uAvionix Corporation, a prominent player in the field of avionics and surveillance solutions for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the introduction of its Dynamic Frequency Management System (DFMS) tailored for UAS Command and Control (C2) within the safeguarded 5030 – 5091 MHz aviation frequency range.
This pioneering exhibition involved the simultaneous operation of multiple UAS in close quarters, executed under a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The cutting-edge uAvionix Frequency Assignment Manager (FAM) module empowers organizations to manage several drones concurrently by dynamically allocating frequencies in alignment with RTCA industry standards, including DO-377 and DO-362A.
“The integration of UAS into commercial sectors is witnessing rapid growth across diverse industries. However, the challenge of scaling operations by deploying multiple drones in the same airspace can lead to interference and safety concerns, particularly when utilizing public spectrum for Command and Control,” stated Cyriel Kronenburg, uAvionix’s VP of Business Growth and Partnerships. “To tackle this issue, the FAA engaged uAvionix in September 2022 to evaluate and showcase a scalable, dynamic frequency management solution that optimizes frequency allocation within the protected aviation C-Band, ensuring that multiple drones can operate safely and efficiently without mutual interference.”
The uAvionix FAM was meticulously crafted to adhere to DO-377 and DO-362A, the industry benchmarks established by the Radio technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) for aviation-related software and hardware.In collaboration with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS), over 40 test flights were conducted, simultaneously operating up to four drones utilizing the uAvionix SkyLink5060 C-band Airborne Radio Systems (ARS) and SkyStation5060 Ground Stations (GRS).
All operations were centrally coordinated through the uAvionix SkyLine C2 management system. The FAM, functioning as an independent module linked via an Submission programming Interface (API) to ensure future interoperability and scalability, integrates seamlessly with various Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems. It dynamically allocates spectrum, enabling the SkyLine service to automatically configure each ARS and GRS based on optimal settings to avert interference.
“We take immense pride in achieving this significant milestone with our Frequency Assignment Manager for C-Band operations,” remarked Christian Ramsey, Managing Director of uAvionix Aviation Networks. “This innovation marks a substantial leap forward in the drone operations sector, and the outcomes of these tests will provide valuable insights for the FAA and the ongoing FCC rulemaking process regarding C-band utilization for UAS operations. Our team, alongside the NPUASTS team, has dedicated considerable effort to conduct over 40 flight tests with up to four aircraft operating simultaneously, following extensive engineering and bench testing to ensure the success of these trials and deliver a transformative solution for the commercial scalability of UAS operations.”
