< DEFENCE

5. System Tools and Settings

This chapter provides comprehensive guidance on system-level functionalities and configuration tools available in AeroGCS DEFENCE. These tools enable operators to manage drone connections, configure application behavior, adjust settings, access logs, and customize flight metrics.

The features covered in this chapter ensure that the application remains adaptable to varied operational needs—whether in defence, surveillance, or inspection scenarios. Each utility or setting described herein contributes to improving control, situational awareness, and mission precision.

Key Sections Covered:

  • Connecting to Drone: Establishing and managing communication with supported drones via multiple interface types.
  • Live Camera Feed and Settings: Accessing and managing video streams and camera configurations.
  • Map Manager: Configuring map layers and caching offline map data.
  • User Management: Adding, editing, or deleting users and assigning roles.
  • Application and General Settings: Adjusting unit preferences and system behavior.
  • RPA Settings: Custom parameters for the connected Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), enhancing mission performance.

✅ This chapter applies to both novice users requiring initial setup guidance and experienced operators who need to fine-tune mission environments or drone behavior.

⚠️ Important Note on Reboot Requirement

Some settings in the System Tools and Settings module require the drone to be rebooted for the changes to take effect.

Wherever applicable, a “Reboot Required” message is explicitly shown near the corresponding setting in the AeroGCS DEFENCE interface.

Please ensure you reboot the drone after modifying such settings to ensure correct system behavior and mission safety.

5.1. Connecting to Drone

Establishing a reliable connection between the AeroGCS DEFENCE software and the drone is a critical prerequisite for mission planning and execution. AeroGCS DEFENCE supports multiple communication protocols for flexible drone connectivity, including Serial, TCP, UDP, and Bluetooth. Once a drone is connected, all flight control and mission planning functions become active.

⚠️ Note: Ensure the drone is powered on and within communication range before attempting to connect.
Accessing the Drone Connection Interface

Follow the steps below to access the drone connection window:

Steps:

  1. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) on the top-right corner of the Home screen.
  2. From the dropdown, select the Connect Or simply click on from top navigation bar.
  3. A Connection window appears, allowing the user to select and configure the connection method.
Connection Window Screen
Supported Connection Types in AeroGCS DEFENCE
Protocol Description
Serial Wired USB-based communication, commonly used for stable connections.
TCP Used for connecting over LAN or Wi-Fi using IP addresses and port numbers.
UDP A lightweight, low-latency alternative to TCP for certain network setups.
Bluetooth Wireless short-range option for basic connectivity.
5.1.1 – Using Serial Port

This is the most used method for stable, direct connections.

Steps:

  1. From the dropdown, select Serial.

  2. Configure the parameters below:
    • Serial Port: Select the appropriate COM port.
    • Baud Rate: Choose the correct baud rate (e.g., 57600 or 115200).
    • Data Bits: Typically 8.
    • Parity: Choose None/Even/Odd as per requirement.
    • Flow Control: Choose between RTS/CTS or XON/XOFF.

  3. Click Connect to initiate communication.
Serial Port Settings Screen
✅ Upon successful connection, a notification “Communication Link Established” will appear, and the pin at top navigation bar will turn green.
5.1.2 – Using TCP

For wireless or network-based connectivity.

Steps:

  1. Select TCP as the connection type.
  2. Enter the following:
    • Host Address (e.g., 0.0.1 for localhost)
    • Listening Port
  3. Click Connect to establish the link.
TCP Connection Screen
✅ Upon successful connection, a notification “Communication Link Established” will appear, and the pin at top navigation bar will turn green.
5.1.3 – Using UDP

UDP is suitable for scenarios where low-latency communication is required, though it is less reliable than TCP.

Steps:

  1. Select UDP from the connection type dropdown.
  2. Input:
    • IP Address
    • Port Number
  3. Click Connect.
UDP Connection Screen
✅ Upon successful connection, a notification “Communication Link Established” will appear, and the pin at top navigation bar will turn green.
5.1.4 – Using Bluetooth

For nearby wireless connections using Bluetooth.

Steps:

  1. Select Bluetooth from the connection dropdown.
  2. Click Scan to discover available devices.
Bluetooth device scanning

                   3. Select the appropriate drone device from the list.

                   4. Click Connect to pair and establish communication.

Bluetooth Scan and Connect Screen
Note: You may be prompted to enable permissions for Bluetooth scanning.
 
✅ Upon successful connection, a notification “Communication Link Established” will appear, and the pin at top navigation bar will turn green

5.2 Live Camera Feed and Settings

Overview

The Live Camera Feed feature in AeroGCS DEFENCE provides real-time visual feedback from the drone’s onboard camera. This functionality is essential for reconnaissance, surveillance, and visual monitoring tasks during flight operations.

