6.1.1 Automatic Flying Method
6.1.1 Automatic Flying Method
This method is designed for users who prefer to plot a field using the convenience of Google Maps. Users can leverage the power of satellite imagery and mapping technology to define their field plots. By selecting key points on the map, they can easily outline the desired area.
1. Setting Location
Before initiating the plotting process in AeroGCS GREEN, set the location where you intend to carry out the plotting of a plot.
Before users dive into plotting, it's essential to establish the location. Follow these steps to ensure accurate plotting:
Step 1: Access the Home Screen
Navigate to the home screen of AeroGCS GREEN.
Step 2: Locate the Search Option
Look for the search option on the home screen.
Step 3: Enter The user’s Desired Location
Input the user’s desired location using the provided search option.
Step 4: Click on the Search Symbol
Once the user has entered the location, click on the search symbol to initiate the search process.
Step 5: Set the Start Location
Review the search results and select the accurate location to set it as the user’s starting point for plotting.
Step 6: Confirm the Selection
Confirm the user’s selected location to ensure precise plotting.
Once the user is done with the steps, the user’s screen will look just like the picture below. It means the user has set the user’s location right, and the user is good to go for plotting in AeroGCS GREEN!
2. Create a plot
Follow the steps to create a plot.
Step 2.1: If the user opts for the "Automatic" flying method, the interface will display the following screen and prompt the user to choose a “Start with” option from the "Field Plot" and “Mission Plan” options.
Step 2.2: If the user starts with the "Field Plot" option, the system will prompt the user to select the user’s preferred method for creating the field plot from the available options, as visible on the following screen.
AeroGCS GREEN provides four distinct options for creating a field plot:
Note: On the "Start with" pop-up screen, if the user selects "Mission Planning" it will display a screen containing the list of existing stored projects.
3. RC/Mobile
- With this option, users can take an RC device or mobile device to the actual field.
- They physically mark the boundary points by moving to specific locations on the field.
- The entire field plot is outlined by walking to precise positions.
- Once marked, the plot is saved and ready for drone flight.
- This method significantly enhances the accuracy of the plotted area.
Plotting Using RC/Mobile
Step 1: After choosing the "RC/Mobile" option for plot creation using either an RC device or a mobile device, the following screen will be presented on the user’s device.
Step 2: When the user taps the "+Add point" button on the screen, it will place a point on the map. Users can continue to add multiple points to the user’s plot, as illustrated on the screen displayed on the user’s device.
As the default setting, this view or screen displays the process of plotting points for a plot.
The above screen contains additional options for the user.
Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively deleting them.
Save: To preserve the plot the user has created, simply tap on the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.
Create a Plan: The user can utilize this option to generate a plan from a plot. However, it's crucial to remember that the user must first save the plot. To proceed with creating a plan, tap on "Create Plan."
Obstacle: This option is used to add obstacles to the plot. Tap on “Obstacle” to add an obstacle to the plot. Users can add polygon and circle types of Obstacles to the plot.
4. Drone
- Similar to the RC/Mobile method, users mark the boundaries of the field plot.
- However, in this case, a drone is employed to fly in the air and mark the boundaries from an aerial perspective.
Plotting Using Drone
Step 1: After choosing the "Drone" option for plot creation using the drone, the following screen will be presented on the user’s device.
Step 2: When the user taps the "+Add point" button on the screen, it will place a point on the map at the current location of the drone. The user can continue to add multiple points to the user’s plot by moving the user’s drone to the next point of location, as illustrated on the screen displayed on the user’s device.
As the default setting, this view or screen displays the process of plotting points for a plot.
The above screen contains additional options for the user.
Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively deleting them.
Save: To preserve the plot the user has created, simply tap on the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.
Create a Plan: The user can utilize this option to generate a plan from a plot. However, it's crucial to remember that the user must first save the user’s plot. To proceed with creating a plan, tap on "Create Plan."
Obstacle: This option is used to add obstacles to the plot. Tap on “Obstacle” to add an obstacle to the plot. Users can add polygon and circle types of Obstacles to the user’s plot.
5. Map
- This option utilizes Google Maps for field plot creation.
- Users can leverage features like 'Add Point,' 'Clear,' and 'Save.'
- The pointer on the map and the dynamic background provide precise field plotting capabilities.\
Plotting Using Google Maps
Step 1: After selecting the "Google Maps" option for plot creation using Google Maps, the following screen will appear on the user’s device.
Step 2: When the user taps the "+Add point" button on the screen, it will mark a point on the map at the current location. Users can continue adding multiple points to the user’s plot by navigating to the next location on the map, as demonstrated in the screen displayed on the user’s device.
By default, this view or screen displays the process of plotting points for a plot using Google Maps. Additionally, the screen offers the following options for users:
Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively erasing them.
Save: To save the plot the user has created, simply tap the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.
Create a Plan: The user can use this option to generate a plan from the user’s plot. However, it's important to remember that the user must first save the user’s plot. To proceed with creating a plan, tap "Create Plan."
Obstacle: This option allows the user to add obstacles to the user’s plot. Tap "Obstacle" to insert obstacles into the user’s plot, including polygon and circle types.
6. Import KML
- Users have the option to import KML files to create a field plot.
- These KML files may originate from various locations.
Plotting Using KML file
Step 1: When the user selects the "KML" option to create a plot from a .kml file, the user’s screen will show the following interface, prompting the user to browse the .kml file.
