The Ground Control Station (GCS) I have
selected for this weeks blog is the Vehicle Control System (VCS) 4586 (GCS
software) paired with the UAV Factory’s Dual Display Mobile Station (DDMS) (GCS
hardware). The VCS-4586 is produced by Lockheed
Martin CDL Systems. The VCS-4586 is a
software suite capable of running on a wide variety of standard computer
hardware and on Windows, Linux, and Solaris operating systems. The VCS-4586 GCS can provide control to UASs,
UGSs, and UMSs. For the purpose of this
blog post, I will focus on UGS and UMS capabilities.
The VCS-4586 supports real-time sensor video and
telemetry. The user interface allows
operators to view sensor video by clicking the icon tagged to the sensors
geographical position. The system
supports analog NTSC and PAL video streams, along with digital MPEG-2 and H.265
streams.
The VCS-4586 reduces the workload of mission
management. The user interface allows
operators to chart UGS and UMS routes, manage targets, and plot restriction
zones. 3-D representations of routes are
visualized on the monitor, and terrain elevation is accounted for. The vehicle management system “allows for
multiple vehicle control from as little as one ground control operator
workstation” (Lockheed Martin, 2015).
Navigation of multiple vehicles is accomplished through point and
click. The VCS-4586 has been used to
operate UMSs such as the Meggitt Training Systems Canada Barracuda, Hammerhead,
and the Vindicator. It has also been
used to operate the General Dynamics Canada FORESIGHT (UGS).
In my opinion, the VCS-4586 is a powerful GCS
software solution. Its ability to function
with many different platforms making it valuable to governments and
organizations operating many types of unmanned systems. The H.265 video codec features powerful
compression for streaming video at ultra high definition up to 8K.
Although the VCS-4586 will function
on many hardware setups, I think it will complement the UAV Factory’s Dual
Display Mobile Station (DDMS). The DDMS
is a portable GCS built with off the shelf parts. The 1000 x 420 x 170 mm GCS weighs 18.9
kg. It is centered on a Panasonic CF-31
Toughbook, and features a secondary display and a modular electronics
compartment for the connection of a data link or other required hardware such
as video recorders, data acquisition devices, or data storage devices. The DDMS features two USB ports, one Ethernet
port, two serial ports, two video inputs, one VGA port, on microphone input,
and one audio output.
The DDMS is built with an
expeditionary mindset that features hard shell protective case and hot
swappable lithium ion batteries capable of a 30-minute quick charge. The DMMS has an accessory bag, making “it
convenient to carry small components and accessories such as a joystick, mouse,
wiring, antennas, [or] external GPS antenna” (UAV Factory, 2015).
In my opinion, there are not many
drawbacks to the DDMS because it is easily upgradable due to its off-the-shelf
design. The UAV Factory does not mention
if the case is waterproof. A waterproof pelican
case for the DDMS would help prevent potential damage.
References:
Lockheed Martin (2015). Ground Control Operator Software for Unmanned Vehicle Systems.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/cdl-systems/LM%20CDL%20Systems_Brochure_August_2013.pdf.
[Last Accessed 21 February, 2015].
Lockheed Martin (2015). VCS-4586 CAPABILITIES GUIDE. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/cdl-systems/VCS-4586%20CAPABILITIES%20GUIDE-August2013.pdf.
[Last Accessed 21 February, 2015].
UAV Factory (2015). Portable Ground Control Station.
[ONLINE] Available at: http://www.uavfactory.com/product/16. [Last Accessed 21
February, 2015 ].
