SAN SABASTIAN DE LOS REYES - UAV Navigation and Sky Power have collaborated to design flight control solutions. The two companies recently agreed to integrate Sky Power’s Engine into UAV Navigation’s Flight Control Solutions. Following this collaboration, UAV Navigation’s flight control system seamlessly integrates with Sky Power’s 2-stroke and Wankel engines. This seamless integration makes it extremely easy and convenient to use these two systems together, in one UAS platform.
This was made possible by the integration of the Engine Control Units (ECU030 and ECU080), in order to enable robust communication with the VECTOR autopilot, for the delivery of critical parameters, through the CAN port. The ECU030 by Sky Power is a complete engine management system for 2-stroke engines. For Wankel engine applications, the German engine manufacturer developed the ECU080.
The universally applicable electronic fuel injection systems can be used not only for petrol blends but also for Heavy Fuel (HF) applications. The ECU controller adapts the fuel blend to the actual air pressure and the external temperature, which helps to reduce fuel consumption. Four ignition channels with two separate adjustable spark plugs ignite the fuel blend. The fuel pump pressure is electronically regulated. An automatic choke function is also built in.
All engine data can be monitored by PC. The user interface is so intuitive that all settings and the maintenance of the engine can be easily carried out. Leveraging the multiple options provided by the VECTOR autopilot and its wide range of capabilities at the center of the fundamental tasks, this integration allows the control and monitoring of the engine by the autopilot and, by extension, the operator.
Visionair, the UAV Navigation ground control station software monitors the state of the propulsion system in real-time and helps to run the engine with the best setting. Visionair is the all-in-one UAV Navigation's standard Ground Control Station (GCS) software for configuring, planning and executing UAV missions. The UAV Navigation software allows the operator to configure the peripherals installed in the VECTOR autopilot.
With this integration and thanks to the Visionair Configuration Tools, the final user will be able to configure an engine from Sky Power and allow the autopilot to manage it. As an advanced Ground Control Station software, Visionair also allows to plan and execute the most demanding missions (including special maneuvers such us automatic sea skimming or autorotation) and to display and analyze in real time all relevant information from both the control system, the motor or the payloads. Thanks to the advanced logics that the flight control system designed by UAV Navigation incorporates, optimum energy control is ensured, maximizing range and reducing the acoustic footprint, a critical point for ISTAR missions in which it is desired to remain the largest time in the air without being detected.
This initiative has made Sky Power’s engines compatible with UAV Navigation’s flight control system. This highlights the keen efforts of UAV Navigation, towards providing their clients with a wide range of compatible and professional products and it helps to reduce the complexities involved in the process of payload selection and provides quality assurance.
