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GHU-100 - Ground Hub Unit

The GHU-100 is the UAV Navigation's Ground Hub Unit intended to connect multiple ground devices together (PC, datalinks, joystick, etc.) and form a single network segment. Specially designed to meet increasingly challenging UAV mission scenarios such as maritime operations, multi-UAV scenarios, multiple GCS control support and so on. It is compatible with all the solutions provided by UAV Navigation: Target, Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, and VTOLs, and thanks to the implementation of safety-relevant functionalities on a self-developed RTOS, it increases mission security.

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    GHU-100
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    GHU-100 2
  • GHU-100
  • GHU-100 2
Multi-UAV & Multi-GCS Missions
Multi-UAV & Multi-GCS Missions

The GHU-100 has been developed to support Multi-UAV telemetry, ensuring improved self-awareness, efficiency, and safety in very complex mission scenarios. It will also support multiple joysticks connections to allow each pilot to command a specific UAV among all those flying.

System Ready for Complete Maritime Missions

The GHU-100 has been designed to conform with IP66, making it perfectly suitable for maritime mission integration thanks to its ability to accept NMEA inputs from the ship’s GNSS sources, sending “references source” information to the autopilot, including RTK corrections as well as supporting Multi-PTU connections.

High System Flexibility

Thanks to its extended I/Os capabilities and software flexibility, it becomes a perfect tool to be integrated into complex GCS setups for connecting multiple GCS payloads (NMEA inputs, RTK corrections, multi PTUs…). The software architecture allows the implementation of drivers to meet any special architecture requirements that the customer might need. This flexibility ensures compatibility with JY02 and other COTS joysticks.

Easy Integration on Advance GCS Architectures

GHU-100 is a powerful tool to be integrated into a more complex GCS architecture which might require: multiple light indicators, physical buttons, throttle control, pedals or “HOTAS”, multiple radio links and so on.

Increased System Robustness

The safety-relevant GCS functionalities are implemented directly on a real-time operating system developed by UAV Navigation for this purpose. This allows the system to be completely independent of a third-party OS and have a deterministic behaviour of the GCS under standard and emergency conditions. On top of that, the manufacturer will be able to implement radio redundancy to ensure a quick response in case of communication failure.

Simple Installation and Configuration

UAV Navigation GCS software, Visionair, features a user-friendly tool which allows the user to configure the GHU-100 according to the GCS architecture.

The GHU-100 is an essential part of any system based on a UAV Navigation flight control solution. This Ground Hub Unit is an advanced Ground Control Station hub that connects via ethernet/serial to the PC running Visionair and allows the connection of the joystick, as well as multiple ground peripherals and physical inputs (buttons, knobs, etc.).

The GHU-100 is a network hardware device for connecting multiple peripheral devices and making them act as a single network segment. The GHU-100 is compatible with all the flight control solutions provided by UAV Navigation: Target, Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, and VTOLs. The Hub Unit has been designed to increase mission safety thanks to the implementation of safety-relevant functionalities on a self-developed RTOS. The GHU-100 provides the following features:

  • The manufacturer will be able to implement radio redundancy to ensure a quick response in case of communication failure.
  • Bi-directional communications between Visionair (on the ground) and the onboard autopilot (in the air).
  • Connection point in the system for the joystick to allow manual input by an external pilot.
  • Internal GNSS for GCS autonomous geolocalization. The integrated GNSS receiver has been upgraded compared to what the GCS03 featured to be more accurate and robust against jamming or spoofing
  • Routing message functionality to optimize air-to-air, ground-to-air, and air-to-ground communications. This is a basic requirement in advanced missions such as multi-UAV and multi-GCS.
  • Integrated NMEA input for reference source support.
  • Efficient RTK corrections message dispatching from the base directly to the rover.
  • Dual GNSS compass support as reference source input.
  • Discrete input to command several user switches independently of Visionair.
  • Visionair - GHU Config Tool for easy configuration and software upgrade.
  • Up to 10 ethernet sockets for multiple ethernet payload connections (radios, Visionair...).
  • Hardware design to conform with IP66.

MECHANICAL / ENVIRONMENTAL
Size (mm, H x W x L)
55 x 215 x 90
Weight
650 g
Enclosure Material
Anodized aluminium
IP Rating
Designed to conform with IP66
ELECTRICAL
Voltage Supply
9 to 36 V DC
Power Consumption
1.5W (without any peripherical connected)
I/O
Power Connector
Binder M12-A Female cable connector
Connectivity
● 5 x RS-232
● 1 x RS-422/485
● 1 x CAN
● 1 x PPM
● 1 x JY02 connection
● 12 x GPIOs
● 6 x ADCs
● 1 x Ethernet
GNSS SPECIFICATION
Receiver type
72 Channel, L1C/A, L1OF, B1I, E1B/C
Constellations
GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, SBAS
Antenna
Active (for best performance) or passive
Antenna Connector
 50 Ohm SMA Female
Antenna Power Supply
3.2V
Time to First Fix (Cold / Hot)
< 26 s / < 2 s
Velocity Accuracy
0.05 m/s (50% at 30 m/s)
Horizontal Position Accuracy
2.5 m (CEP, 50%, 24 h static, -130 dbm, >6 SVs)
Accuracy of Time Pulse Signal
30 ns RMS, 60 ns 99%
Frequency of Time Pulse Signal
>1 pps
Altitude / Velocity Limit
50,000 m / 500 m/s

The installation kit includes the ancillaries required to supply the GHU-100, connect it to Visionair, and receive the GNSS signal for the GCS automatic positioning. The kit includes the following:

  • Power supply connector BINDER 77-3430-0000-50004-0200
  • COMX connector 77-3405-0000-50006-0500
  • GNSS patch antenna ANN-MS-0

Multi-GCS Monitor and Control

Multi-GCS
The new Multi-GCS algorithms implemented in our version 9 of the flight control system enable new operating scenarios such as complex BVLOS operations for monitoring and control from multiple GCS or manual control of the platform from multiple joysticks.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Joystick

Any joystick can be connected to the GHU-100 via the Joystick port, serial port, ethernet or through the PPM port.

Additionally, where manual control of a UAV is required, UAV Navigation (UAVN) offers the JY02 , an R/C style joystick, for use with its system. The Joystick connects via a cable to the Modem.

A switch conveniently located on its upper panel enables the External Pilot (Safety Pilot) to take manual control of the RPAS/UAV; this is completely independent of the GCS computer, thus enhancing security in case of a PC failure.
 
The Joystick features professional quality gimbals and mechanical trims housed in a rugged aluminum case.
 
The unit also has 3 user-configurable switches for use in special applications (camera shutter release, smoke deployment for targets etc).
 

The Joystick requires no power supply as it is fed from the Modem.

Description

Twin gimbal joystick with three user-configurable two-position toggle switches on front face, plus one two-position toggle switch on upper left surface for selection of MANUAL mode

Weight

950g

Material

Extruded aluminium main chassis with impact resistant plastic side panels. Built in aluminium carry handle

Connector

DB-15 Male

Cable

Supplied as standard with 10' (3m) cable to connect to GCS03 or GCASE

Environmental

Designed to comply with IP61 (complete protection against dust, dripping water shall have no harmful effect, 1mm rainfall per minute)

Power Supply Requirement

Not applicable (JY02 is supplied with power via the included cable which connects it to the GCS)

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About

UAV Navigation is a privately-owned company that has specialized in the design of flight control solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) since 2004. It is used by a variety of Tier 1 aerospace manufacturers in a wide range of UAV - also known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or 'drones'. These include high-performance tactical unmanned planes, aerial targets, mini-UAVs and helicopters.