X-Plane 11

Veronte systems are compatible with X-Plane 11 for HIL simulation. X-Plane 11 communications settings must be edited in order to have communication with Veronte systems. Follow the next steps in order to make a proper configuration.

Note

For low-performance computers, it may be needed to reduce the graphics quality on the simulator, as described below.

  • 1. Aircraft Model Installation.

    X-Plane 11 simulator is compatible with a wide variety of platforms: airplane, helicopter, multicopter, surface vehicle… In order to create the platform model, Plane Maker tool provided by X-Plane 11 must be used. Once the aircraft model has been created, it can be integrated on the X-Plane 11 simulator by following the next sub steps:

    • 1.1: Copy the model folder to the “Aircraft” folder within the X-Plane 11 installation directory.

    • 1.2: Copy the content in the “Airfoils” folder, available in the aircraft model folder, to the “Airfoils” directory within the X-Plane 11 installation directory.

  • 2. Custom airport.

    X-Plane flight starts from an airport; a custom airport must be defined for simulating in case of not having available airports. In addition, it is possible to create a new airport. In order to do that, the user should follow the X-Plane tutorial presented in the next link. Once the airport has been created, copy the model folder to the X-Plane 11 installation directory.

  • 3. X-Plane Settings.

    Data transmission settings of X-Plane must be edited on Settings \(\Rightarrow\) Data Output. This configuration must coincide with Hil Simulator. Select all the variables to sent through the UDP Network and set the UDP rate at maximum speed. The network configuration must be configured as shown in the following table and picture.

    Parameter

    Value

    3 - Speeds

    Mark check in the Network via UDP column

    4 - Mach, VVI, g-load

    16 - Angular velocities

    17 - Pitch, roll & headings

    18 - Angle of attack, sideslip & paths

    20 - Latitude, longitude & altitude

    21 - Location, velocity & distance traveled

    IP

    127.0.0.1

    Receive port

    49005

    Send port

    49000

    UDP rate (packets / second)

    Hil Simulator frequency, with 99 as maximum value

    ../_images/xplane11-config.png

  • 4. X-Plane 11 Setup.

    Open X-Plane 11 \(\Rightarrow\) Main menu. To start a simulation click on New Flight:


    ../_images/xplane11_main_menu.png

    Then, the following window will be displayed. Select which aircraft to use, the starting airport and weather conditions to simulate. Finally, click on Start Flight the start de simulation:


    ../_images/xplane11-flight.png

    ../_images/hil_open_xplane.gif

    X-Plane 11 Setup


  • 5. Run simulation.

    Once X-Plane is configured, click on play of HIL Simulator to enable the sending of commands. The frequency to the simulator should then be set to, approximately, the previously configured frequency:


    ../_images/sc5.png

    ../_images/hil_play_hil.gif

    HIL - Run simulation

  • 6. Check sending/receiving data.

    Go to Settings \(\Rightarrow\) Network tab. Check that the sending and receiving data to is correct:


    ../_images/xplane11_network.png

    ../_images/hil_xplane_network.gif

    Check sending/receiving data


Once the hardware has been connected and the software has been configured, operation can start and the system can be operated as a real flight.

../_images/simulation-multi-1.jpg

GPS will be simulated and the UAV should be visible on Veronte Ops in the selected airport, with a colored icon as follows:

../_images/platform_icon_colored.png

../_images/hil_veronte_ops.gif

Veronte Ops

Warning

The simulation starts when the aircraft is in the initial phase (when it is powered). In this phase, X-Plane will simulate the GPS signal to locate the autopilot.

With GPS signal it is possible to pass the system to Standby phase and to start flight. Once the aircraft has taken off from the airport on X-Plane, the automatic control will start and the aircraft will fly, according to the defined mission on Veronte Ops. For more information about Veronte Ops, read the User Manual, remember to select the employed software version.