The camera interface includes tools for video streaming, image capture, and gimbal adjustment. It is accessible from the Flight View screen via the Camera icon located at the top-right toolbar.

Accessing the Live Camera Panel

Steps to View Camera Feed:

  1. Ensure drone is connected (refer to the pin icon in the top bar to verify connection).
  2. Go to the Flight View
  3. Click on the Camera icon (📷) in the top-right corner.
  4. The Live Camera Panel opens on the right side of the screen.
Camera Panel
Note: If the camera feed is inactive or not connected, the message “Camera OFF” will appear in the video panel.
Camera Control Panel Features
The camera control panel in AeroGCS DEFENCE includes the following functionality:

Control Description
Live Video Preview Displays the current video feed from the drone.
Capture Takes a still photo and saves it to the local system.
Record Starts or stops video recording. A time counter will indicate recording progress.
Camera Trigger Sends a hardware-level command to trigger the onboard camera directly (for drones equipped with trigger-compatible cameras).
Gimbal Control Allows control of the camera’s pan and tilt using either: • RC Mode – Follow remote control inputs • GCS Mode – Use sliders to adjust from the Ground Control Station

Gimbal Adjustment Options:

ParameterDescription
PitchAdjusts the camera angle vertically (up/down)
YawAdjusts the camera angle horizontally (left/right)
RC/GCS ToggleChoose control mode: RC (manual stick) or GCS (via sliders)

 

Tips

  • Video feed quality depends on the drone’s camera and communication bandwidth.
  • Ensure storage permissions are granted on the host system to save captures and recordings.
  •  Gimbal control works only if the connected drone hardware supports camera movement.
Accessing Media Files
  • All captured media (images and videos) are stored in the system-defined Media folder.
  • These files can be viewed, shared, or processed later for analysis or reporting.
Object Tracking in Live Camera Feed
The Object Tracking feature in AeroGCS DEFENCE allows operators to select a target in the live video feed for continuous automated tracking. Once activated, the system dynamically adjusts the camera’s orientation to keep the selected object centered in view, enabling hands-free focus during surveillance, inspection, or tactical monitoring.

Enabling Object Tracking

Object Tracking is available only when the Live Camera Feed is active.

Steps to Start Object Tracking:
  1. Connect to the Drone Establish a connection using one of the supported methods described in Section 5.1.

  2. Open the Live Camera Panel From the Flight View, click the Camera icon (📷) in the top-right toolbar. Verify that the live video feed is displayed.

  3. Draw the Tracking Shape In the live feed window:
    • Position the cursor at one corner of the object to be tracked.
    • Click and hold, then drag to draw a bounding box around the object.
    • Release the mouse button to confirm the selection.

  4. Begin Tracking
    Once the selection is released, AeroGCS DEFENCE automatically locks onto the annotated object and begins tracking it in real time.
Tracking Behavior

  • The system continuously adjusts pan and tilt to maintain the object in the center of the frame.

  • Predictive motion algorithms are applied if the object temporarily exits the visible frame.

  • Tracking remains active until:
    • The operator manually cancels it, or
    • The live feed is closed.
Cancelling Object Tracking

To stop tracking:

  • Right-click anywhere in the live feed and select Stop Tracking, or
  • Close the Live Camera Panel.

Best Practices for Reliable Tracking

Recommendation Benefit
Select objects with high visual contrast from the background Improves lock stability
Avoid abrupt drone maneuvers while tracking Reduces tracking loss
Track single, distinct targets Prevents confusion with similar objects in frame
Use optimal lighting conditions Enhances visual clarity for the tracking algorithm

5.3 Map Manager

Overview

The Map Manager in AeroGCS DEFENCE provides users with a centralized module to manage various types of geospatial maps—Raster, Vector, and Offline—which are essential for mission planning, field analysis, and operational visualization. This tool supports uploading and organizing georeferenced map layers, giving users enhanced control in both connected and disconnected environments.

Accessible from the three-dot menu on the top-right corner of the Flight View screen, the Map Manager is a critical utility for configuring and maintaining map layers used across mission planning workflows.

