uAvionix has announced that it successfully completed testing and demonstration of the DroneAware uAvionix UAS Remote Identification software for NASA’s Technical Capability Level 3 (TCL3) UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system.

The tests were conducted in coordination with several entities, including North Dakota’s Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NP UAS TS), Simulyze, Rockwell Collins, and the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory.

During the tests, a uAvionix DroneAware transmitter was flown on the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory Pulse Aerospace Vapor 55 UAS. Rockwell Collins operated the UAS. Transmissions were received and decoded by two separate types of uAvionix ground-based receivers and transmitted to the Simulyze UAS Service Supplier (USS) platform, where it was communicated to the NASA UTM backbone. 

Weighing just 10 grams, the prototype DroneAware system was made up of a combined transmitter unit and FYXNAV GPS module.

DroneAware is an “entirely new remote identification platform” that uAvionix is developing. DroneAware is a subscription-free, RF broadcast, “ADS-B like” software modified for the special needs of various entities including security, law enforcement, and media personnel who wish to cooperatively identify UAS operations.

The DroneAware system operates on non-ADS-B frequencies, and allows the operator to voluntarily provide operations information such as the UAS unique identifier, UAS location via GPS coordinates, UAS launch location, mission type, and operator phone number.

Personnel within receiving range of the broadcasts with a receiver will be able to receive the transmission and display the information on a mobile device.

“Our vision is to include DroneAware receivers in everything we develop, from ground-based receivers to airborne avionics,” says uAvionix President Christian Ramsey.

“We are planning a family of products ranging from retrofit solutions for existing UAS to OEM modules for direct integration. We are especially thankful to the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Simulyze, Rockwell Collins, the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory, and NASA for allowing us to achieve this first testing milestone.”