In a big step towards managing the growing volume of metrics for low-altitude, autonomous flight, MatrixSpace and INVOLI have jointly led the publication of the primary F3623-23 Standard Specification for Surveillance Supplementary Data Service Provider (SDSP) by ASTM International.
SDSPs play a vital role in supporting Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operators by supplying air traffic surveillance, weather, terrain, obstacle clearance, and other data specific to the realm of operation. This is especially vital for addressing the challenges on the under-400 feet airspace common to autonomous operations.
Previously, various sensors comparable to radar, Lidar, optical, Transponder Modes A, C, or S, and ADS-B lacked a typical platform to gather and disseminate surveillance data. UAS operators had to ascertain individual, point-to-point connections to different sensor providers, which was cumbersome and expensive.
The newly established global SDSP standard sets benchmark requirements for collecting air traffic surveillance data after which disseminating it to users. SDSPs can now develop data fusion capabilities for a single, fused track, eliminating the complexity and providing a “one-stop shop” for surveillance services.
Akaki Kunchulia, Airspace Regulations Lead at MatrixSpace, emphasized the importance of industry-driven standards. He said, “Industry-driven standards are essential for the UAS industry to make sure requirements are based on practical, real-world implementations. SDSPs play an important role in expanding the UTM ecosystem and the general safety of UAS operations. This standard allows them to deal with product development adhering to this standard which in turn ensures a level of integration not previously possible. As radar and other sensing capabilities turn into more advanced, we will integrate them easily into the broader surveillance service.”
The ASTM International recently published one other SDSP standard for weather information. These efforts incentivize the UAS industry to construct products that comply with these standards. Regulators worldwide consider compliance with the standards considered one of the highest requirements for operational approvals.
Manu Lubrano, CEO at INVOLI, highlighted the growing need for a typical option to monitor air activities for collision avoidance. He stated, “As low-altitude BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) autonomous and semi-autonomous flight proliferates, there may be a growing need to offer a typical option to monitor air activities for collision avoidance. That is considered one of the important thing challenges facing the UAS industry to operate safely and at scale. This standard allows SDSPs to offer complex but streamlined surveillance data to multiple users and, in turn, enable more BVLOS flights.”
MatrixSpace Radar, with its very low SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and price), provides robust situational awareness of each airborne and ground-based objects, no matter lighting and weather conditions. This facilitates the long-awaited Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight for uncrewed and autonomous aircraft, in addition to enhancing safety for general aviation.
Involi provides comprehensive air traffic detection solutions, crucial for secure unmanned operations. Their technology offers real-time information on nearby air traffic, facilitating the combination of drones into busy airspaces.
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