Hybrid Live-tracking

Flarm. Fanet. Open Glider Network. You have likely heard of at least one of these technologies. They are widely used in our sports for

• Online tracking,
• Situational awareness and
• Team flying.

How are they relevant? SeeYou Navigator and Oudie N Fanet+ take the benefits of each of these technologies to a new level. The offline solutions of Fanet and Flarm are complemented by the permanent and seamless Internet connection of Oudie N and smartphones. The result is a combination of the strengths of all these solutions without the weaknesses of any of them.

Let’s look at the basic differences between these technologies and how they create an unparalleled experience in the Naviter products.

Flarm

FLARM is the traffic awareness and collision avoidance technology for pilots of light aircraft such as gliders, helicopters and general aviation aircraft. FLARM warns you of both traffic and impending collisions with other aircraft, allowing you to take action before it’s too late. Flarm’s history began with gliding. More recently, it has expanded to include general aviation and unmanned vehicles.

Fanet

Fanet is an open-source software that enables a wireless network of devices that share their position, altitude and other data in real time. It is designed to be long range, lightweight and inexpensive. Fanet uses a LoRa mesh network architecture to enable peer-to-peer communication between participating aircraft. If you’re a programmer, it’s even an open-source project on GitHub

Fanet+

Fanet plus is a hardware module originally developed by Skytraxx. This module is installed in the Oudie N Fanet+ with integrated antenna design. It is a single module that combines Flarm and Fanet technologies in a single module, with some limitations on the Flarm part. It supports the full functionality of the Fanet network while providing a beacon-only function for Flarm. It’s an ad-hoc network of small electronic devices that can talk to each other in the air. Fanet+ modules are widely used in paragliding. The market-leading devices from Naviter, Skytraxx and XC Tracer use this technology.

How it works

You fly. The FANET+ module inside tweets your position into the air. Other FANET+ modules and Flarm devices receive your transmission and display your location on the screen of another Oudie (or compatible device). You can see the other pilot’s altitude and rate of climb. You can see exactly where they are. You can even navigate to them. This is invaluable when you are in a new and unfamiliar area, flying as a team, or just want to make sure that someone knows where you are and what you are doing.

What is the advantage of having both Fanet and Flarm?

They serve two different purposes. The purpose of Flarm is collision avoidance. With its integration into the Fanet+ module, paragliders and hang gliders become electronically conspicuous to gliders and general aviation. Fanet, on the other hand, focuses on the exchange of small, long-range data packets using LoRa technology.

Open Glider Network (OGN)

OGN is an open-source network that uses FLARM and ADS -B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) technology to track and monitor aircraft in real time. OGN is a decentralized network that relies on volunteer ground stations to receive and relay data from participating aircraft. Each ground station receives data from nearby aircraft equipped with FLARM or ADS -B transponders and relays that data to many ground servers on the internet.

Hybrid integration in SeeYou Navigator & Oudie N Fanet+

SeeYou Navigator and Oudie N can connect to external Flarm and Fanet+ devices via Bluetooth Low Energy. Fanet+ module with internal antenna is already integrated in Oudie N Fanet+ version. All Oudie N devices can connect directly to the OGN database via the Internet. Thus, data from all sources can be displayed on the screen of the navigation device. All information about near and far traffic is seamlessly available at your fingertips.

And more. With a Wifi and LTE connection, an Oudie N or your phone running SeeYou Navigator becomes a hybrid, portable OGN transmitter. In places without OGN ground station network coverage, your phone becomes a “portable ground station,” relaying traffic information from Flarm and Fanet directly to OGN servers. This increases your situational awareness and the safety of your flying buddies to a whole new level.

Why hybrid?

• it is a global electronic conspicuity system for gliding, paragliding and hang gliding
• Find a friend without an internet connection if they are within range of your Flarm or Fanet
• Navigate to them online via the OGN online system if they are out of range of Fanet and Flarm
• Core thermals faster by following the tracks of your friends flying in your area.
• Extends Online tracking to areas where it was not possible before.
• Increases the possibility of helping in case when Search and Rescue is needed for you or your friends.

Conclusion

Want to try this exciting tech yourself? Install SeeYou Navigator on your phone and use the free 14-day trial to see if it does what you need.

Don’t want to compromise? Get an Oudie N Fanet+.