SBIR-STTR Award

The FAA has recently promulgated a rule for RemoteID for UASs, whereby the UAS is required to broadcast information about its ID, location, time stamp, and ground station location. This rule can be viewed as a part of the initiatives such as the AAM, UTM, and Agility Prime which are now underway at the FAA, NASA and USAF, where unmanned and manned traffic share the national airspace in a safe, reliable and efficient manner. Specifically, the RemoteID rule calls for the creation of FRIAs (FAA-Recognized Identification Areas), where manned traffic can be notified about the operation of UASs. In addition, groups involved in AAM have noted the need for being able to inform legacy users of the airspace (i.e., legacy manned aviation) of unmanned air traffic operating in their vicinity. KalScott has developed and tested a prototype of a such device that alerts pilots of unmanned operations in their vicinity, using legacy VHF airband voice comms (118-136Mhz).These messages can be readily heard by local air traffic and controllers using current (legacy) VHF airband communication radios, thus enhancing the overall safety of the system. Under this proposed SBIR, we will complete the development of the device to meet all the emerging RemoteID, UTM and AAM specifications, conduct FCC and FAA certifications via ground and flight tests, and ready the device for serial production. In Phase I, the final technical changes will be implemented and detailed tests will be conducted. In Phase II detailed ground and flight tests to support certification will be conducted, and a robust, verifiable and certifiable supply chain and manufacturing process will be created. For this project, KalScott has assembled a team that includes a reputed avionics design firm, and discussions are underway with a leader in the cellular communications industry for marketing the device. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): NASA, along with the FAA is currently planning several methods to integrate UAVs safely into the national airspace. The proposed device will be vital part of the emerging UTM network and procedures. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): The UAS operator community (both industrial and hobby) will benefit greatly from this device as it will allow even the smallest UAV to become compliant with the FAA's RemoteID rule, which goes into effect in 2021. Data from this device can also feed into other vehicle IoT networks to enable other new applications such as just-in-time precision delivery of goods and services. Duration: 6

In early 2021, the FAA issued a ruling that all UAVs over 250g weight would now have to report their ID, location, and a few other parameters in real time, in a manner that could be received by users on the ground. KalScott aims to develop and demonstrate RemoteID devices to comply with this rule. In this Phase I SBIR project, KalScott developed and demonstrated a network-based RemoteID device (based on LTE), and a Broadcast RemoteID device (based on Bluetooth) during Phase I. Several ground and flight tests were conducted, where the functionality of the devices was tested, and observations were made to enable us to identify gaps, and to refine the design in Phase II. Both the units showed the ability to broadcast the RemoteID message with the required information fields (ID, timestamp, GPS Lat/Long, Barometric Altitude, and Velocity). System message rates, latency, and range were the key parameters that were observed. The devices were demonstrated in real time operation to NASA and non-NASA personnel. In addition, we began development of a security plan, and a certification plan. Based on the results of the Phase I effort, the following are the tasks planned for Phase II: a) Refine and flight test hardware for LTE and BLE-based RemoteID devices, and networked data distribution, b) Develop multi-band chip version, covering LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, c) Develop and implement data and hardware security protocols, d) Develop certification plan and collect data to support certification applications e) Continue working relationships with NASA, FAA and USAF including porting data into FAA servers and f) Develop a Manufacturing Plan. Personnel from NASA and FAA have also expressed interest in collaboration. An investor group has committed matching funds for Phase II-E and CCRPP follow-on phases for this project (a letter is included in the Capital Commitments section). Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): This technology can improve the safety of Next Gen airspace operations where manned traffic will mingle with unmanned aircraft and air taxis. NASA is working on several initiatives such as the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Aerial Port, and High Density Vertiports (HDV), where this technology may serve as a bridge between several different communications protocols. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Non-NASA applications include equipping autonomous airfield equipment to enable deconfliction with taxying aircraft, operating as an organic air traffic monitoring system in remote areas or in disaster zones, providing interoperability and cross-communications in aerial firefighting, etc. This system can be the aerial node for IoT implementations in emerging Smart Cities programs. Duration: 24