UAV communication capability boost from SKYTRAC
Canadian firm SKYTRAC Systems Ltd has entered the unmanned aviation segment with the development and launch of the Integrated Mission System 350 (IMS-350) terminal
The terminal will be featuring an Iridium CertusTM 9810 modem, which will enable assured, pole-to-pole communications for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, Command and Control (C2) applications, payload health monitoring, live video streaming, data transmission, and AI-enabled sensor fusion.
Through Iridium Global Line of Sight (GLOS) CertusSM services, the IMS-350 will provide 352 kbps uplink and 704 kbps downlink broadband speeds with latency under 500 milliseconds through a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connection. Derived from SKYTRAC’s certified Satellite Communications (Satcom) avionics, the IMS-350 incorporates numerous interfaces ensuring a flexible architecture for systems integrators and OEMs. These include multiple Ethernet, ARINC-429, RS-232, RS-485, discrete input/output ports, and a CAN bus which allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate effortlessly.
Providing connectivity solutions to the UAV sector
“With the launch of the IMS-350, SKYTRAC now provides intelligent connectivity solutions to the manned and unmanned aviation markets,” notes Jan van der Heul, SKYTRAC Vice President of Sales. “The IMS-350, which leverages Iridium Certus, is an innovative, powerful, and future-proof solution that fits directly into SKYTRAC’s Iridium Certus product portfolio, complementing our many other applications and capabilities.”
The IMS-350, which features a multicore server, supports sensor-matched applications that can parse collected data to determine what to transmit in real-time to optimize Satcom service costs. The integrated smart router manages data traffic by prioritizing data throughput, ensuring efficient use of Satcom and cellular channels, improving operational efficiencies for a wide range of UAS mission profiles in all high-value industry segments, including aerial firefighting, offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, disaster relief, law enforcement, military and government, and more.
The IMS-350 is the lightest and smallest high-speed Iridium Certus Satcom terminal available today, and is contained in an easily mounted, robust housing. For operations in urban areas, the incorporated cellular and Wi-Fi radios provide terrestrial connectivity options. Combined with Iridium, cellular, and Wi-Fi antennas, the IMS-350 is the most comprehensive BVLOS connectivity solution available today for Group 2-5 UAV categories.
The IMS-350 program has secured launch customers operating as UAV manufacturers, systems integrators, Drone-as-a-Service providers, and advanced scientific research institutions.
Meanwhile, Helicopter Association International (HAI) has announced the University of Maryland UAS Test Site Team as the 2021 recipients of the association’s Golden Hour Award.
The award recognizes the efforts of an individual, group, or organization that, through a particular activity or contributions over time, has advanced the use of helicopters or unmanned aircraft system (UAS) aircraft in the vital mission of air medical transport.