Unmannedsystemstechnology.com: ECA Group Adds Wireless Comms Capabilities to USV

INSPECTOR MK2 Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) received extended capabilitiesto provide faster data transfer while linked to other unmanned systems. To complete and qualify ECA Group’s radio communication solutions for its USV range, premium equipment has been selected and tested in real-world conditions

Published on Unmanned System Technology, August 2017
 

The inspector USV, will be capable of transfering data of modules and communicating with other unmanned vehicles. Thanks tp this new capability, The Unmanned Surface Vehicle INSPECTOR can be used as an intelligent docking system for underwater drones systems ( AUVs or ROVs), enabling automatical deployment and recovery: it allows recharging and data download, as well as fast transits.

Equipped with acoustic modem and short baselines for underwater communications and positioning, the INSPECTOR MK2 USV enables to perform inspection and intervention underwater to be supervised from a team remaining out of the danger area.

It is equipped with down looking sonars are the ideal platforms for detection of in volume mines as well as obstacles (such as nets) for safe AUV navigation.

These new communication solutions for USV Inspector meet requirements such as:

  • Adaptation/reconfiguration to the customer/mission characteristics
    • Compatibility with a multitude of antennas (directivity, gain),
    • Online reconfiguration according to Quality of Service
    • Latency vs. data rate real time mitigation
  • Large frequency spectrum : from  Ultra high frequency (UHF) to Supra High Frequency (SHF)
  • Variety of possible communication architectures (See below: ECA Unmanned Maritime Vehicle Interoperability):
    • Point To Point (PTP),
    • Point To Multi Point (PTMP)
    • Multi Point Interconnection [MESH] 
  • Compliance with main standards :
    • NATO,
    • National,
    • Civilian : Industrial Scientific and Medical band (ISM)
  • Fulfillment of cybersecurity requirements