Common UAV Challenges
- Barometers are not accurate at low altitude
- Laser altimeters don’t work in all environments
- GPS sensor accuracy varies by GPS signal strength
Our UAV Solution
- US-D1 is accurate no matter what altitude
- US-D1 is a radar altimeter so it works in all weather
- US-D1 is able to rely on itself
Why Choose The US-D1 Radar Altimeter?
- Accurate in Any Weather or Environment: Over water, in fog, through dust, with bright/dark conditions & more
- Compact: Small and lightweight
- Ardupilot & PX4 Support: Simple to use, plug & play ready, and doesn’t need to be calibrated
Common Applications
- Accurate in Any Weather or Environment: Even over water, in fog, through dust, and in bright or dark conditions
- Compact: Small and lightweight
- Ardupilot & PX4 Support: Simple to use, plug & play ready, and unlike other sensors, doesn’t need to be calibrated
| Frequency Band | 24 GHz |
| Bandwidth | 190 MHz |
| Minimum Operating Altitude | 0.5 meters |
| Maximum Operating Altitude | 50 meters |
| Altitude Precision | 6.0cm (< 1m), 4.0cm (> 1m) |
| Field of View | 43 ° x 30 ° |
| Interface | UART, CAN |
| Update Rate | 100 Hz |
| Supply Voltage | 5V~13V DC (5.5V recommended) |
| Power Consumption | 2W(at 5 Volts DC input) |
| Operational Temperature Range | -20 °C ~ 65 °C* |
| Size | 108 x 79 x 20 millimeters |
| Weight | 110 grams |
| Environmental Conditions | IP67(with sealant) |
The US-D1 has been FCC certified according to FCC Part 15 standards. It’s FCC ID is 2ATMB-USD1AZ.
The US-D1 has been CE-certified. We are in the process of manufacturing the units with the CE marking and future units will have the mark on the back of the enclosure. The product’s CE declaration of conformity can be found here.
Ainstein components are ITAR free, and do not classify under the US Munitions List governed by the State Department. Our units ship from the US with an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) of EAR99, No License Required. For export, our HS Tariff Code is 8526.10.0000.
Great question! Click here to access the data sheet.
The US-D1 has a maximum range of 50 meters. Other specifications in the US-D1 User Manual
The US-D1 is manufactured to an IP rating of IP67 and has been tested to that standard by our manufacturing team. The unit has a protective sealant applied between the back panel and the enclosure to ensure that it withstands the IP67 conditions. Pursuing IP67 certification by a third party is on our roadmap, but it has not yet been completed.
Altitudes below 0.5m are within the US-D1’s blind zone, meaning it is unable to detect distance accurately. Attempting to do so will result in measurements that are volatile and have a low accompanying signal-to-noise ratio.
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a measure used in science and engineering that compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. SNR is defined as the ratio of signal power to the noise power, often expressed in decibels. A ratio higher than 1:1 (greater than 0 dB) indicates more signal than noise.
When using the US-D1 according to the instructions provided in the user manual, a SNR of more than 13 dB is indicative of a high-confidence measurement of the radar’s ability to detect the altitude.
The US-D1 records both the altitude measurement and a corresponding signal-to-noise ratio measurement with an update rate of 100 Hz. Every measured altitude is recorded with it’s SNR. The signal to noise ratio can be used to validate the integrity of an altitude reading. We typically consider a signal-to-noise ratio of less that 13 dB as a low-confidence measurement.
The output is primarily the result of the proximity and size of the object detected, but it is also influenced by the material of the object detected and the angle at which the signal is reflecting from the object.
The radar is ultimately designed to detect the distance to the ground below when the ground is the main object in its field of view, and when the radar is facing the ground/water. Other objects in the field of view can cause measurement errors.
The US-D1 is ArduPilot and PX4 compatible. Instructions for connecting the US-D1 to the autopilot can be found on Ardupilot’s website. The US-D1 is also compatible with PX4 and Pixhawk hardware. Instructions and parameter setup can be found on PX4’s US-D1 page.
As DJI’s drone hardware and software is largely proprietary, the US-D1 does not directly interface with DJI drones. Third party software and hardware can be used to interface the US-D1 into DJI drones.
Yes, there is a bench test software application that can be provided upon request. Please email support@ainstein.ai for more information.
