Communication terminal targets small unmanned aircraft systems
e2E Services (e2E), has launched a low power, compact, lightweight satellite communication terminal, called e2Eaccess UAS-I, for enhancing communications connectivity of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS).
The terminal is intended to help improve sUAS ability to fly in extended visual line of sight (EVLOS) and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) conditions . It interfaces with a variety of radio frequency modules and delivers connectivity at different operating frequency bands. This makes it adaptable to different forms of monitoring and communication.
The core e2Eaccess technology platform uses software-defined radio (SDR) infrastructure, which means new features, for example waveforms and protocol stacks, can be added quickly and easily, without needing to upgrade or reconfigure the hardware.
This SDR design approach is the outcome of a programme initiated and supported by the European Space Agency which provided £4 million for technical due diligence. The product development was also funded by a grant from Innovate UK and supported by the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence.
“We are grateful to the ESA who assisted us with identifying a new and pioneering developmental approach designed and proven through a multi-phased product development contract,” said Barry Ross, CEO, e2E.
Available as an integrated product within an e2E satellite communications package or as a standalone modem – branded as e2Eaccess CDM – the terminal’s core modem technology is suitable for any airborne vehicle, says the company.
Mario Sforza, head of sales and marketing, e2E, added: “The e2Eaccess terminal will change the way the UAS and satcom communications industries operate and we have already received significant interest from sUAS operators and original equipment manufacturers.”
The e2Eaccess UAS-I will be manufactured in the North East of England where the company intends to establish the UK’s first satellite and service operations centre for nano-satellite communications.
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Image: Example of an sUAS courtesy of Amazon