Overview:
When the UAS has successfully initialized, an appropriate Link Loss Procedure must be selected each time the UAS is switched ON.
The Link Loss Procedure of the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition is automatically activated when there is no data link connection between the Intel® Cockpit GCS and the Falcon8+. The UAS has a fully redundant data link, meaning that there are two independent transmitter / receiver connections. If only one of the data link connections is interrupted, the pilot still has complete control over the UAS. The warning LINK WEAK! will be displayed on the Status Display. Only if both links are lost, it will no longer be possible to control the UAS from the Intel® Cockpit GCS. The warning LINK LOST! will be displayed, and the Link Loss Procedure is activated. This can occur if the UAS is flown too far from the Intel® Cockpit GCS and/or the antenna panel orientation is not ideal. External influences like shadowing or other (e.g. WiFi) networks can also disturb the data link.
There are three different Link Loss Procedures available. One of them must be chosen deliberately each time the UAS is switched on. Every flight may require a different procedures. Therefore, please chose the procedure carefully considering the current mission.
With the RIGHT/LEFT buttons you switch between the three procedures. By pushing ENT you select the procedure shown on the screen of the Status Display.
ComeHome Straight:
In case the connection between the Intel® Cockpit GCS and the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition gets lost (if it is higher than 20 m above the take-off height) the UAS will stop at its current position and fly back to the home position (where the motors were started) at its current height. If the UAS is lower than 20 m at the time the connection is lost, it will first ascend to approx. 20 m above take-off height and then fly back to the home position. Once the UAS has reached the spot above the home position, it will descend at 1.5 m/s until it lands.
ComeHome High:
In case the connection between Intel® Cockpit GCS and UAS gets lost, the UAS will stop at its current position and ascend. After arriving at the maximum altitude, that was reached during this flight, it will fly back to the home position and descend with 1.5 m/s until it lands.
!! Warning: If the battery is low at the end of a flight, the extra power needed for the ascend could deplete the battery and lead to a critical situation!!!
Direct Landing:
In case the connection between Intel® Cockpit GCS and UAS gets lost, the UAS will stop and start a controlled descend at 1.5 m/s at its current position until it lands. If no GPS signal is available, the UAV will always use Direct Landing.
Please note that in a situation without GPS signal, the UAV will drift with the wind while descending.
Home position (New home position)
The home position is set automatically each time the motors are started.
It is possible to define a new home position while the UAS is in the air.
To do so:
- Push ENT at the Status Display. You enter the shown menu.
- Push the arrow RIGHT button one time to highlight Navigation.
- Push ENT. You enter the shown menu. New Home Position is highlighted.
- Push ENT. The new home position is set at the current location of the UAV at the moment the ENT button is pushed and you return to the Main Screen.
Additional Notes:
- The flight path back to the home position may not be a straight line, it may be curved in case it is windy.
- When the UAV is flown in Height-Mode (an H is shown in the upper right corner of the Status Display) or in Manual-Mode (an M is shown in the upper right corner of the Status Display) and the Link Loss Procedure is activated, the UAV will automatically switch to GPS-Mode (a G is shown in the upper right corner of the Status display) if a GPS signal is available.
In case the Link Loss Procedure has been activated, it is recommended not to use Manual-Mode. Using GPS- or Height-Mode, will make it easier for the pilot to react correctly, when the data link is reestablished and the Link Loss Procedure is interrupted, because the UAV will automatically control the height.
- Should the connection between the Intel Cockpit GCS and the Falcon 8+ be re-established during the Link Loss Procedure, the UAV will immediately stop the procedure, enter the flight mode selected on the Intel Cockpit GCS and follow any control input from the pilot.
- If the UAV performed a direct landing because of a lost data link connection, and if you are having difficulties locating it, the last known position of the Intel® Falcon™ 8+ Drone - Topcon Edition (which is stored in the Status Display of the Intel Cockpit GCS) might be helpful.