VECTOR-600 Autopilot for UAV

The VECTOR-600 is UAV Navigation's most advanced autopilot. VECTOR-600 is a robust and dependable unit, with built-in physical and logical redundancy, allowing it to survive all individual sensor failures while maintaining accurate estimates of attitude and position. This dependability has helped the VECTOR-600 rapidly to become the autopilot of choice for UAV professionals who require the most advanced and reliable autopilot for fixed wing, rotary wing and VTOL UAVs.

QUOTATION REQUEST

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GNSS-Denied Navigation

Exceptional performance in GNSS-denied environments and when there is a jamming threat. High quality components and an EMI/EMC resistant design (tested to MIL-STD 461), together with advanced estimation logic, serve to mitigate the impact of certain high-power signals and allow precise dead-reckoning navigation even when a reliable GNSS signal becomes unavailable.

Qualified Hardware for Cross Domain Missions

VECTOR-600's hardware is qualified against MIL-STD-810F (vibration, acceleration, humidity, rain, temperature, etc.), MIL-STD 461F (EMI) and ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Fully Automatic Operation

The VECTOR-600 executes the flight completely automatically, from take-off to landing. The operator is able to define the operation and execute it automatically but can also modify the operation in-flight. The platform can also operate autonomously in controlled air traffic areas thanks to the integration of the transponder In & Out (ACAS I) and geofencing capabilities, including in-flight re-planning when detecting unauthorised fly areas.

Easily Configurable

VECTOR-600’s software allows complex operations to be configured in an intuitive, user-friendly way; for example, automatic actions (e.g. activate user switch, change flight mode, etc) can be configured to activate on certain triggers (waypoints, COMM Loss, etc) for cargo-drop or photography. The software has been designed to allow fast and simple autopilot configuration. Additionally, the flight control loops can be adjusted by the customer to meet specific requirements.

DO-178C oriented Software Development

VECTOR-600’s software code is developed in accordance with recognised industry standards such as MISRA and JPL (NASA). In keeping with aerospace standards, it also follows strict code versioning and traceability

Outstanding proprietary ADAHRS-INS

VECTOR-600 uses a proprietary Air Data and Attitude & Heading Reference Systems (ADAHRS) developed by UAV Navigation to fuse the data provided by multiple sensors and to protect against single and even multiple sensor failure. The results have been favourably compared to FOG unit performance. Additional sensors (e.g. RTK) can be integrated to further enhance performance if required.

The VECTOR-600 is UAV Navigation's most advanced FCC (Flight Control Computer). Its robust and reliable enclosure is designed to withstand the toughest environmental conditions; it has passed MIL-STD 810F (vibration, acceleration, humidity, rain, temperature tests etc.), and also MIL-STD 461 (EMI/EMC tests) qualifications. These MIL-STD qualifications ensure compliance with the high standards required by many Departments of Defense (DoD).

The VECTOR-600 has been designed in accordance with DO-254 and DO-178C, as well as ASTM F3201-16 - one of the only certifications geared towards unmanned aircraft. This, together with the provision of proper documentary support from the UAV Navigation team, has allowed our customers to achieve the first Light UAS Certificate (LUC) in the European Union in a SAIL II specific category and will allow others to reach even SAIL III and IV.

The VECTOR-600 has built-in physical and logical redundancy, allowing it to survive all individual sensor failures and even jamming attacks while maintaining accurate estimates of attitude and position. The VECTOR-600 features a solid, validated architecture and is based on the accumulated experience of many thousands of flying hours on a wide variety of customer platforms.

The VECTOR-600 is suitable for:

Fixed Wing UAV Platforms
Rotary Wing UAV Platforms
VTOL UAV Platforms.

