GC - arthurbenemann/ardupilot GitHub Wiki

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_OsgEarth.png

QGroundControl is a cross platfrom (Windows/Linux/Mac) ground control station for use with unmanned systems. It currently support !ArduPilotMega, the !PixHawk IMU autopilot, the SLUGS autopilot, and several other open source autopilot systems. This is made possible by the underlying !MavLink protocol that is employed for communication. !ArduPilotMega support for the !MavLink protocol is currently supported by APM 2.0, which is in the SVN trunk (checkout with a SVN client--see this tutorial if you're not sure how to do that).

Features

This GCS, which is cross-platform (windows/linux/mac), it includes the following features:

Real-time data plotting and logging for telemetry
See autopilot scaled and raw servo outputs
Save telemetry data logs for flight
Load telemetry logs in built in analysis software
In flight gain tuning.
Change PID gains without recompiling APM.
Request parameters be read to/ written from read only memory.
In flight waypoint/ mission changes.
Select between takeoff/loiter/land/navigate mode.
Enter waypoints as local coordinates relative to home or global lat/lon/alt coordinates.
Light-weight 2D overhead view
online/offline satellite imagery tile caching
3D view
satellite imagery from yahoo/google etc using xml based .earth files
3D terrain rendering
Netbook Support
Can shrink window to very low screen size
All widgets can be closed/reopened, highly adjustable
Multiple Vehicle Support
Uses Mavlink communications protocol, message are encoded with destination system and source system. Broadcast style communication also available.

Download and install

Get QGroundControl here.
A tutorial on setting it up is here.

Standard Operator View

This screenshot shows the standard operator view used for setting waypoints and monitoring the general status of the system.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_Operator.png

In Flight Modification of Onboard Parameters/ Gains

The onboard parameter widget allows you dynamically read/set gains for the vehicle. This makes gains adjustments in the field simple and doesn't require recompiling APM.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_OnboardParam.png

In Flight Modification of Waypoints/ Mission Plan

The onboard waypoint/ mission planner widget allows you to set the mission for the unmanned system and dynamically adjust it, even in flight.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_Waypoints.png

Netbook Size Operator View

This shows the operator view running on a netbook size screen with several windows closed to maximize relevant information. Each widget may be docked/undocked/closed/reopened by the user.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_Netbook.png

Engineer's View

The engineer's view shows all of the raw telemetry coming from the system. It also allows data logging for post processing. This can be very useful for system identification and control algorithm testing.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_Engineer.png

3D View

This is a screenshot of the current 3D view. It shows the vehicle model and allows the trajectory to be plotted in 3D. It can be useful for indoor navigation and debugging.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/QGC_3D.png

!OsgEarth View

Currently under development is integration with !OsgEarth to provide a 3D outdoor environment with terrain height and satellite imagery cached from the web. The cached information is cached offline and can be used later without an internet connection. !OsgEarth also makes loading standard vehicle model files easy.