helping you keep an eye on things...
Ground Control Systems
- In the Network Centric approach, the swarm of UAVs form a mesh network of flying computers, interconnected through the use of a fast Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
- The high altitude Command UAV contains the WLAN hub, together with a high bandwidth, bi-directional, Free Space Optics link and a bi-directional satellite communications link.
Network Centric Ground Control System
The Satellite Ground Station interfaces the signals with the Internet. This approach enables many users to view the data, as it is gathered by the UAVs and to direct the operation of the UAV in response to data, as it is gathered in an interactive manner.
The Nato Standard Agreement (" STANAG" ) 4586 concerns the messaging between the Unmanned Aircraft and the Ground Control Station. An introduction to some of the thinking behind this STANAG is presented in the pdf document from CDL Systems.
Select: http://www.cdlsystems.com/DocsinPDF/STANAG4586_CDLSystems.pdf to access a copy of this document.
Download a copy of STANAG 4586.
Download a copy of STANAG 4670.
Above from a presentation by Mike Strong DCMAC at the EUROCONTROL UAS Workshop on the 7th and 8th of May 2008 at EUROCONTROL HQ in Brussels. Contact = michael.strong@eurocontrol.int.
An example of a military Ground Control System, in this case, for the US Predator military Unmanned Air Vehicle. From http://spyflight.co.uk/Predator.htm
Staff from Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Malat Division controlling the IAI Heron military Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Air Vehicle. From www.iai.com
from http://uconco.en.ec21.com for Ucon System in South Korea
Key Features
- 3 Dimensional Digital Map Operation
- Pre-flight Path Analysis and Simulation
- In-flight Real time Hazard Analysis
- Control command for autonomous flight and Real time Flight Path Change
- Real Time Image Processing/Display/Editing
- Flight Data Analysis and Database
The FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, 1 November, 2006(UPI)
A new remote " cockpit" has been developed to give operatorsof unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) a better view of what is going on around the aircraft.
Raytheon Tuesday unveiled the Universal Control System (UCS), which was built with heavy input from UAV operators and borrowed advanced intuitive interface technology from the high-tech video game industry.
" We took the best-of-breed technologies from the gaming industry and coupled them with our 35 years of command-and-control expertise and developed a state-of-the-art universal cockpit built around the operator," Raytheon's Mark Bigham said at an industry conference outside Washington. " We broke down the operator's tasks and objectives and constructed a system built entirely around them," he added.
From http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/raytheon-announces-new-uav-cockpit-setup/
The UCS is arranged in a " wrap-around" fashion, which places the operator in a virtual cockpit that allows for multiple views of what is going on around the UAV and can control multiple aircraft simultaneously.
The goal of the new control system is to reduce the number of accidents involving UAVs. Raytheon said a 2004 study by the Federal Aviation Administration found that operators were a factor in 21 percent of the accidents involving the Shadow UAV and 67 percent of Predator mishaps.
The use of intuitive user technology in the UCS should help operators learn the finer points of flying UAVs and managing the large amounts of flight and intelligence data produced by the aircraft more quickly and with less formal training.
from http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20061031-034318-5625r
from http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/th2go/digital/home.php
Upgrade notebook to three external displays.
With Monitor Bezel Management
Experience Surround Graphics™
TripleHead2Go Digital Edition delivers the ultimate surround graphics experience for professionals and gaming enthusiasts alike. This versatile new product enables users looking to add three digital monitors to their workstation, desktop computer or notebook with a maximum resolution of up to 3840x10241 (triple 1280x1024).
from Matrox advertisement in PC Pilot May-June 2007
The latest in Matrox's series of Graphics eXpansion Modules (GXM), TripleHead2Go Digital Edition is an external multi-display upgrade device that connects via the dual-link DVI or analog output of your system and can support both analog and digital monitors. Dramatically increasing Office Productivity for business professionals, providing an incredible Surround Design environment to high-end workstation users and delivering the most immersive Surround Gaming™ experience to gamers, the TripleHead2Go Digital Edition is the ideal solution for individuals looking for a truly digital-to-digital experience.
| Key features | ||
| • | Features a dual-link digital input for high-end workstations and DVI monitors. | |
| • | Brings digital monitor support to systems with an analog (VGA) output. | |
| • | Flexible device supports both dual-monitor configurations at a maximum resolution of up to 3840 x 1200 (2x 1920x1200)1 and triple-monitor configurations with a maximum resolution of up to 3840 x 1024 (3x 1280x1024)1 with digital or analog monitors. | |
| • | Harness your existing graphics hardware's full capabilities for 2D, 3D and video. | |
| • | Experience Surround Gaming by expanding supported 3D games across three displays achieve a much wider in-game field of view. | |
| • | Experience Surround Graphics and execute your workload faster by expanding your desktop across three displays. | |
| • | Includes Matrox Monitor Bezel Management software feature for an enhanced gaming experience2. | |
1System dependent. See compatibility list.
2Available under Windows only.
|
TripleHead display modes |
|
|
Resolution |
Refresh Rates |
|
1920 x 480 |
60Hz |
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2400 x 600 |
60Hz |
|
3072 x 768 |
60Hz |
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3840 x 7204 |
60Hz |
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3840 x 7684 |
60Hz |
|
3840 x 8004 |
60Hz |
|
3840 x 9604 |
60Hz |
|
3840 x 1024 |
60Hz |
November 4th, 2007 by Paul Maunders
from http://www.pyrosoft.co.uk/blog/2007/11/04/army-fly-uav-spy-plane-with-xbox-360-controller/
I was just watching a British Army Jobs advert on Channel 4, and it showed them piloting an unmanned aerial vehicle with an Xbox 360 controller.
