WINGS-4039

Open UAV platform Modular payload Research-grade

Overview

WINGS-4039 is an open, modular UAV platform designed for research and field experimentation across wireless communications, networking, autonomy, and edge AI. The platform emphasizes payload capacity, integration flexibility, and repeatable test workflows, enabling evaluation beyond simulation-only studies.

As part of the broader WINGS open UAV ecosystem, WINGS-4039 supports rapid payload swaps (e.g., SDR + compute + sensors) and standardized interfaces for command, telemetry, and experiment control.

Hardware

  • Airframe: modular structure designed to support multiple payload configurations
  • Payload bay: mechanical and power interfaces for SDR/compute/sensing modules
  • Compute: onboard compute options (x86/ARM/SoC-class), depending on mission needs
  • RF payloads: support for SDR-class radios and external RF front-ends
  • Power: battery and power-distribution design to accommodate research payload draw
TODO: Replace the bullets above with the finalized WINGS-4039 specs (mass, payload, battery, flight time, interfaces, mechanical drawings, etc.).

Software

  • Flight-control stack integration (autopilot + safety/autonomy layer)
  • Experiment control and telemetry interfaces (logging, time sync, health monitoring)
  • Payload software hooks for radio/edge-AI applications
  • Optional integration with orchestration tooling (e.g., BenchLink) for repeatable campaigns

The software architecture prioritizes separation between safe flight operations and experimental payloads, so failures in research code do not compromise flight safety.

TODO: Add repository links, setup steps, and the exact artifacts you plan to open-source (e.g., avionics carrier, logging agent, time-sync, bench scripts).

Testing

  • Bench validation of avionics, power, and payload integration
  • Ground and tether tests for safety checks and telemetry verification
  • Outdoor flight tests for end-to-end data collection and experiment repeatability
  • Campaign-style evaluation across different RF environments and mission profiles

WINGS-4039 is designed to support structured test campaigns with consistent configuration and logging, enabling fair comparison across runs and experimental conditions.

License

WINGS-4039 documentation and software artifacts will be released under the MIT License.

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files, to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software.

Note: If you later open-source hardware design files (CAD, PCB, mechanical drawings), you can keep MIT for consistency or switch to a hardware-focused license on a per-artifact basis.