Understanding Map Types in AeroGCS DEFENCE
Map Type Description
Raster Maps Raster maps are pixel-based (image) data formats, such as .tif or .tiff, used for satellite imagery or orthophotos. Each pixel contains specific location and visual data. These are ideal for drone survey maps or orthomosaic overlays.
Vector Maps Vector maps consist of point, line, and polygon data layers representing features like roads, boundaries, and waypoints. These are lightweight and scalable, often used for navigation overlays and boundary definitions.
Offline Maps Offline maps allow users to operate in areas with no internet access by storing tiles of selected map areas. These are downloaded from online sources (like Google Maps or OSM) for future use.
Operational Overlays and Airspace Constraints
Overlay Type Description
No Fly Zones Geospatial zones where UAVs are restricted from entering. Defined by administrators using circular or polygonal boundaries with designated zone types (Red – Strictly restricted, Yellow – Caution). These overlays help enforce airspace compliance and mission safety.
Accessing the Map Manager

Steps to Access:

  1. Navigate to the Flight View.
  2. Click the three-dot menu at the top-right.
  3. Select Map Manager from the dropdown list.
Map manager option

The interface displays four tabs:

  • Raster Maps
  • Vector Maps
  • Offline Maps
  • NoFly Zone List

Each tab provides access to corresponding map management tools.

Map manager
Raster and Vector Maps

The Raster Maps and Vector Maps tabs list all uploaded map files with the following metadata:

  • File Name
  • Size in bytes
  • File Type (e.g., .tif)
  • Upload Date & Time

Actions Available:

  • ⋮ Three-dot menu for future contextual actions (delete – Currently available).
  • Go to Map Layer – instantly navigates the Fly View to the selected map’s geolocation.

Use Case Example: Upload orthophotos post-flight from drone surveys in .tif format under Raster Maps, and vector boundaries or flight corridors under Vector Maps.

Adding Raster or Vector Maps

Steps to Add a Map:

  1. Select the Raster Maps or Vector Maps
  2. Click on + Add New .
  3. A file browser opens; select your georeferenced .tif or vector-compatible file.
  4. Upon upload, it will appear in the list with its metadata.
🛈 Files must be correctly geotagged for proper alignment in the Fly View.
Offline Maps

The Offline Maps tab in the Map Manager allows users to pre-download map tiles and store them locally for use in remote environments where internet connectivity may be unavailable or unreliable. This ensures uninterrupted access to geospatial data during flight operations.

Offline maps are particularly useful for:

  • Field deployments in remote or high-security zones.
  • Pre-mission planning in areas with no internet coverage.
  • Reducing network dependency during flight control or mission execution.

Adding an Offline Map Area

Follow these steps to add a new offline tile set:

  1. Open Map Manager
    • Click the three-dot menu on the top-right of the Flight View screen.
    • Select Map Manager from the dropdown.

  2. Access Offline Maps Tab
    • Navigate to the Offline tab within the Map Manager interface.

  3. Initiate Map Download
    • Click the + Add New button.
    • The Add New Offline Area panel will appear.
Add New Offline Area

             4. Configure Offline Area Settings
                  Fill in the following fields:

FieldDescription
NameEnter a unique name for the tile set (e.g., Tile Set 003).
Map TypeSelect the base map source (e.g., Google Satellite).
Zoom LevelsAdjust the zoom level range using the slider. Lower zooms cover wider areas; higher zooms show finer detail but increase download size.
Tile CountDisplays the number of tiles selected.
Est. SizeEstimated file size of the map tiles based on the selected area and zoom.

             5. Define Area of Interest

    • Use the resizable red bounding box on the map to select the area to download.
    • Drag the corners to adjust coverage as needed.

            6. Download or Cancel

    • Click Download to start downloading the selected offline map tiles.
    • Click Cancel to discard the operation.

Once downloaded, the tile set becomes available within the Offline tab and will be accessible in both planning and live operational modes—even without internet access.

Viewing and Managing Offline Map Tiles

Once a tile set has been downloaded, it can be easily viewed, renamed, or deleted directly from the Offline tab within the Map Manager.

Viewing an Offline Map Tile

  1. Go to the Map Manager from the Flight View (three-dot menu).
  2. Select the Offline
  3. Click on the desired offline map tile entry from the list.

This opens the Offline Map Tile View where the tile’s defined area is displayed on the map.

Offline Map Tile View Screen

Renaming an Offline Map Tile

  1. Click on the Edit icon (🖉) next to the offline map tile name.
  2. A Rename Tile dialog appears, prompting you to enter a new name.
  3. Enter the desired name and click OK to confirm.

This is useful for organizing map tiles by region, mission, or operational priority.

Deleting an Offline Map Tile

  1. While viewing the offline tile, click the Delete button available in the tile interface.

  2. A confirmation dialog will appear with the message:
    “Do you want to delete <offline map name> and all its tiles?”
  1. Click Yes to permanently remove the tile and all associated data, or No to cancel the operation.
No Fly Zone List

The No Fly Zone List is the fourth tab in the Map Manager and provides a critical tool for defining and managing airspace restrictions to enhance mission safety and ensure regulatory compliance. Operators can add predefined No Fly Zones—both permanent and mission-specific—to prevent UAVs from entering restricted or hazardous regions.

