ALTI, one of the world leaders in unmanned
vertical take-off and land (VTOL) aircraft manufacturers and developer company,
has among its fleet of UAVs the ALTI Transition. The ALTI Transition counts with
a Ground Control Station (GCS) unique in its type. It is a complete control and
command station as well as a stand-alone aircraft control camera gimbal and
sensor control unit (ALTI, n.d.).
The
frame and power life
The GCS is housed by a lightweight pelican ‘air’
case that includes a high-quality intel computer, relevant mission planning,
and operation software (ALTI, n.d.). These features are very convenient for the
transportation of the GCS as well as for the maneuvering and control of the
ALTI Transition UAV. Two of the biggest advantages of the ALTI GCS is that it can
be set up with multiple power options including hot swappable batteries. The
result, the operations can last for extended periods of time.
Long
Range Data and Video
ALTI GCS counts with advanced long-range aircraft
data telemetry and video link, as well as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)
technology which includes (ALTI, n.d.):
·
High quality Intel NUC computer
·
Dual
screen design layout
·
15.6” LED HD display monitors (allows for 160°/160° viewing angles)
·
Digital and video link powered by Microhard MIMO 2.4Ghz pMDDL2450
ENC radio systems
·
Up
to 62 miles of long-range data and video features
·
Backup
data telemetry link
·
Long
range control link
·
Main
digital data link (flight planning and telemetry)
·
MicroHard
radio modem system
·
Encryption
·
Control
links
·
Any
payload/HD video software the client has opted to use with ranges of up to 70km
Communication between the GCS and the UAV
is essential for the success of the mission carried. Communication is maintained thanks to a radio
controller for aircraft control, power packs, antennas, and all extras and
accessories (ALTI, n.d.).
Long
Range and Control Link
According to ALTI’s official website, “ALTI
GCS counts with a long-range low frequency C2 control link for full time LOS
control and override of the aircraft.” This means that the command and control
of the UAV can be well handled from long distances without being interrupted by
environmental changes.
Visual
Display
ALTI GCS counts with a high-quality intel computer
with dual HD display (ALTI, n.d.). This is of great help for remote pilots/operators
because it will be displaying better images with details of where the UAV is
located. The visual display can help on the decision making of the mission
carried. The GCA is also loaded with mission planning, payload, and control software
that helps the UAV to be ready to fly at any moment (ALTI, n.d.).
As a result of ALTI giving its costumers the option to select
their prefer software, it could be recommended to use the Visionair GCS
software from UAV Navigation, a company specialized in the design of flight
control solutions. Visionair is perfect for the planning and execution of UAV missions, specially because it is compatible with fixed wing UAV like it is the case of
the the ALTI Transition UAV. Some of its feature includes (UAV Navigation, n.d.):
·
Mission-oriented
interface.
·
Fully
featured UAV mission planning and execution application, with GUI.
·
Platform: PC/laptop (with keyboard + mouse).
·
Suitable
for fixed-wing, helicopter or multi-rotor UAVs and targets.
·
Main
Flight Modes: Auto, Manual, Fly-To, Hold (Hover),
Safe (Return To Base).
·
Fully
Auto Take-Off.
·
Fully
Auto Landing.
·
Camera
Control Modes: Air, Ground, Geo, Pilot View, Stow,
Rate (with integrated video display).
·
Waypoints: 100 max.
·
Range: Unlimited.
·
Altitude: Unlimited.
·
Full
DEM support.
·
Link
Quality panel.
·
Target
Editor.
·
Fly/No-fly
Zones.
·
Rulers.
·
Full
range of configurable alarms.
·
Compatible
with all kinds of digital mapping.
Determining the right hardware for a
GCS depends on the physical requirements the UAV will be subject to and the
computing requirements the GCS needs to provide in order to collect accurate data. The following
charts presens different GCS options to take into consideration when purchasing
a hardware.
Small UAVs GCS can be subject to be
stolen, lost, or damaged. A possible solution to this as well as for the rugged
hand-held controllers is to take advantage of the new era of automation. Taking
some of the control functions from the GCS and providing the UAS with more
autonomy could be a good solutions (Nace, 2013).
Sources
ALTI. n.d. ALTI Ground Control
System. ALTI. Retrieved from https://www.altiuas.com/ground-control-station/
Nace, R. (2013). Communication hardware
for Universal Ground Control Stations: Narrowing the field to AdvancedTCA. XTAC&CompactPCI Systems. Retrieved
from www.lcrembeddedsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/CompactPCI-AdvancedPCA.pdf
Press. (2018). ALTI UAS Launches
Complete UAV Ground Control and Command Station Inbox x. Suas News. Retrieved from https://www.suasnews.com/2018/07/alti-uas-launches-complete-uav-ground-control-and-command-station-inbox-x/
Reagan, J. ALTI Launches New UAS
Ground Control System. Drone Life. Retrieved
from https://dronelife.com/2018/07/27/alti-launches-new-uas-ground-control-system/
UAV Navigation. (n.d.) GCS Software.
UAV Navigation. Retrieved from https://www.uavnavigation.com/products/gcs/gcs-software
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