UAVs are planes that fly without a human pilot. Ground Control Station (GCS) is used for their operation and control. Let me tell you, these are land or sea based centers. These stations allow the UAV to control and monitor various flight, navigation and mission-related functions. Major components of GCS:
Hardware: GCS hardware includes the human-machine interface, computers, telemetry, video capture cards, and antennas for communication with the UAV. These systems assist in flight control of the UAV, data acquisition and monitoring of the video feed.
Software: GCS software is used to plan and operate the mission. It gives a map screen where users can determine the flight path and view the progress of the mission. In addition, it serves as a “virtual cockpit”, displaying information on the aircraft’s instruments.
Software: GCS software is used to plan and operate the mission. It gives a map screen where users can determine the flight path and view the progress of the mission. In addition, it serves as a “virtual cockpit”, displaying information on the aircraft’s instruments.
Types of GCS:
Fixed installation and vehicle-mounted GCS: For larger military UAVs the GCS is in the form of a “virtual cockpit”. In this, the pilot or sensor operator sits in front of a screen that displays views, maps, and aircraft instrument information from the UAV. Control is via traditional aircraft-style joysticks and throttles.
Portable GCS: Smaller UAVs can be operated with traditional “twin-stick” style transmitters. This setup can be expanded with laptop or tablet computers, data and video telemetry, and antennas, effectively making it a ground control station.
Fixed installation and vehicle-mounted GCS: For larger military UAVs the GCS is in the form of a “virtual cockpit”. In this, the pilot or sensor operator sits in front of a screen that displays views, maps, and aircraft instrument information from the UAV. Control is via traditional aircraft-style joysticks and throttles.
Portable GCS: Smaller UAVs can be operated with traditional “twin-stick” style transmitters. This setup can be expanded with laptop or tablet computers, data and video telemetry, and antennas, effectively making it a ground control station.
