Piccolo based solutions for helicopter and other rotary wing unmanned vehicles are available in partnership with Guided Systems
Technologies (GST). GST offers advanced flight control technology that has been proven on a wide variety of unmanned rotary
wing vehicles, including single main rotor and coaxial helicopters, tilt rotors, ducted fans, tail sitters and hybrid vehicles
The Piccolo LT and Piccolo II are capable of full envelope
automated helicopter flight operations, including take-off and landing (VTOL), precision hover, automated path following and autopilot assisted manual steering modes.
Guided Systems will provide comprehensive customer support from initial project requirements definition through qualification flight testing.
For more information, contact:
Guided Systems Technologies
(770) 898-9100 x895
Cloud Cap Technology, Inc.
(541) 387-2120 x 227
Advanced flight planning. Allows updates during flight, drag and drop,
definition of lost com plan, and automatic landing plans
Supported by full HW-in-the-Loop and Software Simulators
Support of TASE stabilized gimbal
Gimbal stabilization control for servo based pan-tilt cameras
Support of MicroAir transponders
Support of Iridium satellite communications
Support of external magnetometer to support deadreckoning
in lost-GPS environment
Support of Autoland using Latitude Engineering
Laser Above Ground Sensor
Added Autoland accuracy using external Novatel
RTK 2cm DGPS. Allows precision rolling takeoff
and rolling or net capture
Helicopter Support. Tech support provided by CCT
partner GST.
The integrated Piccolo radio link is available in a range of frequency bands so that integrators can pick the radio frequency that best supports their operational environment. The Piccolo avionics and Ground Station radios must be configured with the same radio.
The 900 MHz ISM radio is an unlicensed radio in North America and Australia. Cloud Cap Technology recommends this radio option for North American and Australian customers not requiring DoD licensed bands.
The 2.4 GHz ISM band is unlicensed in North America, EU countries and other international locations.
Discrete frequency, licensed band, options are available in the range of 310 to 390 MHz, and 405 to 425 MHz. In the US, these bands are controlled by the DoD.
Available Radio Options for Piccolo Autopilots:
900 MHz Unlicensed ISM*
900 MHz Australian Band
2.4 GHz Unlicensed ISM
310-390 MHz Discrete
405-425 MHz Discrete Licensed
* The 900 MHz Unlicensed ISM is the only radio option available for the Piccolo LT.
Download the DD1494 forms for Cloud Cap Technology’s radio spectrum-dependent equipment.
The Piccolo Developer's Kit
provides the parts needed to operate the
Piccolo in a Hardware-In-Loop (HIL) bench simulation
environment. HIL simulation is a cornerstone of
unmanned aircraft development. Well-designed simulators
allow the aircraft control laws and mission functionality
to be tested without risking hardware in flight
test.
Although HIL simulation cannot replace flight-testing,
it measurably reduces the likelihood of failure
by detecting bugs and deficiencies in the lab.
See the Piccolo
Simulator and the Piccolo
Setup Guide for more information on how to use
the simulator.
Steps to Autonomous Flight - Outlines the steps involved in configuring, installing and operating the Piccolo autopilot system. It is very important to read this document first because it provides a guide through other system documentation required to properly set up and integrate the Piccolo system.
Piccolo Setup Guide - An overview of the Piccolo autopilot system components. Provides initial setup information for the hardware and software simulation environments to guide users to a functioning laboratory environment.
SIL and HIL Checklists – A quick reference checklist for the Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations.
Piccolo User's Guide (v1.3.2) - Provides a basic description, interface guidelines, and setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 1.3.2 software.
Piccolo User's Guide (v2.0.4) - Provides a basic description, interface guidelines, and setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 2.0.4 software.
Piccolo User’s Guide (v2.1.0) - Provides a basic description, interface guidelines, and setup information for the Piccolo autopilot system using version 2.1.0 software.
Piccolo User’s Guide Helicopter Supplement – Provides controller information and swashplate configurations for the Piccolo autopilot system used in helicopter and other rotary wing unmanned vehicle applications.
Piccolo Simulator -A detailed user’s guide to the Simulator environment and software. Includes guidance on modeling and simulating customer aircraft which is a key element in the steps to autonomous flight.
Piccolo External Interface - Interface definitions and pin-outs for the Piccolo Plus, Piccolo II, and Piccolo LT.
Piccolo Dev Interface - A quick introduction guide to the Piccolo Dev Interface application that provides tools useful for system data analysis.
Communications Troubleshooting - Covers basic testing procedures, information, and tools to help diagnose Piccolo radio communication problems.
Piccolo Software Update Guide - Covers how to update Cloud Cap Technology products with the latest software and firmware.
Software Roadmap - Outlines the development plan for maintenance of the Piccolo software.
Iridium Integration Guide - Provides technical information for
installing the Iridium communication system into an airframe.
Magnetometer Integration Guide -
Provides technical information for integrating a Magnetometer with a Piccolo
autopilot.
Novatel DGPS Integration Guide –Provides technical information needed to assist in the integration of the Novatel DGPS equipment with the Piccolo Autopilot system avionics and Piccolo Portable Ground Station.
Piccolo Servo Gimbal Integration Guide – How to setup and configure a non-stabilized, servo based gimbal–other than a Cloud Cap Technology gimbal–to the Piccolo autopilot using the pan and tilt servo connections available on the Piccolo autopilot.
Using Validate During Preflight - Describes procedures on how to validate current Piccolo parameters against a file of known correct parameters.
Piccolo Bench Interface Cable Reference Schematic - Cable is included with the Piccolo Developer’s Kit. Provides power, CAN, serial and programming interfaces needed for laboratory setups including HWIL.
Piccolo Typical Flight Harness Schematic – Basic harness that includes control surface outputs as well as power, CAN, serial and programming interfaces needed for aircraft integration.
Pilot Console Cable Schematic - Old Style - Connects the DIN connector trainer port on older (6 and 8 channel) Futaba pilot consoles to the Piccolo Desk Top Ground Station.
Pilot Console Cable Schematic - New Style - Connects the small square 6 pin connector trainer port on newer (9 channel) Futaba pilot consoles to the Piccolo Desk Top Ground Station.
UHF Antenna Trim Charts - Avionics and GS - Provides specifications for the ground station and avionics UHF antenna.
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