These zones can be configured using either Circle or Polygon area types, and are categorized as either Red (Restricted) or Yellow (Caution) zones based on severity. All configured zones are displayed in a list format within this tab for easy management.

Important:

  • Only ADMIN user can add, edit, or delete Red and Yellow No Fly Zones.
  • Non-admin users can view these zones but cannot modify them.
  • No Fly Zones are displayed on the Fly View map only when a drone is connected and the zone’s center point (for circles) or centroid (for polygons) is within 50 km of the connected drone’s current GPS location.
  • Zones remain listed in the No Fly Zone List regardless of their visibility on the map.

Adding a No Fly Zone

To define a new No Fly Zone:

  1. Open the Map Manager from the three-dot menu in the Flight View.
  2. Click on the No Fly Zone List
  3. Click the ➕ Add New button located at the top-right of the tab.
  4. The Add New No Fly Zone window will appear.
  5. Select the Area Type as either Circle or Polygon.
  6. Configure the zone using the parameters described below.
No Fly Zone List

1. Adding a Circular No Fly Zone

When Circle is selected as the area type:

  • Zone Type: Select either Red or Yellow.
  • Maximum Altitude: Enter the vertical limit of the zone in centimeters.
  • Radius: Enter the radius in kilometers to define the coverage area.
  • Latitude & Longitude: Provide coordinates for the center point of the circle.
Adding Circle type No Fly Zone

After reviewing the inputs:

  • Click Add to create the zone.
  • Click Cancel to abort the operation.

2. Adding a Polygon No Fly Zone

When Polygon is selected:

  • Zone Type: Select either Red or Yellow.
  • Maximum Altitude: Enter the zone’s height limit in centimeters.
  • Number of Points: Define the number of polygon vertices.
  • The interface will dynamically display input fields for each point.
  • Latitude & Longitude: Enter precise coordinates for each vertex of the polygon.
Adding Polygon type No Fly Zone

Once all details are entered:

  • Click Add to save the zone.
  • Click Cancel to exit without saving.

Managing No Fly Zones

After creation, all defined zones appear as cards within the No Fly Zone List tab. Each card includes zone details and a three-dot menu (⋮) for zone-specific actions.

  • Deleting a Zone:
    • Click the three-dot menu (⋮) on the desired zone card.
No Fly Zone Delete Option
  • Select Delete from the dropdown.
  • A confirmation dialog will appear:
    “Do you want to delete <zone name> and all its tiles?”
  • Click Yes to confirm and permanently remove the zone.

Best Practices

  • Use Red Zones for strictly restricted areas (e.g., military bases, sensitive infrastructure).
  • Use Yellow Zones to mark cautionary airspace (e.g., near populated zones).
  • Always verify coordinate values to ensure zone accuracy.
  • Plan and add No Fly Zones before executing mission routes.

5.4. User Management

AeroGCS DEFENCE provides a built-in User Management module to securely manage operator access and control permissions. This ensures that only authorized personnel can operate drones, access mission-critical data, or modify system settings.

Only ADMIN user has access to the User Management feature.

Accessing User Management

To open the User Management panel:

  1. On the Flight View screen, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
  2. Select User Management from the dropdown list.
User management option
User Management Screen
User Roles
Role Description
ADMIN Full privileges: can manage users, view logs, and access all system settings.
USER Operational access: limited to flying drones and mission activities only.
Steps to Add a New User

1. Click Add User
– Click the + (Add User) button.

Add User Dialog Open

2. Enter Required User Details
 – Fill in the following fields:

FieldDescriptionRequired
Full NameEnter the user’s full name✔️
UsernameDefine a unique login ID✔️
PasswordCreate a secure password✔️
Confirm PasswordRe-enter the password✔️

3. Save the User
 – Click Save to complete user creation.
 – A confirmation message will appear upon success.

4. User Ready for Login
 – The newly created user appears in the User Management table.
 – They can now log in via the main login screen using their credentials.

Edit or Delete Users

Each user row includes a three-dot menu on the right.

  • Edit User – Modify full name or role.
  • Delete User – Remove a user account permanently.

⚠️ Note: ADMIN users cannot be deleted for security reasons.

Search Users
Use the Search Users box to quickly find a user by full name or user ID.
Viewing System Logs
Click the System Logs button at the top right to view login activity.
System Logs Display

This shows:

  • Session timestamps
  • Session IDs
  • Download option for each log
Viewing Detailed Log Entries

After opening the main System Logs screen, you can view more granular information for any recorded log session.

To access detailed logs for a specific entry:

  1. On the System Logs table, click the log row you wish to review.
  2. The application displays a detailed log view listing every recorded event during that session.
Detailed logs

            3. Each row shows the following information:

    • Time – Timestamp when the event occurred.
    • Tags – Associated labels or identifiers.
    • User Name – The operator account that performed the action.
    • Category – The type of activity (e.g., User Login, NavBar interaction).
    • Logs – A description of the event or action taken.

