Apr 15 2016
Electronics manufacturer uAvionix has introduced the smallest and lightest ADS-B receiver ever made. The new "pingRX" weighs 1.5 grams and requires 1/100th the power of conventional ADS-B receivers. It implements "Sense and Avoid" capabilities for small drones operating in the National Airspace (NAS).
uAvionix introduces 1.5 gram ADS-B receiver for use in small drone collision avoidance systems
ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast) helps aircraft operators sense and avoid possible collisions. ADS-B is mandated by the FAA for all aircraft in the U.S. National Airspace in 2020. Used now primarily on manned aircraft, miniaturizing the equipment was essential to make it useable for small drones. pingRX measures 32mm x 15mm x 3mm, which is a fraction of the size of earlier units.
Early adopter Randy Mackay, lead developer of ArduCopter, said that it "feels slightly magical to have real aircraft appearing on our ground station map."
pingRX receives ADS-B information broadcast by other aircraft on 2 frequencies approved by the FAA (978MHz and 1090MHz.) This allows the unit to detect commercial aircraft threats within a 100 statute mile radius in real time.
Josh Vinyard, in Fort Worth, Texas, said, "I was picking up aircraft in Dallas, and I was on the ground."
For drone aircraft system installation, pingRX is designed for direct MAVLink integration with Pixhawk autopilots and APM Mission Planner software.
Since cost is an important factor determining how quickly a new device is adopted, pricing of pingRX units will be a fraction of the price of earlier airborne ADS-B receivers.
uAvionix will display its new patent-pending "pingRX" ADS-B receiver this month at sUSB Expo in San Francisco 27-29 April and the Xponential/AUVSI trade show in New Orleans, 3-5 May.
More information about the new pingRX and other uAvionix technology can be found at www.uavionix.com.