Altitude Angel, the world’s leading UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) technology provider, and Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications have collaborated to develop and deliver advanced flight tracking and management capability for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones.
The two companies are jointly developing a ‘Pop-Up UTM’ capability that can be deployed anywhere it is required to manage Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAV flights, without the need for ground-based communications infrastructure. By utilising Inmarsat’s sector-leading global network of satellites and leveraging its substantial experience in Air Traffic Management (ATM) communications, Altitude Angel’s Pop-Up UTM can be accessed rapidly and deployed worldwide.
To discover the potential of this interesting new technology, we had an interaction with Philip Binks, Head of Air Traffic Management, Altitude Angel.
Why are flight tracking systems for UAVs important?
If manned and unmanned aircraft are to share the skies, then they need to do so safely and securely. Presently, aircrafts still rely on ‘see and avoid’, which is to say with a manned aircraft, the onus is on the pilot to see another aircraft and take the necessary avoiding action. With UAVs, there is no pilot (on board), so the UAV needs to be ‘seen’ in another way. This is where Altitude Angel, as an Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) platform, come to the fore. By being a single-source-point-of-truth, we are able to manage the skies, keeping manned and unmanned aircraft safely apart.
What are Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAV flights?
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations means the drone pilot can no longer physically see the drone with their eyes (unaided). At present, UAV flights can only take place VLOS (BVLOS flights can take place with an exemption or waiver from the appropriate aviation authority). BVLOS flight is the key to unlocking the drone economy, enabling many more use cases and enable a pilot to manage more than one aircraft at a time. We’re already seeing routine BVLOS flights in areas of Africa where drones are being used to deliver medical supplies and test samples.
What role does ground-based communications infrastructure play in UAV’s flight management?
A line of communication between the drone, the drone operator and the UTM system is needed. Depending on the equipment carried by the drone depends on how this is done. This can be addressed using satellite technologies; however this can be expensive and the equipment too heavy to be carried by the smaller drones. Therefore, another mechanism is required. Using ADS-B, 4G networks, and other ground-based networks means the drone only needs to communicate to a ground receiver and the information can then be passed to the UTM system or operator via well establish ground-based technology.
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Tell us about Altitude Angel’s GuardianUTM platform.
GuardianUTM enables drone manufacturers and software developers to connect into a rich, dynamic source of accurate, authoritative, and relevant information to support geofencing, while offering enhanced UTM capabilities such as a single interface to multi-country flight authorisation.
The system was deployed by NATS, the UK’s main air navigation service provider, through the deployment of the ground-breaking Airspace User Portal and was demonstrated as part of ‘Operation Zenith’ in 2018, offering enhanced airport safeguarding and automated approvals to fly in controlled airspace. Altitude Angel is now bringing online functionality to enable drone pilots anywhere in the world to get 1-click access to controlled airspace.
Its companion product, GuardianUTM O/S, supports all the functionality required to deliver national-grade drone traffic management capabilities to any country that wishes to safely unlock the potential of drones.
What is the thought behind this partnership?
In order to track a UAV, it needs some form of communications device/network which can send a real-time information of its location and whether the drone is doing what it’s planned. In populated and urban areas this isn’t an issue as there is an abundance of appropriate telecommunications towers and masts. In rural or uninhabited areas, this is not the case. By using the Inmarsat satellite constellation, the UAV is still able to connect to the UTM.
This technology will also be invaluable when ground based communications networks are unable to function, for example following a natural disaster or wildfire. In these situations, we’re seeing first responders increasingly use UAVs, with their ability to deploy quickly and cover large areas at little cost, to survey the area and look for survivors.
Tell us about Pop-Up UTM. What’s unique about it?
There have been several reports of blue light services having to ground manned aircraft because UAVs have been sighted in the theatres in which they are operating. But it has subsequently transpired the UAVs were being operated by sister or partner services.
As an example, in the event of a natural disaster, the lead agency on the ground will be able to deploy the Pop-Up UTM and in doing so will be able to co-ordinate all manned and unmanned flights. If a UAV is spotted, the lead agencywill be able to confirm whether it is friend-or-foe. If the UAV could pose a danger to manned aircraft, it can be instructed to return to base, leave the area or re-locate to a safe holding area before resuming its mission. It’s bringing together today’s technology and using it in a new way.
What’s next for Altitude Angel?
That is a big question for just five words! We are working with a number of ANSPs and enterprise partners to help them realise the potential of UAV technology. And, over the coming months we’ll also be taking part in trials and projects which will demonstrate real-life UAV use cases and BVLOS operations. Ultimately, we want to encourage the safe adoption of drones, for industry to realise the potential use and cost savings operating them can bring, and drones to be routinely integrated safely into the airspace.
Why did you choose Inmarsat for the partnership?
Inmarsat are global leaders when it comes to satellite networks and they are also highly experienced in Air Traffic Management (ATM) communications so it made sense we should partner. With their rich heritage in communications, navigation and surveillance services, and relationships with ATM providers worldwide, plus their experience with blue-light services and emergency responders, coupled with Altitude Angel’s world leading UTM platform, we have core strengths which really compliment each other on a project like Pop-Up UTM. Together we make a formidable team!
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