In Horizon UI, Connected Device configures the single Horizon unit attached to this computer over USB — its name, LOS radio settings, satellite link, and firmware. For an orientation to the controls named here, see the Horizon UI Tour.

Accessing Connected Device

1. With the Beam server running, open Horizon UI (Beam tray → Open Horizon Manager).
2. Select Connected Device (USB icon) on the navigation rail.
3. Connect the Horizon unit to the computer with a data-capable USB-C cable, and power it — USB-C does not power the unit (use the aircraft battery, or the modified AC wall adapter at the GCS).
4. Wait for the unit to load. Horizon UI shows the device Name, Serial, and Firmware Version. (If nothing is attached, it reads No Connected Device.)

Setting LOS radio frequencies

1. In the Radio Settings panel, confirm the panel toggle is on (the LOS radio is enabled).
2. Set the frequency-hop band with Lower Range and Upper Range (in MHz), or drag the range slider. The radios frequency-hop across all frequencies within the selected range.
3. Select Apply Changes to write the configuration to the device. (Prefill radio settings from previous device configuration copies the last-used settings into the form if you want a starting point.)

Caution

The Aircraft and GCS Hardware Units must have matching Radio Settings ranges to communicate. Two Aircraft units (or two GCS units) operating in the same area must not use identical ranges, or their LOS links will interfere.

Naming a device

Each Horizon unit must be assigned a unique Name. The name controls how the unit appears in the Beam web portal and serves as the callsign when data is forwarded to a TAK server. The COT Type field sets the Cursor-on-Target type used for that TAK integration.

Caution

LOS encryption keys are set when the name is assigned. If a unit has no name, the LOS encryption keys are not set and the LOS link will not close.

1. In Connected Device, select the Name field.
2. Select an existing resource, or Create a new name.
3. Select Apply Changes to confirm.
4. Repeat for every unit — each must have a distinct name.

Enabling and disabling radios

The LOS and satellite radios can be powered off individually to reduce RF signature.

• Radio Settings toggle — enables or disables the LOS radio.
• Satellite toggle — enables or disables the BLOS satellite link.

The Satellite Constellation field shows the unit’s constellation (Iridium or Inmarsat, marked Active). This is fixed by the unit’s SKU — the constellations use different hardware — and is not switchable in software.

Caution

Disabling a radio powers it off completely. It can only be re-enabled by toggling the switch while the device is connected over USB. If launching in BLOS-only mode, the LOS radio may be disabled before launch.

Firmware updates

The Aircraft and GCS roles run different firmware. Files ending in _default configure the unit for the aircraft role; files ending in _gcs configure it for the GCS role. A unit can be converted between roles by loading the appropriate firmware.

1. In Connected Device with the unit attached, open Update Device Firmware.
2. Select Upload Firmware and choose the firmware binary if it is not already listed (_default for aircraft, _gcs for GCS).
3. Select the firmware entry, then Update Device.
4. The update steps through Initializing → Updating Firmware → Validating Firmware → Completed. Do not unplug or power off the unit while it runs — the STATUS LED flashes amber during the update (see LED Quick Reference).
5. When it reports Update Complete, disconnect and reconnect the unit’s USB-C cable.
6. Confirm the Firmware Version shown under the device image.