Videosoft Global and ATMOSPHERE have partnered to improve aerospace connectivity services by delivering “the world’s first” Iridium-certified 5G/Iridium Terminal for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with built-in low bandwidth real-time video streaming capabilities. Based on the Iridium Certus™ 9770 modem, ATMOSPHERE’s PLANET 9770 terminal offers over ten times the capacity of legacy Iridium terminals, say the companies
Applications include passenger-transport eVTOLs, emergency medical services eVTOLs, cargo, agricultural and law enforcement drones. The new connectivity service is optimised to provide BVLOS communications where cellular or radio links (2.4 GHz etc.) do not exist due to a lack of infrastructure or they are simply not resilient enough to maintain a connection.
Videosoft is a specialist in real-time video streaming solutions for UAVs, enabling real-time video from remote platforms including BVLOS applications using the lowest possible bandwidth.
The new PLANET 9770 UAV-F Terminal integrates Videosoft Global’s API for seamless real-time video streaming of the UAV powered by the Iridium Certus® 100 satellite service. Optimised for solutions with strict size, weight, and power requirements, Iridium Certus® 100 provides global connectivity for mobile, fixed, and portable drone operations around the world, say the programme developers.
“Designed to enable seamless flight monitoring integration by third parties, in certain flight conditions UAV users can switch between satellite and cellular networks seamlessly,” say the proponents. “The PLANET 9770 UAV-F Terminal allows for a fully controlled 5G connection between the terminal and the ground setup.
Both serial connections can be set to different data rates, which is particularly useful when high data rate telemetry exceeds the Iridium bandwidth. “This feature makes it possible to forward a low data rate telemetry via the Iridium link and a high data rate telemetry through the cellular link. The PLANET terminal also has built-in Wireless LAN capabilities, making both access point and client mode possible. This has proven useful in disaster scenarios, where personnel on the ground require easy Wireless LAN connectivity offered by a UAV hovering above.”
PLANET 9770 technical specifications
The PLANET 9770 Terminal features include: · Superior video transmission capabilities, including multiple streams from a single encoder over 4G/5G networks and bulk telemetry · Reliable, true global connectivity for UAV for surveillance worldwide · Enhanced security measures and exceptional visual quality · Next generation terminal equipment, integrated with Iridium Certus® technology for optimal performance · PLANET is designed to align with the latest industry standards, meeting the evolving needs of aerial work operators. · Support of Edge computing for AI, Intelligent Sensor Integration. · SVPNs, firewalling and cybersecurity. Delivering native IP connectivity with midband data speeds up to 22Kbps transmit / 88 Kbps receive in Iridium Certus mode and broadband speeds up to 615 Mbs in 4/5G mode, other features include: · Local interfaces; Power, Ethernet, Serial · GNSS receiver for autonomous location and timing · Low-profile passive antenna (no ground plane required) · Real-time sensor data and downlink · Payload configuration, both in the air and at sea. The technical specifications for the PLANET 9770 UAV-F Terminal are: · Flame-resistant ABS UL94V-0 · Low-profile passive antenna that can be easily installed on the UAV · Operating temperature: -15°C to +50°C · Size : 175(W) x 120(D) x 50(H)mm · Weight : 810g Integrated into the PLANET 9770 Terminal, the Videosoft gateway is used to start a real-time stream with the camera, process the video stream and make a connection with the control server on the ground. To control the video stream (video quality, fps, recording, etc), the Videosoft client viewer is used to receive data from the Videosoft gateway (onboard) and includes a unique “area of interest” feature, allowing users to extract an area of the video as a high-quality image – no matter the bandwidth or the location. |
(Image: Shutterstock)
For more information
UAV Revolution: World’s First 5G/Iridium Certus Terminal Issued
