1. System Overview

The FALCON+ system consists of three main components: a laser methane sensor mounted on the drone, a Datalogger mini-computer onboard the drone running the ground station software, and a remote client app (Android/desktop) used by the operator on the ground.

2. Hardware Installation on Drone

Connections

Power Supply

The Datalogger requires 5V/5A via USB-C. Use a step-down DC-DC converter (e.g. Pololu D24V50F5) connected to the drone battery (12-24V). Some drones offer a 5V USB port for accessories — verify it provides at least 3A before using it.

GPS Priority

The app automatically selects the best available GPS source:

1. MAVLink — from the drone flight controller (most accurate)
2. GPS USB — standalone u-blox receiver on Datalogger
3. UDP — GPS embedded in the laser sensor protocol (least accurate)

3. Powering On

1. Connect all cables to the Datalogger (Ethernet to sensor, USB-C power, 4G modem, GPS if used).
2. Power on the drone battery. The step-down converter feeds 5V to the Datalogger. The red LED on the Datalogger turns on.
3. The Datalogger boots automatically (15-30 seconds). The AlmaG5_UAV app starts as a system service.
4. The touchscreen shows the Setup / Calibration screen. The laser sensor begins warming up.
5. Wait for calibration to complete automatically (1-5 minutes depending on temperature). Two progress bars fill up: cyan (thermal) then green (laser line).
6. When the button shows START, tap it to enter the main dashboard. The system is ready to fly.

4. Touchscreen Display

The 3.5" onboard display shows the main dashboard during flight. All controls can be operated by touch.

Status Indicators (D / N / W)

Three circular indicators appear at the top of the screen. The N indicator has three states, so you can tell a disconnected antenna from one that is simply still searching for satellites:

Concentration Display

The large number in the center shows the current methane concentration in ppm×m:

• Cyan — below threshold (normal)
• Red — above threshold (leak detected!)

The threshold value is displayed below the concentration number. Default is 50 ppm×m (configurable in Settings).

Finding the IP Address

The datalogger creates its own WiFi network, so its address is always the same: 192.168.4.1. It is shown in the top bar next to the W (WiFi) indicator, and it is the address you enter in the remote client app. There is no need to look it up or to write it down — it does not change between flights or between units.

5. Operating from the Touchscreen

Setting the Baseline (BASE)

Before starting a survey, you must set the zero reference. This tells the sensor what "no methane" looks like at the current conditions.

1. Make sure the drone is in clean air (no methane sources nearby).
2. Tap the BASE button on the side panel (or the main area).
3. The current signal level is saved as the zero reference. All future readings are measured relative to this baseline.

Starting / Stopping a Recording

1. Tap START INSPECTION (cyan button on the side panel).
2. The button turns green and shows a running timer: STOP (00:01:23)
3. All data is now being recorded: concentration, GPS track, timestamps, detected leaks.
4. To stop, tap the green STOP button. The session is saved automatically.

6. Remote Client App

The "Falcon+ UAV Remote" app allows the ground operator to monitor and control the system in real-time from anywhere with internet access. Available for Android and desktop (Windows/Linux/Mac).

WiFi Connection Setup

The mini-PC automatically connects to a WiFi network named Pergam. You must create this Access Point on your phone or portable router before connecting.

1. The datalogger creates its own WiFi network at power-on. On your phone, tablet or PC, open the WiFi settings and connect to it:

1. Your device receives an address automatically (192.168.4.x). No phone hotspot, SIM card or internet connection is required — the network works anywhere, including where there is no mobile coverage.
2. The datalogger is always at 192.168.4.1. The same address is shown on the touchscreen top bar, next to the W indicator.

Connecting to the Datalogger

1. Open the Falcon+ Remote app on the phone, tablet or PC you connected to PERGAM FASTLINK.
2. Enter the WebSocket URL: ws://192.168.4.1:8765. This address is the same on every unit and never changes.
3. Enter the auth token if configured (leave empty if none).
4. Tap CONNECT. The status badge changes to CONNECTED (green).

Remote Interface Layout

Top Bar

Flight Parameters

Four boxes below the top bar show real-time flight data:

Values turn orange when outside the normal range.

Live Chart

The center area shows a real-time scrolling graph (300 data points) with the same two lines as the touchscreen: red for concentration, blue for zero drift.

Right Sidebar

Remote Controls Summary

7. Downloading Recorded Data

From the Remote Client App

1. Tap DOWNLOAD DATA in the top bar of the remote app.
2. A list of recorded sessions appears, showing the session name, number of files, and total size (MB).
3. Tap DOWNLOAD next to the session you want.
4. The files are transferred to your Downloads folder. A status message shows progress and the final save path.
5. Tap REFRESH to reload the session list if new recordings have been made.

From USB (Direct Access)

If the 4G connection is unavailable, you can access the recorded data directly:

1. After landing, connect a keyboard and mouse to the Datalogger (or SSH via Ethernet).
2. Recorded sessions are in the configured log directory (default: ~/Documents).
3. Copy the session folder to a USB drive or transfer via SCP/SFTP.

Recorded Files

Each recording session creates the following files:

Date and Time on the Recordings

The unit has no battery-backed clock, and in the field it has no internet connection to correct itself. It therefore takes date and time from the GPS, a few seconds after power-on — well before you can start a recording. Session folders (YYYY-MM-DD) and the DDMMYY part of the file names are therefore always correct, even after the unit has been stored unpowered for months.

The time zone is set from the GPS position, so the unit shows local time wherever it is used, daylight saving included, with no configuration. Note that timestamps inside the binary .dat files are absolute (UTC), which is what makes them unambiguous when data recorded in one country is processed in another; the ALMA G5 Processing Software converts them for display.

8. Typical Survey Workflow

1. Pre-flight — Mount the Datalogger + sensor on the drone. Connect all cables, GPS antenna included. Power on and wait for calibration.
2. Check indicators — Wait until all three indicators are green (D, N, W). A green N also means the clock has been set from the GPS, so the recording will carry the right date.
3. Connect remote — Join the PERGAM FASTLINK WiFi network, open the Falcon+ Remote app, enter ws://192.168.4.1:8765 and connect. Verify the "CONNECTED" badge.
4. Set baseline — Tap BASE (from touchscreen or remote) while in clean air.
5. Start recording — Tap START INSPECTION. The timer starts counting.
6. Fly the survey — Monitor concentration on the remote app. Red numbers = leak detected. Add comments at points of interest.
7. Stop recording — Tap STOP when the survey is complete. Data is saved automatically.
8. Download data — Tap DOWNLOAD DATA in the remote app to retrieve session files for analysis.

9. Troubleshooting