When mounting the device, the front face of the US-D1 must be perpendicular to the
ground below the aircraft. The device should be secured to the aircraft, where it is not free to move in any direction. Make sure to mount it in a location where the field of view will be from from any unexpected objects that could cause interference with the proper operation of the aircraft. More details about mounting and integration of the US-D1 can be found in the US-D1 User Manual.
Ainstein releases new firmware versions for the US-D1 intermittently improve the performance of the device. When you purchase a unit, it will come with the latest firmware. Only older units require firmware updates.
The details for how to upgrade your US-D1’s Firmware can be found on the DOWNLOADS tab to the left, within the bullet labeled US-D1 Firmware Update Tool. The page is password protected. You may receive the password in a confirmation email from your US-D1 purchase or upon request by emailing support@ainstein.ai.
This firmware update process requires a firmware update kit, which is the hardware used to connect your computer to the US-D1. This device can be directly ordered from our website.
To upgrade the firmware of the US-D1, the standard Molex connector on the US-D1 is used to connect to the update kit. If you have removed this connector, you may just as easily use female jumper connectors for each wire to connect to the update kit.
Yes, the probability of interference between two adjacent US-D1 units operating simultaneously is very low. Therefore, we don’t provide any installation restrictions or minimum distance requirements when using multiple units.
The US-D1 is most effective when there is a direct path from the sensor to the ground with no other objects in its field of view. It does not have the ability to ignore the tethered payload because the US-D1 records the strongest reflection (the objects closest to the sensor) and outputs the distance. For this reason, it is not advisable to use the US-D1 while carrying a tethered payload unless you are able to keep the US-D1’s field of view clear from any interfering objects.
The US-D1’s field of view is 43° x 30°. Although tilting the altimeter at 30° in your application may help you avoid objects in the radar’s field of view, it will also cause noise and potential errors in the measurement, as the algorithm used to detect distance is specifically designed for usage with no tilt. Finding a way to avoid having the radar at 30° will certainly improve the radar’s performance.
In most cases the US-D1 cannot detect through carbon fiber. At low thicknesses, the US-D1 may be able to detect through fiberglass. Generally milllimeter wave radar cannot see through solid surfaces with accuracy because the beams spread when they hit solid objects, which can create false positives. Also, solid surfaces can absorb radar waves depending on what material they are made of. It is most advisable to keep the US-D1’s field of view free from any objects.
Yes, operating the US-D1 in an indoor environment will be much more likely to cause multi-path reflections. It may cause erroneously high altitude measurements as a result of this. Testing outdoors and in flight is the best way to ascertain the radar’s performance in your application.
The US-D1 is a radar altimeter. It was intentionally developed to perform measurement of above ground level (AGL) altitude and it’s firmware is specifically designed for this purpose. The US-D1 has not been tested as an object avoidance sensor and is not recommended to be used for this purpose at this time. Therefore, any attempt to use the US-D1 as an object avoidance sensor should be accompanied by any and all precautions to avoid damage or collision at the user’s own risk.
Improper installation and operation may cause inaccurate measurements due to phenomenon such as multipath reflections, which occur when operating the US-D1 indoors or with large objects obstructing the field of view. Refer to the US-D1 User Manual to ensure proper operation of the device.
Please email support@ainstein.ai for issues not answered by the User Manual or FAQ.
Instructions for changing the BAUD rate and other firmware update kit processes is located in the DOWNLOADS tab to the left, under the bullet labelled US-D1 Technical User Manual.
You can find the US-D1 setup instructions located in the DOWNLOADS tab to the left, under the bullet labelled US-D1 Technical User Manual.
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US-D1 Use Cases
Success Stories
“We at Jetpack Aviation are very excited to implement Ainstein’s radar altimeter technology in our Jetpacks because there is no other technology out there that will give us such an accurate and responsive measurement no matter what surface we are flying over. Our main goal is to keep our JetPack as light and compact as possible and Ainstein’s radar altimeter fits perfectly with our vision.”
Boris Jarry
Operations Manager, JetPack Aviation, Inc.
“Ainstein has shown the technical capabilities and commitment to customize industry-leading solutions for Bobcat. We look forward to a strong partnership to bring the latest innovation to empower our customers to accomplish more.”
Joel Honeyman
Vice President of Global Innovation , Doosan Bobcat North America
“I’ve been very satisfied with Ainstein’s radar products. Ainstein is the only drone radar provider on the market with high performance and low price in a single package. I don’t see any other manufacturers with the same capabilities and value.”
Hideki Shibata
UAS Chief Engineer, YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, U.S.A.