Step 2: After the user taps on the .kml file, the screen will show the user the map view associated with that file, just like what the user sees in the image below.
As the default setting, this view or screen displays the plot.
By default, this view or screen displays the process of plotting points for a plot using Google Maps. Additionally, the screen offers the following options for users:
Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively erasing them.
Save: To save the plot the user has created, simply tap the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.
Create a Plan: The user can use this option to generate a plan from the user’s plot. However, it's important to remember that the user must first save the user’s plot. To proceed with creating a plan, tap "Create Plan."
Obstacle: This option allows the user to add obstacles to the user’s plot. Tap "Obstacle" to insert obstacles into the user’s plot, including polygon and circle types.
Note: Before creating a plan, it is essential to save the plots the user has created.
7. Adding Obstacles to the Plot
An obstacle to drone flying refers to any physical or environmental element that can pose a hazard or obstruction to the safe operation of a drone. These obstacles can include buildings, trees, power lines, poles, hills, and other objects that may impede the drone's path or pose a collision risk. Drone operators must identify and navigate around obstacles to ensure the safe and lawful operation of their drones, adhering to regulations and guidelines set by aviation authorities to prevent accidents and protect people and property.
In AeroGCS GREEN, we have two types of obstacles that we can add to the plot.
Polygon: This type allows users to plot obstacles in polygon shapes at their selected locations or points.
Circle: This type allows users to plot obstacles in polygon shapes at their selected locations or points.
Let us see how to add obstacles to the plot.
Step 1. To add an obstacle to the AeroGCS GREEN map, navigate to the screen and tap the "Obstacle" button at the bottom. The user will then be prompted to select the type of obstacle as displayed.
Step 2. Select the type of obstacle the user wants to add to the plot by tapping either "Polygon" or "Circle."
Adding Polygon Obstacles
Step 2.1. If the user selects the "Polygon" type of obstacle, the user will be directed to a screen where the user can add obstacle points. To add these points, simply tap on the "+ Add Point" button on the user’s device and continue adding all the required points as demonstrated in the following screen.
Step 2.2 Once the user has added all the points for the polygon obstacle, tap the "Save Obs" button to save it to the user’s plot. The user’s screen will then display the following view.
User can add Multiple Polygon Obstacles by Repeating Steps 2.1 and 2.2
Adding Circle Obstacles
Step 2.3. When the user selects "Circle" as the obstacle type, a screen for adding a point appears. By tapping "+ Add Point," the user creates a default-sized circle on the user’s plot, with a yellow point on its edge, just like the screen displays.
Note: To adjust the size of a circle-type obstacle, locate the yellow dot on the circle's edge. To make it bigger, tap and drag it outward. To make it smaller, press and drag it toward the center of the circle.
Step 2.4. Once the user has added all the points for the Circle obstacle, tap the "Save Obs" button to save it to the user’s plot. The user’s screen will then display the following view.
8. Save Plot
Once the user has completed the user’s plot and added obstacles, save it by clicking the "Save" button. A pop-up screen will appear where the user can enter the "Project Name" and "Plot Name," as demonstrated in the following screen.
A message will appear on the screen, saying "Plot saved successfully" as a confirmation.
Now user can move on to creating a plan.
9. Creating a Plan
To create a plan, select the 'Create Plan' button. This will open the spraying map on the screen along with the parameter setting options window, as shown in the following image.
On the screen, all dimensions, including lengths of the plan, are visible. This includes an area calculation in acres, which is depicted in the image. On the left-hand side of the screen, a list of editable parameters is presented. Users can modify these values using slide bars. The plan also features an outer boundary delineated by a red line, serving as a fence. Users have the flexibility to customize this fence to suit their application's needs, as demonstrated in the image.
The purpose of these fence boundaries is twofold: Firstly, they aim to prevent the user’s vehicle from unintentionally entering (inclusion) or leaving (exclusion) the defined fence areas. This is achieved by triggering a failsafe action, such as returning to the launch (RTL) point. Secondly, in the case of a Copter flying in Loiter mode with Object Avoidance configured, the vehicle will often halt before crossing the fence boundaries and, in certain instances, alter its flight path to navigate around these boundaries.
Save Plan
Step 1. To save the plan in a project, tap the "Save" button. This will prompt a screen on the user’s device, asking the user to enter the plan name and confirm the project name.
Step 2. To save the project plan, simply tap on the green "Save" button. The user will receive confirmation of the successful save with the message "Plan Saved Successfully" displayed at the bottom of the user’s screen.
Save the plan with an appropriate name in the relevant project. The plan will be stored in the corresponding project and can be accessed by the user as needed.
Step 3. Select the "Load" button to initiate the plan for the flight. A confirmation prompt will appear on the screen saying, “Please make sure the changes are saved” with “Cancel” and “Continue” buttons, as depicted below.
Pressing the "Continue" Button will upload the plan and present the screen as shown below.
Take Flight
If desired, modify the parameters on this screen. Click on "Upload plan" to upload the plan and proceed with flight prechecks, as illustrated in the following screen.
After the flight precheck is finished, the following screen will appear on the user’s display. Click the "OK" button to continue.
Upon clicking the "OK" button, the user’s screen will show the following interface, featuring a "Swipe to right" button to initiate the flight, as demonstrated in the following screen.
Slide the green arrow slider to the right to commence the flight.
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