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Robotics
Higher-Level SWaP Challenges in
UAV/MUMT Applications
Employing advanced connectors to re-
duce SWaP in electronic combat gear is
important; in UAV and MUMT systems, 0.984 0.75
it’s critical. Optimizing SWaP in UAVs 0.30 (Push-Pull)
improves the fuel-to-weight ratio, which 0.35 (Threaded)
enables longer flight and surveillance pe-
riods and potentially smaller aircraft. In CeeLok FAS-X CeeLok FAS-T CeeLok FAS-T
addition, minimizing thermal and elec- Connector Connector Nano Connector
tromagnetic interference (EMI) signa- Size 8 Shell
Size 11 Shell
tures is essential to reduce the chances of
being detected and shot down. Figure 1. Small circular connectors support high speeds for end-to-end connectivity in cramped applica-
UAVs—also described as small un- tions. (Courtesy TE Connectivity)
manned air systems (UAS) or micro air
vehicles—can be classified by size: can be carried on a soldier’s utility belt. level connector solution is presented
Nano-UAS, micro-UAS, or larger tactical Nano UASs are even smaller, hand-sized below.
UAVs. Each platform employs electron- units using microelectromechanical sys-
ics at different scales that impose tems (MEMS) such as miniaturized ac- Solutions to Connector SWaP
unique SWaP challenges for connectors. celerometers and gyroscopes. Challenges
Onboard sensors and intelligence can To optimize SWaP in UAV/MUMT ap-
Connector SWaP Challenges in Tactical be used for obstacle-avoidance and tar- plications, designers can work with a
UAVs get-following capabilities. Small embed- wide variety of connectivity options:
Aligning with the miniaturization ded computing can support artificial in- • For “micro” circular connectors based
trend in military equipment design, telligence for adaptive formation flying, on MIL-DTL-38999 Series 3: Micro cir-
UAVs are getting smaller and more pow- self-healing, collective decision-making, cular connectors such as the DEUTSCH
erful. Tactical UAVs are not only less vis- and encrypted network communications. Wildcat Micro connector offer a signif-
ible than larger conventional drones, Micro-drone swarms are useful in intelli- icantly reduced shell size with two
they provide increased surveillance and gence, surveillance, and reconnaissance housing sizes and four layouts accom-
reconnaissance capabilities. Payloads (ISR), but they are often considered ex- modating 3, 5, or 9 contacts.
may include multiple cameras and sen- pendable. If one goes down, just send up • For small, micro- and nano-minia-
sors for infrared, thermal, and visible another. In these applications, designers ture connectors: Compact rectangu-
light, as well as sophisticated embedded may employ compact, commercial off- lar, coax, and sealed circular connec-
computing and storage devices. the-shelf (COTS) and COTS+ connectors. tors offer extreme weight and space
Along with lightweight connectors to savings. Small form factor rectangular
reduce weight to extend flight time, ro- Connector SWaP Challenges in MUMTs connectors (369 series) are fully
bust board and backplane connectors At the opposite end of the nanoscale, sealed and accommodate blind mat-
are needed to handle the required band- MUMT architectures involve multiple ing. Smaller scale connectors, like
width. For example, the Gorgon Stare UAV platforms covering an entire bat- Nanonics connectors, are designed to
airborne surveillance platform can tlefield formation and networked over fit micro miniature D, subminiature
2
cover a 100 km area with an ARGUS an airborne data link system. MUMT and ultra-miniature coaxial needs.
imaging system. The system’s 368 5- systems empower warriors with a tacti- The circular 8-position CeeLok FAS-T
megapixel cameras can generate 1.8-bil- cal control system (TCS). That provides Nano connector features a 0.30-inch
lion-pixel images and video at 12 several levels of UAV interaction, from (7.6 mm) diameter and supports 10
frames per second. Several terabytes of receiving and transmitting imagery and Gigabit Ethernet.
data are generated per minute. To han- data to full function and control of UAV • For compact fiber connectivity: ARINC
dle the bandwidth, a VPX backplane is payloads, take offs, and landings. 845-compliant EB termini (EB16)
needed that employs advanced board- Consequently, advanced connectivity combine high performance and non-
level optical and RF connectivity. solutions are needed to support a wide contact vibration resistance in mini
range of bandwidth-hungry applica- sizes for single-mode and multimode
Connector SWaP Challenges in Micro tions that can include: sensor data from fiber. Advanced transceiver modules
UASs multiple airborne platforms, IP-enabled like ParaByte feature a small thermal
Micro-UAS can operate in swarms al- network-centric operations, multi-band signature and support up to 12.5 Gb/s
lowing a cluster of individual units to antennae, data link subsystem proces- transmission rates per channel.
communicate and function as a team. sors, Digital Video Recorder (DVR) stor- • For less bulky cabling: Cross-linked in-
Reducing SWaP is critical for micro UASs. age, and full motion video (FMV) to the sulation in Raychem cabling is me-
Some weigh less than three pounds and tactical edge. A high-bandwidth board- chanically tough, thermally stable,
8 www.aerodefensetech.com Aerospace & Defense Technology, May 2020