuously monitor the status of each radio onboard the UAS during flight. Further integration of the LEM with the uAvionix George autopilot will greatly simplify the integration of complex avionics for drone OEM and operators.
“The LEM was born out of a need we saw in our test flight operations”, said Christian Ramsey, President of uAvionix. “Our own flight operations team had to simultaneously operate on microLink ISM radios while testing skyLink C-band radios and needed a way to control and monitor those links on the aircraft”, “we envisioned that other operators would have a need for multiple links and developed our LEM as a radio agnostic solution to do that”
Operating on multiple simultaneous links would enable a UAS to send critical Command & Control data over a protected C-band link, ensuring predictable connectivity to the UAS to support BVLOS and certified operations. Simultaneously an LTE or ISM radio can be used for payload-data transmission while acting as a failsafe for CNPC.
About uAvionix Corporation
uAvionix was founded in 2015 with the mission of bringing safety solutions to the unmanned aviation industry to aid in the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS). A fundamental principle of that mission is to provide solutions that allow all airspace users a common situational awareness of the airspace. Through the evolution of our company, we pioneered and now offer low SWaP TSO certified and uncertified ADS-B and GPS solutions for General Aviation (GA), Airport Surface Vehicles and the UAS markets. Based in Bigfork, MT and Leesburg, VA, uAvionix consist of an unparalleled engineering and management team with a unique combination of experience within avionics, surveillance, airport services, UAS aircraft development, radio frequency (RF), and semiconductor industries. The entire leadership team consists of pilots of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and UAS aircraft.
To learn more about uAvionix manned and unmanned products, please visit: www.uavionix.com
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