Research on the design of a subsystem to connect and control multiple unmanned aerial vehicles simultaneously via the MAVLink protocol

Abstract

This paper introduces an innovative open-source software subsystem that extends QGroundControl to facilitate simultaneous connection and coordinated control of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using the MAVLink protocol. Key enhancements include a comprehensive Vietnamese-language localization of the user interface, enhancing accessibility for non-English speakers, and a dedicated graphical swarm-management module for streamlined operations. The system ensures full compatibility with PX4 and ArduPilot flight stacks, offering scalable, map-based tools for multi-vehicle mission planning and execution. Furthermore, it supports seamless integration with ArduPilot SITL and Gazebo for robust pre-deployment simulation. Validation in a Software-in-the-Loop environment demonstrates reliable operation with three or more virtual UAVs, including group commands and synchronized mission execution without telemetry conflicts. The resulting cross-platform application (Windows and Linux) is released as open-source software, paving the way for broader adoption in Vietnam's growing UAV ecosystem.