- Uses a common USB interface
- Has drivers available for Windows, OS X and Linux
- Has been extensively tested by millions of gamers
- Is perhaps one of the greatest game controllers ever built
So why re-invent the wheel?
|
The SONY VAIO UX1 series computers for operators on the move... |
from http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/01/29/sony_brings_vaio_ux_to_uk/
Sony to bring Flash-only UX1 UMPC to UK
Sony will bring its Flash-based Vaio UX ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) out of Japan next month when it ships the VGN-UX1XN micro PC in the UK. But boy does it look smart. Unlike the current UX, the new model comes entirely in black and sports a blue-backlit black QWERTY keyboard. Internally, the star of the show is the 32GB NAND Flash-based solid-state drive, backed by a 1.33GHz ultra-low voltage Intel Core Solo U1500 processor and 1GB of 400MHz DDR 2 SDRAM.
The UX1XN's display is a 4.5in, 1,024 x 600 X-Black touchscreen powered by the Intel GMA950 graphics core integrated into the machines 945GMS chipset. It's Vista-ready, said Sony, but not up to Vista Premium spec.
The 0.5kg UMPC has 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a GSM/GRPS/EDGE cellular modem on board. There's a VGA (300,000-pixel) camera on the front and a rear-mounted 1.3 megapixel camera. The device has a fingerprint reader for extra data security.
Next section from http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Sony_Vaio_UX1_Ultra_Portable_Laptop_VGNUX1XN/version.asp
Weighing just 486 grams, the Sony Vaio UX1 is a miniature marvel. Years of Sony design expertise and technical innovation have combined to create a seriously stylish product that is set to open up exciting new worlds of opportunity for mobile professionals or entertainment enthusiasts.
Despite its diminutive size, the Sony Vaio UX1 is no lightweight performer. This powerful Micro PC uses the Intel Core Solo Ultra Low Voltage processor for efficient computing and long battery life.
There is also a high-density 4.5” WSVGA display with X-black technology for crystal clear images, integrated keyboard and speaker, two cameras and the latest Microsoft Windows Vista Business operating system so you can work or play comfortably whether you’re on a bus, in a hotel room or waiting in an airport lounge for your flight to be called.
- Processor: Intel Core Solo Ultra Low Voltage U1500, 1.33GHz
- RAM: 1024MB DDR2-533MHz
- Hard Drive: 32GB Internal Flash Memory
- Screen: 4.5" Widescreen Touch Panel X-Black TFT (1024 x 600 - 16:10)
- Optical Drive: Not Included
- Graphics: Integrated Graphics supporting 224MB
- Wireless LAN: 802.11a/b/g - Call for advice on Wireless Networking
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth Enabled
- Battery Life (Depending on Use): up to 3 hours
- Weight: 486 grams
- Warranty: 1 Year - Upgradeable to 3 Years
- Operating System: Windows Vista Business Edition Dual Camera - Front 0.3MPixel, Rear 1.3MPixel
- Fast Ethernet 10/100
- Fingerprint Reader
- Includes Stylus pen, Carrying case, VGA adapter, Docking station with following interfaces: RJ-45 Direct Port (Ethernet), 3 USB Port, VGA Connector
- from http://store.vuzix.co.uk/acatalog/info_22.html
iWear VR920 Virtual Reality glasses Ref: 227T10011
The iWear VR920 works with the following aviation simulators:
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MS Flight Sim X
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IL2 - Sturmovic
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Lock On Flight Sim
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xPlane Flight Sim
More games are being added all the time. For the latest information, forums and software updates, visit www.vr920.com.
The VR920 comes with 6-foot USB and VGA cable, CD containing calibration software and drivers, clip-on headstrap, user manual and soft carry pouch.
Features:
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920,000 pixel technology gives the same experience as watching on a 62 inch screen
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iWear® 3D enabled for automatic 2D/3D control; no buttons required
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Built-in microphone allows users to communicate from anywhere in the world as if they are standing next to each other
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Integrated 3 DOF head-tracker lets users look around inside of virtual worlds as if they are actually thereAdjustable precision focus for super-sharp pictures every time
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Detachable speakers lets you use your own headphones
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AccuTilt™ viewer pivots up to 15 degrees for comfortable viewing angle
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Advanced military grade optical technology
Technical Specifications:
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Twin high-resolution 640x480 (920,000 pixels) LCD displays
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Equivalent to a 62" screen viewed at 9 feet
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24-bit true color (16 million colours) with 60Hz progressive scan
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32-degree field of view
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Fully iWear® 3D compliant and supports NVIDIA stereo drivers
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Built-in noise-canceling microphone for internet VOIP communications
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3/4" eye relief and 5/16" eyebox
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2.5" intraocular distance (IOD)
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Color corrected 10th order aspherical lens with diffractive surface
Box Contents:
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iWear VR920
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Headstrap
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Lens cleaning carrying pouch
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Drivers, manual and software disc
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Quickstart guide with warranty and safety instructions
Above, the EADS DRAC UAV developed for the French military forces, and below, the Ground Control Unit for the DRAC UAV. All photographs taken at the EADS stand at the Dubai 2007 Air Show.
© Barnard Microsystems Limited 2006 - 2008