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HappyKillmore's GCS Alpha Release is ready

Posted by Paul Mather on November 7, 2010 at 11:30pm
LotsOfWaypoints.gif
FirstPerson.gif
ChaseCam.gif


I guess I'll call it an Aplha release. I'm not done with the installer yet. The system requirements are .NET 2.0 framework, Google Earth (and maybe the plugin) and DirectX must be installed.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displaylang=en
http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&displaylang=en
http://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/plugin.html

Download the GCS

I would STRONGLY recommend NOT trying this in the field with a live plane! This program is for TESTING ONLY at this point.

To use the program, select your COM port with your GPS or AP connected through FTDI or USB to serial. Select your baud rate. Click Connect. You can try the Search COM button which will cycle through all your available COM ports at different baud rates looking for your data stream. The Search Baud button will only search on the selected COM port for your data stream at different baud rates.

Once connected, if it's an AP unit, the waypoints and home location should be set automatically. If you're not using AP then you can build a mission file using the AP config tool and copy the .TXT file into the missions folder that gets created in the root directory with the GCS executable. Don't worry, this process will be easier in the future.

On the settings tab, you can select different options for your instruments and Google Earth Settings. The cockpit view isn't working yet.

Chances are excellent that nothing will work with APM since I have done absolutely zero testing with APM.

This release also includes NO error trapping and it will fail if you start collecting serial data before the Google Earth window is loaded....

Let me know how things go....

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Comments

  • SupreCharger November 8, 2010 at 9:26am
    It's not working on my Windows7 64-bit ><</body>
  • Paul Mather November 8, 2010 at 9:23am
    Martin, yes, you can select units and the max values on the settings tab.

    Andre, thanks, in two weeks I'll have lots more stuff added so keep an eye out for newer versions!

    John, I'm going to fire up my APM today or tomorrow for the first time. I'll be adding the full 2-way functionality so don't worry, the new APM protocol is coming.
  • John C. November 8, 2010 at 8:41am
    Hi there Happy....if I have an APM, should I be using the legacy protocol, or will this understand the new APM binary protocol? THANK YOU
  • Andre Cilliers November 8, 2010 at 8:02am
    This looks great! I am two weeks away from second test flight will try on your new GCS.

    Thank you for all your good work .
  • Martin Bellomo November 8, 2010 at 4:50am
    As soon as i get my AP work i´ll start testing the new version.
    The arcs (green, yellow and red) in the speed meter are configurables ?
    THANKS !
This reply was deleted.