March 7th, 2018
Embedded Files
Sevilla, Spain
In order to move forward on REAL project activities related to Scenario 2, it was conducted a two days mission in FADA-CATEC premises, in Sevilla (Spain). The objective was to integrate EGNOS Navigation and Surveillance System (NSS), developed in REAL framework, into AirCatec D-130 RPA, and to perform validation flights if possible.
For this purpose, Josep Montolio (Pildo Labs) and Daniel Viaño (Pildo Labs) moved to Sevilla at 7th and 8th of March 2018, and worked together with FADA-CATEC team: Francisco Alarcón, Antonio Jiménez and Juan Bernal. Santi Vilardaga (Pildo Labs) offered technical support through teleconference during the mission.
EGNOS Navigation and Surveillance System (NSS) is a system composed of a large number hardware and software parts that work together to constitute an integrated platform providing RPAS navigation and traffic surveillance functions. The platform can be split in the following two main elements:
Navigation and Surveillance System (NSS) Box: This is a dedicated enclosure that contains navigation and processing equipment such as: GNSS receivers, inertial sensors or data hubs. This enclosure is aimed to be installed on-board the RPA. Through this, the system can acquire all the required information to perform its functions.
Navigation and Surveillance System (NSS) Ground Control Station (GCS): This is the computer unit and other hardware used to interface with and command NSS Box from the Remote Pilot Station on the ground. In addition, this can be also used to provide video signal to the RPAS remote pilot to support him/her in the guidance of the aircraft.
Navigation and Surveillance System (NSS) Box
Among others, these were some of main tasks developed:
Integrate into the AirCATEC D130 RPA all the hardware components: NSS Box, GNSS antenna, wires, etc.
Test the good performance of NSS Box once integrated into the RPA.
Establish the communication link between NSS Box and the RPA's autopilot (Pixhawk2).
Test the guidance algorithm running inside NSS Box.
Even if it was not possible to perform first validation flights due to adverse meteorological conditions, the mission was a success. Furthermore, all the tasks conducted help to identify potential improvements to be performed over the platform, which will be implemented in the following days before the flight trials.
Validation flights are expected to be performed at the beginning of April 2018.
Top view of the AirCATEC D130 integrating NSS GNSS antenna (white antenna)
NSS Box being integrated in AirCATEC D130 bottom tray
AirCATEC D130 and NSS equipment used during tests
From left to right: Josep Montolio (Pildo Labs), Francisco Alarcón (FADA-CATEC) and Daniel Viaño (Pildo Labs) posing with AirCATEC D130
REAL Project has received funding from the European GNSS Agency within the framework program "EGNOS Adoption in Aviation"
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