DX-Sky Drone

Onboard software that runs on the aircraft's onboard computer, linking the flight controller (FC) and the GCS to handle communications, video, recording, AI inference and remote updates.

DX-Sky Drone

DX-Sky Drone is software installed on the onboard computer carried by a UAV. It relays communications between the flight controller (FC) and the DX-Sky GCS on the ground, streams camera video, records each flight and runs AI inference on the aircraft.

Flying itself is left to the FC. DX-Sky Drone does not execute missions or pilot the aircraft directly; it focuses on keeping the aircraft and the GCS reliably connected.

System architecture
DX-Sky Drone system architectureDiagram showing the onboard software DX-Sky Drone, connected to the flight controller and camera, exchanging status, video, commands and settings with DX-Sky GCS on a field PC over multiple communication links.AircraftField PCMAVLINKVideoReadingsTelemetryCommandsFlight controllerPX4 / ArduPilotCamerae.g. SIYI A8 miniSensorsLiDAR, infrared, etc.DX-Sky DroneOnboard computer (Jetson)Communications relayMulti-link switchingVideo and captureFlight recordsRTK correctionsSensor and video AIRemote config, updatesHealth diagnosticsPairing, signature checkLinksLTE/5GWi-FiAuto switchingDX-Sky GCSBrowser-basedAircraft controlMission planningVideo, AI detectionDeploy, updateFlight reviewAircraft → GCSStatus, video, flight recordsAI detection resultsGCS → AircraftCommands, settings, software updatesAI modelsPairing and signaturesA one-time code verifies each side,then every message is signedOnboard connectionWireless linkDX-Sky Drone system architectureAircraftFlight controllerPX4 / ArduPilotCamerae.g. SIYI A8 miniSensorsLiDAR, infrared, etc.MAVLINKVideoReadingsDX-Sky DroneOnboard computer (Jetson)Communications relayMulti-link switchingVideo and captureFlight recordsRTK correctionsSensor and video AIRemote config, updatesHealth diagnosticsPairing, signature checkTelemetryCommandsLinksLTE/5G · Wi-FiAuto switchingField PCDX-Sky GCSBrowser-basedAircraft controlMission planningVideo, AI detectionDeploy, updateFlight reviewAircraft → GCSStatus, video, flight recordsAI detection resultsGCS → AircraftCommands, settings, software updatesAI modelsPairing and signaturesA one-time code verifies each side,then every message is signedOnboard connectionWireless link

Key Features

1

Communications & links

Communications relay

Relays MAVLink communications from the FC to the GCS and reconnects automatically if the link drops.

Multiple communication links

Keeps several links such as LTE and Wi-Fi connected at the same time and switches between them automatically according to link status, to maintain the connection to the GCS.

RTK correction delivery

Receives VRS (NTRIP) corrections and passes them to the FC to support precise positioning.

2

Video, records & AI inference

Video streaming and capture

Streams camera video to the GCS in real time and lets the GCS trigger capture and control the gimbal. The SIYI A8 mini gimbal camera is supported.

Flight records

Keeps a record of every flight from arming to disarming and sends it to the GCS together with the FC log after landing. Records are stored so that tampering can be detected.

Onboard AI inference

Runs AI models deployed from the GCS on the aircraft's Jetson GPU and sends detection results to the GCS.

3

Operations & security

Secure pairing with the GCS

The aircraft and the GCS verify each other using a unique key the aircraft creates itself and a one-time code. Only requests whose digital signature from the paired GCS is verified are accepted, and replayed requests and unsigned access are rejected.

Remote configuration and updates

Applies Wi-Fi, LTE and VPN connection settings, signed configuration changes and software updates from the GCS to the aircraft. If anything goes wrong, it automatically rolls back to the previous state.

Health diagnostics

Checks the state of the onboard computer and each function and reports it so it can be viewed in the GCS.

Security and Operating Principles

Because aircraft are managed remotely, every step of registration and updating is designed to accept only what has been verified.

Identity created by the aircraftThe aircraft registers with the GCS using a key it generates itself and a one-time code. No shared password is built in beforehand.
Signed installation and safe updatesOnly installation bundles with a verified signature are applied, and updates never start while the aircraft is flying or armed.
Separated privileges and encrypted transportEach function runs under its own account with only the privileges it needs, and communication between the aircraft and the GCS is encrypted.

Operating Environment

ComputerBased on NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano with JetPack 6.

Flight controlConnects to PX4 and ArduPilot multicopters.

CameraSupports the SIYI A8 mini gimbal camera.

LinkLTE by default; Wi-Fi, VPN and serial connections can also be used.

InstallA signed offline installation bundle allows installation where there is no internet, and updates are applied remotely from the GCS afterwards.

See DX-Sky GCS, which operates together with it

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