APQ AK7 Modular High-Performance Cartridge-Style Controller in a Mobile UAV Dock Application
A mobile UAV docking station is a mobile intelligent platform integrating UAV storage, automatic takeoff and landing, battery replacement, and data backhaul. It is typically deployed in emergency command vehicles, field-operation cabins, or temporary takeoff and landing sites. Unlike conventional fixed docking stations, mobile docking stations must cope with highly constrained installation space, unstable power supply, and frequent vibration during transport and relocation.
After multiple rounds of model selection and rigorous validation testing, the customer ultimately chose the APQ AK7 Modular High-Performance Cartridge-Style Controller Series as the core control platform for its new-generation mobile UAV docking station.
Customer Challenge
Ultra-compact space constraint: The mobile docking station must be integrated into an emergency command vehicle or mobile cabin where space is extremely limited. The core controller must therefore have an ultra-compact form factor for flexible deployment in confined spaces.
Desktop-class computing requirements: The docking station must simultaneously run UAV scheduling and management, docking-station status monitoring, data storage, and data backhaul. The controller therefore needs desktop-class processing performance.
Rich interface expansion capability: The system must simultaneously connect to the docking-station robotic-arm controller, environmental sensors (wind speed / temperature / humidity), video surveillance, communication modules, and other devices. The controller must therefore provide sufficient USB, serial, and network interfaces while allowing flexible expansion of GPIO, CAN, and other functions.
Multi-display and debugging requirements: In field deployments, the operator panel and monitoring display often need to be connected at the same time, requiring multiple independent display outputs.
Adaptability to harsh mobile environments: The mobile docking station is exposed to continuous vibration during transportation and relocation, as well as large ambient-temperature variations. The controller must provide industrial-grade reliability, including wide-temperature operation and robust vibration and shock resistance.
APQ Solution
Desktop-Class Processor for Efficient Multitasking:A mobile UAV docking station must simultaneously run UAV scheduling and management, docking-station status monitoring, data storage, and data backhaul. The AK7 series is powered by Intel® 6th-9th Gen Core i3/i5/i7 desktop-class processors with TDP support up to 65 W. It provides two DDR4 SO-DIMM memory slots with dual-channel support for up to 64 GB. The strong desktop-class computing performance ensures smooth parallel execution of UAV scheduling, docking-station control, and data-storage tasks, meeting the high-reliability requirements of unattended field deployments.
Triple Display Outputs for Multi-Screen Monitoring:During field deployment, operators typically need to view both docking-station status monitoring and live UAV video simultaneously. The AK7 series integrates Intel graphics and provides three independent display outputs—HDMI, DP, and VGA—with the DP interface supporting resolutions up to 4K. Up to three display devices can be connected at the same time, enabling multi-screen coordination for docking-station control, UAV video, and status monitoring, greatly improving field-operation efficiency and visualization.
Cartridge-Style Modular Expansion for On-Demand I/O Customization:Expandability is one of the core strengths of the AK7 series. It supports multiple APQ expansion cartridges that can be selected according to the differentiated requirements of mobile UAV docking stations. By choosing different cartridges, the system can flexibly connect to the docking-station robotic-arm controller, environmental sensors, CAN communication devices, and other peripherals without replacing the entire controller. One built-in M.2 Key-M slot supports both NVMe and SATA SSDs, while two Mini PCIe slots (one with a SIM-card slot) support expansion for Wi-Fi, 4G, CAN, and other modules.
Rich Interfaces for Multi-Device Connectivity:The front panel provides six USB ports for simultaneous connection to peripherals such as the docking-station robotic-arm controller, environmental sensors, and communication modules. Two Intel Gigabit LAN ports are provided—one for internal docking-station data communication and the other for UAV data backhaul or remote O&M. Two RS232/485 serial ports provide stable connectivity for environmental monitoring devices such as wind-speed and temperature/humidity sensors. A built-in USB 2.0 Type-A port is convenient for directly installing license dongles and other authorization devices.
Ultra-Compact Chassis for Confined-Space Integration:The AK7 series measures only 53 mm × 145 mm × 186.4 mm and combines an all-aluminum heat sink with galvanized steel upper and lower covers. It supports three installation methods: wall mounting, DIN-rail mounting, and desktop mounting. Its ultra-compact chassis can be flexibly deployed in space-constrained environments such as emergency command vehicles and field-operation cabins, freeing additional installation space for functional modules such as batteries and communication equipment.
Wide-Temperature and Vibration-Resistant Design for Mobile Deployment:The AK7 series uses PWM-controlled intelligent active fan cooling and supports a 12-28 VDC wide-range power input (24 VDC is required when using the lighting-control or PoE function). It supports an operating-temperature range of -20 to 60°C and a storage-temperature range of -40 to 80°C, and has passed 3 Grms random-vibration and 30 G shock testing. This ensures long-term stable operation under vibration-intensive conditions such as mobile-dock transportation and field deployment. The bottom panel includes an AT/ATX mode selector, reset button, and system restore button, allowing system maintenance and BIOS recovery without disassembling the unit and making field service highly convenient.
Value Achievements:
Efficient parallel multitasking: Desktop-class high-performance processors combined with up to 64 GB of memory ensure stable and smooth operation of UAV scheduling and management, docking-station status monitoring, data storage, and data backhaul tasks, meeting the high-reliability requirements of unattended field operation.
Multi-screen monitoring improves operating efficiency: Three independent display outputs—HDMI + DP + VGA—enable multi-screen coordination for docking-station control, UAV video, and status monitoring, allowing field operators to access comprehensive information at the same time and significantly improving efficiency and visualization.
Cartridge-style expansion enables one-platform, multi-application use: By replacing APQ expansion cartridges, the controller can flexibly adapt to different I/O configurations—from multi-channel GPIO device monitoring to CAN bus communication. A single hardware platform combined with different cartridges can cover the control requirements of multiple mobile docking-station models, significantly reducing product development and inventory costs.
Compact deployment frees valuable mobile space: The ultra-compact 53 mm × 145 mm × 186.4 mm chassis, together with wall-mount and DIN-rail installation options, can be flexibly integrated into constrained spaces such as emergency command vehicles and field-operation cabins, freeing additional design space for communication equipment, battery packs, and other functional modules.
Stable operation in harsh environments: Wide-temperature operation from -20 to 60°C, 3 G vibration resistance, 30 G shock resistance, and 12-28 V wide-range DC input ensure long-term stable operation during transportation, relocation, and field deployment with large temperature variations.
Efficient field maintenance: The bottom-panel AT/ATX selector, reset button, and system restore button allow system maintenance without disassembly, significantly reducing after-sales service costs and response times in remote locations
