- POLAR
Precision Attitude Estimation
Years of R&D invested in aerospace-grade estimation algorithms have resulted in outstanding precision and robustness.
Compact and Easy to Integrate
Reduced size and weight allows straightforward integration into the user's system.
Exceptional Performance in Highly Dynamic Conditions and Dead Reckoning Navigation
Exceptional navigation and attitude performance are combined in one device to provide robust and accurate dead reckoning navigation in GPS-denied environments.
Meticulous Calibration Procedures
UAV Navigation's manufacturing facility is equipped with state-of-the-art calibration and setup instruments; all products are subject to the most stringent Quality Control checks.
Quaternion-based
None of the traditional gimbal-lock problems.
Lightning-fast Data Rates
Latency is minimized by using the highest data report rates from the sensors (critical for advanced control systems).
The POLAR is a high-end, MEMS-based Air Data and Attitude and Heading Reference System (ADAHRS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS). It is perfect for system integration in avionics packages or other attitude sensing applications, and includes:
- Attitude Heading & Reference System (AHRS).
- Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).
- Inertial Navigation System (INS).
- Air Data System (ADS).
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS, including: GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou).
POLAR has proved itself in a variety of highly dynamic environments, giving outstanding results:
- Red Bull Air Race
- MotoGP onboard 'GyroCam'
- Reno Air Races.
- Various UAVs as the onboard ADAHRS for the Customer's own flight control computer.
Redundancy built into the POLAR software allows it to survive individual sensor failures while maintaining accurate estimates of attitude and position. Its high-performance MEMS-based IMU is calibrated and compensated over the full industrial temperature range.
Key features:
- High accuracy attitude estimation. Precise attitude determination is an essential process for aircraft navigation and control. To achieve outstanding levels of attitude estimation precision, years of research and development of aerospace-grade sensor fusion estimation algorithms have been invested.
- Compact and easy to integrate.
- Supplied as standard in an aircraft-grade anodized aluminium box.
- Optionally it can be supplied as an OEM board for direct integration in the Customer's product
- As a developer and manufacturer of professional grade autopilots, UAV Navigation is committed to the highest aviation standards in terms of product performance, accuracy and reliability. UAV Navigation's manufacturing facility is equipped with state-of-the-art calibration and measurement tools and all products which leave the facility must pass exhaustive Quality Control checks. Repeatability is key. All equipment and tools used during manufacture, calibration and Acceptance Testing Protocol (ATP) comply with UAV Navigation's strict Quality Policy
- Combines exceptional navigation and attitude performance device in a wide range of high dynamics conditions and GPS-denied dead-reckoning navigation.
- Quaternion-based solution. Avoiding the gimbal-lock problems found in traditional systems.
- High data report rates from the sensors in order to reduce the latency. This is a critical requirement in advanced control systems.
- It is used as the onboard sensor suite inside UAV Navigation's VECTOR autopilot
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REDUNDANCY AND SAFETY
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Online sensor diagnostics
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Yes
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Sensor failure tolerance
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All single, several multiple
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I/O
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Serial comm
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RS-232, RS-422, RS-485. Up to 3Mbps
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CAN (capability available from early 2017)*
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1Mbps A and B
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*Available under request.
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ELECTRICAL
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Voltage Supply (unregulated)
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9V to 36V DC
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Power consumption
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1W
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GNSS
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Multi-constellation GNSS capability
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Antenna
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Active (for best performance) or passive
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Antenna Connector (boxed version)
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50 Ohm SMA Female
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Antenna power supply
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3.3V
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Sensitivity
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-167 dBm
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Time to First Fix
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Navigation Update Rate
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Velocity Accuracy
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0.05 m/s
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Heading Accuracy
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0.3 degrees
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Horizontal Position Accuracy
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2 m
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Accuracy of Time Pulse Signal (RMS)
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30 ns
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Frequency of Time Pulse Signal
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PPS signal can be configured by the user (default: 1 pps)
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Operational Limits of GNSS
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AIR DATA SYSTEM (ADS)
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Altimeter
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-2.000 ft to 30.000 ft AMSL
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Altimeter Accuracy
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50 ft
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Altimeter Resolution
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0.5 ft
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IMU (INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNIT)
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Sampling rate
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1 kHz
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ACCELEROMETERS
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Accelerometers range
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+/-8 g (all axis), +/-15 g under request
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3dB Bandwidth
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400 Hz
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Noise
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0.52 mg/√Hz
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RATE GYRO RANGE
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Gyro range
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+/- 300 º/s (all axis)
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3dB Bandwidth
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77 Hz
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Noise
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0.015 °/s /√Hz
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MAGNETOMETER
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Internal Magnetometer
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3 axis (possibility to connect external magnetometer, e.g. MG01)
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Magnetometer attitude compensation
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Yes
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Full scale range
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+/- 1000 uT
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Sensitivity
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0.10 uT
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Maximum applied magnetic/field
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100,000 uT
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AHRS/INS DYNAMIC ACCURACY *
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Roll, pitch, yaw range
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Continuous unrestricted |
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Pitch & Roll error
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< 0.5º
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Heading error
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< 1º
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Position
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3m CEP with GPS and WAAS/EGNOS available
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Drift
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<50 m/min (continuous, not first minute only)
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* 1σ precision in single cylinder piston powered UAV standard flight, with full sensor suite operational. Values are valid for internal and external magnetometer operation. |
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MECHANICAL / ENVIRONMENTAL
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Size (mm, H x W x L)
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Weight
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Humidity (boxed only)
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Up to 90% RH, non-condensing
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Temperature range
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-40ºC to +85ºC
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Altitude
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Up to 59000 ft AMSL
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Shock survival
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500g 8ms 1/2 sine
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Mating Connector (boxed only)
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MICRO-D Type Male 15-pin
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| POLAR Evaluation Kit |
UAV Navigation offers the POLAR Evaluation Board (EVBOARD), together with two complete POLAR Evaluation Kits (EVKIT), to enable evaluation of the POLAR product by Customers.
The POLAR EVBOARD allows the user to access all the available POLAR Inputs & Outputs.
Note: only one POLAR unit can be connected to the EVBOARD at any one time.
The different versions are shown in the table below:
| Name | Description | Kit Contents |
| POLAR Evaluation Board |
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| POLAR OEM Evaluation Kit |
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| POLAR Boxed Evaluation Kit |
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See the following articles from the Knowledge Base:
| POLAR Installation Kit |
The optional POLAR Installation Kit (INSKIT) offered by UAV Navigation includes the recommended connector and cable to allow the Customer to integrate the POLAR unit into their system. INSKIT contents:
- GPS Antenna
- 15-Pin Micro-D System Connector (fitted with 18" / 45cm cables as shown in the image above).
| MG01 |
Sometimes other onboard systems (e.g. electric motors, moving metallic parts, cabling etc) can interfere with the readings obtained from the built-in magnetometers in UAV Navigation's autopilots and AHRS-INS modules. In these cases, the MG01 provides a remote installation which can be physically located in a safe place far from interference.