RTI to Develop First FAA-Certifiable DDS Middleware for UAVs

By Caroline Rees / 13 Nov 2012

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

The certifiable RTI Connextâ„¢ Micro

Real-Time Innovations (RTI), the real-time infrastructure software company, has announced that RTI Connextâ„¢ Micro is undergoing certification for flight safety-critical systems. RTI will develop full certification evidence for the highest safety standard, DO-178C Level A. Early applications of the certifiable RTI Connextâ„¢ Micro include the U.S. Government’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Control Segment (UCS) project. RTI Connext Micro is helping the UCS build interoperable ground control systems to achieve complete interoperability between Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and ground stations across different vendors, military services and UAV boundaries.

UAVs are rapidly becoming much more functional and complex. The new generation of UAVs employs multiple components and multiple processors that communicate over networks or buses and the communications infrastructure is a critical component.

Increasingly, UAVs must operate in civilian airspace, first for repositioning and eventually for missions. Safety regulations require certifiable communications infrastructure for these next-generation UAV missions. By standardizing a key functionality required by many systems, certifiable middleware will greatly decrease overall system certification and delivery costs.

The UCS project is addressing the interoperability challenge within the ground stations and UAVs. It spans over 500 companies working on many U.S. unmanned vehicles and ground station components. RTI provides Open Community Source Data Distribution Service (DDS) to the entire program. The new certifiable Connext Micro will enable use in safety-critical applications, such as flying in occupied air space.

Gordon Hunt, RTI’s chief applications engineer and the chair of the UCS Platform Architecture Committee explains, “DDS middleware provides an interoperable architecture and a modular implementation within both ground stations and UAVs. Certification evidence for Connext Micro enables a consistent implementation through these systems, including the safety critical components. Certification evidence for DDS middleware is critical for UCS as it enables modular architecture within both ground stations and UAVs. We need to develop common software architecture across the entire unmanned vehicle spectrum.”

Verocel is partnering with RTI to provide independent verification of the certification data. George Romanski, CEO of Verocel said, “We are pleased to work with RTI to ensure that safety and mission critical software receives the care, attention and rigor necessary to be confident that such systems will not fail. We are developing the certification data using the latest DO-178C guidance document in anticipation of the FAA’s imminent adoption.”

“As the leading vendor of DDS middleware, RTI is uniquely qualified to deliver and support this important technology to UCS and any organization requiring safety-critical software design,” said Edwin De Jong, Director of product management and strategy at RTI. “Today over 500 mission-critical applications, including combat management systems, radar, air traffic control, UAVs and their ground stations rely on our DDS-compliant Connext product family for their mission-critical data. With this industry-first certification, RTI continues its leadership in the A&D space and in working with safety-critical systems.”

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

ARK FPV Flight Controller Now Supports Betaflight

The ARK FPV Flight Controller, a leading flight control solution for FPV drones, now officially supports Betaflight firmware

Feb 06, 2025
Aurora’s Energy Lab Pushing Limits of Battery & Fuel Cell Tech

Explore how Aurora Flight Science's advanced energy lab is enhancing battery efficiency, extending flight endurance, and revolutionizing fuel cell technology

Feb 06, 2025
Volatus Aerospace Partners to Introduce Heavy-Lift Hybrid-Electric Drone

Volatus Aerospace partners to introduce Dufour Aerospace's Aero2 heavy-lift, hybrid-electric VTOL drone, enhancing UAV capabilities for cargo transport, surveillance, and critical aerial operations in remote regions

Feb 06, 2025
New AI-Driven Counter-Drone Technology Enhances Threat Detection

Sentrycs’ introduces HORIZON, an advanced AI-powered solution for detecting DIY drones in real-time, offering impressive detection, tracking, and mitigation capabilities against emerging drone threats

Feb 06, 2025
The Importance of Hardware Redundancy in UAS Autopilots

Embention outlines how hardware redundancy in autopilot systems enhances the reliability and resilience of control systems in UAS, eliminating single points of failure and ensuring uninterrupted missions

Feb 06, 2025
New Indoor Inspection Drone Released for Cost-Effective Surveys

Terra Drone is introducing the Terra Xross 1, an indoor inspection drone featuring LiDAR, visual odometry, and a tiltable 4K camera for improved safety and efficiency

Feb 06, 2025

Featured Content

Compact Remote ID Receiver Released for Enhanced Drone Safety

Dronetag has introduced RIDER, a pocket-sized, drone-agnostic Remote ID receiver designed to improve airspace situational awareness and support commercial and public safety applications

Jan 30, 2025
New GCS Software Released for C100 Quadcopter

Performance Drone Works introduces PDW CORE, a comprehensive software bundle enhancing the C100 quadcopter's capabilities with a new UI, flight simulator, mission planner, ATAK integration, and fleet management tools

Jan 29, 2025
Advanced Signal Mapping Tool Released for Effective UAV Flight Planning

Elsight has launched HeatSight, a signal strength mapping tool that provides UAV operators with reliable cellular coverage data, improving flight planning efficiency and safety for BVLOS missions

Jan 28, 2025
Doodle Labs Unveils Mobile App for Managing Mesh Networks

Doodle Labs is introducing the Mesh Rider® Mobile App, providing intuitive tools for managing wireless mesh networks across devices such as ground control stations (GCS) and UAVs

Jan 23, 2025
Advanced FOG-Based Inertial Sensing Solutions for Drones & Robotics

Aegiverse's products feature a multi-layered architecture that combines multiple elements into a compact module, providing significant, size, weight and cost reductions

Jan 21, 2025
“Surveillance as a Service” UAV Solution Launched

Volatus Aerospace’s “Surveillance as a Service" solution will use drone technology to provide secure, multi-modal surveillance for faster response times and actionable intelligence

Jan 16, 2025