Here on this screen, you can use the search bar at the top right to search for specific logs by entering a keyword or part of the event description.

Note:
This detailed view allows you to audit all user interactions, configuration changes, and critical actions performed during the selected session.

5.5 General Settings

Overview
The General Settings panel in AeroGCS DEFENCE allows users to configure unit preferences used throughout the application for flight planning, telemetry, logs, and mission display. Users can adjust measurement units for distance, speed, area, and temperature to match their regional or operational requirements.
Accessing General Settings

To open the General Settings panel:

  1. From the Home screen, click the three-dot menu located in the top-right corner.
  2. Select General Settings from the dropdown menu.
General Settings Option
  1. It will show Unit Settings Screen.
Unit Settings screen
Unit Configuration Options
The following measurement units can be configured using drop-down fields:

Setting Description Available Options
Distance Unit Sets the unit for linear measurements such as waypoint distances. Meter (m), Feet (ft)
Speed Unit Defines the unit for displaying drone velocity. m/s, km/h, mph
Area Unit Configures how field and mission areas are measured and displayed. Square Meter (m²), Acre, Hectare
Temperature Unit Determines the unit for temperature readings (used in logs, sensors, etc). Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F)
Applying Changes

After selecting appropriate units for each field:

  1. Click the Update button to apply the changes.
  2. A confirmation message will appear once the settings are saved successfully.
  3. The updated units will reflect across all relevant modules, including telemetry, flight view, and mission planning.
⚠️ Note: Unit preferences are saved per user and will persist across sessions unless manually changed.

5.6 Settings

RPA Settings (Admin)

The RPA Settings section provides administrative-level configuration options for camera integration, sensor calibration, joystick setup, gimbal alignment, and critical flight safety controls.

🔗 Drone connection is mandatory to access these settings.
🔒 All users can configure parameters in this section.

To access RPA Settings:

  1. From the Home screen, click the three-dot menu (top-right).
  2. Select Settings from the dropdown.
Settings

            3. Use the left side panel interface to switch between Hardware Setup, Calibration, and Drone Safety.

RPA settings
5.6.1 Hardware Setup

This section provides options to configure physical components such as the camera, gimbal, and joystick.

1. Camera

This section allows you to configure camera settings, add custom cameras, set up video streaming, enable live stream options, and adjust gimbal parameters for optimal camera control.

A. Camera Settings

Step 1: Access Camera Settings

  • Navigate to: Settings > Hardware Setup > Camera
Camera Settings Screen

Step 2: Configure Camera Parameters

ParameterDescriptionRange
Camera RelayRelay output behaviorLow / High
Camera Servo On/OffPWM values to trigger camera1000 – 2000
Camera Trigger TypeTrigger control mechanismServo / Relay
Camera Trigger DistanceAuto trigger interval (in meters)0 – 1000
Camera Trigger DurationDuration of trigger (in deciseconds)0 – 50
Camera Relay PinAssigned output pin0 – 50
RC Channel SelectionChannel for manual camera trigger1 – 16
Auxiliary PinExtra control features (e.g., focus/flash)0 – 50

Step 3: Apply

  • Click Update to save changes to the drone.

B. Add Camera

To configure a custom camera for mission planning and payload optimization, use the Add Camera option under the Hardware section.

Steps to Add a Camera:

  1. Click “Add Camera”
    • Opens the camera configuration panel.
      x
  2. Enter Camera Parameters:

Field

Description

Unit

Required

Camera Type

Select from the dropdown list of supported types (e.g., RGB, Thermal)

—

✔️

Sensor Width

Width of the camera sensor

millimeters (mm)

✔️

Sensor Height

Height of the camera sensor

millimeters (mm)

✔️

Focal Length

Focal length of the lens

millimeters (mm)

✔️

Completed Camera Form
  1. Save Camera
    • Click Update to confirm.
    • The newly added camera will be available for mission calculations (e.g., Ground Sampling Distance, coverage estimation).

C. Camera Video

Configure video streaming from USB or RTSP-compatible cameras.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Hardware Setup > Camera > Camera Video
  2. Select Camera Source: USB / RTSP / Disable
  3. If RTSP, enter the Stream URL (e.g., rtsp://<IP>:<PORT>/stream)
  4. Toggle Enable Stream ON/OFF
  5. Click Update
Camera Video Settings Screen

D. Gimbal Settings

Control and stabilize camera orientation with 3-axis gimbal setup.

