Sense and Avoid

[Gundummy]

Maybe one step closer by putting ADS-B receivers into platforms:



Full article http://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2015/12/uavionix-and-draganfly-innovations-announce-new-sense-and-avoid-drone-safety-system/

ADS-B for those unaware or for geekologists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_dependent_surveillance_%E2%80%93_broadcast

Just to add - Google are trying to produce an affordable ADS-B system for multi/wing.  (less than $2000) :)

[FPVSteve]

I have never encountered another aircraft while flying, let alone a "drone" I wasn't aware was being operated nearby.

Does this even need to be a thing?

[elmattbo]

That's kind of the point I think Steve.


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[Gundummy]

I have never encountered another aircraft while flying, let alone a "drone" I wasn't aware was being operated nearby.

Does this even need to be a thing?

I think this was spawned off the back of having "delivery drones" from parcel companies.  One of the issues clearly was sense and avoid in cluttered airspace.  Hence google jumping on the back of it as a developer. 

If it was introduced - I'd hazard a guess that it would change the way in which we fly as a hobby, a real game changer making LOS, spotters etc a non entity.

Thoughts?

[mark1975]

instant millionaire  overnite ^^^^^^

[Lola]

I think this was spawned off the back of having "delivery drones" from parcel companies.  One of the issues clearly was sense and avoid in cluttered airspace.  Hence google jumping on the back of it as a developer. 

If it was introduced - I'd hazard a guess that it would change the way in which we fly as a hobby, a real game changer making LOS, spotters etc a non entity.

Thoughts?

A couple of systems have already been tested with positive results. A company I know in Switzerland has a very good working one but it weighs 900 grams.

It's all well developing such a system and having one that works and at affordable prices which will technically pave the way for us to FPV where we want in safety.

So where's the hook?

Well, they won't be affordable to us for a start, then they will only be given to those who NEED one for commercial use (registration required) and if you get caught with a clone you're going to get hung.

I do hope I'm wrong.

[FPVSteve]

Wouldn't it depend on every aircraft having the system onboard though? And wouldn't that requirement render the whole thing useless if someone decided to fly without it?  It's not radar based is it, it's GPS. So how can you detect something that isn't broadcasting its position?

Disclaimer: I'm not ully up to speed with how it works, the above is based on assumption.

[Gundummy]

US Aviation law has stated that every US aircraft has to have one fitted by 2020....Hence why the rush to make them affordable.

Sagetech have a full system with GPS weighing in at <150gr ... but yes it is a commercial system. (Fitted to commercial UAVs) which probably explains why the Military kit gets around the spotter/LOS rules.

[skyscraper]

There is a beta version of ADS-B in ArduPilot codebase.

http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/apm-support-for-ads-b-air-traffic-control-receiver-now-in-beta

regards
Andy

[Gundummy]

Well Bu*ger me!

Nice one Andy

Only 6 Grams!  http://www.uavionix.com/

[Gundummy]

and if it tickles your fancy ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-RTL-ADS-B-Receiver-Set-MCX-to-SMA-Cable-Included-Feed-Flightradar24-/111852944029?hash=item1a0af47a9d:g:UqEAAOSwPYZU20O1

Not that planes are my thing!

[wgt40w]

and if it tickles your fancy ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-RTL-ADS-B-Receiver-Set-MCX-to-SMA-Cable-Included-Feed-Flightradar24-/111852944029?hash=item1a0af47a9d:g:UqEAAOSwPYZU20O1

Not that planes are my thing!

This receiver will give you the 'sense', but does anything yet take this info and issue an automatic 'avoid' ?? Do even the military have such a full system for drones ??

[Gundummy]

Theres an app called flightradar24 (free version) if you're that curious just for a peak (IOS and android) with regards to that dongle.
It simply shows what is in "your" airspace.

I dont think theres anything out there which can avoid "automatically" so to speak, just alert the user/pilot to whats in his area.

I have no experience of aviation or tech i hasten to add so i'm not the expert on this.  Hopefully there's aviation SME in the forum!!

[skyscraper]

This receiver will give you the 'sense', but does anything yet take this info and issue an automatic 'avoid' ?? Do even the military have such a full system for drones ??

The Ardupilot version currently gives 3 options on what to do
  - do nothing ( Presumably issue a warning)
  - loiter ( ie circle in same place)
  - loiter and descend.

https://github.com/diydrones/ardupilot/blob/master/libraries/AP_ADSB/AP_ADSB.h#L37

I think it will soon get more sophisticated. It is (apparently) possible to load an Ardupilot session (SITL)   in  a flight sim such as Flightgear where you can try it all out. One day I will have to try to get that set up !

regads
Andy


 

[Gundummy]

I'm sure he works for the CIA  :yeahthat: