USER GUIDE

TRIMBLE UX5 AERIAL

IMAGING SOLUTION

1

Version 1.10

Revision A

October 2013
Legal Information

Trimble Navigation Limited

935 Stewart Drive

Sunnyvale, California 94085

U.S.A.

www.trimble.com

Copyright and Trademarks

©2013, Trimble Navigation Limited. Allrights reserved.

Trimble and the Globe and Triangle logo are trademarks of Trimble

Navigation Limited,registered in the United States and in other

countries. Access is a trademark of Trimble Navigation Limited.

Microsoft and Windows are eitherregistered trademarks ortrademarks

of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

All othertrademarks are the property of theirrespective owners.

COCOM Limits

The U.S. Department of Commerce requires that all exportable GPS

products contain performance limitations so thatthey cannot be used in

a mannerthat could threaten the security of the United States. The

following limitations are implemented on this product:

– Immediate access to satellite measurements and navigation results is

disabled when the receiver velocity is computed to be greaterthan

1,000 knots, orits altitude is computed to be above 18,000 meters. The

receiverGPS subsystem resets until the COCOM situation clears. As a

result, all logging and stream configurations stop until the GPS

subsystem is cleared.

Notices

United States

Certification number: FCC ID HSW-DNT2400P.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for

a Class A digital device, pursuantto part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits

are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful

interference when the equipmentis operated in a commercial

environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio

frequency energy and, if notinstalled and used in accordance with the

instruction manual,may cause harmful interference to radio

communications. Operation of this equipmentin a residential area is

likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be

required to correctthe interference at his own expense.

Changes and modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer

orregistrant of this equipment can void your authority to operate this

equipment under Federal Communications Commission rules.

Canada

UnderIndustry Canada regulations,this radio transmittermay only

operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (orlesser) gain

approved forthe transmitter by Industry Canada.

To reduce potentialradio interference to other users,the antenna type

and its gain should be so chosen thatthe equivalentisotropically

radiated power(e.i.r.p.) is not more than that necessary forsuccessful

communication.

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard

(s). Operation is subjectto the following two conditions:

(1) this device may not cause interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that

may cause undesired operation of the device.

This class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Certification numberIC: 4492A-DNT2400P.

This apparatus complies with Canadian RSS-210.

Conformément à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada, le présent

émetteurradio peutfonctionner avec une antenne d'un type et d'un

gain maximal (ou inférieur) approuvé pourl'émetteur parIndustrie

Canada.

Dans le but de réduire les risques de brouillage radioélectrique à

l'intention des autres utilisateurs, il faut choisirle type d'antenne etson

gain de sorte que la puissance isotrope rayonnée équivalente (p.i.r.e.)

ne dépasse pas l'intensité nécessaire à l'établissement d'une

communication satisfaisante.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables

aux appareils radioexempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux

deux conditions suivantes:

(1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et

(2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit acceptertout brouillage radioélectrique

subi,même si le brouillage estsusceptible d'en compromettre le

fonctionnement.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003

du Canada.

Numérique de certification IC: 4492A-DNT2400P.

Cet appareil est conforme à la norme CNR-210 du Canada.

Europe

The product covered by this guide are intended to be used in all EU

member countries,Norway, and Switzerland.

This equipmentis classified as group 1, class A equipment according to

EN55011. Group 1 is applicable for all equipment within the scope of EN

55011 thatis not classified as group 2 equipment, which contains all ISM

RF equipment. Class A equipmentis equipmentsuitable for use in all

establishments otherthan domestic. Using Class A equipmentin

domestic environments may cause difficulties ensuring electromagnetic

compatibility.

CE Declaration of Conformity

Hereby, Trimble Navigation, declares thatthis productis

in compliance with the essentialrequirements and other

relevant provisions of:

– EMC Directive (2004/108/EC)

– Machine Directive (2006/42/EC)

– R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC)

– RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU)

Note– Deviation from Machine directive 2006/42/EC: The CE

marking for the UX5 systemis placed on the Trimble UX5 eBox and is

only visible when the eBox isremoved fromthe Trimble UX5 wing.

Japan

Certification numbers forthe DNT2400P RFM radio module :

007WWCUL0739 and 003UVA110681

Australia and New Zealand

This product conforms with the regulatory requirements of

the Australian Communications and Media Authority

(ACMA) EMC framework,thus satisfying the requirements

for C-Tick Marking and sale within Australia and New

Zealand.

Taiwan – Battery Recycling Requirements

The product contains a removable Lithium polymer battery. Taiwanese

regulations require that waste batteries are recycled.

廢電池請回收

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

For productrecycling instructions and more information,

please go to www.trimble.com/ev.shtml.

Recycling in Europe: To recycle Trimble WEEE (Waste

Electrical and Electronic Equipment, products thatrun on

electrical power), call +31 497 53 24 30, and ask forthe

“WEEE Associate”. Or,mail a requestforrecycling instructions to:

Trimble Europe BV

c/o Menlo Worldwide Logistics

Meerheide 45

5521 DZ Eersel,NL

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 2
FCC Declaration of Conformity

We, TrimbleNavigation Limited.

935 Stewart Drive

PO Box 3642

Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3642

United States

+1-408-481-8000

Declare under sole responsibility that DoC products comply

with Part 15 of FCC Rules.

Operation issubject to the following two conditions:

(1) This devicemay not cause harmful interference, and

(2) This devicemust accept any interference received,

including interference that may cause undesired operation

Environmental hazards

The product complies with international RoHS regulations.

Toxic and hazardous substances and elements

Part name Lead

(Pb)

Mercury

(Hg)

Cadmium

(Cd)

Hexavalent

Chromium

(Cr6+)

Polybrominated

biphenyls

(PBB)

Poly-brominated

diphenyl ethers

(PBDE)

Lithium polymer

rechargeable battery

X O O O O O

Power supply X O O O O O

Printed circuit board

assembly

X O O O O O

Radio module X O O O O O

Chassis O O O O O O

Plastic enclosure O O O O O O

Paper manual O O O O O O

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 3
Contents

Environmental hazards 3

1 Introduction 6

The UX5 aerial imaging rover 7

Parts of the UX5 aerial imaging rover 8

Solution components 10

Flight case contents 11

Inserting the eBox and camera 12

Installing the Aerial Imaging software 13

Missions and flights 15

Mission phases 15

The Aerial Imaging screen 16

2 Planning a Mission 19

Creating a mission 20

Preparing the mission map 20

Defining mission parameters 22

Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software 24

Checking flight permissions and conditions 25

3 Preparing Equipment 29

Checking the launcher 30

Checking the UX5 aerial imaging rover 30

Charging the UX5 batteries 32

Charging the Tablet batteries 35

Charging the camera batteries 36

Checking the camera 37

Pairing the transmitter with the tracking receiver 39

Locating your equipment 40

4 Completing a Flight 41

Visit the site to check for obstacles 42

Dealing with sudden weather changes 45

Importing the mission 45

Defining the flight area 46

Setting the flight parameters 48

Completing the flight checklist 50

Monitoring the flight 62

Landing the UX5 70

Completing the post-flight checklist 72

Exporting the mission 73

Disassembling the launcher 73

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 4
Contents

5 Analysis and Export 75

Transferring the images 76

Importing the mission to the Aerial Imaging Desktop software 76

Exporting flight data for processing 76

6 Troubleshooting 78

Errors and warnings 79

Landing issues 81

Aerial Imaging software issues 82

eBox LED status 83

Technicalsupport 84

7 Specifications and Settings 85

UX5 specifications 86

Camera specifications 87

Camera settings 88

Battery charger settings 94

A Regulatory Requirements 95

French airspace requirements 96

Glossary 97

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 5
Introduction

n The UX5 aerial imaging rover 

n Parts of the UX5 aerial imaging rover 

n Solution components

n Flight case contents

n Inserting the eBox and camera

n Installing the Aerial Imaging software

n Missions and flights

n Mission phases

n The Aerial Imaging screen

The Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User

Guide provides detailed information about

operating the components of the Trimble®

UX5 aerial imaging solution.

Even if you have used other unmanned aviation

systems before, please read this user guide

carefully to familiarize yourself with the

UX5 aerial imaging solution.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 6

CH A P T E R 1
1   Introduction

The UX5 aerial imaging rover 

The Trimble UX5 aerial imaging rover  is an unmanned aircraft (UA). An unmanned aircraft is a

generic term, and refers to an aircraft that is operated with no pilot on board. Such an aircraft is

commonly also referred to as a remotely-piloted aircraft (RPA). The UX5 aerial imaging rover follows

a pre-programmed path where takeoff, flight, and landing require minimal human intervention. If

required, the crew operating the aircraft from the ground can intervene to change the flight path or

to land. In some cases, such as communications failure or loss of GPS signal, a pre-programmed

intervention is automatically activated to re-establish signal loss or to terminate the flight early and

complete a safe landing.

The UX5 aerial imaging rover holds a camera that takes aerial images over the defined area. During

the flight, all pictures are acquired at a specified height, along parallel lines with specified overlap

between the image exposures. At the same time, position information of the pictures is recorded for

further processing in image processing software such as Trimble Business Center software.

Typical applications

Image acquisition can be used for:

l Orthophoto creation

l Digital Elevation Model (DEM) or Digital Surface Model (DSM)

l Photogrammetry

The resulting data is useful for a range of applications, including:

l Topographicalsurveying, particularly in remote or difficult to access areas, typical in the mining

and dredging industries

l Vegetation monitoring

l Infrastructure mapping

ISA conditions

All operating specifications provided in this guide for the UX5 aerial imaging rover are determined

using International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions. The ISA conditions used to determine

the specifications for the UX5 aerial imaging rover are:

Specification Value

Humidity 0 %

Air pressure 1013.25 hPa (760 mm Hg)

Temperature 15 °C (59 °F)

Air density 1.225 kg/m3 (0.076 lb/ft3)

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 7
1   Introduction

Parts of the UX5 aerial imaging rover 

The main parts of the UX5 aerial imaging rover are shown below.

Top view

❶

❸ ❹

❺

❻

❾

❿

❼

❽

⓫

⓭

❷

⓬

❶ Aircraft body ❻ eBox ❿ Download cable connector

❷ Leading edge ❼ Pitot tube ⓫ Elevon servos

❸ Payload bay ❽ GPS antenna ⓬ Inboard elevon

❹ Battery ❾ Mode button ⓭ Outboard elevon

❺ Camera

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 8
1   Introduction

Bottom view

❶

❷

❸

❹

❺

❻

❶ Camera lens hole ❸ Motor ❺ Propeller

❷ Launcher slat ❹ Propeller nut ❻ Winglet

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 9
1   Introduction

Solution components

The UX5 aerial imaging solution comprises the following components:

l UX5 aerial imaging rover

l Camera

l Ground controlstation

l Launcher

l Tracker (optional)

UX5 aerial imaging rover

The UX5 aerial imaging rover consists of the wing kit (or body) and the eBox. The eBox is a

removable box containing the computer that controls the UX5. The eBox is connected to a GPS

antenna and a radio antenna so that the ground controlstation can communicate with the UX5

while it is in the air.

Camera

The camera captures images during the flight. The camera has a large 16.1 megapixel APS-C sensor

that provides sharp, detailed images. The standard RGB solution includes a UV HAZE 1 filter. The

optional NIR (near infrared)solution is for use in specialized applications such as agriculture.

Ground control station

The ground controlstation (GCS) is used to control the UX5 aerial imaging rover from the ground. It

comprises the Trimble Tablet running the Trimble AccessTM Aerial Imaging software. The Trimble UX5

modem is connected to the Tablet to enable radio communication to the unmanned aircraft.

Launcher

The launcher is a mechanical device that provides a safe way to launch the UX5 aerial imaging

rover in the direction of takeoff.

Tracker

The tracker consists of a transmitter inserted in the body of the UX5 aerial imaging rover and a

receiver. Ifrequired, the receiver is used to track the transmitter signalso the UX5  can be located

once it has landed. The exact type of tracker used depends on the country where the system is

being used. Check with your Trimble distributor what is available for your location.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 10
1   Introduction

Flight case contents

When you receive your solution components, unpack them and store them in the dedicated

cavities in the flight case.

Check off the components against the illustration below to ensure that you have all of the

components you need for a successful flight:

❾ ❿

❶ ❷ ❷ ❸

❹ ❺

❻ ❼

❽ ⓫

❶ Tablet, Tablet charger, modem and RF

antenna, download cable

❼ UX5 battery charger and charge cable

❷ UX5 battery ❽ Spare camera battery and camera

battery charger

❸ Tracker transmitter and receiver ❾ Lens cleaning paper

❹ Power strip and power cable ❿ Pre-moistened lens cloth

❺ UX5 body, with camera, eBox and top cover ⓫ Pitot cover, tools and optionalspare

parts

❻ Extra parts such as winglets, propellers

Note – Some components are small parts that are easily lost. To avoid this, as soon as you unpack them:

— insert the camera battery and SD card into the camera.

— attach the GPS and RF antennas to the eBox. See Inserting the eBox and camera, page 12.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 11
1   Introduction

Note – According to ICAO/IATA regulations, Lithium polymer batteries must be carried in hand luggage when

transporting the system by air.

Note – The following parts of the Trimble UX5 aerial imaging solution are considered dual-use: the eBox,

Trimble Tablet and launcher. Dual-use goods are products and technologies normally used for civilian

purposes but which may have military applications. Under EU regulations, controlled items may not leave the

EU customs territory without an export authorization Additional restrictions are also in place concerning the

provision of brokering services with regard to dual-use items and concerning the transit of such items through

the EU. The same is true when exporting goods from any country outside the EU to any other country outside

the EU.

Inserting the eBox and camera

The eBox and camera are stored inside the UX5 body in the flight case.

1. Unpack the UX5 body, the eBox, GPS antenna, RF antenna, and camera.

2. Attach the RF antenna to the underside of the eBox.

3. Attach the GPS antenna to the top side of the eBox.

4. Insert the eBox into the eBox cavity of the UX5 body, sliding the bottom end into the cavity and

then pressing down so that the connector on the rear plugs into the connector in the UX5

body.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 12
1   Introduction

WARNING – Always disconnect the battery from the aircraft before inserting or removing the eBox from

the UX5 body. If the battery is still connected, you risk damaging the electronics inside the UX5 body. For

information on disconnecting the battery, see Removing the battery, page 33.

5. Insert the screw into the hole of the eBox and screw the eBox into place using a T10 Torx

screwdriver.

6. Insert the camera into the payload cavity of the UX5 body.

Installing the Aerial Imaging software

Use the Aerial Imaging software to plan, manage, and monitor your flights.

The Aerial Imaging Desktop software is installed on an office computer. The field version of the Aerial

Imaging software is installed on the Tablet. The field software provides all of the functionality

included in the office software. In addition, you can use the field software to monitor the aircraft

during flight.

Note – Flight planning and the flight checklist are available on the desktop for demonstration purposes. When

exporting to the Tablet it does notsave the flightsettings. You must repeat the flight planning steps and the

flight checklist on the Tablet in the field.

Aerial Imaging Desktop installation

1. To install the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, use the Trimble Access Installation Manager. If

you have:

l not installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager before, go to www.trimble.com/taim

for installation information. Make sure you download and install the TAIM Online version.

l previously installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager, you do not need to reinstall it

because it updates itself automatically.

2. Make sure you do not have a Tablet or other Trimble controller connected to the office

computer.

3. Select Start / All Programs / Trimble Access Installation Manager to start the Installation

Manager.

4. Select the Additional applications tab.

5. Select the Aerial Imaging Desktop check box.

6. Click Create license.

7. The Trimble Access Installation Manager switches to the Licensed applications tab and shows

the now licensed Aerial Imaging Desktop software.

8. Click Install.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 13
1   Introduction

For further information on updating the software, refer to the Help file in the Trimble Access

Installation Manager. To view the Help file, select the Trimble icon in the top left, and then select

Help.

Aerial Imaging Tablet installation

When you first turn on the Tablet, you must install the Windows® 7 operating system. To do this

you must set a user name and password for the Tablet. The installation of Windows 7 takes about 5

minutes.

1. To install the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet, use the Trimble Access Installation

Manager. If you have:

l not installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager before, go to www.trimble.com/taim

for installation information.

l previously installed the Trimble Access Installation Manager, you do not need to reinstall it

because it updates itself automatically.

2. Select Start / All Programs / Trimble Access Installation Manager to start the Installation

Manager.

3. In the Licensed applications tab, select the Aerial Imaging check box and then click Install.

For further information on how to install or update your software and license file, refer to the Help

file in the Trimble Access Installation Manager. To view the Help file, select the Trimble icon in the

top left, and then select Help.

Updating the eBox firmware

The Aerial Imaging software automatically checks that the eBox firmware is up to date when the

connection between the GCS and the UX5 is established during the flight checklist procedure. If

firmware updates are available you are prompted to perform an update. It takes about 30 minutes

to update the eBox firmware.

To manually initiate a firmware update, tap Update in the Settings screen.

Note – Manually initiating a firmware update does not prompt a version check, so even if the latest firmware

is installed, the Update firmware checklist appears.

1. When the Update firmware checklist appears, do one of the following:

l To dismiss the update checklist and continue with the flight checklist, tap No.

l To start the firmware update, tap Yes. The update checklist appears.

2. When prompted, attach the modem. Tap Next to update the modem firmware.

3. When prompted, connect the download cable. Tap Next to update the eBox firmware.

4. The eBox firmware update consists ofseveral automatic steps. When the firmware has finished

updating, disconnect the download cable from the eBox and the modem.

The software returns to the Flight Planning screen.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 14
1   Introduction

Missions and flights

A mission consists of one or more flights within the mission area. Mission planning is usually done

in the office. The number of flights per mission is estimated by the software and depends on the size

of the mission area.

A flight is a single flight within the mission area. Flight planning is done in the field.

Mission phases

The typical phases of a mission are:

l Mission planning: In the office you can define the mission area, adding background maps, and

avoidance zones ifrequired. The software estimates the number of flights needed to cover the

mission area, depending on the size of the mission area. Checks for flight permissions, weather,

and site suitability are completed and the flight is scheduled. Before heading to the site, all

equipment is checked for any damage from previous flights and all batteries are fully charged.

l Flight planning: The flight is planned and the wind direction, takeoff and landing locations are

specified. The flight checklist is completed to ensure that the system is ready for the flight.

l Flight operation: After launching the UX5 aerial imaging rover, the flight is monitored using the

ground controlstation. After the UX5 lands, the post-flight checklist is completed to transfer

the flight data to the Tablet.

l Analysis and export: The flight and captured images are analyzed to make sure they are

synchronized and the data is exported in the appropriate file format for image processing.

l Image processing: The data collected during the flight is processed using image processing

software such as Trimble Business Center software.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 15
1   Introduction

The Aerial Imaging screen

When you open the Aerial Imaging software, the Aerial Imaging screen appears.

The Aerial Imaging screen with an example mission is shown below:

The right panelshows the name of the current screen. There are several buttons next to the screen

name:

Click... To...

view the Software Settings screen. For more information, see

Changing the software settings, page 18.

view the Aerial Imaging Help and the software About dialog.

close the software.

Mission list

Existing missions are displayed in the list to the right. The number of planned and completed flights

in the mission is indicated.

When you select a mission in the list, the map screen shows the map for the selected mission.

Note – If the mission is new and not yet planned, a world map is shown.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 16
1   Introduction

You must select a mission before most of the following buttons are enabled:

Click... To... For more information, see...

Inside the Create

new mission field

create a new mission. Creating a mission, page 20

Import import a mission .gwt file. Importing the mission, page 45

Export export a mission .gwt file Exporting the mission from the Aerial

Imaging Desktop software, page 24

Exporting the mission, page 73

export mission data as .jxl or .csv files

for processing.

Exporting flight data for processing,

page 1

Copy copy the contents of a mission. You

can choose whether to also copy the

flights and flight data.

Open view the Mission Planning screen for

the selected mission.

Defining mission parameters, page 22

Delete delete the mission and associated

flight data. Images for the mission are

not deleted.

Main map

Use the Map / Satellite button to toggle between the map view and the satellite view of the map

(online maps only).

Use the and buttons to zoom in and zoom out of the map.

If you are viewing the map on the Tablet and it has a GPS connection, the button is available. If

you pan around the map, click to center the map on the current GCS location.

During flight, the button is available. Click to center the map on the current UX5 location.

The status bar below the map shows:

l GPS coordinates of the location of the cursor on the map.

l GPS coordinates of the location of the GCS.

If the GCS has no GPS connection, this icon is red and the text "not available" is displayed.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 17
1   Introduction

l GPS coordinates of the location of the UX5 and the current ground speed. If the UX5 has no

GPS connection, this icon is not displayed.

l If you are viewing the map on the Tablet, the battery level of the Tablet is shown.

Changing the software settings

To change settings for the Aerial Imaging software, click the Settings button in the Aerial

Imaging screen.

The following settings are available:

l The source for online maps.

l Preferred units for speed, distance, and height.

l Proxy settings for the Internet connection.

Select the check box to enable proxy settings for the Internet connection and then enter the

settings to use. If you change these settings, you are prompted to restart the Aerial Imaging

software.

Note – You may need to configure the Internet proxy settings before you can view online maps. For the

correctsettings to use, consult your network administrator.

l Communication timeout settings.

Enter a value between 20 seconds and 1800 seconds (30 minutes). The default value is 120

seconds (2 minutes).

Note – The country you are operating in may have regulations prescribing the minimum communication

timeoutsetting that you must use. Make sure you are aware of these and that you use the regulated

minimum setting for your location.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 18
Planning a Mission

n Creating a mission

n Preparing the mission map

n Defining mission parameters

n Exporting the mission from the Aerial

Imaging Desktop software

n Checking flight permissions and

conditions

This chapter describes how to plan a mission.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 19

CH A P T E R 2
2   Planning a Mission

Creating a mission

To create a new mission, in the Aerial Imaging screen enter the name of the new mission in the

Create new mission field and then click .

Note – The mission name can contain the following characters: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, dash (-), space ( ), period (.) and

underscore (_).

The new mission is listed in the Aerial Imaging screen and indicates 0 flights.

To plan the mission, select it and then click Open. The Map tab of the Mission Planning screen

appears.

Preparing the mission map

1. In the Mission Planning screen, make sure the Map tab is selected.

2. To use an online map:

a. Enter the location of interest in the Search for location field and then click . The map

shows the area around the location using your preferred online map provider (see

Changing the software settings, page 18).

b. Zoom in or out, or pan until you view the preferred map area.

c. Click Download. This ensures that you will be able to view the map background during the

flight, if you do not have an Internet connection in the field.

The current map, including a buffer around the edge, is downloaded as an offline map. The

largest area you can download is approximately 15 km x 10 km (9.3 miles x 6.2 miles).

When you download the map, the online map layer is automatically hidden and the offline

map is shown. The downloaded map overwrites any existing offline map, including any

GeoTiff file that you have imported. The downloaded map works like any other offline map

– you can zoom into the map to view more detail.

Note – You must have an Internet connection to use an online map. If you do not have an Internet

connection, add a locally available GeoTiff file to ensure you have useful background data on the

map.

3. To use your own map, add a GeoTiff file that you have prepared earlier using software such as

Trimble Business Center software. To do this, click Import. Navigate to the location of the file,

select it, and then click Open. The map shows the contents of the file you selected.

4. To add more information to the map, click Add layer. You can add the following types of files as

layers:

l A KML file that you have previously downloaded from Google Maps.

l Ground control points (GCPs) contained in a .csv file.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 20
2   Planning a Mission

The format for the .csv file is: Identifier, Latitude, Longitude, Altitude. The coordinates

must be in the WGS84 coordinate system and the altitude in meters. There should be no

header.

Note – To return to the Aerial Imaging screen at any time, click the back arrow next to Mission Planning.

Managing map layers

The map has two default layers: "Online map" and "Grid lines".

Layers are displayed on the map in the following order, with the grid at the top:

l Grid lines

l Mission and flight information, including mission area in yellow, avoidance zones in red, and

completed flights in green

l Ground control point (GCP) layer

l KML

l Online map

l Offline map (either a downloaded version of the online map, or an imported GeoTiff file)

The online map layer is automatically hidden if the offline map layer is shown.

To hide a layer, click the icon next to the layer name. You can only hide an online map layer if you

have an offline map layer.

To show a hidden layer, click the icon next to the layer name.

To remove a layer that is no longer required, click the Delete icon next to the layer name. You

cannot delete the "Grid lines" or "Online map" layers, or delete the completed flights from the map.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 21
2   Planning a Mission

Defining mission parameters

1. In the Mission Planning screen, select the Mission tab.

The Mission tab of the Mission Planning screen, with an example mission area, is shown below:

2. To create the area to be flown over:

a. Click Define mission area. The cursor changes to cross hairs.

b. Draw a polygon over the mission area on the map, clicking the mouse at each boundary

point. To stop drawing, click the Define mission area button again, or click the initial

boundary point.

Note – The map can contain only one mission area.

The software estimates the number of flights needed to cover the mission area, depending

on the size of the area.

c. To resize and reposition the mission area, move the boundary points.

3. To create an avoidance zone:

a. Click Add avoidance zone. The cursor changes to cross hairs.

b. Draw a polygon over the map, clicking the mouse at each boundary point. To stop

drawing, click the Add avoidance zone button again, or click the initial boundary point.

c. To resize and reposition the avoidance zone, move the boundary points.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 22
2   Planning a Mission

d. Repeat steps a, b, and c to add as many avoidance zones as required.

Note – The mission area and the +/- 200 m (+/- 656 ft) required for turns should not overlap any

avoidance zones on the map. If the mission area is orange, you must move the area out of the

avoidance zone.

Tip – To delete the mission area or an avoidance zone, select the appropriate polygon on the map and

then click Delete selection.

4. Set the ground sample distance (GSD). The default value is 3.2 cm (1.3 "), which is obtained by

flying at a height of 100 m (328 ft). For more information, see GSD and height, page 23.

5. Enter the image forward and side overlap. The default value is 80%. For more information, see

Image forward and side overlap, page 24.

6. The Estimated flights field indicates the number of flights required to cover the mission area.

Use the number indicated to plan the number of flights, time, and resources needed to

complete the mission. During flight planning you can define the area to be covered in a specific

flight.

7. If you are doing the mission planning:

l in the Desktop software, click Flight to plan the flight for demonstration purposes.

l on the Tablet, tap Flight to plan the flight in the field.

For more information, see Defining the flight area, page 46.

Note – To return to the Aerial Imaging screen at any time, click the back arrow next to Mission Planning.

GSD and height

The GSD (ground sample distance) field in the Mission tab specifies the distance on the ground

represented by each pixel. The default resolution is 3.2 cm (1.3 ").

The smaller the value in the GSD field, the more detailed the images. You should always specify a

value equal to or smaller than the resolution required in the final orthophotos, after the images are

processed. If the value in the GSD field is larger than the final resolution required, then the images

acquired during the flight will not be detailed enough and the image processing software will need to

interpolate additional pixels. This will result in images that do not have the expected resolution.

The GSD field in the Mission tab and the height at which the UX5 aerial imaging rover flies are linked.

The higher the unmanned aircraft flies, the larger the distance on the ground represented by each

pixel in the images acquired during the flight:

Height GSD

Minimum: 75 m (246 ft) 2.4 cm (0.9 ")

100 m (328 ft) 3.2 cm (1.3 ")

150 m (492 ft) 4.8 cm (1.9 ")

Maximum: 750 m (2460 ft) 23.9 cm (9.4 ")

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 23
2   Planning a Mission

The value in the GSD field determines the default height used for flights within that mission. For

example, if you enter 4.8 cm in the GSD field, the unmanned aircraft will fly at 150 m (492 ft). During

flight planning you can adjust the height for each flight, taking into account the specific obstacles

and scan area of the flight.

Image forward and side overlap

The default value of the overlap between images is 80%. Image overlap can range from 60% to 90%.

By default the forward and side overlap values are linked, so that when one value changes, the

other value changes accordingly. Click the Link overlap icon to "break" the link so that the

overlap values can be set independently. If you click the Link overlap icon to re-establish the

link, the side overlap takes its value from the forward overlap value.

A higher overlap results in:

l better accuracy

l a higher density of flight lines on the mission area

l a higher number of images to process

l longer processing times for images

l longer flight duration for the same area

Select the overlap value for your mission based on the accuracy, flight duration, and the number of

images you require.

Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging

Desktop software

Note – This step is required if you did the mission planning in the Aerial Imaging Desktop software. You must

complete this step so that you can import the mission into the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet.

1. In the Aerial Imaging screen, make sure the correct mission is selected.

2. Click Export. The Export wizard appears.

3. Select the GWT output format. Click Next.

4. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the mission, enter the file name and then click

Save.

The exported mission is saved as a .gwt file in the folder you selected.

5. Click Finish to close the Export wizard.

6. If the folder you exported the mission to is not a network folder that the Tablet can access,

transfer the exported mission to a USB stick and then transfer it to the Tablet.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 24
2   Planning a Mission

7. To import the mission to the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet, see Importing the mission,

page 45.

Checking flight permissions and conditions

In the days before the flight, complete the following checks to make sure the flight can proceed.

Note – The use of unmanned aircraft in any national airspace system is regulated by the applicable National

Aviation Authority. The regulations for flying unmanned aircraft are subject to change, sometimes without

warning. It is the user’s responsibility to know and adhere to the current laws for operating in the national

airspace system. Trimble is not obligated to inform users of changes to unmanned aircraft laws.

Trimble and Authorized Distribution Partners provide comprehensive training for the unmanned aircraft

system which includes recommended procedures to ensure the safety for the remote crew members as well as

the surrounding environment. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure safe operations and adhere to safety and

security measures required by the National Aviation Authority. Trimble is not responsible for ensuring safe and

secure operation of unmanned aircraft by the user.

Checking flight permission

l Check if you need a permit to operate an unmanned aircraft in the airspace above the site.

l Make sure you understand the legal context for safe operation of an unmanned aircraft.

l Check for existing rules and standards with your local Civil Aviation Authorities (CAA).

l Make sure you have permission from the landowner.

l Make sure you have all other relevant permissions required for photography flights using

unmanned aircraft. In some countries you need permission from defense organizations, the

police, or a national geography institute to take pictures.

Checking weather

l In the days before the flight, check the TV weather broadcast or weather websites. This gives

you a good general idea of the weather for the next three to four days.

l For more accurate weather forecasts, consult and interpret aviation weather data through

various weather websites. You can also contact the national meteorological office or a local

meteorology office at an airport nearby.

l On the day of the flight, consult the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) and METAR reports.

These are meteorological reports used in aviation.

l Make sure the weather conditions are within the operating and image acquisition limitations.

See Operation limitations, page 26 and Image acquisition limitations, page 27.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 25
2   Planning a Mission

The table below shows the wind speed expressed in different units:

Bft km/h m/s kn SM

1 1-5 0.3-1.5 1-3 1-3

2 6-11 1.6-3.3 4-6 4-7

3 12-19 3.4-5.4 7-10 8-12

4 20-28 5.5-7.9 11-16 13-18

5 29-38 8.0-10.7 17-21 19-24

6 39-49 10.8-13.8 22-27 25-31

7 50-61 13.9-17.1 28-33 32-38

Operation limitations

The UX5 aerial imaging rover cannot safely fly in all weather conditions. The following table shows

the acceptable range for different conditions.

CAUTION – If any condition does not meet the acceptable range stated, the pilot should abort the mission. Flying

outside the acceptable range of conditions will void your Trimble warranty.

Condition Acceptable range

Time Between sunrise and sunset

Distance from clouds Clear of clouds and always within line ofsight

Flight visibility 5000 m (16,400 ft)

Operator-UAS visibility Visual line ofsight

Weather limitations Light rain is acceptable. Avoid hail, snow, and heavy

showers

Head wind Maximum 65 kph (40 mph)

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 26
2   Planning a Mission

Condition Acceptable range

Cross wind Maximum 65 kph (40 mph)

Gusts Maximum 15 kph (9 mph)

Turbulence Avoid turbulence at all times

Temperature -25 °C to +55 °C (-13 °F to 131 °F) (excluding launcher)

Maximum launch altitude (AMSL) 4250 m (13,493 ft)

Maximum operational ceiling (AMSL) 5000 m (16,400 ft)

Note – UX5 not tested above 2500 m (8202 ft).

Endurance 50 mins

Image acquisition limitations

Although the UX5 aerial imaging rover itself can cope with heavy weather conditions, the main issue

besides safety is the quality of the pictures acquired during the flight. The following table shows the

maximum values for different weather conditions.

CAUTION – If any condition does not meet the acceptable maximum value stated, the pilot should abort the

mission. Trimble does not guarantee good picture quality when flying in conditions beyond these limits.

Condition Acceptable maximum

Precipitation Light rain

Wind 50 kph (31 mph)

Checking the site

Note – When checking the site you should refer to the relevant AIP and NOTAM documents for your region.

l Identify the airspace and geographic environment of the site.

l Check the relevant aviation charts and make sure the flight area is not near any of the following

areas:

l Forbidden airspace

l Airports, airfields (except with prior permission)

l Power plants (except with prior permission)

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 27
2   Planning a Mission

l Check the relevant aviation charts and take special care around:

l Parachute and parasailing jumping areas

l Winch areas

l High-pressure gas-releasing units (documented in AIPs or NOTAMs)

l Congested areas (for example, towns)

l Check if there are other aerial or ground activities planned, for example major public events.

Checking the pilot

l Make sure the pilot is certified to operate the UX5.

l Check if the pilot needs any additional permits, such as a remote pilot license, a radio certificate

for use of the 2-way radio for communication with air traffic control, and so on.

l Be aware that the pilot has final responsibility for the operation of the UX5 and its components.

l Make sure the pilot is in good condition, both physical and mental.

l Keep log files of the pilot hours and equipment used for each flight.

Know your safe operating envelope

l Trimble recommends having a crew of two people that will control the UX5: the pilot and the

observer. They must be able to communicate at all times. Check your CAA regulations to see if a

two-person crew is mandatory.

l Make sure the crew understands the purpose and the phases of this particular mission.

l Make sure the crew understands all aspects ofsafe operation of the UX5. This includes:

l Understanding allsafety precautions described in the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Rover

Safety Guide.

l Understanding how to handle emergencies during flight.

l Understanding the particular requirements of the project and site, including avoidance

zones.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 28
Preparing Equipment

n Checking the launcher

n Checking the UX5 aerial imaging rover

n Charging the UX5 batteries

n Charging the Tablet batteries

n Charging the camera batteries

n Checking the camera

n Pairing the transmitter with the tracking

receiver

n Locating your equipment

As part of your flight preparation, make sure all

equipment is in good condition and

well-prepared.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 29

CH A P T E R 3
3   Preparing Equipment

Checking the launcher

1. Make sure the launch slider is in good condition, and moves freely. If it is damaged, contact

your Trimble distributor.

2. Check the launcher cord is not worn, and make sure there is enough elastic in the cord when it

is stretched tight. If the cord must be replaced, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution

Maintenance Guide.

3. Make sure the launch dock is in good condition. If it is damaged, contact your Trimble

distributor.

4. Make sure the launch dock wheels are in good condition and move freely. If they are worn and

must be replaced, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution Maintenance Guide.

Checking the UX5 aerial imaging rover

Check the body

The body of the UX5 must be clean for flight. Dirt and gravel on the body decreases the lift and

increases the drag during flight.

1. Clean the body with a damp cloth.

CAUTION – Do not use high water pressure or a steel brush to clean the body of the rover. This can damage

the surface of the UX5 and affect the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Avoid the use of solvents to clean the

surface of the UX5 as they can negatively affect the materials. Always use lukewarm water and a soft

brush.

2. Check the body for cracks. If the body requires repair, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging

Solution Maintenance Guide. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor.

3. Make sure there are no scratches on the camera filter. If the camera filter is damaged, refer to

the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution Maintenance Guide.

4. Make sure that the camera filter is tightly screwed into the body. If not, gently tighten it, taking

care not to over-tighten it.

5. Using first the wet camera wipes and then the dry camera wipes, thoroughly clean the camera

filter. Make sure there are no specks of moisture or dust, as these will affect the image quality.

Note – Only use wipes that are specifically intended for cleaning camera lenses.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 30
3   Preparing Equipment

Check the pitot tube

The pitot tube must be in perfect condition as it is used to measure the total air pressure during

flight.

1. Remove the pitot tube from the eBox.

2. Make sure the tube is not bent or broken.

3. Blow into the tube to make sure nothing is blocking it.

CAUTION – Only blow into the pitot tube after you have removed it from the eBox. Do not blow into the

pitot tube when it is connected to the eBox because this will damage the barometric sensors.

4. If the pitot tube is blocked or damaged, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution

Maintenance Guide. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor.

Check the winglets

To prevent rollstability issues, the winglets must be firmly attached to the UX5 body.

1. Make sure the winglets are intact.

2. Make sure each winglet is firmly attached with two screws.

3. If the winglets are damaged, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution Maintenance

Guide. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor.

Check the propellers

1. Make sure the propeller blades are intact.

2. Make sure the propeller blades are well-positioned.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 31
3   Preparing Equipment

3. Make sure each propeller blade is firmly attached.

4. If a propeller blade is damaged or not well-positioned, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging

Solution Maintenance Guide. When in doubt, contact your Trimble distributor.

Charging the UX5 batteries

WARNING – Lithium polymer batteries are volatile. Failure to read and follow these instructions may result in

fire, personal injury, and damage to property if charged or used incorrectly.

To prevent injury or damage:

– Use only the charger specified to charge the battery.

– If at any time you witness a battery starting to balloon or swell up, discontinue the charging process

immediately. Disconnect the battery and place it in a safe observation area for approximately 15 minutes.

Continuing to charge a battery that has begun to swell will result in fire.

– Charge in an isolated area, away from flammable materials.

– Never leave charging batteries unattended. When charging the batteries you should always remain in constant

observation to monitor the charging process and react to potential problems that may occur.

WARNING – Always check that the settings on the charger are correct before charging the battery. Incorrect

charger settings may result in damage to the battery, severe burning, and fire hazards.

Note – Read the user documentation provided for the battery charger carefully before using the charger for

the first time.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 32
3   Preparing Equipment

Removing the battery

1. Remove the top cover from the UX5 body.

2. Disconnect the main power connector of the battery from the aircraft:

3. Remove the battery from the battery compartment of the UX5.

Connecting and charging the battery

1. Connect the Graupner Ultramat 14 plus charger to one of the following:

l 12 V vehicle battery

l 100–240 VAC power supply

The charger powers on and displays the following parameters for the UX5 battery:

l LiPo manual

l C:5.0A 6000mAh

Note – If the charger does not display the default parameters, you must change the settings. For more

information, see Battery charger settings, page 94.

WARNING – The maximum charging current for the UX5 battery is limited to 5 A. This value must be lower

than the maximum permissible current (6 A) for the battery. Incorrect battery charging parameters can

destroy your battery and cause it to catch fire or explode.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 33
3   Preparing Equipment

2. Connect the charge cable to the charger:

3. Connect the balancer connector of the battery to the charger. Align the connector to the right

of the socket:

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 34
3   Preparing Equipment

4. Connect the charger cable of the charger to the power connector on the battery:

5. On the charger, press and hold the Enter/Start key for two seconds. The battery starts

charging.

When a battery is fully charged, the charger produces an audible signal and stops charging

automatically. The charger displays "END". At typical room temperature it takes approximately

2 hours to charge a fully depleted battery. Charging time will vary depending on remaining

battery life and ambient temperature.

Note – Make sure you charge both UX5 batteries before leaving the office for a flight. Trimble

recommends always having a spare, fully-charged battery on hand.

Disconnecting the battery

1. On the charger, press the Enter/Start key to put the charger in standby mode.

2. Disconnect the charger cable of the charger from the power connector on the battery.

3. Disconnect the balancer connector of the battery from the charger.

Charging the Tablet batteries

Install the Tablet battery packs and charge the batteries according to the instructions provided in

the Trimble Tablet Rugged PC User's Manual.

Note – Make sure you fully charge the Tablet batteries before leaving the office for a flight.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 35
3   Preparing Equipment

Charging the camera batteries

WARNING – Charge and use the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery only in strict accordance with the instructions.

Charging or using the battery in unauthorized equipment can cause an explosion or fire, and can result in personal

injury and/or equipment damage.

To prevent injury or damage:

– Do not charge or use the battery if it appears to be damaged or leaking.

– Charge the Lithium-ion battery only in the product that is specified to charge it. Be sure to follow all instructions

that are provided with the battery charger.

– Never leave charging batteries unattended. Discontinue charging a battery that gives off extreme heat or a

burning odor.

– Use the battery only in the equipment that is specified to use it.

– Use the battery only for its intended use and according to the instructions in the product documentation.

– Do not use or charge the battery if it appears to be damaged. Signs of damage include, but are not limited to,

discoloration, warping, and leaking battery fluid.

– Do not expose the battery to fire, high temperature, or direct sunlight.

– Do not immerse the battery in water.

– Do not use or store the battery inside a vehicle during hot weather.

– Do not drop or puncture the battery.

1. Make sure the camera is turned off.

2. Slide the battery compartment latch to open it and remove the battery.

3. Insert the battery into the battery charger.

4. Connect the battery charger to a power source.

The charger light turns on, indicating the battery is charging. Charging a fully depleted battery

pack at a temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) takes approximately 280 minutes. Charging time will vary

depending on remaining battery life and ambient temperature.

If the charger light flashes slowly, the battery temperature is outside the normal operating

range. The charger automatically stops charging until the temperature returns to the normal

range. When the temperature returns to normal, the charger resumes charging.

5. If the charger light flashes quickly, this indicates an error. Turn off the power source and then

remove the battery from the charger. Reinsert the battery in the charger and then turn on the

power source.

6. When the charger light turns off, the battery is fully charged. Disconnect the charger from the

power source and then remove the battery from the charger.

7. Insert the battery into the battery compartment of the camera.

Note – Make sure you charge both camera batteries before leaving the office for a flight. Trimble

recommends always having a spare, fully-charged battery on hand.

For battery care and storage information, refer to the user documentation for the Sony NEX-5R

camera.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 36
3   Preparing Equipment

Checking the camera

1. Make sure there are no scratches on the camera lens. If the camera lens is damaged, contact

your Trimble distributor.

2. Your camera arrives with the appropriate settings required to obtain good aerial images set by

Trimble. However, before each flight, check the camera screen to make sure it displays the

following icons.

Note – The following image does notshow all of the icons that appear on the camera screen. Itshows

the main icons to check to ensure that your camera settings are correct and you will successfully capture

images during the flight. If any of these icons are notshown, or if you believe other camera settings have

been changed, adjust the settings back to the settings recommended by Trimble. For a list of all

applicable camera settings, see Camera settings, page 88.

Icon Description

and Shoot mode is set to shutter priority.

SD card is inserted.

Aspect ratio is set to 3:2; image size is set to 16M;

image quality is set to Fine.

Recording mode of movies is set to 50i FH (the

default).

Steady shot is set to Off.

Battery icon shows 100%.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 37
3   Preparing Equipment

Icon Description

Touch operation is set to Off.

Drive mode icon is shown.

Metering mode is set to Multi (the default).

Focus mode is set to Manual.

Face detection is set to Off.

White balance is set to AWB.

Note – When using the NIR camera, select custom white

balance or incandescent.

Soft skin detection is set to Off (the default).

Brightness correction is set to automatic (the default).

Creative style is set to Standard (the default).

Smile detection is set to Off.

Picture effect is set to Off (the default).

Shutter speed is set to 1/1000 or above.

Exposure compensation is set to +/-0.0.

ISO is set to Auto.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 38
3   Preparing Equipment

Pairing the transmitter with the tracking receiver

Note – You must complete this step only once, before using the UX5 aerial imaging rover for the first time.

To track down the UX5 aerial imaging rover  fitted with a transmitter, the transmitter ID must first be

stored in the memory of the receiver.

1. Press and hold the Power key for three seconds to turn on the receiver.

2. Press the MENU/OK key to enter the menu.

3. Use the navigation keys to select TRANSMITTER. Press the MENU/OK key to confirm.

4. Use the navigation keys to select ADD. Press the MENU/OK key to confirm.

5. Use the navigation keys to enter the missing digits of the frequency of the transmitter. Confirm

each digit using the MENU/OK key.

6. Follow the steps on the screen of the receiver to calibrate the transmitter.

7. Once the calibration is done, you are prompted to enter a name for the transmitter.

8. Use the navigation keys to enter the name you want to use for the transmitter. Confirm each

letter using the MENU/OK key.

The receiver is now able to communicate with the transmitter.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 39
3   Preparing Equipment

Locating your equipment

Before you head out to the field:

1. Make sure the flight case contains all of the required items. For more information, see Flight

case contents, page 11.

2. If you will be doing several flights before returning to the office, make sure you have one of the

following:

l an externalstorage device such as a laptop for transferring images to after each flight

l a USB to SD card reader for transferring images to the Tablet after each flight

l an SD card for each flight

Note – Trimble recommends using a

SanDisk Extreme SDHC UHS-I card with a

write speed of 45 MB/ and minimum

capacity of 16 GB.

3. Make sure the launcher bag contains the

following items:

l safety pin

l launch dock with lock pin

l V-support

l crank

l launch slide with elastics

l Trimble UX5 Launcher Quick Start Guide

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 40
Completing a Flight

n Visit the site to check for obstacles

n Dealing with sudden weather changes

n Importing the mission

n Defining the flight area

n Setting the flight parameters

n Completing the flight checklist

n Monitoring the flight

n Landing the UX5 

n Completing the post-flight checklist

n Exporting the mission

n Disassembling the launcher

This chapter describes the tasks required in the

field to complete a successful flight with good

image data.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 41

CH A P T E R 4
4   Completing a Flight

Visit the site to check for obstacles

A few days before the flight, visit the flight area to:

l Define a good takeoff and landing location.

l Check for obstacles in the flight area. Obstacles are objects such as trees, buildings, antennas,

power lines, and water that the UX5 could fly into or land on.

l Make sure you will be able to maintain a visual line ofsight to the UX5 throughout the flight.

Note – Pay special attention during takeoff and landing. Most issues occur during these phases of the flight.

Obstacle clearances for takeoff

l Within the first 50 m (164 ft), there must be a clear area free of obstacles within 30° to the left

and right of the launch direction.

50m

0m

30° 30°

l No obstacles at all must appear within the first 50 m (164 ft) of the launch direction.

l Within 280 m (919 ft) of the launch direction, obstacles must not appear above the safety line

determined by a 15° safety angle.

15° 30°

+ 0m 50m − 280m

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 42
4   Completing a Flight

Obstacle clearances for cruise flight

During cruise flight, no obstacles must appear between the cruise flight height and 25 m (82 ft)

below it:

Cruise height

25m

Obstacle clearances for descent

When entering the landing orbit, no obstacles must appear with a 300 m (984 ft) radius of the center

of the orbit. Once the UX5 has descended 25 m from the cruise flight height, the required obstaclefree area has a radius of 150 m (462 ft).

75m

Cruise height

25m

25m

150m

300m

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 43
4   Completing a Flight

Obstacle clearances for landing

Once you confirm the landing, the UX5 starts the final leg of the landing.

l No obstacles must appear between the final leg of the landing and 15 m below it.

75m

-300m -25m +25m 0m

12°

l Along the final leg of the landing, there must be a clear area free of obstacles within 15 m to the

left and right of the landing direction.

-15m +15m 0m

150m

l The landing location must be a 50 m x 30 m area clear of any obstacles.

15m

25m

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 44
4   Completing a Flight

Dealing with sudden weather changes

On the day of the flight, check that the current weather conditions are suitable for flight. Pay

particular attention to the prevailing wind direction and speed.

If there are sudden weather changes before or during the flight, you must act quickly. Different

weather changes and the recommended action are described below.

Weather change Action

The wind direction changes while you are completing the

flight checklist, but before launch.

Ifrequired, reposition the launcher

and update the takeoff wind direction

and the landing direction in the flight

plan.

One of the following weather phenomena occurs before

or during the flight:

l Strong wind

l Heavy rain, hail

l Hurricane, tornado, or any kind of whirlwind

l Thunder and lightening

l Snow

Cancel the flight. If the UX5 is in the

air, land as quickly as possible.

Importing the mission

Note – This step is required if you did the mission planning in the Aerial Imaging Desktop software and then

exported the mission so that you can view it on the Tablet.

1. In the Aerial Imaging screen on the Tablet, tap Import.

2. Navigate to the location of the .gwt file you exported from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software

(see Exporting the mission from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, page 24), select it and

then tap Open.

The mission you imported appears in the mission list and the mission map appears.

3. Select the mission and then tap Open.

4. Review the mission plan and make any changes to the mission plan, ifrequired.

5. In the Mission tab of the Mission Planning screen, tap Flight to start planning the flight. For

more information, see Defining the flight area, page 46.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 45
4   Completing a Flight

Defining the flight area

The Area tab of the Flight Planning screen enables you to select the flight you will complete.

The software estimates the total flight time needed to cover the mission area. The estimated flight

time does not include the time to get to and from the takeoff and landing locations, because these

are not yet defined. The map shows the mission area in yellow, and the flight(s) required to cover

the mission area appear as a blue rectangle. Any completed flights are shown in green.

The red flight lines over the scan area indicate the direction the UX5 will fly across the scan area. The

unmanned aircraft always flies perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. By default, the

prevailing wind direction is a northerly wind. North is located at the top of the map.

Note – To return to the Mission Planning screen at any time, click the back arrow next to Flight Planning.

The Area tab of the Flight Planning screen, for an example flight, is shown below:

Tip – Use the Hide/Show button on the map to hide or show map layers. The button is not available if

you did not enable any layers during mission planning.

1. To select a flight, tap the flight in the flight list or on the map. The selected flight is highlighted.

2. Update the prevailing wind direction to match the current conditions:

a. Tap the wind direction arrows for the selected flight and drag them so that they indicate

the current direction of the wind at the site. The scan area and the flight lines rotate

accordingly.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 46
4   Completing a Flight

Note – To ensure smooth turns and limited headwind and tailwind during flight, it is important to

correctly indicate the prevailing wind direction.

b. If the scan area changes to orange, it indicates that the scan area or the additional +/- 200

m (+/- 656 ft) required for turns overlaps an avoidance zone. If the scan area is orange,

resize the scan area by clicking and dragging the corners, or move it away from the

avoidance zone.

3. Check the estimated flight duration for the selected flight. If the flight duration is shown in red,

resize the flight area on the map until the estimated flight duration is 50 minutes or less.

4. The GSD and Height fields show the values entered for the mission. Ifrequired, edit the height

for image acquisition for the flight, taking into account specific obstacles in the scan area.

Images are not acquired until the unmanned aircraft climbs to the specified height.

The value you enter in the Height field affects the GSD obtained for the images. For more

information, see GSD and height, page 23.

5. When you have finished making your changes, tap the Parameters tab.

Tips for managing completed flights:

l To repeat a completed flight, select the flight in the list and then tap the Redo icon .

Redoing a flight does not overwrite the flight data from the previous flight instance. You can see

and select each set of flight data in the Export wizard when you export the data for processing.

l To delete a completed flight, select the flight in the list and then tap the Delete icon . This

removes the flight data stored on the Tablet for this flight, but not the images for the flight.

l If you have not downloaded the log file for a flight, tap the Download Log File icon . The

post-flight checklist appears.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 47
4   Completing a Flight

Setting the flight parameters

The Parameters tab of the Flight Planning screen enables you to define the takeoff and landing

parameters for the flight you selected in the Area tab of the Flight Planning screen.

The Parameters tab of the Flight Planning screen, for an example flight, is shown below:

1. To use the last used takeoff and landing locations, tap Previous locations and then go to step 4

below. Otherwise, go to step 2.

Note – To set the takeoff and landing coordinates in the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, click Takeoff

or Landing and then click on the map to set the location. These coordinates are notsaved when you

export the mission to the Tablet, and must be reset in the Aerial Imaging field software.

2. To set the takeoff location:

a. Physically go to the takeoff location with your Tablet.

b. When you reach the location, tap Takeoff.

The takeoff location pin appears on the map. The arrow next to it indicates the takeoff

direction. By default this is into the prevailing wind direction set in the Area tab.

Note – Always try to takeoff into the wind. This prevents a higher launch speed and a higher risk of

launch failures.

c. Ifrequired, tap the arrow and rotate it to change the takeoff direction and avoid any

obstacles.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 48
4   Completing a Flight

3. To set the landing location:

a. Physically go to the landing location with your Tablet.

b. When you reach the location, tap Landing.

The landing location pin appears on the map. The arrow next to it indicates the landing

direction. By default this is into the prevailing wind direction set in the Area tab.

Note – Always try to land into the wind. This prevents a higher landing speed and a higher risk of

damage to the UX5.

c. Ifrequired, tap the arrow and rotate it to change the landing heading and avoid any

obstacles. To help you define the landing heading, zoom in on the map to the most

detailed zoom level and then walk into the heading with the GCS for about 20 to 30

meters. You willsee the GCS location move on the screen. Now rotate the arrow and

position the red line (the final leg of the landing circuit) over the center of the black dot.

Alternatively, enter the heading in the Landing heading field.

WARNING – Always take care to select a landing location and heading free of obstacles. In windy

conditions, large obstacles in the approach line can result in undershoots close to the edge of the

safety zone.

d. Ifrequired, set the Landing zone offset. Valid values are from -25 m to +25 m. A negative

value means that the landing location is lower than the takeoff location. The default value

is 0 m, which means that the takeoff and landing locations are at the same height.

4. Set the First line entry to use a left turn or a right turn to enter the scan area. This setting also

defines the first waypoint that the UX5 will fly to.

5. Set the Landing entry to use a left turn or a right turn, depending on which turning direction

provides better visibility and is furthest away from any obstacles.

6. To simulate the flight, tap Simulate. For more information, see Simulating the flight plan, page

49.

7. To start the flight checklist, tap Checklist.

Note – To return to the Mission Planning screen at any time, click the back arrow next to Flight Planning.

Simulating the flight plan

After creating a flight plan, you can simulate the flight plan to check the following items:

l The unmanned aircraft uses the correct takeoff direction.

l The flight height, route, and turns used are all correct.

l The unmanned aircraft does not enter any avoidance zones.

l The unmanned aircraft uses the correct landing circuit.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 49
4   Completing a Flight

Note – The red flight lines over the scan area indicate the direction the UX5 will fly across the scan area. The

actual flight path is not limited to these flight lines, because of the takeoff route, turns in cruise flight, and the

landing circuit.

Completing the flight checklist

1. In the Parameters tab of the Flight Planning screen, tap Checklist. The flight checklist opens.

2. Use each step of the flight checklist to prepare the equipment for flight.

The flight checklist guides you through each step.

Note – More information about the steps that require special care is given in the following sections. Read

these sections carefully until you are familiar with all of the tasks required to perform these steps.

l Connecting the GCS, page 51

l Connecting the battery, page 51

l Preparing the camera, page 51

l Inserting the tracker transmitter, page 52

l Attaching the top cover, page 52

l Covering the pitot tube, page 52

l Checking the elevon trim, page 52

l Checking the elevon response, page 53

l Putting the aircraft on the launcher, page 53

l Transmitting the flight plan, page 58

l Initializing, page 58

l Removing the pitot cover, page 58

l Checking the airspeed response, page 59

l Positioning the propellers, page 59

l Removing the safety pin

l Arming the system, page 60

l Launching the UX5, page 61

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 50
4   Completing a Flight

Connecting the GCS

When you reach this step in the flight checklist, the software automatically checks to see if the

modem is already connected.

If the modem is not connected, the message "Attach the modem and antenna on the ground

controlstation" is displayed. Do the following:

1. Attach the antenna to the modem.

2. Attach the modem and antenna to the back of the Tablet, under the handstrap.

3. Insert the modem cable into the USB port on the Tablet.

4. Tap Next to prompt the software to check if the modem is connected.

When the connection to the modem is established, the software automatically moves to the next

step in the flight checklist.

Connecting the battery

If you have not yet connected the battery:

1. Insert a fully charged battery into the battery compartment of the unmanned aircraft.

2. Connect the main power connector on the battery to the power connector in the aircraft. Once

the battery is connected, the eBox goes from Off mode to On mode (see eBox LED status, page

83).

When the eBox starts booting up, the Next button is enabled.

Note – If after this step you are prompted to update the eBox firmware, see Updating the eBox firmware,

page 14.

Preparing the camera

1. Using first the wet camera wipes and then the dry camera wipes, thoroughly clean the camera

lens. Make sure there are no specks of moisture or dust, as these will affect the image quality.

Note – Only use wipes that are specifically intended for cleaning camera lenses.

2. Make sure the camera filter in the UX5 body is also clean and that the camera filter is tightly

screwed into the body. If not, gently tighten it, taking care not to over-tighten it.

3. Turn on the camera and check the camera screen to make sure it displays the icons described in

Checking the camera, page 37.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 51
4   Completing a Flight

4. Make sure the lens settings are appropriate for the weather conditions:

Weather

ISO Auto Auto Auto

Aperture

ring

f/4.5 f/4.5 f/4.5

Shutter

speed

1/2000 to 1/4000 1/1000 to 1/2000 1/1600 to 1/2000

Focus ring The focus ring should always be set to 3+ m.

This is set and calibrated by the manufacturer and must not change. For your

reference, this position corresponds with the white dot appearing below the

right edge of the red 0 in the 10 ft mark.

Note – Always take a picture before the flight to ensure that the picture is not over- or underexposed. If

the picture does not look right, adjust the shutter speed first and then the aperture setting.

5. Insert the camera into the payload bay of the unmanned aircraft.

6. In the Aerial Imaging software, tap the Take picture button. Make sure that you hear the

trigger sound from the camera.

Inserting the tracker transmitter

1. Turn on the tracker transmitter.

2. Make sure that you can hear the transmitter using the tracker receiver.

3. Insert the tracker transmitter into the body of the unmanned aircraft.

Attaching the top cover

Attach the top cover to the unmanned aircraft and make sure it is secure.

Covering the pitot tube

Put the pitot tube cover on the pitot tube. Check the value in the black arrow at the left of the

artificial horizon in the status panel of the Aerial Imaging software and make sure the current

airspeed is below 20 kph (12.4 mph).

Checking the elevon trim

Make sure that the outboard elevons are leveled with the inboard elevons (the inboard elevons are

fixed). The accuracy should be about 1 mm.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 52
4   Completing a Flight

WARNING – When handling the UX5, make sure that the elevons can move freely and are not obstructed in any

way. Impaired movement of the elevons can cause the servo motor to burn up.

Checking the elevon response

Tap the Move/Stop elevon button in the Aerial Imaging software and watch the elevons on the

unmanned aircraft. Make sure the elevons move in response to the button commands.

WARNING – When handling the UX5, make sure that the elevons can move freely and are not obstructed in any

way. Impaired movement of the elevons can cause the servo motor to burn up.

Putting the aircraft on the launcher

Step 1: Assemble the launcher

1. Unfold the launch slide.

CAUTION – Take care when unfolding the launch slide as there are sharp edges that can cause finger cuts.

2. Secure each section of the launch slide by lifting the appropriate handle and hooking it into the

next section of the launch slide. Close the handles.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 53
4   Completing a Flight

3. Unfold and secure the V-support with the lock pin.

4. To attach the V-support to the launch slide, make sure the knob is pointing to the left and then

insert the V-support pins in the reserved holes, situated approximately 2/3 of the length of the

launch slide. Turn the knob to the right to tighten.

Step 2: Attach launcher cord and launch dock

1. Pull the ends of the launcher cord out of the launch slide so that the cord lies on top of the

launcher slide.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 54
4   Completing a Flight

Note – If the launcher cord is blocked while the elastics are not tightened, pull the release handles

upward to unblock them.

CAUTION – Never push the release handles when there is tension on the launcher cord. You will damage

the elastics. If there is tension on the cord, insert the crank onto the nut located toward the front end of the

launcher and use the crank to very gently release the force. At the same time, pull the release handles

gently upward. This is safest done with two people, with one person carefully winding the crank counterclockwise to counteract the force on the elastics.

2. Position the launch dock on the end of the launch slide with the tabs on the launch dock

pointing toward the direction of launch.

3. Slide the launch dock over the ends of the launcher cord.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 55
4   Completing a Flight

4. To attach the ends of the launcher cord to the launch dock, remove the lock pin from the

launch dock and then slide the lock pin through the holes in the launch dock, attaching the

ends of the launch cord as you do so. Secure the lock pin.

5. Slide the launch dock over the launch hook at the beginning of the launch slide, making sure

the launch dock clicks into position. Make sure the trigger is not blocked.

6. Insert the safety pin into the launch dock.

WARNING – Always keep the safety pin inserted in the launch dock. Remove the safety pin only just before

launch. Early removal of the launch pin can result in accidental release of the launcher, causing serious

personal injury and damage to the UX5 or launcher.

CAUTION – Never launch without the UX5 sitting on the dock as it will damage the launch dock. The design

of the launcher takes into account the weight of the UX5 sitting on the launch dock.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 56
4   Completing a Flight

Step 3: Tighten the launcher cord elastics

1. Position the launcher at the planned takeoff location, with the launch direction pointing into

the takeoff direction you have indicated in the software.

2. Make sure the takeoff location is free of obstacles. For more information, see Obstacle

clearances for takeoff, page 42.

3. Insert the crank onto the nut located toward the front end of the launch slide.

4. Stretch the launcher cord using the crank. In normal circumstances, the node between the cord

and elastic should be in the middle of the hole numbered "4" on the launcher.

CAUTION – The launcher cord stretches with every launch. When you can easily reach the last hole when

tightening the cord, replace the launcher cord to prevent unsuccessful launches and damage to the launcher

or the UX5. For more information, refer to the Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution Maintenance Guide.

5. Remove the crank.

Step 4: Place the UX5 onto the launcher

1. Position the UX5 at the front of the launch dock and use your finger tips to guide the launcher

slats on the underside of the UX5 onto the lips of the launch dock.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 57
4   Completing a Flight

WARNING – Take care to ensure the UX5 is correctly positioned on the launch dock. An incorrect position

can result in launch failure, causing serious personal injury and damage to the rover or launcher.

2. Use the artificial horizon indicator in the Aerial Imaging software to check the pitch and roll of

the UX5 on the launch dock. The pitch angle should be between 20° and 30° and the roll angle

should be between -5° and 5°. The horizon should be positioned parallel to the UX5 on the

artificial horizon indicator. If you need to adjust the horizon, reposition the launcher.

Transmitting the flight plan

This step appears only if the software is still transmitting the flight plan to the eBox. If transmission

of the flight plan is already complete, this step does not appear. The Next button is available once

flight plan transmission is complete.

Initializing

At this step in the flight checklist, the eBox initializes. It must acquire lock on at least 4 usable GPS

satellites. The GPS receiver in the eBox determines the usability of the satellites, based on the

characteristics of each satellite.

Removing the pitot cover

Remove the cover from the pitot tube.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 58
4   Completing a Flight

Checking the airspeed response

Press and hold the pitot tube for no more than 5 seconds. Make sure that the value in the black

arrow at the left of the artificial horizon in the status panel of the Aerial Imaging software changes.

Positioning the propellers

1. Check the position of the propellers on the unmanned aircraft and make sure they are pointing

backward as shown in the Aerial Imaging software.

2. If the propellers are not positioned correctly, carefully adjust them.

WARNING – Always take care when touching the propeller blades. If the unmanned aircraft receives a sudden

shock while armed, the motor can unexpectedly start causing the propeller blades to move. Contact with moving

propeller blades can result in serious personal injury.

Removing the safety pin

To remove the safety pin, position yourself behind the launcher, reach carefully under the UX5 and

then pull out the safety pin.

WARNING – Always take care to avoid contact with the propeller blades. If the UX5 receives a sudden shock

while armed, the motor can unexpectedly start causing the propeller blades to move. Contact with moving

propeller blades can result in serious personal injury.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 59
4   Completing a Flight

Arming the system

This step of the flight checklist shows a summary of the system status.

To arm the system, tap Arm.

A warning appears if:

l the UX5 battery life is less than 75%. If the battery level is low, the battery level line is red.

l the Tablet battery life is less than 90 minutes.

If the launch angle is not correct, the Launch angle line is red and a red border is shown around the

artificial horizon.

The system will not allow you to launch the UX5 if the following errors are reported:

l The eBox is not in the correct state.

l GPS signal is not OK.

l Takeoffsensor is not OK (this means that the yaw, pitch, and roll values are not yet stabilized).

l Datalogging has not started.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 60
4   Completing a Flight

Launching the UX5

Once you have armed the system, the software prompts you to launch the aircraft.

1. Just before launch, perform the following safety checks:

a. Make sure there are no aerial objects inside the zone of operation.

b. Make sure you have a clear line ofsight to the UX5.

c. Make sure there are no obstacles or people near the front of the launcher.

WARNING – Make sure you complete each of the safety checks listed at this step. Failure to do so could

result in serious personal injury and damage to the UX5 or launcher.

2. When you have made sure that everything is clear in front of, above, and behind the launcher,

stand behind the launcher and press the launch handle to launch the UX5.

CAUTION – Never launch without the UX5 sitting on the dock as it will damage the launch dock. The design

of the launcher takes into account the weight of the UX5 sitting on the launch dock.

3. If an obstacle such as a person or animal suddenly appears in the obstacle clearance zone

during takeoff, tap the FTS button in the Aerial Imaging software. The UX5 immediately

powers down and returns to the ground. For more information, see Emergency software

commands, page 67.

After launch, the UX5 flies to the first waypoint, which is highlighted in yellow in the Flight

screen. If the UX5 is not yet at the flight height when it reaches this point, it climbs in circles of

100 m radius until it reaches the desired height.

4. After launch, release the tension on the launcher cord. Leaving tension on the launcher cord for

extended periods can damage the elastics.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 61
4   Completing a Flight

To release the tension, release the force with the crank very gently while pulling the release

handles in the front of the launcher upward. This is safest done with two people, with one

person carefully winding the crank counter-clockwise to counteract the force on the elastics.

Monitoring the flight

CAUTION – It is your responsibility to take action during flight when the safety of the UX5 aerial imaging rover or

its surroundings is compromised. To do this you must:

– Have visual contact with the unmanned aircraft at all times.

– Observe the zone of operation for the unmanned aircraft and look out for other aerial objects.

– Ensure obstacle clearance.

– Keep an eye on changing weather conditions.

– Locate the unmanned aircraft on the Tablet screen.

– Monitor the flight telemetry on the Tablet screen.

For information on the appropriate action to take if you see an oncoming aerial object at any point

during the flight, see Handling emergencies during flight, page 65.

After takeoff, the UX5 aerial imaging rover climbs to the specified cruise height.

Once the unmanned aircraft has passed its first waypoint, the second waypoint is initiated. From

this point, the unmanned aircraft follows the preprogrammed flight path.

The Flight screen with an example flight is shown below:

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 62
4   Completing a Flight

You must use the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet to monitor the unmanned aircraft during

the entire flight:

l The trajectory of the unmanned aircraft on the map must be close to the programmed flight

path.

l Monitor the strength of the communication link .

l Monitor the number of usable satellites .

l No signal: No GPS lock (0–3 satellites)

l 1 signal line: 4–6 satellites

l 2 signal lines: 7 or more satellites

l Monitor the level of power in the UX5 battery. In the battery status bar , the value is

expressed as a percentage. In the Battery left field, the value is expressed as time remaining in

minutes and seconds.

l Compare the actual flight height with the desired flight height set during mission and flight

planning.

l Compare the actual airspeed with the desired airspeed, which is 80 kph (49 mph) during cruise

flight. The actual airspeed can be higher than the desired speed when the UX5 is coping with a

high head wind. The maximum airspeed is 90 kph (56 mph).

l Monitor the throttle. The throttle should be around 30% during cruise flight in normal

conditions.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 63
4   Completing a Flight

l Monitor the software for in-flight warnings and errors such as loss of GPS lock and loss of

communication link. For more information on these warnings and the appropriate action to

take, see Failsafes during flight, page 64 and Errors and warnings, page 79.

l Monitor the number of flight lines flown against the total number of flight lines (displayed in

the status line below the map).

Failsafes during flight

The following failsafe mechanisms activate when a technical issue occurs that reduces the safe

behavior of the unmanned aircraft:

l Loss of GPS lock during flight

l Loss of communication link during flight

l Overspeed protection

Loss of GPS lock during flight

If the unmanned aircraft does not receive GPS communications for a period of 4 seconds, then a

notification appears on the Tablet, and the following automatic failsafe mechanism is activated:

1. The unmanned aircraft banks at an angle of 25° while orbiting at its current location for 20

seconds. If the unmanned aircraft successfully reacquires GPS lock, then it flies to the specified

landing location and begins a normal landing sequence.

2. If the unmanned aircraft is unable to reacquire GPS lock, then it activates the Flight Termination

System (FTS). During FTS:

a. The motor powers down and the speed lowers to 70 kph (43 mph).

b. The unmanned aircraft orbits down in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles until it reaches a

height of 7 m (23 ft).

Note – During FTS without GPS lock, the unmanned aircraft attempts to circle but the outcome is

elliptical circles as the unmanned aircraft is subject to wind drift.

c. The unmanned aircraft levels its wings, slows, and glides to the ground.

Loss of communication link during flight

If the unmanned aircraft does not receive a communication packet for the time specified in the

Communication timeout field in the Settings screen, or if the communication link is poor and

communication packets are being received intermittently, then a notification appears on the Tablet

and the unmanned aircraft flies to the specified landing location and begins a normal landing

sequence.

Unlike a normal landing, you are not prompted to confirm landing before the final leg of the landing.

An audible sound indicates that the UX5 is about to land.

If communication resumes during this automatic failsafe mechanism, the unmanned aircraft

continues the landing sequence.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 64
4   Completing a Flight

Overspeed protection

If the unmanned aircraft detects a steep and fast decline, it will maximize drag to minimize the

impact on the ground. The aircraft will descend in a "flat-spin"-like flight trajectory.

Handling emergencies during flight

This topic describes typical emergency scenarios that may occur when the UX5 is in flight. For all

scenarios, you must assess the situation before taking action. Take into account your location (that

is, the location of the GCS) and the current location, course, and speed of the UX5.

Note – If the situation is too critical (for example, fast moving aircraft) tap the FTS button and when

prompted confirm Flight Termination System (FTS) activation to immediately abort the flight and put the UX5

in an orbit toward the ground.

An approaching aircraft

The most common emergencies involve another aircraft entering the vicinity at approximately the

same height as the UX5.

Scenario Action When the other aircraft

has left the vicinity...

The approaching aircraft

will not cross the flight

path of the UX5.

1. Assess the situation.

2. Tap Hold, Here, Right, or Fly to to

move the UX5 to a safe position.

Tap Resume to continue

mapping.

The flight path of the

approaching aircraft and

the UX5 are converging.

1. Assess the situation.

2. Tap Fly to to move the UX5 to a safe

position.

Tap Resume to continue

mapping.

The flight path of the

approaching aircraft is

diverging from the flight

path of the UX5.

1. Assess the situation.

2. Tap Fly to, Right, or Hold to move

the UX5 to a safe position.

Tap Resume to continue

mapping.

The flight path of the

approaching aircraft is

intercepting the flight

path of the UX5.

1. Assess the situation.

2. Tap Fly to to move the UX5 to the

left. (An aircraft intending to

overtake an aircraft in front of them

overtakes that plane on the right

side.)

Tap Resume to continue

mapping.

The approaching aircraft

is approaching the UX5

head-on.

1. Assess the situation.

2. Tap Right to move the UX5 to a safe

position.

Tap Resume to continue

mapping.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 65
4   Completing a Flight

Scenario Action When the other aircraft

has left the vicinity...

The approaching aircraft

intends to land.

A landing aircraft has priority over an UX5

at all times. Never assume that the

aircraft has noticed the UX5. Take the

necessary safety measures depending on

the situation.

Tap Resume to continue

mapping.

Occasionally other objects such as birds enter the zone of operation. Assess the situation and try to

avoid collisions using the methods described above. If a collision does occur, immediately tap the

FTS button in the Aerial Imaging software and if prompted, confirm FTS activation to abort the

flight. Once the UX5 has landed, carefully check equipment for damage.

Other types of emergency

In case of other types of emergency, take the recommended action.

Engine failure

Engine failure is rare but may occur. The following parameters in the Aerial Imaging software indicate

engine failure:

l Altimeter decreases

l Battery voltage increases

l Throttle percentage increases until 100%

Action: Assess the situation and tap the FTS button to immediately terminate the flight. If no

button is tapped, the UX5 glides downward, following the flight plan.

Aerial Imaging software freeze

Action:

If the Aerial Imaging software on the GCS freezes or crashes when the UX5 is in the air, you must

immediately restart the software. If you are unable to, restart the GCS and then restart the Aerial

Imaging software.

After restarting the software:

1. Open the mission for the flight in progress.

2. In the Flight Planning screen, select the Parameters tab.

3. Tap Previous locations to set the takeoff and landing location.

4. Tap Flight to go to the flight checklist.

When connecting to the autopilot, a message asks if the aircraft is already in the air.

5. Tap Yes.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 66
4   Completing a Flight

The Aerial Imaging software downloads the existing flight plan from the eBox and enables you

to continue the flight.

Emergency software commands

The Monitor Flight screen of the Aerial Imaging software provides several buttons that enable you

to manually interrupt the pre-programmed flight plan while the unmanned aircraft is in the air. Use

these commands to take evasive action ifrequired.

Note – Tapping any button in this screen overrides any previous command.

Note – The only button available when the UX5 is below 50 m (164 ft) during takeoff is the FTS button.

Land

Use the Land button when the flight must be terminated and there is time and space for a preplanned landing.

When you tap Land, the unmanned aircraft immediately terminates its flight plan and initiates a

normal landing sequence. It flies at cruise height to the entry point which is located 300 m (984 ft)

from the landing location. It starts circling downward in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles until it

reaches a height of 75 m (246 ft).

To release the Land command, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the start of the flight

line it was on when the flight plan was interrupted, and resumes mapping when it reaches the point

that mapping paused.

To complete the landing, tap Confirm. The unmanned aircraft finishes its current circle until it

reaches the point where it first started circling and then it starts the final leg of the landing.

Fly to

Use the Fly to button to move the unmanned aircraft from its current position to a location you

choose.

To enable the Fly to button, tap the location on the map that you want the unmanned aircraft to

move to. Tap Fly to. The unmanned aircraft flies to the specified location and then orbits there at

the cruise flight height in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles. Mapping is paused.

When in the Fly to pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10 m (32 ft) up or

down, ifrequired. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246 ft) or higher

than 750 m (2460 ft).

To release the Fly to command, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at

before the Fly to pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it

reaches the point that mapping paused.

Note – If you tap the map again while the unmanned aircraft is in the Fly to pattern, the Resume button

changes back to Fly to. You must tap Fly to again and the UX5 will fly to the new location on the map.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 67
4   Completing a Flight

Hold

Use the Hold button when another aircraft in the vicinity is observed.

When you tap Hold, the unmanned aircraft begins orbiting its current location at the cruise flight

height in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles. Mapping is paused.

When in the Hold pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10 m (32 ft) up or

down, ifrequired. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246 ft) or higher

than 750 m (2460 ft).

To release Hold, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at before the Hold

pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it reaches the point

that mapping paused.

Here

Use the Here button when the unmanned aircraft must be removed from the general area of

mapping and you want to have it within close sight.

When you tap Here, the unmanned aircraft immediately flies to the location of the ground control

station (GCS) or the last known location and orbits there at the cruise flight height in 200 m (656 ft)

diameter circles. Mapping is paused.

When in the Here pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10 m (32 ft) up or

down, ifrequired. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246 ft) or higher

than 750 m (2460 ft).

To release Here, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at before the Here

pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it reaches the point

that mapping paused.

Right

Use the Right button when you want to move the unmanned aircraft away from its current position

but have it close to its current location.

When you tap Right, the unmanned aircraft flies 300 m (984 ft) to the right of the current heading

and then orbits there at the cruise flight height in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles. Mapping is paused.

When in the Right pattern, you can adjust the unmanned aircraft's height by 10 m (32 ft) up or

down, ifrequired. The software does not allow the height to be set lower than 75 m (246 ft) or higher

than 750 m (2460 ft). .

To release the Right command, tap Resume. The unmanned aircraft returns to the height it was at

before the Right pattern began. It flies to the previous waypoint and resumes mapping when it

reaches the point that mapping paused.

FTS

Activate the Flight Termination System (FTS) when the UX5 must be removed from the air as quickly

as possible. The FTS button can be used during takeoff, cruise flight, and landing.

To activate the FTS, tap FTS and if prompted, confirm FTS activation.

Note – Confirmation is always required, except during takeoff when the UX5 is still below 25 m (82 ft).

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 68
4   Completing a Flight

The unmanned aircraft immediately aborts the flight. During cruise flight, this involves:

1. The motor powers down and the speed lowers to 70 kph (43 mph).

2. The unmanned aircraft orbits down in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles until it reaches a height of

7 m (23 ft).

3. The unmanned aircraft levels its wings, slows, and glides to the ground.

If you activate FTS when the unmanned aircraft is at a height of less than 25 m (82 ft) – that is, during

takeoff or landing – then the unmanned aircraft slows to 60 kph (37 mph) and flies downward in a

straight line at the current heading until it glides to the ground.

Abort

Note – The Abort button is available only during the final leg of the landing when the aircraft is more than 15

m (49 ft) above ground. When using Abort, the same obstacle clearances as for takeoff should be considered.

Use the Abort button to abort the landing.

When you tap Abort, the unmanned aircraft climbs to 75 m (246 ft) in the direction of the landing

heading and then turns to the landing entry point to start the landing circuit again.

To land you must tap Confirm again.

Dealing with a crash

A crash is an accident associated with the operation of an aircraft in which:

l a person is fatally or seriously injured

l the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure

l the aircraft is missing or completely inaccessible

Note – A landing on the intended landing site that causes damage to the aircraft due to the landing surface

cannot be seen as a crash.

1. If a crash occurs which causes injuries or death, you must:

a. Contact the emergency services.

b. Help where necessary, without risking your own life.

c. Make a perimeter around the accident. Make sure no evidence disappears.

d. Notify your civil aviation authority (CAA).

2. If a crash occurs which causes damage to another object:

a. Contact the emergency services when necessary (for example, if gas, electricity, or water

supplies are affected).

b. Contact the owners of the object that is hit.

c. Notify your civil aviation authority.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 69
4   Completing a Flight

3. Take pictures of the crash site. Download the data files from the GCS and send all data and

pictures to your Trimble distributor.

Landing the UX5 

CAUTION – It is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the unmanned aircraft during landing. To do this you

must:

– Have visual contact with the unmanned aircraft at all times.

– Observe the zone of operation for the unmanned aircraft and look out for other aerial objects.

– Ensure obstacle clearance.

– Locate the unmanned aircraft on the Tablet screen.

WARNING – Make sure there are no people or obstacles near the landing zone. Failure to do so could result in

serious personal injury and damage to the rover.

After passing the last waypoint on the scan lines, the UX5 terminates its flight plan and initiates a

normal landing sequence. It flies at cruise height to the entry point which is located 300 m (984 ft)

from the landing location. It starts circling downward in 200 m (656 ft) diameter circles until it

reaches a height of 75 m (246 ft). It keeps circling in left or right circles, depending on the direction

specified in the Aerial Imaging software, until you tap Confirm.

To complete the landing, tap Confirm. The UX5 finishes its current circle until it reaches the

intersection with the landing direction and then it starts the final leg of the landing.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 70
4   Completing a Flight

The image below shows the landing circuit using a landing orientation set to right turns.

75 m

200 m

300 m

Locating the UX5 after landing

If the UX5 has landed somewhere in the field and you are not able to visually locate it, you can track

it using the tracking system receiver.

1. On the receiver, press and hold the On/Off key for three seconds to power on the receiver.

2. Press the Menu/OK key to enter the menu.

3. Select the transmitter you want to track down using the Scan key and then press the Menu/OK

key to confirm.

4. Fold out the four antennas on the receiver and then place the receiver on the palm of your

hand, taking care not to touch any of the antennas.

5. Increase the gain as much as possible using the Increase key.

6. To pick up the first signal pulses, hold the receiver in front of you at high level and slowly turn

360°, scanning the horizon with the antenna.

Tip – Make sure the internal antenna is selected. The range of the receiver is wider if you track

from an elevation. Always hold the receiver in front of you so that the receiver can distinguish

between incoming signals from the front and the back.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 71
4   Completing a Flight

Each received signal pulse and its strength are shown on the transmitter bar/received signal

strength indicator and indicated with an audible signal.

7. Scan the area to determine the direction with the highest signalstrength. If the signalstrength

is the same in all directions, reduce the gain using the Decrease key until the received signal

strength is half the transmitter bar and then repeat the scan.

8. Follow the determined direction. Repeat the scan at intervals to verify the direction you need

to head in to locate the UX5.

Note – If you experience difficulties finding the rover following one direction, try doing the scan from a

different location and locating the cross-section between the new and previously found direction.

For more information on using the tracker system, refer to the user documentation for the

tracker transmitter and receiver.

Completing the post-flight checklist

1. After the UX5 has successfully landed, tap Finish flight.

2. A message warns that the UX5 should be on the ground. Do one of the following:

l If the UX5 is not on the ground, tap No. You will return to the flight monitoring screen.

l If the UX5 is on the ground, tap Yes. The UX5 goes into standby mode and the post-flight

checklist appears.

3. Remove the download port cap from the eBox and then attach the download cable to the eBox

and the modem.

4. Click Next.

The software detects the cable connection and automatically starts downloading the log files

from the eBox to the Tablet.

Note – If there is an issue with the cable connection, the post-flight checklist returns to the previous

screen. Detach and then reattach the cable and then click Next.

5. When prompted, disconnect the download cable and then reattach the download port cap to

the eBox.

6. When prompted, remove the camera from the unmanned aircraft. Delete the test images

taken on the ground from the SD card. Verify that the number of images taken during the flight

are equal to the amount ofshutter commands recorded in the flight log.

Note – If you have images from more than one flight on the camera, you may need to remove the SD

card from the camera, insert it into the Tablet, and then use Windows Explorer to navigate to the correct

folder on the SD card to view the number of images taken for the flight. To do this you will need a USB to

SD card reader or an external storage device. For more information, see Locating your equipment, page

40.

7. Tap Finish to close the post-flight checklist and return to the Mission Planning screen.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 72
4   Completing a Flight

Exporting the mission

Although you can use the Aerial Imaging software on the Trimble Tablet to analyze and export the

flight for processing, it will typically be done in the office using the Aerial Imaging Desktop software.

To be able to do this you must export the mission from the Aerial Imaging software on the Tablet.

1. In the Aerial Imaging screen, make sure the correct mission is selected.

2. Click Export. The Export wizard appears.

3. Select the GWT format. Click Next.

4. Navigate to the folder where you want to save the mission. If the Tablet cannot access a

network folder, then insert a USB stick and then navigate to a folder on the USB stick.

5. Enter the file name and then click Save.

The exported mission is saved as a .gwt file in the folder you selected.

6. Click Finish to close the Export wizard.

Disassembling the launcher

1. If you have not yet released the tension on the launcher cord, then do so now.

To release the tension, release the force with the crank very gently while pulling the release

handles in the front of the launcher upward. This is safest done with two people, with one

person carefully winding the crank counter-clockwise to counteract the force on the elastics.

2. Remove the lock pin on the launch dock and detach the launcher cord.

3. Using the crank, tighten the launcher cord so that most of the cord is in the launch slide but the

end remains out. Remove the crank.

4. Slide the launch dock off the front of the launch slide.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 73
4   Completing a Flight

5. To detach the V-support, turn the knob upward and then slide the pins out of the holes in the

launch slide. Remove the lock pin on the V-support to fold the legs and then reinsert the lock

pin.

CAUTION – Take care when folding the V-support legs not to jam or cut fingers.

6. Open the handle fixes on the launch slide and fold the launch slide.

7. Return the following items to the launcher bag:

l safety pin

l launch dock with lock pin

l V-support

l crank

l launch slide with elastics

For more information, see Locating your equipment, page 40.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 74
Analysis and Export

n Transferring the images

n Importing the mission to the Aerial

Imaging Desktop software

n Exporting flight data for processing

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 75

CH A P T E R 5
5   Analysis and Export

Transferring the images

Note – If you already transferred the images from the camera to an external storage device in the field, then

transfer the images from that device to a location on the computer running the Aerial Imaging Desktop

software, or to a network location.

If you have not already transferred the images from the camera:

1. When you return to the office, remove the SD card from the camera.

2. Insert the SD card into an office computer and then transfer the images from the SD card to a

location on the computer or a network location.

3. Delete the images from the SD card.

4. Replace the SD card in the camera.

Note – Because the camera has no electronic communication with the external lens, the image properties

(exif data) show a 0 value for the properties linked to the lens. These properties are: F-stop, focal length and

max. aperture.

Importing the mission to the Aerial Imaging Desktop

software

1. Start the Aerial Imaging Desktop software.

2. In the Aerial Imaging screen, tap Import.

3. Navigate to the location of the .gwt file, select it and then tap Open.

The mission you imported and the flights in that mission are listed and the mission map

appears.

Exporting flight data for processing

Note – You can export flight data from the Aerial Imaging Desktop software, or from the Aerial Imaging

software on the Trimble Tablet, if you have copied the images to the Tablet.

1. In the Aerial Imaging screen, make sure the correct mission is selected.

2. Click Export. The Export wizard appears.

3. Select the format to export to:

l To process the flight data using Trimble Business Center software, select the .jxl option.

l To process the flight data using other processing software, select the .csv option.

4. Click Next.

5. Select the flight to export and then select the folder where you have stored the images for that

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 76
5   Analysis and Export

flight.

The summary at the bottom of the window shows you the number of camera triggers in the

flight log file and the number of images in the selected image folder.

If these numbers do not correspond, you have the option to correct it using the Aerial Imaging

software. For each scan line the software matches the shutter commands with the number of

images.

Note – The files must be corrected before exporting to Trimble Business Center.

If there are:

l too many images, first check the image folder and make sure it does not contain images

from a different flight. Then select the option to automatically correct the files.

For scan lines that have more images than shutter commands, the extra images are

dropped at the end of the scan line, regardless of where in the scan line the extra images

occurred.

l not enough images, you may need to repeat the flight. If the number of missing or

additional images is not large, select the option to automatically correct the files.

For scan lines that have more shutter commands than images, the extra shutter

commands are dropped at the end of the scan line, regardless of where in the scan line the

extra shutter commands occurred.

Note – If there are more than three images missing, Trimble recommends performing the flight

again. If the missing images are not due to obvious reasons such as a depleted camera battery

during flight, an SD card with incorrectspecifications (see Locating your equipment, page 40), or

incorrect camera settings, contact your Trimble distributor.

A message appears, showing the correction results.

6. Click Next.

7. Enter a file name for the exported flight data and then click Save.

By default the exported file is stored in the same folder as the images for the flight. This is

required for processing .jxl files using Trimble Business Center.

8. Click Finish to close the Export wizard.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 77
Troubleshooting

n Errors and warnings

n Landing issues

n Aerial Imaging software issues

n eBox LED status

n Technicalsupport

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 78

CH A P T E R 6
6   Troubleshooting

Errors and warnings

This topic describes error messages or warnings that may appear. Use the table below the message

to take appropriate action. If the problem persists, contact your Trimble distributor.

Low battery level

If the message appears Then...

Pre-flight, before ARM Replace the battery with a fully charged battery and then redo the

flight checklist.

Pre-flight, after ARM 1. Disarm the UX5 via software. If that does not work, disarm the

UX5 by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care

to avoid the propellers.

2. Replace the battery with a fully charged battery and then redo

the flight checklist.

In-flight If the landing location is not too far from the location of the UX5 and

the battery level is not too low, tap Land. Otherwise, tap FTS.

Loss of GPS lock

If the message appears Then...

Pre-flight, before ARM You will not be able to ARM the UX5.

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

2. Redo the checklist.

Pre-flight, after ARM 1. Disarm the UX5 via software. If that does not work, disarm the

UX5 by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care

to avoid the propellers.

2. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

3. Redo the checklist.

In-flight The automatic failsafe mechanism is activated. See Failsafes during

flight, page 64.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 79
6   Troubleshooting

Communication loss

If the message appears Then...

Pre-flight, before ARM You will not be able to ARM the UX5.

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

2. Redo the checklist.

Pre-flight, after ARM 1. Disarm the UX5 via software. If that does not work, disarm the

UX5 by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care

to avoid the propellers.

2. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

3. Redo the checklist.

In-flight The automatic failsafe mechanism is activated. See Failsafes during

flight, page 64.

eBox errors

There are two types of eBox errors that can occur:

l Autopilot errors

l Miscellaneous eBox errors

Autopilot errors

Any autopilot errors, including:

l Autopilot error 2: airspeed disconnected

l Autopilot error 3: old params

l Autopilot error 4: params uninit

l Autopilot error 8: altimeterzero

l Autopilot error 9: pitch range

l Autopilot error 10: pitch zero

l Autopilot error 12: rollzero

l Autopilot error 14: Yaw zero

l Autopilot error 15: AGL range

l Autopilot error 16: inconsistent params

l Autopilot error 17: flight invalid command

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 80
6   Troubleshooting

l Autopilot error 23: accelerometer failure

l Autopilot error 72: multiple errors

l Autopilot error 255: battery error

If the message appears Then...

Pre-flight, before ARM You will not be able to ARM the UX5.

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

2. Redo the checklist.

Pre-flight, after ARM 1. Disarm the UX5 via software. If that does not work, disarm the

UX5 by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care

to avoid the propellers.

2. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

3. Redo the checklist.

In-flight If the landing location is not too far from the location of the UX5 and

the battery level is not too low, tap Land. Otherwise, tap FTS.

Miscellaneous eBox errors

Miscellaneous eBox errors include eBox altitude pressure sensor errors.

If the message appears Then...

Pre-flight, before ARM You will not be able to ARM the UX5.

1. Press the Mode button once (one flash) to restart the eBox.

2. Redo the checklist.

Pre-flight, after ARM 1. Disarm the UX5 via software. If that does not work, disarm the

UX5 by pressing the Mode button once (one flash) taking care

to avoid the propellers.

2. Disconnect and then reconnect the battery to restart the eBox.

3. Redo the checklist.

In-flight Always use FTS.

Landing issues

If the unmanned aircraft does not automatically power off the motor after landing, Trimble

recommends manually powering off the motor as soon as possible to avoid motor damage. To

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 81
6   Troubleshooting

manually power off the UX5, tap the FTS button in the Aerial Imaging software. If that does not

work, press and hold the Mode button on the eBox until the LED flashes three times.

WARNING – Always take care to avoid contact with the propeller blades. Contact with moving propeller blades

can result in serious personal injury.

Aerial Imaging software issues

If the Aerial Imaging software on the GCS freezes or crashes when the UX5 is in the air, see Aerial

Imaging software freeze, page 66.

If the software crashes, a crash dump file is automatically created. You are prompted to select the

crash dump location and you can then send the file to Trimble Technical Support.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 82
6   Troubleshooting

eBox LED status

The diagram below shows the status of the LEDs on the eBox.

ON

3 flashes

1 flash

POWER CYCLE

OFF

DOWNLOAD

3 flashes 2 flashes

disconnect battery

3 flashes

ARMED

STANDBY

1 flash 2 flashes

DISARM

connect battery

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 83
6   Troubleshooting

Technical support

If you have an issue and cannot find the information you need in the product documentation,

contact your Trimble distributor.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 84
Specifications and Settings

n UX5 specifications

n Camera specifications

n Camera settings

n Battery charger settings

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 85

CH A P T E R 7
7   Specifications and Settings

UX5 specifications

The UX5 aerial imaging rover has the following specifications:

Power/battery

Feature Specification

Battery type Lithium polymer

Nominal energy capacity 6000 mAh

Nominal voltage 14.8 V

Battery charger settings for

charging:

– Maximum current

– Voltage

6 A

16.8 V +/- 0.03 V

Battery charger settings for

discharging:

– Maximum current

– Cut-off voltage

40 A

9 V

Battery charging time Maximum 2 hours if fully

discharged.

Height

Feature Specification

Minimum flight height 75 m (246 ft)

Maximum flight height 750 m (2460 ft)

Maximum operational ceiling

(recommended)

5000 m (16,400 ft)

Note – UX5 not tested above 2500 m

(8202 ft).

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 86
7   Specifications and Settings

Dimensions

Feature Specification

Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs)

Wing span 100 cm (39.3 ")

Length 65 cm (25.6 ")

Height 10.5 cm (4.1 ")

CAUTION – Any deviation leading to a different maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) must be approved by Trimble.

Camera specifications

The Sony NEX-5R camera has the following specifications:

Feature Specification

Effective pixels 16.1 megapixels

Image sensor APS-C 23.5 x 15.6 mm (0.93 x 0.61")

CMOS

Focal length

F-aperture 4.5 - 22

Shutter speed 1/4000 – 30

ISO sensitivity ISO 100 – 25600 equivalent

Display 7.5 cm (3")

Dimensions

(width x height x depth)

110.8 x 58.8 x 32.5 mm

(4.36 x 2.31 x 1.28 ")

Weight 218 g (0.48 lb) body only

Battery charging time Approximately 280 minutes when

fully discharged

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 87
7   Specifications and Settings

Camera settings

The camera arrives with the appropriate settings required to obtain good aerial images set by

Trimble. These settings are listed below.

Note the following:

l Settings that are greyed out in the camera menus cannot be selected and so are not listed here.

l A value of "–" in the tables below indicates that the value for that setting is not set and is not

required.

l A value of "N/A" in the tables below indicates that the setting is available for selection but the

value is not applicable.

Lens settings

Setting Value

Aperture ring f/4.5

Focus ring 3+ m

Note – This is set and calibrated by the

manufacturer and must not change. For your

reference, this position corresponds with the white

dot appearing below the right edge of the red 0 in

the 10 ft mark.

Menu settings

Shoot Mode

Setting Value

Shoot Mode S (Shutter priority)

1/1000 or above

Camera

Setting Value

Drive Mode Remote Cdr.

Flash Mode –

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 88
7   Specifications and Settings

Setting Value

AF/MF Select –

Autofocus Area –

Autofocus Mode –

Touch Shutter –

Object Tracking /

Tracking Focus

–

Zoom –

Face Detection Off

Face Registration –

Smile Shutter Off

Auto Port Framing Off

Soft Skin Effect Off

Shooting Tip List –

LCD Display Display All Info

DISP Button Enable the following:

l Display All Info

l Big Font Size Disp

l Histogram

Image Size

Setting Value

Image Size 16M L:16M

Aspect Ratio 3:2

Quality Fine

Movie File Format N/A

Movie Record Setting NEX 5R: N/A

NEX 5T: 25p 17M (FH)

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 89
7   Specifications and Settings

Brightness/Color

Setting Value

Exposure Compensation ± 0.0

ISO Auto

White Balance AWB

Note – When using the NIR camera, select custom

white balance or incandescent.

Metering Mode Multi

DRO/Auto HDR D-Range Optimizer

Picture Effect Off

Creative Style Standard

Playback

There are no relevant settings set in the Playback menu.

Application

There are no relevant settings set in the Application menu.

Setup

Shooting settings

Setting Value

AEL with shutter On

AF Illuminator Off

Live View Display Setting Effect On

Auto Review Off

Grid Line Off

Peaking Level Mid

Peaking Color Red

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 90
7   Specifications and Settings

Setting Value

Clear Image Zoom Off

Digital Zoom Off

Self-portrait Self-timer Off

MF Assist On

MF Assist Time 2 Sec

Color Space sRGB

Release without Lens Enable

Front Curtain Shutter Off

Long Exposure NR Off

High ISO NR Normal

Lens Comp.:Shading Auto

Lens Comp.: Chromatic

Aberation

Auto

Lens Comp.: Distortion Auto

Auto Slow Shutter Off

Movie Audio Rec. On

Wind Noise Reduction On

AF Micro Adjustment –

Main settings

Setting Value

Menu Start NEX 5R: Top

NEX 5T: Previous

Function Menu Settings –

MOVIE Button Off

Custom Key Settings –

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 91
7   Specifications and Settings

Setting Value

Touch Operation Off

One-touch (NFC) (NEX 5T only) –

Beep Off

Language English

Date/Time Setup Set the correct date and time for your

location and the format used by your

organization.

Area Setting Set the correct area for your location.

Help Guide Display Off

Power Save Standard

Power Saving Start Time 30 min

LCD Brightness Manual

Display Color White

Wide Image Normal

Playback Display Manual Rotate

HDMI Resolution Auto

CTRL for HDMI On

USB Connection Auto

Cleaning Mode –

(Click to clean the sensor.)

Version –

(Click to see the camera and lens

version.)

Initialize –

(Click to reset settings.)

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 92
7   Specifications and Settings

Memory card tool

Setting Value

Format –

(Click to format a card.)

File Number Series

Folder Name Date Form

New Folder –

(Click to create a folder.)

Recover Image DB –

(Click to recover the image database.)

Display Card Space –

Click to view card space usage.)

Network settings

Setting Value

WPS Push –

(Click to connect using WPS Push.)

Access Point Settings –

Edit Device Name –

Display MAC Address –

(Click to view the MAC address.)

Reset View on Smartphone /

SSID/PW Reset

–

NEX 5R: (Click to reset the remote view.)

NEX 5T: (Click to execute smartphone

connection SSID and password reset.)

Reset Network Settings –

(Click to reset the network settings.)

Airplane Mode (NEX 5T only) On

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 93
7   Specifications and Settings

Battery charger settings

When the charger power on, it displays the following parameters for the battery:

l LiPo manual

l C:5.0A 6000mAh

WARNING – Always check that the settings on the charger are correct before charging the battery. Incorrect

charger settings may result in damage to the battery, severe burning and fire hazards.

If the settings are incorrect, correct them using the steps below:

1. To change the battery type, press and hold the Prog/Mode key for two seconds. Repeat the

button press until the charger screen shows “LiPo manual” or “LiIo manual” or “LiFe manual”.

2. Briefly press the Prog/Mode key (for less than two seconds).

3. To change the lithium type, press the DEC or INC key until the lithium type is set to “LiPo”.

4. To change the voltage per cell, press the Enter/Start key and then press the DEC or INC key

until the voltage is set to “4.20V/C”.

5. Briefly press the Prog/Mode key (for less than two seconds).

6. In the main screen, the “C:x.xA” entry is blinking. Press the DEC or INC key until it shows "5.0".

7. To change the battery capacity, press the Enter/Start key aUX5nd then press the DEC or INC

key until the battery capacity is set to "6000mAh".

Your charger is now set and should show:

l LiPo manual

l C:5.0A 6000mAh

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 94
Regulatory Requirements

n French airspace requirements

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 95

A P P E N D I X A
A   Regulatory Requirements

French airspace requirements

For operations in French airspace according to S2+, Trimble recommends a protection zone

additional to the Trimble UX5 operation zone within any radius. Regardless of the wind direction

and wind speed, the protection zone is 250 m at a height of 150 m AGL. For 100 m AGL: 200 m, for

200 m AGL: 300 m.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 96
  Glossary

Glossary

aerial imaging rover The UX5 aerial imaging rover is a type of unmanned aircraft specifically

designed for aerial photogrammetry.

aerial photo station An aerial photo station is created each time an aerial photo is taken

during a flight. It defines a point and includes raw sensor values

(orientation and tilt), coordinate data, and an image.

aeronautical

information

publication

A manual containing thorough details ofregulations, procedures and

other information pertinent to flying aircraft in the particular country to

which it relates. It is usually issued by or on behalf of the respective civil

aviation administration.

AIP See aeronautical information publication.

avoidance zone Avoidance zones are used in the mission map to indicate areas that the

unmanned aircraft must not fly over, such as airports and forbidden

airspace.

CAA Civil Aviation Authority.

cross wind A wind that blows from a sideways direction.

elevon The movable flap on the back edge of each wing. The elevons move up

and down to create uneven lift, which controls the aircraft's rolling and

banking movement.

flight Contained within a mission, a flight covers a single polygonal area on the

earth’s surface. A flight is defined by a flight plan.

In aviation terms, a flight starts as soon as the aircraft starts to move

under its own power or by additional equipment that is part of the

system until the moment it comes to rest.

flight plan A set of parameters that defines the proper flight path the unmanned

aircraft must follow during a single flight. Parameters include the desired

altitude of the side image overlap. A mission can include one or more

flights, each of which is defined by a flight plan.

GCP See ground control point.

GCS See ground controlstation.

georeference The act of positioning an object at its true location (using two or more

coordinates) in 2D or 3D space. Georeferencing is used, for example, to

position an aerial photograph accurately in relation to other objects in a

project.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 97
  Glossary

georeferenced image A photo taken from a ground- or aerial-based station that includes

overlaid point coordinate data. See also georeference.

ground control point An accurately surveyed coordinate location for a physical feature that

can be identified on the ground and is used to georeference images.

ground control

station

The ground controlstation (GCS) is used to control the unmanned

aircraft from the ground. It comprises the Trimble Tablet running the

Trimble Aerial Imaging software. A modem is connected to the Tablet to

enable radio communication to the aerial imaging rover. Although the

unmanned aircraft flies following a preprogrammed flight plan, you need

the GCS to manage the unmanned aircraft before, during, and after the

flight.

ground sample

distance

In the Aerial Imaging software, the ground sample distance (GSD) is the

distance on the ground represented by each pixel. The GSD and the

height at which the aircraft flies are linked. The higher the unmanned

aircraft flies, the larger the distance on the ground represented by each

pixel in the images acquired during the flight.

GSD See ground sample distance.

head wind A wind that blows from the direction that the aircraft is flying toward.

height The height above the ground that the unmanned aircraft flies. The rover

does not begin taking photographs until it reaches the height specified

for the flight.

IATA International Air Transport Association

ICAO International Civil Aviation Authority

launch The process ofreleasing the rover from the launcher. Launch

immediately preceeds takeoff.

launch dock The platform that rests on the launcher. The unmanned aircraft sits on

the launch dock. The launch dock moves forward along the launcher at

speed when the unmanned aircraft is launched.

launcher The launcher is a mechanical device that provides a safe way to launch

the unmanned aircraft in the direction of takeoff.

METAR A routine aviation weather report issued at hourly or half-hourly

intervals. It is a description of the meteorological elements observed at

an airport at a specific time.

mission An interconnected series of aerial photo station images recorded with an

unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that are intended to be processed as a

single unit and used for surveying purposes. A mission can include one

or more flights that cover a single polygonal area.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 98
  Glossary

mission area A single polygonal area that defines the geographical area to be

photographed during one or more flights.

NOTAM A notice filed with an aviation authority to alert aircraft pilots of potential

hazards along a flight route or at a location that could affect the safety of

the flight. The term NOTAM is commonly used rather than the more

formal term Notice to Airmen.

photogrammetry The use of photography in surveying and mapping to make

measurements between objects.

pitot tube The sensor used by the aircraft to detect airspeed. It must be kept clean

and free of obstructions to operate correctly.

remote pilot station The station at which the remote pilot manages the flight of an

unmanned aircraft.

remotely-piloted Control of an aircraft from a pilot station which is not on board the

aircraft.

remotely-piloted

aircraft

An aircraft where the flying pilot is not on board the aircraft. This is a

subcategory of unmanned aircraft.

remotely-piloted

aircraft system

A set of configurable elements consisting of a remotely-piloted aircraft,

its associated remote pilot station(s), the required command and control

links and any other system elements as may be required at any point

during flight operation.

RPA See remotely-piloted aircraft.

RPA system A remote crew member who, by visual observation of the remotelypiloted aircraft, assists the remote pilot in the safe conduct of the flight.

RPAS See remotely-piloted aircraft system.

segregated airspace Airspace ofspecified dimensions allocated for exclusive use to a specific

user(s).

TAF See terminal aerodrome forecast.

tail wind A wind that blows from the opposite direction to the direction that the

aircraft is flying toward.

takeoff The initial ascent of the unmanned aircraft. Takeoff immediately follows

launch.

terminal aerodrome

forecast

A terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the

expected meteorological conditions at an airport during a specified

period (usually 24 or 30 hours).

tracker The tracker consists of a transmitter inserted in the body of the

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 99
  Glossary

unmanned aircraft and a receiver. Ifrequired, the receiver is used to

track the transmitter signalso the unmanned aircraft can be located

once it has landed.

UA See unmanned aerial vehicle.

UAS See unmanned aircraft system.

unmanned aircraft An aircraft which is intended to operate with no pilot on board. See also

unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

unmanned aircraft

system

An aircraft and its associated elements which are operated with no pilot

on board.

visual line-of-sight

operation

An operation in which the remote crew maintains direct visual contact

with the aircraft to manage its flight.

waypoint A waypoint is a point between major points on a route, as along a track.

In terms of the Aerial Imaging software, a waypoint is located at the

beginning and end of each flight line in the scan area.

winglet The extreme edge of the wing.

Trimble UX5 Aerial Imaging Solution User Guide 100