Unmanned Systems Technology 038 l Skyeton Raybird-3 l Data storage l Sea-Kit X-Class USV l USVs insight l Spectronik PEM fuel cells l Blue White Robotics UVIO l Antennas l AUVSI Xponential Virtual 2021 report

92 optimised for superior flight stability and wind resistance, and can integrate multiple payload options to support a wide variety of missions.” MissionGO also announced that the FAA’s certification office has approved the Velos 100 airworthiness criteria as part of MissionGO’s type certificate application, with industry guidelines for UAS certification testing expected to be announced by the FAA soon. Once FAA-certified, the Velos 100 will be made commercially available. Specifications will be published soon. MKS Servos has released three new models of its Zeus rotary servo actuator designs, the Z1100, Z1500 and Z2300. “Our new servos can be ordered in PWM, RS-232, RS-485 and UAVCAN, and are enclosed in IP67-rated waterproof housings,” said Thomas Cooke. The Z1100 servo measures 36.25 x 31 x 11 mm and weighs 34.31 g. It is capable of outputting 9.4 kg-cm of stall torque on an 8.2 V supply. The Z1500 measures 34.9 x 29.4 x 14.6 mm, operates on a 12 V DC standard input and comes in two variants: a ‘speed’ version and a ‘torque’ version. The Z1100 is rated to 2.1 kg-cm of torque output and a top speed of 625 º /second, while the Z1500 can output 3 kg-cm of continuous torque with a top speed of 330 º /second. The Z2300’s enclosure is 118.5 x 68.1 x 22.8 mm. It produces up to 100 kg-cm of stall torque and 34 kg-cm of continuous torque. All three servos use 6061 aluminium cases, Hall effect sensors for detecting position, and can operate in temperatures from -40 C to +80 C (although the Z2300 can optionally be enhanced for working in temperatures down to -54 C). Applanix attended the virtual event to launch its new DGaaS (Direct Geo- referencing as a Service) portfolio of products for UAV OEM customers. It is a subscription-based offering of both the company’s APX-UAV GNSS-inertial solution hardware and its POSPac UAV post-processing software, which includes a special firmware licence for end-users to process their UAV data over the cloud on a pay-per-use basis. Brad Schmidt told us, “Cost is often a barrier to entry into a new market, and given the collective cost of UAV platforms, sensors, GNSS inertial solutions and so on, it can be prohibitive for some to get involved in the UAV survey and mapping market. “With DGaaS though, anyone interested in UAV surveying and mapping can try out the technology by securing a time-limited subscription service, such as that offered by GeoCue Group or Microdrones. Those already providing such services can also subscribe to DGaaS, to have continual access to the latest technologies being developed, without the costs of constantly upgrading components.” DGaaS is now being used by early adopters, and the service can come with a supply of spare APX-UAV hardware, making maintenance easier through stock availability and ensuring missions can continue if customers crash or otherwise lose their UAS. DGaaS hardware options include Applanix’s APX-15 single-board GNSS inertial solution for small UAVs, the APX-15 EI UAV solution for supporting interfacing with an added external IMU for payload gimbals, the APX-18 UAV solution to support dual GNSS antennas, and the APX-20 UAV to enable dual IMUs to be used for enhanced accuracy and redundancy. “DGaaS also comes with cloud- or desktop-based ‘push-button’ software that automatically generates the data required to geo-reference the airborne sensor without ground control points, using Applanix SmartBase or Trimble RTX services instead,” Schmidt noted. “That output feeds other software, such as Trimble’s UASMaster, to create the information products automatically.” Trimble showcased its new AX940i GNSS triple-frequency smart antenna, which has integrated inertial sensors to enable continued operations in GNSS- obstructed environments. It is designed to provide continuous centimetre-level position and orientation accuracy in a compact package. “Customers have been asking for an easier way of integrating GNSS and INSs on their vehicles, and the GNSS receiver, antenna and IMU have traditionally been three separate items that required an accurate measurement of their relative positions on the vehicle,” explained Marc Davis. “By integrating these into a single package, including manufacturing and calibrating the GNSS and INS together on the same board, we simplify this process while reducing overall system SWaP.” The AX940i supports signals from GPS, June/July 2021 | Unmanned Systems Technology The Trimble AX940i GNSS antenna features integrated inertial sensors The Applanix APX-15 GNSS solution for small UAVs works with systems from Trimble