This manual covers installation, configuration, operation, and maintenance of the Horizon communications system. It serves two audiences: end users operating a delivered Horizon system, and UAS OEMs and integrators building Horizon into an aircraft. Chapters are ordered along the equipment lifecycle so either reader can start at the chapter that matches their task.
Chapter map
| Ch. | Title | For the reader who is… |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Information & System Description | learning what Horizon is and how LOS/BLOS works |
| 2 | Components & Delivered Items | unpacking, inspecting, and identifying delivered hardware |
| 3 | Hardware Installation | siting and installing the units and antennas (integrator) |
| 4 | Configuration & Software Setup | configuring the flight controller, Beam, and Horizon UI |
| 5 | Normal Operating Procedures | flying the aircraft day to day |
| 6 | Abnormal & Emergency Procedures | responding to a fault or lost link in flight |
| 7 | Technical Specifications & Limits | looking up an electrical, RF, or mechanical value |
| 8 | Maintenance, Handling & Storage | servicing, storing, or transporting the unit |
| 9 | Troubleshooting & Fault Isolation | diagnosing a degraded or non-working link on the ground |
| App. A | Quick Reference Card | operating in the field from an abbreviated checklist |
| App. B | Qualified Antennas | selecting a tested antenna |
| App. C | Payload Control | configuring the optional LOS/BLOS/IO Payload relay capability (integrator) |
| App. D | Terms, Warranty & Support | reviewing terms of use and warranty |
Safety conventions
This manual uses three levels of advisory (full definitions in the Safety Summary):
- Warning — could result in injury or loss of life, damage to or loss of the aircraft or property, or mission failure.
- Caution — could result in damage to or loss of equipment or property.
- Note — information essential to the correct operation of the system.
Configuration applicability
Horizon ships as one of four hardware SKUs — a satellite modem choice crossed with a firmware role. Where a procedure applies to only one configuration, that configuration is named in the procedure.
| Configuration axis | Options | Determines |
|---|---|---|
| Satellite modem | Iridium · Inmarsat | BLOS constellation and coverage; SAT antenna and radio behavior |
| Firmware role | Aircraft · GCS | Whether the unit mounts on the aircraft or connects to the GCS. Units are identical hardware; the role is set by firmware and can be re-flashed. |
The Aircraft unit also ships with one of three accessory kits, selected by flight controller. This choice determines the interface cable and the integration path:
| Aircraft kit | Use when the aircraft is built on… | Interface cable |
|---|---|---|
| Kit A | Spektreworks Common Avionics Board (CAB) | SWL-HAR-0003 (power + data, single cable) |
| Kit B | Pixhawk / Cube / any JST-GH TELEM1 flight controller | SWL-HAR-0005 (data leg + customer-terminated power leg) |
| Kit C | Any other flight controller | No SWL interface cable; build a harness or request a custom cable |
See Packing Lists & Inspection for the full contents of each kit, and Hardware Description for the I/O connector pinout.