u-blox high-precision positioning module delivers superb performance benefits for vertical take-off and landing drones
TALVILLE, Switzerland, Oct. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - u-blox (SIX:UBXN), a leading global provider of positioning and wireless communications technology, has successfully assisted Quantum-Systems UAVs in their rescue efforts with its high-precision GNSS positioning module. u-blox ZED-F9P's high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning The module delivers centimeter-level accuracy in seconds. Quantum-Systems, which specializes in the development and production of civilian electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, has integrated the u-blox positioning module into its latest electric Tron F90 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which, with its 3.5-meter wingspan, up to 160 kilometers/hour flight speed, and 100-kilometer range, is used for airlift logistical support, such as airlift logistics. The UAV is used for airlift logistical support such as delivery of emergency blood reserves to remote areas, mining and agriculture and other related missions.
Tron F90 Vertical Takeoff and Landing UAV
The Tron F90 is the latest addition to Quantum-Systems' family of vertical take-off and landing UAVs designed for cargo transportation, security inspections, mapping and surveying, and reconnaissance missions in harsh conditions.A key challenge during the development phase of the Tron F90 was to obtain sufficiently accurate position data to ensure a smooth vertical take-off and landing of the UAV to minimize the risk of damage to the payload it carries.
Each Tron F90 drone is integrated with a u-blox ZED-F9P module, whose multi-band real-time dynamic carrier phase differencing (RTK) technology, along with its pseudo-range and carrier phase raw observations, provides the drone with accurate positioning information to ensure that manipulators are able to successfully perform the drone's challenging attitude turns. With RTK or post-processing positioning corrections, the drone's absolute positional accuracy can also be as high as 3-5 cm, which means that the u-blox ZED-F9P positioning module is 100 times more accurate than standard positioning technology, and effectively reduces product development costs.
As Dr. Michael Kriegel, CTO of Quantum Systems, explains, “The Tron F90 drone project required a cost-effective, reliable and accurate positioning solution that could provide us with superior PPK and RTK performance; the ZED-F9P module not only provides the above high-precision positioning requirements, but also Its lightweight and robust structure, easy integration and excellent quality were all factors we considered when choosing u-blox. ”
“ At the beginning of the launch, our u-blox F9 series of high-precision positioning modules have already received excellent market feedback, and have been rapidly applied in many industries, as evidenced by the Quantum-Systems UAV program. Peter Fairhurst, Director of Positioning Products at u-blox, added. “ In the future, u-blox will also continue to improve product technology innovation, reduce production costs to introduce more reliable positioning solutions.
