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 you select 🚀 "Mission Planning", it will display a list of your 📂 existing stored projects.

3. RC/Mobile

Field Boundary Marking Using RC or Mobile Device

  • Take your RC device or mobile device to the actual field.

  • Physically mark boundary points by moving to specific locations on the ground.

  • Walk around the perimeter to outline the entire field plot with precision.

  • Once all points are marked, save the plot—it’s now ready for drone flight.

  • This method greatly improves the accuracy of your 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.

  1. Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively deleting them.

  2. Save: To preserve the plot the user has created, simply tap on the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.

  3. 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."

  4. 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

Field Boundary Marking Using a Drone

  • Just like the RC/Mobile method, users can mark the boundaries of the field plot.

  • However, instead of walking, a drone is used to fly overhead and mark the boundaries from an aerial view.

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.

  1. Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively deleting them.

  2. Save: To preserve the plot the user has created, simply tap on the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.

  3. 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."

  4. 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

Field Plotting Using Google Maps

  • Create field plots directly on Google Maps for enhanced accuracy.

  • Use intuitive features like 'Add Point', 'Clear', and 'Save' for easy plotting.

  • The interactive map pointer and dynamic background enable precise field boundary marking.

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:

  1. Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively erasing them.

  2. Save: To save the plot the user has created, simply tap the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.

  3. 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."

  4. 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

Importing KML Files for Field Plotting

  • Users can import KML files to quickly create a field plot.

  • These KML files can be sourced 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:

  1. Clear All: By tapping "Clear All," the user can remove all the points from the map, effectively erasing them.

  2. Save: To save the plot the user has created, simply tap the "Save" button, which will store the plot for future use.

  3. 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."

  4. 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, make sure to 💾 save the plots you have created to avoid any data loss.

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.

  1. Polygon: This type allows users to plot obstacles in polygon shapes at their selected locations or points.

  2. 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:

  1. Locate the yellow dot on the circle's edge.

  2. To make it larger, tap and drag the dot outward.

  3. To make it smaller, press and drag the dot inward toward the center.

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

The Create Plan feature in AeroGCS GREEN allows users to efficiently create drone mission plans tailored to specific crop types and field requirements. This section provides a step-by-step guide to creating a plan, whether by using a saved crop template or setting up a new plan manually.

1. Starting the Plan Creation

  • `Tap on the Create Plan Button. A confirmation dialog appears with the message: "Do you want to use a saved crop template for planning?"

  • Choose Your Action:

    • Tap Yes to use a saved crop template.

      • This will take you to the Crop Template screen.

    • Tap No to manually set up the plan.

      • This will take you directly to the Map View screen.

2. Using Crop Template

If you choose Yes, follow the steps below to select or add crop details:

Step 1: Select or Add a Crop Type

  • Select Crop Type from the drop-down list.

  • If the crop type is not available:

    1. Tap the + button next to the Select Crop field.

    2. In the Add Crop dialog:

      • Enter the crop name in the text field.

    • Tap Add.

➔ The new crop type will now be available for selection.

Step 2: Select or Add a Crop Stage

  • Select Crop Stage from the drop-down list.

  • If the crop stage is not available:

    1. Tap the + button next to the Select Crop Stage field.

    2. In the Add Crop Stage dialog:

• Select the crop stage in days from the drop-down list.

• Tap Add.

➔ The new crop stage will now be available for selection.

Step 3: Enter Crop Height

  1. Enter the crop height in feet.

  2. Tap Submit to apply the crop template and proceed.

3. Completing the Plan Creation

After submitting the crop template or selecting No to skip it, you will be directed to the Create Plan screen. This screen displays:

  • Spraying Map: A map view showing the field layout.

  • Parameter Settings Window: Adjustable parameters for fine-tuning the mission.

Map View Details

  1. Field Dimensions - The map displays all plan dimensions, including lengths and area calculations in acres.

    ➔ The estimated spray area in acres is shown on the screen.

  2. Editable Parameters - A list of parameters is available on the left-hand side of the screen. ➔ Use the slide bars to adjust values as needed.

  3. Fence Boundaries - The field boundary is outlined in red, representing a virtual fence. ➔ You can customize this fence to suit your mission's requirements.

Fence Boundary Features :

The fence boundary serves two critical purposes:

  • Prevention of Boundary Breaches: If the vehicle approaches the boundary, a failsafe action (e.g., Return to Launch or RTL) is triggered to prevent it from leaving the designated area.

  • Obstacle Avoidance (for Copters in Loiter Mode): When Object Avoidance is enabled, the vehicle will stop before crossing the boundary and may adjust its flight path to avoid the fence.

4. 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.

5. 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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