The Virtual Cockpit 2.4 is the Windows XP-based ground control software for the Kestrel™ Autopilot System. It makes “click ‘n fly” operation easy, facilitating powerful mission planning, monitoring and in-flight adjustment on a notebook computer. Now with new video and telemetry synch’ing, advanced convoy and much greater gimbal support.

Version 2.4 supports Procerus’ new OnPoint™ Targeting application.

With the Virtual Cockpit, users can interact with micro air vehicles in a variety of different modes, including stick and rudder, altitude-heading-velocity commands and dynamic waypoint specification. It allows operators to configure, monitor, issue commands to the autopilot and ground station wireless communications hardware, upload flight plans and change waypoints – all while the UAV is in the air. Controlling and managing multiple vehicles in the air (also convoy following support with movable home position) is made easier with new intuitive interfaces and real-time UAV status information for each UAV is always present.

New in Version 2.4:

• Deep stall and parachute landing capabilities
• Time to Home display
• User customizable payload and mode buttons
• Extended Gimbal support
  • Retractable gimbal support
  • Gimbal max/min angle limits
  • Zoom camera support
• OnPoint Targeting support (see new Targeting Mode above)
• Video and Telemetry Synchronization to within a few milliseconds
• Falconview support via Etherroute
• Advanced convoy following setup (easily position multiple UAVs relative to convoy)
• Advanced UAV modes: Targeting, Convoy
• Display Commbox GPS position on the map
• Choose between inductive current shunt
• Commbox video overlay enable / disable
• Audible joystick speed increase sounds

Multi-Agent and Convoy Following Running one copy of the Virtual Cockpit, users can easily operate multiple UAVs from the same ground station, through one datalink. Useful for Convoy Following and other applications. The Commbox ground station now includes a GPS receiver which allows the home position to move with the convoy while UAVs follow.

The wireless communications hardware for the Virtual Cockpit – the Commbox™ – is small and tightly integrated. It provides the system’s communication link.

What the Virtual Cockpit Offers:

• Simplified user interfaces
• Geo-referenced maps (large map area)
• Easy-to-use mode support – readily accessible buttons
• Intuitive flight planning – easy click-and-drag waypoint placement, management and editing
• In-flight mission reprogramming and waypoint uploading
• Dynamic re-tasking and adjustment
• Flight plan save and retrieve capabilities
• Fully configurable, integrated precision data logging
• User-configurable failsafes
• Telemetry data playback from within the Virtual Cockpit
• Integrated video (video and still shots, text/data overlays)
• Hardware-in-the-loop simulation: Aviones Simulator
• Real-time graphing of PID loop performance
• In-flight PID gain tuning – graphical PID loop selection
• Priority messaging window
• Audible warning sounds (configurable)
• Remote TCP/IP connection
• Flight timer
• Auto-trim - initiate auto-trim capability, save values to autopilot
• Two-axis, stabilized gimbal camera support with manual control through joy stick
• Game pad controller to manipulate UAV without RC experience or RC controller
• Multi-agent – now easier than ever to fly multiple UAVs (autonomously or with pilot-in-the-loop) while receiving and monitoring real-time UAV status (battery voltage, telemetry, etc.)
• Convoy Following Support - now with GPS on the Commbox ground station, users can manage multiple UAVs in convoy following applications
• Integration – built-in autopilot configuration, warning, sensor and servo configuration screens