Embention’s Veronte Autopilot is a versatile control system designed to meet the rigorous standards required for aerospace and defense applications across various autonomous platforms, including eVTOLs, UAVs, UGVs, and USVs. Read more >>
Veronte Autopilot supports critical and complex missions with compliance to ISO9001 and EN9100 standards, alongside certifications like DO178C, DO254, and DO160G, which set the benchmark for reliability and safety in aerospace-grade electronics.
The Manufacturing Process: Building to Aerospace Standards
Embention’s production of this autopilot is characterized by an orderly, sequential process, governed by extensive quality checks at every stage. Each unit undergoes the same stringent protocols, ensuring consistent quality and functionality.
The entire production sequence is documented through an Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP), while recorded metrics are compiled in an Acceptance Test Report (ATR), both central to the device’s documentation for later certification.
Initial Production Stages
The manufacturing of Veronte Autopilot begins with key assembly and inspection phases that ensure each unit meets precise specifications.
Visual Inspection: Components undergo an initial check according to IPC-610 standards, verifying each part’s condition with technical reports from suppliers, including results from Automated Optical Inspections (AOI).
Short Circuit Verification: A critical step to validate the power supply on the PCBA, avoiding potential electrical issues downstream.
Voltage and Current Measurements: These are checked against predetermined values set by the design department, with data recorded to ensure exact compliance.
Microcontroller Programming: Firmware installation follows strictly specified versions, a measure that ensures optimal operation of the autopilot’s onboard logic.
Functional Testing
Following initial inspections, Veronte Autopilot’s hardware undergoes comprehensive functional testing to simulate high-stress operational environments. The testing sequence includes:
Burn-in Testing: The PCBA is subjected to prolonged operational stress tests, pushing it to its limits to confirm the durability and reliability of its components.
Tropicalization: Protective chemical coatings are applied to the PCBA to bolster resistance in humid or corrosive environments, ensuring the hardware’s integrity in diverse operational conditions.
Depanelization: The PCBA is depanelized using an automated depanelizer, reducing the risk of damage. A final visual inspection verifies the integrity of the PCBA before assembly continues.
Assembly and Environmental Stress Screening (ESS)
With the PCBA prepared, the assembly phase commences. Here, the internal systems are meticulously assembled with precision and monitored in real-time via the ATR, ensuring every connection and component is verified against strict standards. The assembled unit is encased in an IP67-rated, anodized aerospace-grade aluminum housing, providing protection against environmental exposure.
Afterward, Veronte Autopilot units undergo Environmental Stress Screening (ESS), simulating extreme operational conditions such as rapid temperature fluctuations and high vibration levels. During ESS, telemetry data captures real-time sensor and system performance, ensuring that the autopilot remains stable and responsive under challenging conditions.
Calibration and Final Verification
The final phase of the Veronte Autopilot production process includes the calibration of onboard sensors, including pressure sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs).
Each sensor’s performance is verified and documented, adding layers of assurance that all systems meet design expectations. Real-time production tracking means Embention teams can continually monitor each unit’s production progress, ensuring traceability and accountability.
A final verification check confirms that all manufacturing steps, calibrations, and system specifications adhere to the initial design requirements. This process validates that the Veronte Autopilot is fully prepared for certification processes, equipped with all necessary documentation, such as the ATR, Certificate of Conformity (CoC), and Declaration of Design and Performance (DDP).
Meeting the Highest Standards
Embention’s production methodology for Veronte Autopilot aligns with rigorous aerospace standards DO178C, DO254, and DO160G, positioning it as a robust, certifiable control system ready for integration into autonomous vehicles.
The company’s adherence to these standards means that each autopilot unit is crafted for long-term durability, resilience, and precision performance, paving the way for its deployment in mission-critical and high-stakes environments.
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