Release Notes

ATOM UAV MANUAL
Date:
2022
-
01
-
04
Version: 1.3
Page: 6 of 39
FLARM Technology
Ltd
Hinterbergstrasse 15
CH-6330 Cham
Document Number:
FTD-088
2.2 System Description
FLARM is the collision avoidance system and traffic awareness/electronic
conspicuity technology used by General Aviation, light aircraft, and UAVs. It was
designed to support self-separation for both VFR and IFR in applicable airspace
classes. Aircraft with a FLARM system alert the pilots when on a collision course
with another aircraft. Like TCAS/TAS, visual and aural warnings indicate that a
collision is imminent, requiring the pilots to act. However, unlike TCAS, FLARM
does not issue Resolution Advisories (RA), so pilots need to select the appropriate
course of action themselves.
FLARM works by calculating and broadcasting its own predicted future 3D flight
path to nearby aircraft, using a digital radio channel. At the same time, it receives
the future flight path from surrounding aircraft.
The system determines its position, altitude, and movement with a sensitive GNSS
receiver. Based on those and other parameters, a precise projected flight path can
be calculated. The flight path, together with additional information such as an
identification number, is encoded before being broadcast over an encrypted radio
channel twice per second. Flight models are available for most aircraft types,
including piston-engine airplanes, jets, helicopters, gliders, hang gliders,
paragliders, UAVs, etc.
FLARM was invented in 2004 following an increasing number of mid-air collisions.
Research and accident investigations had shown that the see-and-avoid principle
was insufficient to reliably detect approaching aircraft in time. It initially spread in
the domain of non-powered aircraft but was soon followed by rapid expansion in
powered airplanes and helicopters. Over 50,000 manned aircraft and many more
UAVs already have a FLARM-system installed. In Europe, more than 50% of all
General Aviation aircraft have FLARM (including nearly 100% of gliders). The
technology has additionally spread to other parts of the world and is today also
used most prominently in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa, Israel, and some Asian countries.
Atom UAV is a FLARM device for installation in UAVs. It is based on the latest Atom
SoC platform and features a web app called FLARM Hub. Atom UAV has been
designed for worldwide use and connects to a range of flight computers.
Configuration is simple through the web interface.
Atom UAV has a fully functional FLARM radio for receiving and transmitting traffic
information, an ADS-B / Mode-S transponder receiver, and a modern GNSS
receiver, as well as a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth radio for configuration and
transmission/reception of Remote ID messages. This enables aircraft that are not
yet equipped with FLARM to also be detected by Atom UAV.