VECTOR-600 includes UAV Navigation’s proprietary Air Data Attitude Heading Reference System (AD-AHRS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) that provides the precision attitude capability required by the most demanding platforms. The AD-AHRS unit means that the VECTOR-600 provides outstanding performance in GNSS-denied environments (drift <30 m/min) and in a wide variety of dynamic environments. Every AD-AHRS unit is examined and tested in accordance with meticulous calibration processes and acceptance tests before being delivered to the customer in order to ensure the quality of the product and its reliability.

By taking advantage of readings from external sensors, the flight control system can also execute complex manoeuvres. An example is the use of laser/radar altimeters which allow precise runway landings, sea skimming at high speed, terrain following at low altitude or fully automatic autorotation and flare manoeuvres. The use of an external RTK source also allows net landings on a moving vessel or vertical landings in narrow landing sites.

Special algorithms in the software, such as stall protection, ensure flight safety in case of engine failure. Additionally, VECTOR-600's RTOS provides a safer, more reliable system due to its predictability. Critical functions such as flight control tasks are prioritized to ensure flight safety.

Proven on a wide spectrum of fixed wing, rotary wing and aerial target platforms in worldwide operations.
Runway, catapult launch (up to 25G) or even balloon drop take off.
Runway landing, parachute recovery or even net landing on a moving vessel.
Alternative landing sites.
GNSS Denied Navigation.
Autorotation for rotary wing platforms.
True helicopter performance.
Stall Protection.
Sea Operations.
Suitable for High-subsonic operations (up to 650 km/h).
Sustained +3G Maneuvers.
Manual, Assisted-Manual, and Automatic Modes.
Auto flight plan execution.
Multi-Flight Plan Operations.
Modify the operation in flight.
Automatic actions on waypoints: suitable for cargo drop or camera shots.
Custom Flight Phases: VECTOR-600 open architecture allows the user to easily customize autopilot gains in order to achieve custom behaviours on the aircraft.
Transponder ADS-B IN for UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management).
Multiple datalink management.
Camera guided navigation.
Referenced Navigation: excellent for fully automatic ISTAR operations.
3D Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for flight control.
Predictive paths.
Flight Termination System.
Autonomous Navigation without Radio Communication.
Meaconing, Intrusion, Jamming, and Interference protection.
Deterministic/Predictable behaviour (RTOS-based).
Compact Unit.
Easily Configurable.
Multi-UAV Operations.
Geofencing.
Flares and pyrotechnics control.
Health Monitoring.
Individually tested before delivery to ensure high quality performance.
Integrated ADS.
Dual High-end CPU.
Tactical grade ADAHRS.
Allows the target drone to be used against surface-to-air and air-to-air weapon systems.
Exceptional performance to price ratio.
Embedded simulation capabilities.

VECTOR-600 can control a wide variety of advanced payloads and peripherals (contact UAV Navigation sales department for further information):

Camera stabilization, pointing and control.
Transponder.
Servo.
ECU.
Radar/ Laser altimeter.
RTK.
Dual GNSS Compass.
External Magnetometer.
Flare and parachute activation for target drones.

Flight Modes

Mode	Brief Description
MANUAL	The operator pilot has full control over the platform.
TAKE-OFF	The autopilot will execute the takeoff maneuver to make the platform go from the ground to flying in the air.
AUTO	AUTO mode executes the programmed Flight Plan (FP) based on waypoints.
NAV-TO	The autopilot flies to the specified coordinates, maintaining current altitude and airspeed.
LOITER	The autopilot will follow a circular pattern around the location where LOITER mode is engaged.
HOVER	The autopilot flies to the specified coordinates, maintaining current altitude and airspeed. Once arrived, the platform stops at the desired position.
EMERGENCY	For Rotary Wing Platforms only. EMERGENCY mode may not be commanded directly by the operator and is the result of a failure in Magnetometer and/or GPS while being in any other operation mode.
SAFE	The autopilot will command the aircraft to fly to a previously set Safety Altitude. Once achieved, it will automatically switch to LAND mode.
DIRECTED	The autopilot maintains current IAS, altitude and heading.
LAND	The autopilot executes the land maneuver, from its current flight mode to a predefined and even relative landing site.
ASSISTED MANUAL	The operator is able to over-command directly from the joystick/gamepad.

