uAvionix, a number one supplier of avionics options for uncrewed and crewed plane, introduced at the moment that it has been awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Broad Company Announcement (BAA) contract to scale C-Band frequency administration for Uncrewed Plane Programs (UAS) Command and Management (C2) communications to a regional stage with a number of UAS working in proximity to 1 one other. The efforts mark a major step towards broad commercialization of UAS by permitting a number of UAS, from completely different corporations to function close to each other whereas sustaining dependable and deconflicted communications throughout the restricted vary of spectrum accessible for UAS operations.
“With the potential of a whole bunch, if not 1000’s, of drones being employed in a area for every thing from medical supply and first response to shopper providers, it’s important that the communications hyperlinks with every plane are dependable and don’t undergo efficiency points due to interference or congestion,” acknowledged Cyriel Kronenburg of uAvionix. “Unlicensed spectrum has excessive ranges of interference, so licensed spectrum is the reply, however licensed spectrum is restricted and at the moment we management its use by assigning it to plane by way of a prolonged, handbook course of and that merely received’t scale.”
UAS utilization of licensed aeronautical spectrum, corresponding to C-Band, for UAS C2 is presently accomplished by exception, requiring each Federal Communications Fee (FCC) and FAA approval. With this excessive bar for operation, many UAS flights presently rely solely on unlicensed spectrum, significantly that within the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band the place excessive ranges of interference can influence C2 communications efficiency and reliability. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 directed the FAA and FCC to guage varied spectrum allocations for UAS C2, resulting in assist for utilizing 5030 to 5091 MHz as licensed and guarded C-Band spectrum. Nevertheless, efficient spectrum administration is important to make sure the restricted band is constantly and reliably allotted amongst a number of UAS working in the identical area.
Constructing on earlier collaboration with the FAA, uAvionix demonstrated a Dynamic Frequency Administration System (DFMS) for UAS C2 utilizing the protected C-Band spectrum. Beneath this new contract, uAvionix will show using DFMS as a Nationwide Airspace C-Band frequency administration utility that meets regulatory coverage and encourages industrial build-out of C2 Communications Service Supplier (C2CSP) infrastructure.
The demonstration will showcase how organizations can dynamically assign accessible frequencies throughout the protected C-Band spectrum to a number of UAS working close to one another utilizing the SkyLine Platform. These frequency assignments might be deconflicted and time-phased, making certain constant and dependable C2 communications all through every flight.
This contract and the not too long ago awarded FAA BAA for extending BVLOS operations in difficult terrain characterize vital progress within the commercialization of UAS operations and their integration into the Nationwide Airspace System. By means of the FAA and uAvionix collaboration, Past Visible Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations are nearer to being a every day actuality whereas making certain a safer and extra environment friendly UAS trade.
About uAvionix
uAvionix is a number one supplier of superior avionics options which can be light-weight, compact, and designed to fulfill the wants of crewed and uncrewed aviation throughout the globe. Dedicated to security, effectivity, and innovation, uAvionix empowers aviators with the most recent know-how, programs, and knowledge to attain their mission in flight.
To study extra about uAvionix crewed and uncrewed services, please go to: www.uavionix.com