Issue 40 Unmanned Systems Technology October/November 2021 ANYbotics ANYmal D l AI systems focus l Aquatic Drones Phoenix 5 l Space vehicles insight l Sky Eye Rapier X-25 l FlyingBasket FB3 l GCS focus l AUVSI Xponential 2021

77 For example, there are numerous tablet- type systems with screens as small as 7-10 in across for end-users who want the maximum flexibility with when and where their missions take place, and they are the lightest interface platforms, barring smartphone-based control software, which is still relatively rare. Smartphones also lack the hardware configurability of tablets, and can cause mis-clicks and other input errors owing to their small size. For emergencies such as monitoring wildfires, routine fieldwork such as corridor mapping of power lines or a USV carrying out a hydrographic survey, the use of these handheld systems are key to minimising the amount of equipment and thus prep time associated with ‘unmanned’ missions. These systems are often built around Panasonic tablets such as the FZ- B2. These and many other COTS tablets are well-suited as a platform for whatever combination of GCS hardware is required, as well as core mission software and plug-ins. Similar but industrial-grade laptops and desktop computers are used to build larger, single- or dual-screen GCSs for use on an operator’s lap or desk, be it for field missions requiring more computing power or for missions that routinely take place near a user’s offices. Naturally, these can contain far larger and more robust processors as well as greater quantities of RAM, bigger power banks and more powerful radios. These can enable not only complex visualisations and analytics of real-time data in the field, but also advanced AI capabilities such as swarm control and more. To ensure sufficient processing and storage bandwidth for software applications and data, GCSs these days will often use the latest generations of dual-core Intel CPUs, GPUs, SSDs, and wi-fi and Bluetooth receivers. The latter is potentially very useful for receiving remote ID data from nearby UAVs. Application software is often visualised and configurable through a touchscreen, and high-end GCS manufacturers will offer anti-reflective or anti-glare treatments to counter bright sunlight. These treatments might be coatings, custom-designed screen protectors or something more complex such as optical bonding. This last one is a process in which the multiple layers of a touchscreen are vacuumed together with an epoxy bonding medium to prevent reflections or glare occurring between the layers. A particularly high-end GCS might combine all three. Also, the screens of computers and tablets used as GCS cores often have brightness levels twice that of consumer devices, and potentially five times the brightness for ruggedised case-type GCSs. Around these screens and core electronics, it remains common for unmanned systems OEMs to customise these base platforms with joysticks and buttons for physical control (in addition to the QWERTY keyboards that come pre- packaged with laptop- or desktop-based systems). This is critical, as missions are increasingly conducted from small boats, armoured vehicles and other moving platforms where turbulence can make it extremely unsafe to try to operate a touchscreen with any finesse. Joysticks for example are rarely used for flight control these days, except as back- ups in case of autopilot failure, but they are prized for their occasional remote control of camera payloads, particularly if a UAV’s embedded vision software recognises something worth a closer look. Single buttons can be programmed with macros for running lists of launch sequences, or pre-flight and post-flight system checks, reducing much of the operator’s workload to a mere tap of a button here and there. Also, both buttons and joysticks can be protected with brackets to prevent accidental commands if the tablet is dropped and lands joystick-first. These days, tablet GCSs increasingly come with intelligent software-defined radios and antennas, to enable Ground control stations | Focus Unmanned Systems Technology | October/November 2021 Ground-based tracking antennas can be installed where needed for maintaining high-fidelity data streams from autonomous vehicles (Courtesy of Embention)