Neuron Beta Launch
Become a part of aviation history!
About Neuron
Neuron is an opensource public network for building, finding, and connecting services. Our mission is to improve the performance, cost and robustness of service networks, and to reduce the risks associated with using intermediaries.
We are pleased to announce that our first use case, for aviation, is now accepting applications for its beta program!
Our back story...
The UK has a history of pioneering inventions in aviation, from the invention of the jet engine, to the world's first supersonic airliner. Neuron's UK based team felt compelled to continue this long tradition, to solve one of the biggest challenges plaguing the industry...the integration of drones into our airspace.
4 years ago, Neuron's founders assembled a team of experts, and set itself the ambitious target of building a flight tracking network that could meet technical, economic and regulatory requirements, whilst upholding our values of being open, accessible to anyone, and owned by the community.
The journey hasn't been easy! We built products, broke them, rebuilt them, and tested them. We've worked with regulators, airports, drone operators, general aviation pilots, and end users. And we have demonstrated live drone flights to packed audiences at Cranfield University's DARTeC research facility.
This work has all been working towards the aviation singularity...to fulfil the final part of our promise...to hand ownership over to the community. This is now your chance to become part of aviation history!
How it works
The Neuron suite of products comprises of 3 key user interfaces:
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The Customer: 4DSKY Flight Tracking Software
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The Service Provider: Jetvision Airsquitter Sensor
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The Explorer: Registration System & 'Everything Map'
The Neuron Node SDK turns the Airsquitter sensor and the 4DSKY web application into Neuron Network nodes that communicate peer-to-peer. Both nodes and the explorer are connected to the Hedera testnet that provides a range of decentralised services that ensure the network remains open, and community governed.
Any other software applications (customers) can join the network with an SDK integration (permissionless) or obtain data feeds via the 4DSKY server's APIs with an enterprise account subscription.
Why are you running a beta?
Neuron is launching its peer-to-peer network on the Hedera public testnet, and is looking for up to 30 participants from around the world to help us:
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Collect feedback on the product and user interfaces
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Test and debug the software to increase reliability
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Improve and develop new features
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Improve the incentivisation model before mainnet
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Develop a small global presence of sensors
We expect the beta program to last approximately 2-3 months, and once completed, we plan to open the project to anyone.
Am I eligible to take part?
Beta program applications are open to anyone, in any country we can post a sensor to, who can meet the following requirements:
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Be willing to purchase a sensor (£499 + postage)
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Have a suitable installation point (more info below)
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Be able to install the sensor within 3 weeks of receipt
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Have mains power and high-speed broadband internet
The following attributes will be desirable, but not essential:
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You are technically competent with hardware/ Linux command line
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Your location is near drone/ aviation activities
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You like sharing stuff on social media to help spread the word
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You are proactive and like to provide feedback and improve things
Sensor & installation
Neuron has teamed up with German flight tracking sensor experts, Jetvision, to provide you with one of the best aviation sensors you can buy within this price bracket. We have spent years testing a number of sensors to ensure suitability. The sensor can detect mode-S, mlat, ADS-B, and either Flarm (OGN) or UAT (region specific) signals from aircraft.
Please note: This is not a cheap hobby sensor that you may see on other projects you may be aware of. It is a professional sensor, being used at various airports and on drone projects around the world.
The sensor package consists of:
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Airsquitter receiver (red box) integrated with Neuron SDK
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2 x antennas (1090mhz, and 868mhz or 978mhz - region specific)
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Ethernet, power and antenna cables
(Mounting brackets and wi-fi repeaters are not included)
The Airsquitter receiver must be mounted in an indoor environment, ideally close to a power socket and ethernet port. The antennas must be installed in a location with minimal obstructions of the sky, ideally on a roof or mast, although inside an attic roof is acceptable. The antenna cables should not be more than 30m in length (ideally <20m).
Internet should be provided via ethernet, not LTE, either directly into your internet router, or plugged into a wi-fi extender. The device does have its own wi-fi, but using this will limit the number of peer to peer connections you can serve at any one time.
What are the benefits?
Apart from bragging rights for being involved in one of the coolest opensource projects ever, and being part of aviation history, there are a number of other benefits in applying to the beta programme!
Discount on sensors
Due to us making a bulk order, we have managed to obtain a 15% discount off the sensor's online price. We are passing this discount straight onto you . We will not be making any money from selling you these sensors! This reduces the overall cost to £499/ unit + postage (about $620).
Free 4DSKY premium
To thank you for taking part in the beta programme, Neuron will provide all participants with a free subscription to 4DSKY premium for at least 12 months. Upcoming features will include enhanced tools to model sensor coverage, allowing you to evidence your sensors performance.
Improve local coverage
By installing sensors, you will increase surveillance capability in your local area, increasing safety for aviators and helping to enable drone activities. If you fly drones, you can use the sensors on your own projects, or if not, you can help support other peoples projects.
Earn loyalty points
Loyalty points will be earnt by beta participants for contributing high quality data to 4DSKY. Loyalty point rewards will be calculated based on the performance of your sensor. Upon mainnet launch we will airdrop tokens to you based on the number of loyalty points you have accumulated.
In addition to the above, beta testers will be invited to a private Discord channel to help communication, share ideas and provide feedback.
How do I apply?
Before you apply to the beta program, please make sure you have read through all of the information on this page to ensure you are eligible and able to fulfil the requirements of this beta program.
If your application is successful you will need to purchase a sensor:
£499/ sensor + postage
(15% discount off the online purchase price)
When you are ready to complete the application, please submit your response using the following form:
Deadline for applications is 30th April 2024 at 17:00 (BST)
Best of luck!
FAQ
1) How will loyalty points be calculated?
Loyalty points will be earnt by contributing good quality data to the network. You should ensure your sensor has a good view of the sky, and is connected to the network at all times to maximise the number of points you earn. If you try spoofing data, we may terminate your involvement in the beta program (unless you tell us before hand and we agree to a bug bounty!). We reserve the right to improve the points algorithm during this beta program to ensure it is fit for purpose. We really do appreciate beta program participants, and so we will do everything we can in terms of guidance to ensure you earn the maximum amount of points.
2) When will you be launching a token?
We plan to launch a token when we transition the project to Hedera mainnet. We anticipate this to be around September/ October 2024, however there are a lot of variables that could affect this timing. We will do our very best to meet this timescale, but please bear with us! Upon mainnet launch, eligible points holders will be airdropped tokens proportional to the number of loyalty points they have earnt during the beta program. We will reward beta program participants generously for their help.
3) Can I integrate my own sensor?
Currently, the only sensor that will be part of this beta program will be the Jetvision Airsquitter. You will need to buy the sensor from us so that we can flash the Neuron SDK software onto the sensor beforehand. In the future, you will be able to buy the sensor directly from the manufacturer. We make no money on selling these sensors to you. In fact we are making a small loss on each sensor. If you have another sensor you wish to integrate, feel free to contact us and we can discuss the idea with you.
4) How long will it take to receive my sensor?
The sensors have already been purchased, and we anticipate to receive the sensors in the first 2 weeks of May from the manufacturer. You should receive your sensor before the end of May (postage permitting)! We will update you if there are any delays, but we don't expect anything major since we already have a number of sensors in stock.
Please message us on Discord if you have any further questions.