CCO Mission Planner Tutorial

Overview

The CCO (Cross-Circular Orbit) Mission Planner is a specialized tool for generating optimized drone mission routes for agricultural and environmental monitoring applications. This system creates compressed folders containing waylines, KML files, and mission parameters specifically designed for cross-oblique orbit photography.

Key Features

• KML Polygon Processing: Upload target area KML files for route generation
• Cross-Oblique Orbit Optimization: Advanced algorithm for optimal camera coverage
• Snake Stitching Support: Automatic route stitching for continuous coverage
• Grid Rotation: Flexible orientation adjustment for different field layouts
• Multi-part Downloads: Large area segmentation with automatic part management
• DJI Drone Compatibility: Support for various DJI drone and payload configurations

Quick Start

1. Access the Application

Visit in your browser: /app/cco

2. Hardware Requirements

• Modern Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge with JavaScript support
• KML File: Target area defined as a single polygon in KML format
• Internet Connection: Required for initial page load and script execution

Detailed Usage Steps

Step 1: Prepare Target Area KML

1. Create KML File

   • Define your target area as a single polygon in KML format
   • Ensure polygon boundaries are properly closed
   • Use geographic coordinates (WGS84) for accurate positioning

2. Download Template (Optional)

   • Use the "Download template.kml" link for reference structure
   • Template provides proper KML formatting guidelines

Step 2: Upload KML File

1. Select KML File

   • Click "Choose File" button in the upload section
   • Select your prepared KML file from local storage
   • System validates file format and polygon structure

2. Parameter Configuration

   • Flight Altitude: Set optimal flight height for your camera system
   • Grid Rotation: Adjust route orientation to match field layout
   • Overlap Percentage: Configure image overlap for stitching
   • Drone Model: Select appropriate DJI drone configuration
   • Camera Settings: Configure camera parameters for optimal coverage

Step 3: Route Generation

1. Preview Generation

   • Click "Generate Preview" to visualize the proposed route
   • System calculates optimal cross-oblique orbit pattern
   • Preview shows waypoints, camera positions, and coverage area

2. Route Optimization

   • Snake Stitching: Automatic optimization for continuous coverage
   • Grid Rotation: Adjust orientation for wind conditions or field shape
   • Step Optimization: Automatic calculation of optimal waypoint spacing

Step 4: Mission Export

1. Download Mission Files

   • Waylines.wpml: Mission waypoints in WPML format
   • CCO_Full.kmz: Complete mission package in KMZ format
   • Template.kml: Reference file for future missions

2. Multi-part Management

   • For large areas, system automatically segments into manageable parts
   • Each part contains complete mission parameters
   • Download individual parts or complete mission package

Technical Specifications

Supported Input Formats

• KML: Keyhole Markup Language with single polygon definition
• KMZ: Compressed KML files for easier handling

Output Formats

• WPML: Waypoint Markup Language for drone mission control
• KMZ: Compressed mission package with all necessary files
• KML: Reference files for visualization in mapping software

Mission Parameters

• Flight Altitude Range: 5-10 meters (configurable)
• Image Overlap: 60-80% (recommended for stitching)
• Grid Rotation: 0-360 degrees (full rotation capability)
• Waypoint Spacing: Automatic optimization based on camera parameters

Drone Compatibility

• DJI Matrice Series: M300 RTK, M350 RTK...
• DJI Phantom Series: Phantom 4 RTK, Phantom 4 Pro...
• DJI Mavic Series: Mavic 3 Enterprise, Mavic 2 Enterprise...
• Custom Configurations: Support for user-defined drone parameters

Best Practices

Mission Planning

1. Area Assessment

   • Survey target area for obstacles and terrain variations
   • Consider wind conditions and flight regulations
   • Plan for battery life and mission duration

2. Camera Configuration

   • Set appropriate ISO, shutter speed, and aperture
   • Configure camera angle for optimal oblique coverage
   • Test camera settings in similar conditions

Data Management

1. File Organization

   • Use descriptive naming conventions for mission files
   • Maintain version control for mission parameters
   • Archive previous missions for reference

2. Quality Control

   • Verify mission parameters before execution
   • Test mission in simulation mode if available
   • Document any modifications to standard parameters

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. KML File Rejection

• Ensure file contains exactly one polygon
• Verify coordinate system is WGS84
• Check for proper polygon closure

2. Route Generation Failure

• Verify polygon size is within operational limits
• Check parameter values are within valid ranges
• Ensure sufficient system memory for large areas

3. Download Issues

• Check browser download permissions
• Verify sufficient storage space
• Try alternative download method if available

Performance Optimization

For Large Areas

• Use multi-part segmentation for flignt points > 300
• Increase system memory allocation if available
• Consider processing during low system usage periods

For Complex Terrain

• Use higher flight altitudes for varied terrain
• Increase overlap percentage for better stitching
• Consider additional waypoints for elevation changes

Technical Support

If you encounter technical issues:

1. Check browser console for error messages
2. Verify KML file structure meets requirements
3. Ensure system meets minimum requirements
4. Contact support with specific error details

---

Author: Liangchao Deng, Ph.D. Candidate, Shihezi University / CAS-CEMPS
This tutorial applies to CCO Mission Planner v1.0 Optimized for agricultural and environmental monitoring applications