FOKA Ground Station - Telemetry & Visualization GUI 📊

This repository contains the source code for a Ground Control Station (GCS) application, developed as part of a student project. The application is designed to visualize telemetry data, monitor sensor status, and track the real-time GPS position of the autonomous USV FOKA.

Fig 1. Main application dashboard showing the map view and boat parameters.

🎯 Key Features

The application enables the operator to remotely supervise the floating unit through:

• Map Visualization: Real-time vessel tracking using a QML module (mapa.qml).
• Telemetry Reception: Readout of sensor data (pH, turbidity, temperature, depth) and power system parameters (voltage, current).
• Dynamic Charts: Real-time plotting for selected parameters (configurable via charts_config.json).
• Log Management: Ability to load and analyze historical data from log files.
• Communication: Serial port handling (UART/Radio Telemetry) via the SerialManager class.

🛠️ Technologies

The project was built using C++ and the Qt framework.

• Language: C++ (backend), Python (testing scripts).
• GUI Framework: Qt 5/6 (Qt Widgets + Qt Quick/QML for the map).
• Build System: CMake.
• Data Formats: JSON (configuration), CSV (logs).

📂 Repository Structure

• main.cpp, mainwindow.cpp: Main application logic and main window management.
• chartwindow.cpp: Module responsible for rendering sensor data charts.
• serialmanager.cpp: Handles serial communication (receiving data frames).
• mapa.qml: Map interface file (OpenStreetMap/Mapbox integration).
• charts_config.json: Configuration file defining which charts should be displayed.
• sender.py: Python script to simulate data transmission (useful for testing the GUI without the physical boat).
• virtualPorts.sh: Shell script to create virtual serial ports (socat) for debugging purposes.

🚀 Build & Run

The project uses the CMake build system.

Prerequisites

• C++ Compiler (g++ / clang)
• Qt5 or Qt6 Library (with modules: SerialPort, Charts, Positioning, Location, Quick)
• CMake

Installation Guide

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd <folder-name>

2. Build the project:

   mkdir build && cd build
   cmake ..
   make

3. Run:

   ./WDSv2  # (or the name of your generated binary)

Testing (Simulation)

If you do not have the boat connected, you can test the application using the auxiliary scripts:

1. Run virtualPorts.sh to create a virtual serial connection (loopback).
2. Run sender.py to start broadcasting random telemetry data.
3. In the application settings, connect to the appropriate virtual port.

🔗 Related Projects

This application is part of the FOKA project ecosystem.

• Main Repository (Thesis & Simulation): thesis_USV_gazebo
• Onboard Code (Raspberry Pi): FokaRos2RPi4

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Author: Antoni Piałucha