RGB/View Provides "Eyes" For Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Ground Control Stations Employ RGB Spectrum's RGB/View Video Windowing Solution

RGB Spectrum is providing video windowing systems for the latest generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The video windowing systems are used in the ground control stations to pilot the UAVs.

Unmanned aircraft surveillance systems are used for various military and scientific applications. These include tactical and strategic intelligence support for operational commanders worldwide, as well as atmospheric research for the DOE and other scientific applications. Each UAV is equipped with one or more video cameras for control, data and imagery transmissions.

GA-ASI chose the RGB/View® 600 video windowing system, which allows real time video from the UAV to be superimposed on the ground-based pilot's display. The RGB/View 600 windowing system displays multiple live video and computer signals simultaneously on a single screen.

Control of the UAV and transmission of data is accomplished via a C Band line of sight (LOS) data link or a KU band satellite link. With the RGB/View 600, ground control personnel are able to monitor multiple real time video feeds coming from the UAV. During take-off and landing, the pilot has a full screen display from a fixed camera in the nose of the airplane. Once the vehicle is airborne, any of the on-board surveillance cameras can be switched to full screen, with a computer-generated HUD and artificial horizon bar graphically overlaid. Ground control stations were originally developed for the Predator® UAV program under the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD), a major government program for the development of operational UAVs. GA-ASI continues to employ RGB/View windowing systems in the Predator®, as well as their ALTUS® and I-GNAT™ UAV systems.

General Atomic Aeronautical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures and supports high technology UAVs and support systems for across-the-board application to military and commercial uses, including battlefield and international border surveillance, electronic and environmental monitoring, and other special operations.

RGB Spectrum® is a leading designer and manufacturer of videographic and multimedia hardware subsystems. Products include the View™ family of video windowing systems, the RGB/Videolink® line of scan converters, the DGx™ digital recording system, and SuperWall™, ComputerWall® and MediaWall® multi-screen display controllers. RGB Spectrum is based in Alameda, California, and can be reached at 510-814-7000 and on the internet at http://www.rgb.com.

press contact: carol marcus
director, corporate communications
tel: (510) 814-7000

for pictures in 300 dpi format
send request to carol@rgb.com