Compatibility
Aircraft Compatibility
ACE has been successfully integrated and operated by unmanned aircraft ranging from 0.5 kg to 70 kg (1lb - 150lb) in many different form factors. There is no functional limit to the size or weight of the aircraft for ACE to operate. While ACE is typically installed in aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, it has other applications as well. ACE has been used in:
Small multirotors, including Blue sUAS
Large, heavy-lift multirotors for cargo delivery
Tethered drones for persistent ISR and comms relay
Fixed-wing VTOL (a.k.a. "quad planes") for shipboard flights
Tailsitters for maritime ISR
Single rotor helicopters
Autopilot Compatibility
ACE provides outer-loop UAV control by sending low level commands to an inner-loop flight controller (autopilot).
ACE is natively compatible with Pixhawk and most other flight controllers running ArduPilot firmware.
ACE offers an open-source MAVLink-based API for integration into other autopilot software systems. Additionally, custom interfaces can be developed for different autopilots. Note that some features and capabilities may not be available when using alternative autopilots.
Radio Compatibility
Radios must be capable of sending and receiving compatible data types, which can be ingested by the autopilot and re-routed to the onboard ACE system. Many compatible radios exist. For streaming video, a high bandwidth IP radio is recommended.
Common radios that ACE is compatible with are shown below. This is not an exhaustive list. Contact us to discuss options if your UAV uses a different radio.
MANET mesh IP radios
WiFi
Note: Planck does not manufacturer nor distribute any of these radios. This list is for informational purposes only.
Other UAV Subsystems and Capabilities
In some cases, ACE has been used in conjunction with other UAV subsystems, such as sensor packages, object detection and tracking systems, and cargo/parcel delivery and retrieval systems. Planck can provide engineering support to adapt ACE to your mission needs.
Vehicle and Vessel Compatibility
Every drone is different. Every vehicle and vessel is different. Therefore, every integration of drones onto vehicles or vessels is unique. Planck has experience with tackling these challenges, and can provide engineering support to ensure mission success.
ACE has enabled drones to operate from many vehicles and vessels, each with their own set of constraints and opportunities. Contact us to help achieve you objectives.
Examples of previous integration efforts include:
Boats as small as 7 meters (23 feet)
Unmanned vessels (USV) as small as 5 meters (16 feet) with remote operation
Ships from 30 - 100 meters (100 - 330 feet)
Commercial pickup trucks
Off-road side-by-side (SxS) ground vehicles as small as 3.5 meters (11.5 feet)
Combat ground vehicles as large as 7 meters (23 feet)
Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) with remote operation
Other Vehicle Types
ACE can provide precise, vision-based positioning without GPS for fixed wing aircraft during takeoff and landing maneuvers. ACE has also been used for GPS-denied positioning of unmanned underwater vehicles to address specialized mission needs.
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