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Join us at XPONENTIAL 2023 Denver, May 9-11

Join us in booth 2524 at Xponential 2023. Hope to see you there!

Airborne Innovations has payload and datalink solutions including: Picoradio NX is a tiny C2/HD broadband datalink with MIMO, Hexaband 1.6 to 2.5GHz with AES/mesh/relay/SBUS. We offer compact tracking antennas, global shutter/ multi-camera PicoNV video encoder, FalconOGI Gas Leak Detection (DJI/other) and other custom payloads.

Click here for Xponential 2023 Quick Links (Product pages, datasheets)

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Airborne Innovations DJI Optical Gas Inspection Payload at Geo Week 2023

Our Optical Gas Inspection (OGI) Payload for DJI Matrice is at Geo Week 2022, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Come and see it at the Drones Plus booth, #544.

The Airborne Innovations OGI camera for DJI Matrice is capable of optical detection of gas such as methane / natural gas, propane, carbon dioxide, etc, typically in applications such as leak detection, pipeline inspection, wellhead, tank and tanker inspections, etc. for the energy industry.

Sales and service providers: Drones Plus (Dallas TX) and Globalhawk Maps (Colorado based, service include Colorado / Wyoming / Utah / Nevada).

Note we can also supply a version for non-DJI (typically Pixhawk / Ardupilot based) vehicles, or other custom versions as desired.

Garrett Garland of Drones Plus with the Airborne Innovations OGI Camera for DJI Matrice

Sample video from the Airborne Innovations OGI camera:

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AUVSI 2021

We made the hard choice to stay home this year due to the pandemic. If you are at the show and want to talk to us, give us a call! You can reach Robert Cothran at 541-490-1254 or the main number at 720-515-3720.

We do have some gear on display at Desert Rotor’s booth, #2015. You can see our new Picoradio NX MIMO 900 / Triband radio there, as well as our standard Picoradio, and brochures will be available for the radios, tracking antenna, and 4KIR camera payloads.

Here are digital versions of our show brochures:

Picoradio MIMO NX smart radio

This is available with either a 2×2 MIMO 900 MHz radio or a tri-band 1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 GHz 2×2 MIMO L-band radio (and soon with a dual switchable 5.0-5.9 GHz/ 2.4 GHz MIMO radio). Picoradio MIMO NX is a new next generation smart radio platform which takes the Picoradio platform to a new level. Featuring an onboard user-accessible processor capable of ethernet / serial / CAN bus communications, switchable USB slave, onboard temperature sensing, fan control, additional ethernet interface, and onboard switchable manual control / SBUS features. (Some of these features will be rolled out shortly after release).

Tracking Antennas

Our R10 and RD20 tracking antennas (our tracking antennas with built in Picoradio datalinks, choose from 2.4 GHz MIMO, dual 900 MHz / MIMO, 1.8 GHz, 2.3 GHz, or our new Picoradio MIMO NX 900 / MIMO NX-Tri band 1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 Ghz MIMO radios.

The RD20 tracking antenna is available with a dual channel MIMO RF amplifier (2x20W configuration).

Other tracking antenna configurations are possible.

Raptor 4KIR Dual Zoom Payload (zoom 4K + zoom LWIR)

The Raptor 4KIR Camera pod is a high performance imaging payload designed for large multicopters.

It offers realtime 4K video downlink, with 20x continuous optical zoom (30x super resolution), combined with thermal camera with 5x continuous optical zoom.

We offer it as a standalone camera pod or integrated with gimbals such as a 360 pan 3 axis gimbal.

It mates well with our Picoradio and SBUS systems, for full SBUS control of gimbal and camera functions (with optional programmatic/user interface control through an IP network), and realtime simultaneous downlink of both camera channels. You can mix vehicle and camera controls on one pilot console, or it can also be configured for independent control from a dedicated payload operator (or you can split the payload operator and vehicle operator locations with a launch and recovery site, command post for payload control (and potentially internet / cellular uplink), and optional relay stations. It can integrate with Pixhawk, DJI, and other autopilot systems.

Applications include inspection, search and rescue, perimeter surveillance, etc.

We can also offer other custom camera solutions.

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Join us at Virtual AUVSI, May 4-6 2021

We will be virtually exhibiting at Virtual Xponential / AUVSI , May 4-6 2021.

We will be around to show off our products including:

The new Picoradio MIMO NX smart radio product. This is available with either a 2×2 MIMO 900 MHz radio or a tri-band 1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 GHz 2×2 MIMO L-band radio (and soon with a dual switchable 5.0-5.9 GHz/ 2.4 GHz MIMO radio). Picoradio MIMO NX is a new next generation smart radio platform which takes the Picoradio platform to a new level. Featuring an onboard user-accessible processor capable of ethernet / serial / CAN bus communications, switchable USB slave, onboard temperature sensing, fan control, additional ethernet interface, and onboard switchable manual control / SBUS features. (Some of these features will be rolled out shortly after release).

