Ground station user interface and data link

An implementation for unmanned aerial vehicles

Bachelor thesis (2012)

Contributors

C.J.M. Verhoeven (mentor)
Programme
Electronics Research Laboratory (EEMCS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: Van Kooten, X.F.
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Published Date

19-06-2012

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Programme

Electronics Research Laboratory

Abstract

Research on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has steadily increased over the last decades due to the wide range of military, civil and security applications. Within the larger framework of aerial vehicles, the high degree of autonomy of UAVs places constraints on data communication links. Many existing UAV systems include ground stations which allow users to retrieve data from the airborne unit during flight. Air-to-ground connections have been successfully implemented for both low data rates and high-capacity links. A broad variety of UAV applications therefore appears to be feasible. This thesis proposes a possible implementation of a graphical user interface and a ZigBee-based air-to ground communication link for sensor and graphical data transfer. This design is part of a ground vehicle tracking system for UAVs.