U-blox High Precision Positioning Modules Provide Unmatched Performance Benefits to Evtol Drones
September 12, 2019 at 03:00 am EDT
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u-blox has gained another high-profile endorsement for ZED-F9P, its high precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module that delivers centimeter-level accuracy within seconds. Quantum-Systems, a German company specialized in the development and production of electric VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircrafts for civilian use, has incorporated the module in its latest electric Tron F90+ fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These 3.5m wingspan drone units, which can travel at speeds of up to 160km/hour and have a 100km flight range, are employed in mission-critical logistical activities - such as the transporting of emergency blood reserves to remote locations, as well as mining and agriculture related tasks. The Tron F90+ is the latest addition to the Quantum-Systems eVTOL UAV platform designed for cargo, inspection, survey and mapping, and reconnaissance in adverse conditions, and consisting also of the Trinity F9, Scorpion, and Vector UAVs. They all feature u-blox F9 high precision GNSS technology. The key challenge that the engineering team at Quantum-Systems faced when developing the Tron F90+ UAV concerned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and having access to accurate enough position data to ensure that these operations would always go smoothly. The valuable payloads being carried could thus be protected from risk of damage. Through the multi-band real-time kinematic (RTK) and raw code and carrier phase data available to the ZED-F9P, the necessary positioning correction is assured and the pilot can complete even the most difficult of maneuvers. Each of the Tron F90+ UAVs features a ZED-F9P module. Through either RTK or post-processing positioning correction absolute position accuracy can also be brought down to 3-5 cm. This degree of accuracy means that the u-blox module is about 100 times more accurate than standard meter-level GNSS solutions, but is still able to present customers with very attractive pricing.
U Blox Holding AG is a Switzerland-based semiconductor provider. The Company is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of the products and services of global positioning system (GPS) products. It offers a range of GPS positioning products, including GPS receiver chipsets, GPS receiver modules, GPS receiver boards, GPS smart antennas and GPS antennas, which are in used for navigation, automatic vehicle location, security, traffic control, location based services, timing and surveying. The Company operates in two segments: GPS/wireless products, which is engaged in the development and sale of embedded GPS receivers and wireless modules; and wireless services, which is engaged in the provision of wireless communication technology services in terms of reference designs, software, in-car and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems, among others. In August 2013, the Company opened an LTE Radio Frequency (RF) design center in Cork, Ireland.