Our R10 and RD20 tracking antennas (our tracking antennas with built in Picoradio datalinks, choose from 2.4 GHz MIMO, dual 900 MHz / MIMO, 1.8 GHz, 2.3 GHz, or our new Picoradio MIMO NX 900 / MIMO NX-Tri band 1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 Ghz MIMO radios.

The RD20 tracking antenna is available with a dual channel MIMO RF amplifier (2x20W configuration).

Other tracking antenna configurations are possible.

We will also feature our updated Icing Warning Sensor product.

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AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2019

Airborne Innovations is exhibiting at AUVSI 2019 in Chicago in booth 1826.
See our new gimbal pod featuring dual 4K 20x optical / 30x Super Resolution zoom + Thermal with 5x zoom, ideal for inspection, search and rescue, and other applications. It mates with our Picoradio for dual simultaneous 4K+thermal video transmission, telemetry, command and control, and manual vehicle control if desired.
Also featured is our compact 1080p + thermal gimbal pod.
Our Pico series including 2×2 MIMO Picoradios, Picoraptor video encoders, and Picocamera will also be on display.

Desert Rotor’s integrated ground control station will also be on display.

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Fall 2018 Tradeshows: Interdrone and Commercial UAV Expo

Airborne Innovations will be exhibiting at:

Interdrone 2018 – Booth #627 – Las Vegas NV – September 5-7 2018 – Rio Hotel

and

Commercial UAV Expo – Booth #231 – Las Vegas NV – October 1-3 2018 – The Westgate Hotel

 

Come and see our Picoradio modules and variants (dual diversity, dual frequency, MIMO, private band), our new compact and cost effective dual tracking antenna, our gimbal pod solutions featuring dual HD zoom + thermal, high-zoom, and 4K options, and our Picoraptor HD video encoder and Picocamera HD global shutter camera.

You can also see Desert Rotor‘s ruggedized GCS integration with Picoradio, avionics such as Pixhawk and others, and integration with our gimbal solutions in our booth.

 

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Chicken Sandwich (and Picoradio+Picoraptor) in Space!

ZingerBurgerInSpace

Airborne Innovations supported World View Enterprises in sending a KFC Zinger Burger into near space attached to a World View stratospheric balloon with payload pod.

Airborne Innovations consulted and provided hardware for a multiple camera long range wireless HD video system based on our COTS modules including multiple simultaneous HD camera feeds, using multiple Picoraptor HD encoders with Blackmagic micro cinema cameras, our miniature ethernet switch module, a Picoradio, and an 8W bidirectional RF amplifier. World View provided flight hardware and a tracking antenna for the base station. The system included the capability for RTP / RTP multicast broadcast, monitoring from multiple base stations, and bidirectional control including camera and encoder settings, payload control, and telemetry. The customer was able to transmit 4 simultaneous HD camera feeds at 24+ miles in testing (with longer range capability in flight).

More details and video is at:
Hilarous KFC announcement with actor Rob Lowe as Colonel Sanders

KFC Recap and flight video

Worldview mini documentary

The story leaks!

Official website https://yesweareactuallysendingachickensandwichto.space/

or http://kfcin.space

Press:

Tucson Weekly:  Chicken Flies, Comes Back Down

Space.com: KFC Flying Chicken Sandwich Bankrolling World View Balloon Test Flight

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Droneworld 2016

We will be exhibiting our Picoradio OEM module, Picocamera, and Picoraptor HDMI 1080p encoder in San Jose at the Commercial UAV Expo, at our booth #521, Nov 15-16 2016. We are partnering with Microhard Systems in the adjacent booth, showcasing our powerful and compact Picoradio OEM board featuring the Microhard pDDL radio module.

We have two demo aircraft set up:
Aircraft#1 is our flight test multicopter with a dual simultaneous camera system, with a gimbaled HDMI camera connected to our 40x40mm Picoraptor 1080P HD video encoder, and a second simultaneous camera channel, our 720P global shutter Picocamera, both connected to our 40x40mm Picoradio OEM board along with our SBUS module.  

Aircraft#2 is a heavy lifter multicopter from partner Aerial Technology Inc (ATI), with our Raptor4K 20x 3840×2160 @30fps zoom camera live 4K transmission payload configured side by side on a gimbal with a FLIR 640×512 Vue LWIR thermal camera connected to our Picoraptor HD encoder (using 720P HDMI), Picoradio, and SBUS modules and for a dual simultaneous camera Search and Rescue payload configuration.

The flexible system as configured features long range dual channel HD video, autopilot command and control (connected in both these cases to a Pixhawk avionics), and also demonstrates SBUS control over our tiny but capable long range 5 mile+ Picoradio module.  The system provides multi-channel HD video, command and control, and manual piloting/gimbal control over a single frequency link.

