uAvionix has received a Technical Standard Order (TSO) from the FAA for its truFYX GPS receiver for UAS. The Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) / Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-capable receiver specifically targets UAS platform navigation and surveillance solutions.
With an increased regulatory focus on certifiability of UAS for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, truFYX provides a critical component to enable safe navigation and airspace integration.
From the FAA definition: “A TSO is a minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, and appliances used on civil aircraft. When authorized to manufacture a material, part, or appliances to a TSO standard, this is referred to as TSO authorization. Receiving a TSO authorization is both design and production approval.”
The TSO-C145e Class Beta 1 GPS weighs 20 grams, which includes the receiver, antenna, and DO-160G power supply, and interface protection circuits. A Class Beta 1 GPS enables the truFYX to be the primary position source for domestic en-route and terminal navigation, as well as the primary position source for ADS-B OUT solutions. The Source Integrity Level (SIL) 3, System Design Assurance (SDA) 2 system ensures reception and processing by Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) when used as a position source for ADS-B. For these reasons, the Airbus Zephyr program was announced as a truFYX launch customer in January 2021.
A certified position source for UAS navigation reduces position error by implementing a strict Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) / Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) engine, and processing advanced SBAS messages designed to improve accuracy and integrity. These systems combine to detect unhealthy GPS satellite transmissions and remove them from the position calculation, providing critical differentiation from a typical commercial GPS receiver. Design Assurance Level (DAL) C software and hardware is achieved through the use of RTCA DO-178C and DO-254 engineering processes. As with all uAvionix TSO certified avionics, truFYX is manufactured in Montana under an FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) approved quality control process and facility.
truFYX technology has been previously TSO-certified in several form factors, including the highly integrated and complex skyBeacon, tailBeacon, and tailBeaconX platforms. For more information on why certified GPS receivers are important for your UAS BVLOS operation, see uAvionix’s latest blog article titled “Why Certified GPS with Integrity for UAS Navigation Matters.”
