The company has developed a number of software packages for use with the avionics hardware.  All software is written, documented, and catalogued in-house; we have complete control of the source code and do not rely on any outside vendors. 

Telemetry Software
This software package is the interface between the UAV and the pilot.  The screen is divided into three sections: an artificial horizon, aircraft information, and navigation information.  The interface to the UAV is via the downlink telemetry to the GCS, and then via the serial interface to the PC.

The information for the artificial horizon is derived from a vertical gyro and digital compass in the aircraft.  Aircraft information is derived from sensors on the aircraft, and includes heading, altitude, engine RPMs.  Navigation information is derived from an on-board GPS receiver, and includes aircraft position and waypoint information (bearing, time, and distance to waypoint).

Moving Map Software
Moving Map Software is used in conjunction with the telemetry software.  It indicates the position of the aircraft on a two-dimensional map.  The software is designed to work with a variety of maps, including standard JPEG and Bitmap file formats.  We have interfaced the GCS to commercially available software packages, as well as in-house software.

Waypoint Initialization
This program is used to initialize aircraft flight parameters prior to take-off.  The main screen allows the operator to define the individual waypoints that make up the flight profile.  The user is prompted to define the waypoint position, altitude while flying to the waypoint, and the label of the next waypoint.  The program accepts a maximum of 99 waypoints.

After the waypoint definition is complete, the file is sent in packets to the autopilot in the aircraft, via the GCS.  Transfer to the GCS is via the serial port.  Transfer from the GCS to the aircraft is via the RF command uplink.  Handshaking and error checking at each transfer ensures that the individual packets that make up the waypoint message have been received by the autopilot.

Gain Control Program
This program was written as an aid to flight control algorithm development.  This function is used only during the test and development phase of a project.  It allows the operator to change certain flight control parameters while the UAV is in the air.  The main screen has boxes in which gains (from the sensors to the control surfaces) can be changed.  After setting the gains, the information is transferred from the PC to the GCS, and then to the autopilot via the command uplink.