Flite Test, in conjunction with Tritium Electronics, a leader in electronics assembly, has designed a USA-developed and manufactured Remote ID Broadcast Module, the Flite Test EZ ID which will be available in production volumes in August of 2023.
FT EZ ID provides an excellent, high-value solution for both RC model airplane pilots as well as recreational drone pilots. It’s light, has internal antennas, and has integrated GPS and Bluetooth 4 and 5 transmitters. The FT EZ ID is also designed to be installed easily and then removed and installed on a pilot’s entire fleet of recreational aircraft.
The FT EZ ID weighs only 10 grams, less than one-third of an ounce, and can be powered by 2S to 8S batteries. It also provides an integrated GPS receiver and a Bluetooth transmitter with antennas etched on the printed circuit board, reducing the total weight and functions without any external antennas hanging off the aircraft. The average power draw of the FT EZ ID is a low, ten milliamps, meaning there will be a small power penalty when using the FT EZ ID on radio control fixed wing or multirotor aircraft.
FAQ
Is the GPS integrated or does it depend on a separate GPS module?
The GPS is integrated in the single-board, FT EZ ID.
What are the modules used?
The GPS is a uBlox 10.
The Bluetooth transceiver is a Nordic NRF52840 chip.
Is the FT EZ ID Open Source? What language is used to code the module?
The software on the FT EZ ID is closed source.
What Quality Assurance testing is performed on the FT EZ ID?
100% of modules are tested prior to shipment
Testing includes: Full function test and also GPS to BT test, BT to Phone test, Status LED test.
What is the power consumption of the FT EZ ID?
The average power draw of the FT EZ ID is 10mA. This may spike as high as 100mA when establishing an initial fix and during other short operation intervals.
What is the best range you have gotten?
The FT EZ ID has been tested in an unobstructed area transmitting at a distance of 1500ft.
How long is the cold and warm start of the GPS?
Cold start is approximately 53 seconds and warm start is usually less than 20 seconds.
Who is Tritium Electronics?
Tritium Electronics is an independent electronics engineering and manufacturing company located in Ohio, USA. Tritium has worked on previous projects with Flite Test.
The price sounds high, what are the chances it will be reduced this year?
The price of the FT EZ ID covers no recoverable expense to design, prototype and develop software as well as the rapidly rising cost of electronic components. FT EZ ID is a purpose-designed remote ID broadcast module for recreational pilots in the USA.
Where can I buy a FT EZ ID?
THE FT EZ ID may be ordered from the Flite Test online store as well as select online retailers in the recreational RC and FPV industry.
Can FT EZ ID be used for part 107 operations?
The FT EZ ID may be used to bring a part 107 aircraft into compliance if it is manufactured prior to September 16, 2022.
Will the GPS data be available to betaflight or ArduPilot?
Via a UART, the GPS data will be available to any flight controller software.
Will FT EZ ID have features beyond broadcasting remote ID?
Flite Test will be offering a suite of software which will use the GPS function of FT EZ ID. (future)
What mobile devices will be able to pick up the signal and what apps are compatible?
THE FT EZ ID transmits Bluetooth 4 and 5. Newer Android phones receive both Bluetooth 4 and 5. iPhone supports bluetooth 5 from iPhone X on. Bluetooth 5 transmits a much farther range (up to several kilometers) than Bluetooth 4.
If I have trouble setting up the FT EZ ID, where can I go for support?
Flite Test Customer Support is available to respond to questions about the FT EZ ID. However, the FT EZ ID only requires power and then is ready to operate.
Can FT EZ ID be installed inside a plane, or in the stack of an FPV drone?
The FT EZ ID may be installed anywhere inside or on the exterior of a recreational aircraft. Radio frequency performance of the FT EZ ID will improve if it is installed on the exterior of an aircraft
