Low SWaP-C RemoteID Device for UAS

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.

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.

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.

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.