Based on this patent application, ECA Group widens its magnetic solutions portfolio with an aerial portable magnetic ranging system called Sterna® and consisting in a magnetometer and its digitizer embedded in UAV IT180 airborne drone (developed by ECA Group). To perform the mapping in a horizontal plane of the vessel, Sterna® overflies the vessel. Data are transmitted onboard, detection risk is automatically estimated and degaussing parameters are computed.
Features
- Determines magnetic risks on the operational theater
- Only one hour of total operation: deployment and measurement
- Operated from the vessel: neither onshore station nor cable links
- Usable in shallow water as well as open sea
- Fully containerized, light and stand-alone solution
- Cost effective solution
Applications for Defence & Security
- Magnetic signature reduction
Mine and mad risk calculation
- Surface vessels and submarines magnetic signature measurement
- Automatic detection risk estimation
- Automatic degaussing system adjustment
Large operation conditions
- Only one operator is needed for a complete measurement
- Can be operated from the shore (up to 3 km) as well as from vessel when flight deck available
- Can be used on operational theatre
- Data can be transmitted on board in real time while Sterna overfly the vessel or they can be stored on a storage device
- Wind resistance up to 60 KM/H
- Automatic take-off and landing
IT180-120
- Gasoline version with an endurance up to 120 minutes
- Deployed in less than 15 minutes
- High stability and robustness drone
- Extremely harsh weather operations (-10°C to 40°C, wind up to 60km/h, snow, rain, heat)
- Maximum payload of 5 kg for a drone weight of 16 kg
- Maximum speed of 70 km/h
- Maximum ceiling of 3 km
- Remotely controlled through a radio link
Patented solution
Sterna is a unique solution composed of a magnetometer and its digitizer embedded in UAV IT180 airborne (develop by ECA-GROUP). The magnetic measurement is performed through a high performance algorithm to compensate the sensor’s errors and the drone magnetic influence.
Magnetic measurement
- Fluxgate three axes magnetometer
- High performance low noise sensor
- Wide operating temperature range (-40°C to 70°C)
- High performance digitizer
- Magnetometer and digitizer embedded in drone foot