Steps:

  1. Go to Settings > Hardware Setup > Gimbal
  2. Configure each axis: Tilt, Roll, Pan
Gimbal Axis Configuration Screen
Setting Description Range
Output/Input Channel Servo control mapping Dropdown options
Servo Reverse Enable/Disable direction inversion Toggle
Gimbal Angle Limit Motion range Tilt: ±90°, Roll/Pan: ±180°
Servo PWM Limit Servo signal limit 500 – 2200 PWM
Gimbal Type and Mode Sett

After configuration, click Update.

2. Joystick

Configure physical joystick device for drone control.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Hardware Setup > Joystick
  2. Enable Joystick
  3. Select Active Joystick
  4. Click Start to assign buttons for:
    • Reverse, Center positions
    • Use Next, Skip, Cancel as needed
  5. Click Update
  6. Reboot joystick when prompted
Joystick Configuration and Button Assignment

3. Object Drop Settings

The Object Drop Settings screen allows the user to configure which auxiliary pin on the flight controller will be used to trigger the object drop mechanism during flight operations.

Use Case: This configuration is essential when the drone is equipped with an object dropping payload, such as supply packages, sensors, or beacons in defence or rescue missions.

Accessing Object Drop Settings

To configure the Object Drop feature:

  1. Navigate to the Settings menu by clicking the three-dot menu from the Flight View.
  2. In the RPA Settings screen, go to the Hardware Setup
  3. Select Object Drop Settings from the list.

This opens the Object Drop Settings panel as shown below:

Object Drop Settings Screen

Assigning Auxiliary Pin to Object Drop Mechanism

Configuration Steps

  1. In the Auxiliary Pin dropdown, select the pin that will be used to trigger the object drop action.
    • Available options include: Aux1, Aux2, Aux3, Aux4.

  2. After selecting the appropriate pin, click the Update

  3. A confirmation dialog appears stating that the parameters have been successfully updated.
Update Confirmation Dialog
Note: No reboot is required after configuring the Object Drop Settings. Changes take effect immediately.
5.6.2. Calibration

Perform sensor alignment and control calibration to ensure optimal drone performance.

A. Accelerometer Calibration

To perform precise accelerometer calibration for your drone, follow these steps carefully. This process ensures accurate stabilization and orientation detection.

  1. Navigate to the Calibration Menu
    • Go to Settings > Calibration > Accelerometer.
    • The Accelerometer Calibration window will appear.
Accelerometer Calibration
  1. Start Calibration
    • Click Calibrate.
    • A dialog will appear explaining the procedure:

For accelerometer calibration, place your vehicle on all six sides on a perfectly level surface. Hold it still in each orientation for a few seconds.

  • Click Next to begin.
Calibration Instructions

            3. Initialize Level Position

    • The screen will prompt:

Initializing AgPilot – Place vehicle level and press Next.

  • Position the drone in its level (upright) orientation on a stable, flat surface.
  • Click Next to confirm.
Level Initialization

        4. Perform Six-Side Calibration

    • Follow the sequential instructions shown on-screen. For each pose:
      • Place the drone as directed (e.g., left side, right side, nose down, nose up, back).
      • Hold the drone still for a few seconds to register the orientation.
      • Click Next after each position.

    • The calibration checklist will update as you progress through all six orientations.
Orientation Steps

       5. Complete Calibration

    • After completing all orientations, a confirmation message will appear:

Accelerometer is calibrated.

  • At this stage, you must either:
    • Click Reboot to restart the flight controller for calibration to take effect, or
    • Click OK if prompted, to exit without rebooting immediately.
Calibration Complete

Important Notes

  • Always perform calibration on a flat, stable surface free of vibration or tilt.
  • Hold the vehicle steady during each orientation to avoid inaccurate readings.
  • A reboot is recommended after calibration to ensure all changes are applied correctly.

B. Compass Calibration

Compass calibration ensures accurate heading determination and stable flight behavior. Follow these steps to calibrate all available compasses and validate their orientation.

Steps to Calibrate the Compass

  1. Access Compass Calibration
    • Navigate to Settings > Calibration > Compass.
    • The Compass Calibration screen displays:
      • Compass Declination input
      • Compass Fitness selector
      • List of available compasses with IDs
Compass Calibration

         2. Configure Declination and Fitness

    • Enter the Compass Declination value if applicable.
    • Select Compass Fitness mode:
      • Strict (default) – recommended for precise calibration.
      • Relaxed – use only if calibration repeatedly fails in Strict mode.
    • Click Update.

