Aerobits - world smallest ADS-B receivers to safely integrate drones into European airspace

Project Information

Aerobits

Grant agreement ID: 791438

DOI

10.3030/791438

Project closed

EC signature date 29 November 2017

Start date 1 December 2017

End date 31 May 2018

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Space

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

AEROBITS SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Aerobits (Aerobits - world smallest ADS-B receivers to safely integrate drones into European airspace)

Reporting period: 2017-12-01 to 2018-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The main objective of this project is to provide a technological core of air traffic surveillance (manned and unmanned), as an important component of the future UAS integration into national airspace. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) registers more than 250 dangerous approaches of UAS to manned aircraft per month. In Europe, the scale of this phenomenon is smaller, but its dynamics are at a similar level. In order to ensure that manned and unmanned aerial vehicles share the airspace safely, systemic solutions are needed in addition to legal regulations. Aerobits specialized in the smallest and fastest ADS-B implementations. During the realization of the project, a core technology was developed that opens the way to the systemic integration of UAS.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Our detailed feasibility study covered a number of tasks.

Task 1: Performed a technical feasibility study
We have assessed requirements of target market segments according to final user needs and adapted technology accordingly. We have compared current state of technology to user requirements and to our competitors to identify the key features that need enhancing in order to meet market demand. We have found business partners and signed letters of intent as well as started the process of setting up worldwide distribution network.

Task 2: Market feasibility study
We have performed detailed market research by visiting trade shows, end-users as well as desktop reports. We have expanded initial assumptions by performing market assessment, checking the competition level and market forces analysis. We have identified our key strengths and weak points. Evaluated the state of our customers, their willingness to pay and acceptance of the product. We have estimated current and future market penetration based on the knowledge gained. We have obtained patents, required norms and worked on our development strategy.

Task 3: Create an updated business plan
As an outcome of tasks 1 and 2, we have updated the initial business plan to include future development, detailed market dissemination and commercialization phases with a financial plan to represent it.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Having determined the technological and commercial feasibility of the objectives studied in phase 1, we have prepared a detailed workplan to develop a network of high performance ADS-B ground stations, to deliver an important part of UTM/U-Space construction. The unique solution will be a result of fusion of ADS-B and secondary radar technique to ensure the best functionality independent of national requirements in different countries without compromises. Our final solution will contribute to the development of the civil and commercial UAS market in which we see great potential. The expected scale of socio-economic impact is so big that each country independently establishes its own working groups to accelerate the UAS integration process and not hamper the development of this promising technology.

One of the smallest implementations of ADS-B (16x13x2.5mm)

Evaluation software - programming and data visualisation

Aerobits as a part of national working group