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Commercial UAV Expo 2016

We will be exhibiting our Picoradio OEM module, Picocamera, and Picoraptor HDMI 1080p encoder in Las Vegas at the Commercial UAV Expo, in Microhard’s booth #330, Oct 31-Nov 2.

We have a demo aircraft set up with a dual simultaneous camera system, with a gimbaled HDMI camera connected to our 40x40mm Picoraptor 1080P HD video encoder, and a second simultaneous camera channel, our 720P global shutter Picocamera, both connected to our 40x40mm Picoradio OEM board along with our SBUS module.  The flexible system as configured features long range dual channel HD video, autopilot command and control (connected in this case to a Pixhawk avionics), and also demonstrates SBUS control over our tiny but capable long range 5 mile+ Picoradio module.  The system provides multi-channel HD video, command and control, and manual piloting/gimbal control over a single frequency link.

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Picoradio Preorder Campaign

We are now accepting preorders for the Picoradio OEM module.
For more information please see the product page at:

http://airborneinnovations.com/ai/picoradio

Announcing our new Picoradio OEM board.

We are excited to present our latest miniature OEM product, the Picoradio board. Based on the new Microhard pDDL, the board is a full-featured picominiature advanced datalink module geared at miniature long range vehicle applications.

Picoradio
Airborne Innovations’ Picoradio module

Here are some of the highlights:

  • 1W COFDM RF output  (typical range with very basic antennas is 5 miles)
  • Dual diversity / dual antenna ports
  • Dual ethernet ports
  • Transparent serial port (switchable RS232/3.3V TTL), Pixhawk compatible pinout
  • Wide input range (8-58V input at full output power)
  • Auxiliary power output, 12V@2A typical, more possible
  • Power over ethernet possible (separate power and data lines)
  • Sophisticated bandwidth modes up to 25 Mbps
  • 2.4 GHz version initially available, to be followed by 900 MHz, 1.3 GHz, 2.3 GHz versions in the future
  • nDDL compatibility mode / pDDL advanced mode
  • Mesh networking features under development
  • Size: 40x40x10mm
  • Weight: 17.6 grams

 

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Global Shutter Microcamera video from UASUSA

One of our partners, UASUSA, provided this video from their Tempest UAV, recorded live on the ground at a range of 5 miles from the base station with a modest antenna setup using our MicroraptorHD 2.4 GHz COFDM system and the new Airborne Innovations AGS720p Global Shutter Microcamera.

The advantage of this camera is that each frame is a full frame snapshot, so there are no ‘jello’ rolling shutter artifacts like you may have seen with some cameras (with rolling shutter cameras the image is exposed as it is read out of the camera from top to bottom, so any camera motion produces warping artifacts).  The camera has an M12 lens mount and is very compact and light weight (0.6 x 0.8″).

Be sure and view at 720p quality (youtube has degraded the video from the original quality, which was recorded at 720p at 60fps).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mloPMx33xI

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MicroraptorHD Demo Video

We now have a demo video up describing the MicroraptorHD and some interface options, with a quick video capture.

This video describes the operation of the MicroraptorHD wireless high definition video link. A quick wireless demo of the system and the realtime RaptorviewHD software with a Sony FCB-H11 HD block camera is also shown.

The system has flexible interfaces for high definition, standard definition, Sony HD block camera (digital or analog), with an HDMI input interface available soon. The system can also be used as a bidirectional datalink, passing IP ethernet data or serial passthrough data. An integrated Microhard NanoDDL or nVIP2400 radio can be used, or the system can be used with any external ethernet based datalink or wired installation. Interfaces include dual digital video ports, ethernet, a total of 5 RS232 interfaces (2 externalized, 2 on camera ports, and one on an internal connector), CAN bus, USB, and a wide input power supply.

For more information see http://airborneinnovations.com.

Be sure to enable HD mode when playing back the video.

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Low cost HD wireless video link / HD compression board for DIY / education

Airborne Innovations now offers a low cost video compression board option, which is primarily designed for DIY use.

Please see the product page at: Low cost DIY wireless HD video link

While not as fully featured, highly integrated, or flexible as the MicroraptorHD, it can do the following:
H.264 video compression, 1080i / 720p / 480i

When paired in one of the below development kits with a high power Wifi radio, it can transmit wireless HD/SD video.

High definition analog component video compression of 720p / 1080i video
or, with an add-on video interface module, standard definition analog video compression (composite or S-Video supported).

With the radio package we have a complete solution capable of medium range wireless HD transmission.

Or you can purchase the compression board alone to use with your own wired/wireless system.

Versions of the kit are available with component HD input, composite SD input, or with a small 1080p capable CMOS board camera.

Specifications:
Board dimensions: 3.1″x2.6″
Weight: 50g
Power input: Compression board: 5V @ 2W
Radio: 12V @ 6W, 2.4 GHz Wifi compatible, 1W output
Radio weight: 25 grams

Groundstation radio: 15-24V @ 6W, 1W RF output

The radio kits include antennas.