        3. Initiate Calibration

    • Select the compass to calibrate, or enable checkboxes to calibrate multiple compasses simultaneously.
    • Click Calibrate.
    • The calibration window opens, displaying:
      • Compass is calibrated status bar initialized at 0%.
      • Instruction to begin rotating the vehicle.
      • Click Calibrate Button.
Compass calibration

       4. Rotate the Drone

    • Slowly rotate the drone randomly around all axes, as shown in the on-screen illustration.
    • Observe the progress bar indicating calibration percentage.
    • Continue rotating until the calibration reaches 100%.
Compass Calibration Progress

      5. Review Orientation Results

    • Upon completion, the screen shows:
      • Compass is calibrated confirmation.
      • Orientation data for each magnetometer (e.g., Mag(0) good orientation: 0 38.5).
Compass Calibration Complete

        6. Reboot
          Click Reboot to restart the vehicle and apply the new calibration.

Note: If calibration fails or orientation results are inconsistent, set Compass Fitness to Relaxed and repeat the process, ensuring the drone is away from metallic surfaces and strong magnetic fields.

C. Level Horizon

Level Horizon calibration ensures the autopilot knows the correct level attitude for stable flight.

Steps to Calibrate Level Horizon

  1. Navigate to Level Horizon
    • Go to Settings > Calibration > Level Horizon.
Level Horizon

       2. Prepare the Drone

    • Ensure the vehicle is placed flat and stable on a level surface.

       3. Start Calibration

    • Click Calibrate to begin the process.

        4. Follow On-Screen Instructions

    • The calibration dialog guides you step by step:
      • Hold the vehicle in its level flight position.
      • Initialising AgPilot.
      • Level Horizon Completed.

    • You will see a confirmation screen showing the trim values for roll, pitch, and yaw.
Level Horizon Calibration

       5. Verify Completion

    • Confirm that the message Trim OK displays acceptable values (close to zero).
    • Click OK to close the dialog.
Note: If trim values are significantly off, repeat calibration and verify the surface is level.

D. Pressure Sensor

  1. Navigate to Settings > Calibration > Pressure
Pressure Sensor

       2. Click Calibrate to calibrate pressure/barometer

       3. After Calibration completes it shows Pressure Calibrated.

Pressure Calibrated

E. Flow Sensor Settings

  1. Navigate to Settings > Calibration > Flow
Flow Sensor

      2. Enable Flow Sensor

       3. Configure:

    • X/Y Correction Factor
    • Flow Sensor Yaw Alignment

       4. Click Update
       5. It will update the parameter confirmation as “Parameters are sent to Device”.

Parameter Updated

F. RC Calibration

  1. Go to Settings > Calibration > RC Calibration
RC Calibration

       2. Click Calibrate

       3. Move all RC sticks as instructed

       4. Confirm when done

       5. Set channel mappings for Throttle, Roll, Pitch, Yaw

Channel mapping

       6. Monitor RC Channel

Rc Channel Monitor

       7. Enable / Disable RC Safety Switch

RC Safety Switch

       8. Click Update

       9. This will confirm by showing message dialog “Parameter Sent to Device”.

       10. Click “Ok” to continue.

G. Flight Modes (Read-Only)

Displays OEM-defined flight modes and channel mappings.

ParameterDescription
Mode 1 – Mode 6Preset flight behaviors
Flight Mode ChannelRC channel for switching modes
Custom Mode ValueOEM-defined logic
Flight Modes Screen
5.6.3 Drone Safety
This section contains the configured failsafe settings and safety features.
Drone Safety

A. Battery Settings (View Only)

Displays critical battery thresholds and actions.

Battery Settings _Read Only_

B. Return to Launch (RTL) (Read Only)

Configured RTL altitude, loiter, and landing speed.

RTL Settings _Read Only_

C. Geofence Settings (Read Only)

Predefined boundaries configured to restrict the flight zone.

Geofence Settings _Read Only_

D. Arming Checks (Read Only)

Display of all mandatory arming pre-checks.

Arming Checks _Read Only_

E. Terrain Settings

Configure whether the drone follows terrain elevation.

  1. Toggle Enable and Follow
  2. Set Terrain Radius
  3. Click Update
Terrain Settings

F. Speed

Speed Configuration

The Speed tab under Drone Safety settings provides a view of critical velocity parameters associated with drone movement and flight safety. These parameters are read-only and displayed in centimeters per second (cm/s). They allow users to monitor the predefined speed limits for various operations.

ParameterDescriptionRange
Loiter Max SpeedMaximum allowed speed while loitering[Min 20 – Max 3500] cm/s
WP Climb SpeedSpeed at which the drone climbs to waypoint altitudes[Min 10 – Max 1000] cm/s
WP Descent SpeedSpeed at which the drone descends to waypoint altitudes[Min 10 – Max 500] cm/s
RTL SpeedSpeed during Return to Launch (RTL) mode[Min 0 – Max 2000] cm/s
Pilot Max Up SpeedMaximum manual ascent speed[Min 50 – Max 500] cm/s
Pilot Max Down SpeedMaximum manual descent speed[Min 50 – Max 500] cm/s
Note: These parameters are system-defined and cannot be modified directly by the user. They ensure safe and controlled operations of the drone during both autonomous and manual flight phases.
Speed Configuration

G. Safety Switch

An additional setting in AeroGCS DEFENCE to enable/disable an onboard safety switch.