As a leading company in the autopilot market, UAV Navigation knows the market and the clients’ needs so offers more flexibility when selecting an autopilot. The company provides a range of autopilot options to evaluate the features and pricing costs. Although UAV Navigation provides different autopilot alternatives, the way they are used is the same. Once you learn to use one of the autopilots, you will be able to use them all. This is achieved through the use of the same Ground Control Station software, Visionair, with an easy and user-friendly interface that helps the user to update, configure, and execute previously planned missions.

MECHANICAL / ENVIRONMENTAL
Size (mm, H x W x L)	45.0 x 68.0 x 74.5
Weight	180 g
Enclosure Material	Grade 6082 Aluminium Alloy
Environmental Qualification	MIL-STD-810
EMC/EMI Qualification	MIL-STD-461
Temperature Range	-40°C to +85°C
IP Rating	Designed to conform with IP66
Humidity	Up to 90% RH, non-condensing
Shock survival	500g 8ms 1/2 sine
Integrated RF DataLink Options	No Datalink
ESD Compliant	IEC 61.000-4-2-level 4
Main Connector	25-pin GLENAIR MWDM2L-25P-6E5-18 & 37-pin GLENAIR MWDM2L-37P-6E5-18
External Datalink Connector	-
ELECTRICAL AND I/O
Voltage Supply	9 to 36 V DC
Power Consumption	2.5W
GPIOs	24
PWM rate	50Hz, 200Hz or 400Hz
CAN	2 (up to 1Mbps)
Serial comm	3 x RS-232 (up to 250kbps) 2 x RS-422/485 (up to 1Mbps)
Analog Input	8 ADC inputs with 12 bit resolution. Conversion extends from 0V to 3.3V
GNSS Antenna Connector	50 Ohm SMA Female
GNSS Antenna Power Supply	3.3V
ADAHRS
Roll, pitch, yaw range	Continuous unrestricted
Pitch & Roll error	< 0.5ᵒ
Heading error	< 1ᵒ
Horizontal Position Accuracy	2.5 m CEP (GNSS available)
Navigation Drift (Dead-reckoning)	<30 m/min (continuous, not first minute only)
Altimeter Range	-2.000 ft to +36.000 ft AMSL
Altimeter Accuracy	±3% Reading
Airspeed Ranges	15-220 kt (43-450 kt version is also available)
Gyro range	±300 ᵒ/s (all axis)
Accelerometers range	±8 g, all axis (±15 g under request)
Sampling Rate (IMU + Attiude)	Up to 500 Hz
Internal Magnetometer	3 axis
Magnetometer attitude compensation	Yes
Multi-constellation GNSS capability	72-channel receiver. GPS, SBAS, QZSS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo.
Time to First Fix	Cold Start: 26s. Hot Start: 1s
REDUNDANCY AND SAFETY
Waypoint Navigation	400 waypoints saved in autopilot
Dual IMU	Yes
Dual CPU	Yes. 850MIPS CPUs (each with 16MB program flash & 256MB ram)
Online sensors diagnostics	Yes (Continuous Built-In Test, CBIT)
Dual Power Supply	Yes
Flight Termination	Deadman Output
Sensor failure tolerance	All single, several multiple

VECTOR-600 Break Out Board

The VECTOR-600 Break Out Board is a quick and easy way to connect the VECTOR-600 to a PC in order to access all the connection capabilities of the VECTOR-600.

The VECTOR-600 Break Out Board provides the user an easy way to test or work with the unit before being installed in the platform.

VECTOR-600 Installation Kit

The VECTOR-600 Installation Kit (INSKIT) includes the ancillaries required to install and connect it to the UAV's onboard avionics: