SkyLink MINI II Directional Antenna by Troll Systems
VectorNav Technologies, a prominent name in inertial navigation solutions for both industrial and military sectors, has revealed its partnership with Troll Systems to provide the VN-200 GPS-aided inertial navigation system (GPS/INS) for the SkyLink MINI II directional antennas. This latest iteration of the SkyLink antenna offers a cost-effective and easily integrable upgrade for existing users of Troll Systems’ technology.
Measuring roughly the size of a postage stamp, the VN-200 is a calibrated MEMS-based GPS/INS that delivers a combined solution for position, velocity, and attitude, making it suitable for various static and dynamic environments.The onboard microprocessor of the VN-200 operates an aerospace-grade kalman filter algorithm at frequencies up to 200 hertz, achieving accuracy levels of better than 0.25 degrees in pitch and roll, and 0.75 degrees in heading.The enhanced SkyLink MINI II antenna incorporates a deeply embedded, surface-mounted VN-200 GPS/INS module, which provides essential control and stabilization for the gimbaled antenna system.
As the only airborne directional antennas to successfully complete DO-160 testing, Troll systems’ SkyLink antennas are designed to be compact, lightweight, and steerable, offering users a leading air-to-ground data-link solution.The integration of the VN-200 GPS/INS in the upgraded SkyLink antenna system allows customers to forgo external hardware or GPS inputs, considerably lowering installation costs and eliminating the need for certification or calibration of external positioning devices.
The remarkable performance of the VN-200 GPS/INS has enabled the new antenna system to achieve the high accuracy necessary to replace the previous SkyLink navigation system, which utilized a Quartz MEMS-based attitude heading reference system (AHRS) alongside a premium GPS receiver. Extensive ground and flight testing, conducted in collaboration with engineers from both companies, confirmed the miniature MEMS-based GPS/INS solution’s ability to perform reliably under high dynamic conditions and intense vibrations. VectorNav collaborated closely with Troll Systems to enhance the robustness of the solution, incorporating features such as an embedded magnetic hard and soft iron calibration routine and a dynamic startup procedure.
“we are thrilled to collaborate with Troll Systems on their SkyLink antenna series, which sets the benchmark for directional antennas in the market,” stated John Brashear, President of VectorNav. “We take pride in showcasing how our VN-200 GPS/INS can deliver performance comparable to much more expensive systems, especially for applications with stringent navigation and control demands.”
VectorNav Technologies (Booth #3635) and Troll Systems (Booth #2129) will showcase these innovations and more at the AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2013 Conference, taking place from August 12-15 in Washington, DC.