ParameterDescriptionOption
Added Safety SwitchHardware-level flight protectionEnable/Disable
Added Safety Switch Option

✅ Summary & Best Practices

  • Calibrate all sensors before each mission.
  • Use Relay/Servo modes as per camera specs.
  • Always review failsafe settings before launch.
  • Enable the Safety Switch to ensure mission integrity.

5.7. Motor Test

The Motor Test feature in AeroGCS DEFENCE allows users to verify the functionality of individual motors before flight. It is designed to support pre-flight inspection and hardware diagnostics while ensuring operator safety and mission readiness.

Accessing Motor Test

To access the Motor Test feature:

  1. Connect the drone to AeroGCS DEFENCE.
    The Motor Test option becomes available only when the drone is connected.
  1. On the top navigation bar, locate the Motor Test icon
    (positioned just before the notification bell icon).

  2. Click the Motor Test icon to open the motor testing interface.
Performing the Motor Test

Once the Motor Test panel opens:

  • Each motor can be individually tested to verify its operational status.
  • The test activates each motor one at a time in a controlled sequence.
  • The interface displays real-time feedback during motor activation.
Important Safety Instructions
  1. The drone must be disarmed to initiate the motor test.
  2. Motor test cannot be performed when the drone is armed.
  3. Ensure the drone is on a flat, stable surface.
  4. It is recommended to remove the propellers before testing, following standard operating procedures (SOPs).

This feature is strictly intended for maintenance and diagnostic purposes. Use it with caution, adhering to safety protocols at all times.

5.8. Information & Support

The Information & Support panel is the fourth tab available under the Settings screen in AeroGCS DEFENCE. This section provides built-in help resources, including access to the official online user manual and an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) repository to assist with usage, configuration, and troubleshooting.

Navigation Path:
From the Home screen, click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner → Select Settings → Navigate to the Information & Support tab.

Settings Screen with _Information _ Support_ Tab Highlighted
Overview of Tabs

The Information & Support section includes two tabs:

  • User Manual
  • FAQs

A. User Manual

The User Manual tab offers a shortcut to the AeroGCS DEFENCE Online User Manual hosted on the web. It contains detailed documentation on:

  • Software features
  • Step-by-step configuration workflows
  • Safety procedures and mission best practices

How to Access:

  1. Click on the AeroGCS DEFENCE tile within the User Manual tab.
  2. The system will open the latest version of the documentation in your default web browser.

💡 Ensure an active internet connection to view the online documentation.

B. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The FAQs tab contains searchable solutions to common user queries related to drone operations, calibration, safety configuration, and troubleshooting.

FAQs Tab in Settings

Topics Commonly Covered:

  • How to calibrate the accelerometer or compass
  • Setting battery failsafe thresholds
  • Understanding RC channel mappings
  • Configuring flow meter correction values
  • Adjusting RTL parameters
  • Safety and geofencing overview

Use the search bar to filter FAQs by topic or keyword.

Action Table – Quick Reference
Action Description
Access Settings Home screen → Three-dot menu → Settings
Open Help Section Click the Information & Support tab
View Online Manual Click AeroGCS DEFENCE tile in the User Manual tab
Browse FAQs Go to FAQs tab and use the search bar
Internet Requirement Required for accessing online manual and FAQ updates

Best Practices

✔️ Bookmark the online manual in your browser for frequent reference.
✔️ Review FAQs before contacting support—it often contains direct solutions.
✔️ After software updates, revisit the manual for new feature documentation.

5.9. About and Exit

About

The About option provides key versioning and copyright information related to the AeroGCS DEFENCE software.

To access:

  1. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the Flight View screen.
  2. Select About from the dropdown.
About Dialog

The dialog displays:

  • Software Name: AeroGCS DEFENCE
  • Release Year: 2024
  • Build Information: Example – Build 0.50.20240904.01 Beta
  • Copyright: PDRL India 2024
  • Website: aeromegh.com
  • Terms and Conditions: Clickable link if available

Click OK to close the About window and return to the application.

Exit

To exit the application:

  1. Open the three-dot menu from the top-right corner.
  2. Click Exit.

The application will close immediately without saving any unsaved mission data or logs.

⚠️ Note: Always ensure mission execution is completed and logs are saved before exiting the software.
Table of Contents