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The TopoFlight Navigator is used to navigate the airplane for image acquisition flights. A predefined flight plan (e.g. provided using TopoFlight) is used as base data. The camera is triggered at the pre-defined positions. The interface for every camera can be delivered or can be implemented by the customer himself.
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System Overview
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The System consists of different modules to give the possibility to combine the actual TopoFlight Navigator with any available GPS, IMU and camera system.
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TopoFlight Navigator Module
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is an own executable
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is the program which shows the flight lines, maps, and all navigation information
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is the program with which the pilot and operator direct work during the flight
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can either read the GPS coordinates directly or getting them from the DLL
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is writing his actions to the DLL (for instance: new line id, next image id, actual position, image can be shot now, etc.)
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is reading from the DLL (for instance: coordinates of actual position, IMU data, platform information, camera status, etc.)
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DLL Module
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stores all the necessary data to control the camera as well as the TF Navi
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all system components (camera handler, TF Navi, GPS, IMU) can read and write into or from the DLL to communicate using a common interface
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Camera Handler Module
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reads the DLL to get needed information (like image can be released, image ID, etc.)
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writes to the DLL to give information to the TF Navi (like coordinates, IMU angles, camera status, platform information)
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writes the log file during the flight
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is normally an executable which is running beside TF Navi
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Connecting the system
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one computer is used for all the software and is usually controlled by the camera operator
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a second display is attached to the computer; it’s the pilot’s display and shows only the information relevant for the pilot
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GPS, IMU and sensor platform are connected to the navigator’s computer by serial ports
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between the computer and the camera there is our “Trigger and Event Control Box”
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Trigger and Event Control Box
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The image above shows the Trigger-Event Control Box (TE-UC) for the UltraCam. This unit does not need any external power, so it is very handy using in the airplane.
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one cable goes to the computer where TF Navi is running
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one cable goes to the GPS / IMU
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one cable goes the UltraCam Camera
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one cable goes to the UltraCam computer
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