-Use case requirements from large end-user survey
-System requirements, integration, test:
RPA (airborne): CNS, Mission payload, mission management computer
RPS (Ground) & mission payload management: enhanced flight operation/situation awareness & mission payload remote management
Communication system & services: C2 link, interaction UTM, RPAS, ATM
-Flight campaign, flight authorization & SORA & post-processing results
GNSS:
Tests proved the GALILEO & EGNOS benefits for signals robustness vs jamming, PVT solution precision, signal & PVT availability. The Skyopener test bench allows to verify in advance the behavior of the UAV (Guidance, Navigation and Control) & the UAV is fit for a specific mission case.
Comm. services, data links & mission network (NW) management:
Comm. services: C2 link & Ground cloud NW
Ensuring communication services required for air, ground systems & stakeholders:
-C2 link (Air-Ground) for the UAV: Very high availability & resilience. Enabled by hot-redundancy hybrid NW using Radio, LTE & Satcom
-Ground Cloud NW connecting apps supporting missions & stakeholders
Mission NW manager was developed to optimize & monitor the hybrid NW for UAV flight operations & monitor the apps for flight operations.
Mission management suite:
Managed mission process from internal service request to final report including mission preparation, supervision & flight operation awareness for stakeholders & onboard computer which monitors flight operations & sensor payload management. Mission preparation module enables RPAS configuration before flight.
Flight:
Flight operations validated modules for 2 business cases by flying over powerline & a Swiss airport:
-Surveillance of critical infrastructure
-Surveillance of airports and surroundings: E-TOD
The flight authorization process was achieved including flight authorization & SORA submitted to Swiss CAA. Specific risk reduction was successfully implemented.
Geo-fencing with safety buffer was set to avoid populated area in case of emergency procedure, such as return home or fail safe crash. BVLoS operations are still very challenging & require coordination on authorities requirements & timelines. ICAO, EASA, National & JARUS SARPs must be further developed for the regulations to allow use of available technologies for the society benefit.
UTM:
Unifly flight view display delivered a map-view for the RPA with unique features: layer selection & basemaps. UTM system integration for ATM gateway coordination was developed, able to receive manned aircraft positions from ATM gateway via a developed Asterix protocol providing situational awareness of UAV & manned traffic.
Payload Data Exploitation:
Data from the LiDAR, visible imaging camera & IR sensor were processed per apps & payload alarm requirements.
For the corridor mapping app, LiDAR data acquired over powerline was processed to recognize intruding vegetation per requirements & survey report. Visible images allow for simple assessment & rapid dangerpoints check e.g. recognizing tree species. IR images allowed hotspot detection. Damage detection was simulated by auto-change-detection over 2 days. Implemented the ability to auto-detect powerline issues by processing data while flying.
E-TOD: tall trees, pylons & wires detection exceeding the height limit & mapping was demonstrated.
