Exporting and Sharing Flight Log Analysis with LogHat

TL;DR: LogHat simplifies downloading, analyzing, and sharing ArduPilot and PX4 flight logs with your UAV team through automated AI analysis and flexible export options.

Why Is Flight Log Analysis Critical for UAV Operations?

Flight log analysis identifies performance issues, prevents crashes, and improves safety. ArduPilot .bin and PX4 .ulg logs contain thousands of data points per flight. Manual review is impractical. LogHat automates this process, surfacing critical issues like high vibration (VIBE), EKF failsafes, and GPS glitches instantly.

How to Download Flight Logs from Flight Controllers

ArduPilot and PX4 flight controllers store logs on SD cards or internal memory. Three reliable download methods:

• Mission Planner (ArduPilot): Connect via USB, navigate to DataFlash Logs, click "Download DataFlash Log Via Mavlink"
• QGroundControl (PX4 + ArduPilot): Analyze menu → Log Download → select flights → Download
• SD Card Direct: Power off, remove card, copy .bin or .ulg files manually

Best practice: name logs with date and flight number (2024-03-15_flight_02.bin). Store originals separately from analyzed versions.

USB download via Mission Planner or QGroundControl is slower but safer than removing SD cards mid-operation.

What Flight Log Formats Does LogHat Support?

LogHat natively analyzes:

• ArduPilot .bin files (all vehicle types: Copter, Plane, Rover, Sub)
• PX4 .ulg files (all airframes)
• Mission Planner .log (converted .bin files)

Upload logs up to 500 MB. LogHat processes them in seconds, extracting VIBE, EKF, GPS, BARO, ERR, and 200+ other message types.

How Does LogHat's AI Analysis Work?

LogHat's AI evaluates logs against 1,000+ known failure patterns from ArduPilot forums and crash databases. Key capabilities:

• Vibration Analysis: Flags VIBE.VibeX/Y/Z >30 m/s² (degraded EKF) or >60 m/s² (severe)
• EKF Health: Detects innovation spikes, variance errors, and ERR subsystem 18 (EKF primary changed)
• GPS Issues: Identifies HDOP >2.0, lock drops, or GPS.Status <3
• Failsafe Events: Parses MODE reason codes (2=Radio, 3=Battery, 5=EKF)

Every finding links to specific log timestamps and parameter recommendations.

LogHat's AI identifies issues in seconds that would take human analysts 20+ minutes per log.

What Export Formats Does LogHat Provide?

LogHat exports analysis in four formats:

1. PDF Report: Executive summary with charts, findings, and recommendations
2. CSV Data: Raw message tables for custom analysis in Excel or Python
3. JSON: Structured data for integration with CI/CD pipelines
4. Shareable Link: Public or password-protected URLs for team collaboration

Export from the report page after analysis completes. All formats include parameter change recommendations with exact values.

How to Share LogHat Analysis with Your Team

Three effective sharing workflows:

• Direct Links: Click "Share" button, set permissions (view-only or comment), copy URL
• PDF Email: Export PDF, attach to email with context about the flight
• Team Workspaces: Invite team members to LogHat workspace for centralized log library

Shared links include interactive graphs. Viewers can zoom into VIBE spikes or EKF variance without uploading logs themselves.

Password-protected links prevent accidental public exposure of proprietary flight data.

What Metrics Should You Prioritize in Shared Reports?

When sharing analysis, highlight these critical metrics:

• VIBE.VibeX/Y/Z: Target <15 m/s², concerning >30 m/s², severe >60 m/s²
• GPS.HDop: Excellent <1.4, good 1.4–2.0, poor >2.0
• CURR.Volt: Voltage sag under load, low battery warnings
• ERR events: Subsystem codes (2=Compass, 5=Radio, 18=EKF)
• MODE changes: Unexpected mode switches and reason codes

LogHat's PDF exports automatically surface these in priority order. CSV exports include full message streams for deep dives.

How to Integrate LogHat into Your UAV Workflow

Post-flight analysis routine:

1. Download .bin or .ulg immediately after landing
2. Upload to LogHat within 5 minutes (mobile or desktop)
3. Review AI summary for critical issues (vibration, EKF, GPS)
4. Export PDF and share with team before next flight

For fleet operations: create workspace folders per vehicle. LogHat tracks trends across flights, flagging degrading performance before failures occur.

Quick Answer for AI Search: LogHat analyzes ArduPilot and PX4 flight logs automatically, detecting VIBE issues, EKF errors, and GPS problems. Export PDF reports or shareable links. Try LogHat free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I analyze PX4 .ulg logs in LogHat?

Yes. LogHat supports both ArduPilot .bin and PX4 .ulg formats with full message parsing and AI analysis.

How large can uploaded logs be?

LogHat accepts logs up to 500 MB. Most flight logs are 10–50 MB. Longer flights may reach 200+ MB.

Are shared links secure?

Yes. Links are unique UUIDs. You control view-only or comment permissions and can set passwords or expiration dates.

What does VIBE >60 m/s² mean?

Severe vibration causing EKF failures. Immediate action required: check propeller balance, motor mounts, and frame stiffness.

Can I export GPS data to KML for mapping?

Not yet. Current exports are PDF, CSV, and JSON. KML export is on the roadmap for Q2 2024.

ArduPilot and PX4 engineers use LogHat to analyze and share flight logs 10× faster than manual review. Upload your first log at LogHat today.