LegacyGCS - arthurbenemann/ardupilot GitHub Wiki

http://ardupilot.googlecode.com/svn/images/gcs.png

Features

This GCS, which is Windows-only, includes the following features:

  • Moving 3D map display
  • Voice synthesis reports mission events out loud, so you can keep your eyes on the plane
  • Automatically saves missions in KML format, which can be replayed in Google Earth.

Installing the code

What you need:

Download and install the necessary files above, in the order they are presented. You should then be able to run {{{GroundControlStation.exe}}}.

Configuring APM for the original !ArduPilot GCS

First, you must configure the APM software to output the correct telemetry stream. In the {{{APM_Config.h}}} file, add the following line to select the correct GCS format:

// GCS_PROTOCOL
#define GCS_PROTOCOL			GCS_PROTOCOL_LEGACY

You must also tell APM what serial port to send the data on.

If you want to see the data on the ground via your USB cable, select Port 0 by inserting this line:

// GCS_PORT
#define GCS_PORT 0

If you want to see the data while you're in the air (the normal use case), you will be sending the data via your wireless telemetry. That's on Port 3

// GCS_PORT
#define GCS_PORT 3

Running the GCS

Ensure that your ground-based Xbee and the USB adapter board are connected and plugged into your PC. In the Setup tab, select the correct serial port speed in the Ground Station software. If you're using the USB cable on APM port 0, select 115,200 baud. If you're using Xbees over the telemetry port (APM port 3), select 57,600.

Check your Windows Device Manager if you're not sure which Com port your cable or Xbee was assigned to.

http://ardupilot-mega.googlecode.com/svn/ArduPilotMegaImages/LegacyGCS.PNG

If APM is running with the slider switch in flight mode (towards the GPS connector), you should start to see the data displayed in real time on the ground station. You will not get GPS data until you have GPS lock.

If you turn on your speakers, you'll hear the APM status information spoken with voice synthesis. Very handy for the field, when you don't want to take your eyes off the plane!

Note: If you live in a European country that uses commas instead of decimals in numbers, you'll need to change your PC's settings. Go to the Windows Control Panel/Regional and Language Options. Click on Personalizing. In Symbol Decimal, select replace comma with decimal. Click on "Apply" and then restart your PC.

Additional instructions for this Ground Control Station can be found in the software's documentation, which you can find here.