Enerdyne Selected by Insitu for UAS Data Links

Enerdyne Technologies, a ViaSat company, will supply its EnerLinksII DVA digital data link technology to Insitu. for use in its Integrator and next generation ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) programs.

The DVA (Digital Video over Analog) system enables simple conversion of older FM analog video links to encrypted digital links. The ScanEagle UAV has clocked over 125,000 mission hours in support of United States and coalition forces. Insitu produces and sells a growing fleet of unmanned aircraft systems that are low-cost, long-endurance, and require fewer personnel to operate.

Enerdyne is supplying the EnerLinksII DVA system to Insitu to meet the size, weight, power, and input/output requirements for Integrator and Scan Eagle aircraft and ground systems. The DVA enables Insitu to convert to an encrypted digital video link without replacing any of the RF equipment in either the aircraft or the ground. The improved digital performance increases UAV video link range by a factor of four while using only a quarter of the bandwidth of analog video links. The DVA can transmit 2 Mbps of IP data simultaneously with compressed FMV (Full Motion Video) using the same FM video transmitter that was designed for a single analog video channel.

“Going to a digital link is essential for the newer IP-based payloads and the overall need to use bandwidth efficiently,” said Charlie Guthrie, Insitu CTO “Enerdyne has been an excellent industry partner and has worked closely with our development team to expand our extensive UAS technology.”

The EnerLinksII DVA product is a small 3-inch by 5-inch by 1-inch module, placed between the ISR sensors and the RF transmitter, using less than 8 watts and weighing under one-half pound. It is designed to provide Insitu UAVs with a fully-featured digital link including H.264 compression, IP multiplexing, AES encryption, FEC coding, and modulation waveshaping.

“With Insitu, we share a common vision to deliver exceptional ISR information to meet the present and future requirements of the tactical warfighter,” said Enerdyne GM Steve Gardner. “Insitu UAS platforms are a critical component of gathering that information, and our whole team is excited to help them advance to digital data links.”

Initial systems to support both ScanEagle and Integrator systems are being shipped in 2009.