===== Geocopter Pilot station =====

==== Facts ====
{{ :running:geocopter.jpeg?300|}}
^Type 	         | internship       |
^Place 	         | Geocopter BV     |
^Supervisor 	 | Huub van de Wetering |
^Student 	 | Thorstin Crijns       |
^start/end date  | 2-2011/4-2011 |

==== Description ====
This internship takes place at Geocopter BV which specializes in building Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) and delivers helicopters that are used for autonomous inspection, surveillance and region mapping. UASs can fly autonomously; however, it is possible to control them using a pilot station. These stations communicate with the helicopter and have a range of over 100 kilometer.

 {{ :running:pilotstation.jpg?250|}}
The pilot station is used to control an UAS. It consists of different software and hardware components (e.g. navigation software, input devices, displays, and transceivers). The station already has software that is used for controlling the UAS, however it needs to be enhanced with additional software in order to display aircraft related information.


The goal of this project is to develop a GUI for the pilot station. It should be intuitive and should visualize only information that is relevant to the controller. Critical events and warnings which are associated to the UAS should be displayed in such a way that an operator is able to respond adequately. Because the software needs to be certified, it should be developed with reliability and extendibility in mind.

==== Planning ====
The project comprises of the following tasks:
  * Determining how the existing and new software should be integrated.
  * Setting up a communication interface between the helicopter and the pilot station; this includes a data and video link.
  * Determining which information should be displayed how to the user.
  * Creating a graphical user interface.

==== Additional information ====
  * http://geocopter.nl