<p>The <em>Flight Controller</em> is basically in charge of keeping the drone flying. It also takes the input from the remote control and moves the drone around.</p>
<p>The <em>Mission Computer</em> is most likely some sort of PC with <em>mission planning</em> software. This usually has some human interface to help visualize the mission.</p>
<p>Once the planning is complete the mission can be transferred to the flight controller and the drone will attempt the go the the specified location and do the specified action.</p>
<p>The <em>Flight Controller</em> would normally have some sort of real-time operating system (or at least deterministic) in order to respond quickly enough to keep flying. This would be something like ArduPilot.</p>
<p>The <em>mission planner</em> software would need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. and is usually run on a PC, tablet, etc. Something like QGroundControl or Mission Planner.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://docs.cubepilot.org/user-guides/herelink/herelink-overview" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Herelink</a> integrates the remote control and mission planner in one unit, but still relies on a <em>Flight Controller</em> to be on the drone.</p>
<p>There is also a Beagle Bone Blue which pretty much puts it all on one board.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-17T16:02:08.457Z
2021-08-17T17:10:06.210Z
2021-08-17T17:10:06.210Z
Kevin
<p>I am exploring various on-board processors. I observed in most cases, the mission processor and flight controller processor are different and are integrated as and when required. I was wondering what challenges there are in order to have both processors on the same board (two different processors on a single board) which would help with compact size and weight. Does this kind of board already exist?</p>
<p>Please help me (with links/paper/videos (if any)) on this query.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-09T07:02:41.317Z
Could you link to the resources you found referencing distinct "mission" and "flight" computers? Most of the drone waypoint systems I know of (*e.g. iNav*) run the two on the same processor.
ifconfig
<flight-controller><resources><mission-computer>
What is the difference between Mission Computer and Flight controller? Why can't the Mission computer and Fight controller be on same processing board
TheLazy
# What is the difference between Mission Computer and Flight controller? Why can't the Mission computer and Fight controller be on same processing board

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-08-06)

I am exploring various on-board processors. I observed in most cases, the mission processor and flight controller processor are different and are integrated as and when required. I was wondering what challenges there are in order to have both processors on the same board (two different processors on a single board) which would help with compact size and weight. Does this kind of board already exist?

Please help me (with links/paper/videos (if any)) on this query.

Thanks

**Tags:** flight-controller, resources, mission-computer

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you link to the resources you found referencing distinct "mission" and "flight" computers? Most of the drone waypoint systems I know of (*e.g. iNav*) run the two on the same processor.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-08-17. Score: 2

The *Flight Controller* is basically in charge of keeping the drone flying. It also takes the input from the remote control and moves the drone around.

The *Mission Computer* is most likely some sort of PC with *mission planning* software. This usually has some human interface to help visualize the mission.

Once the planning is complete the mission can be transferred to the flight controller and the drone will attempt the go the the specified location and do the specified action.

The *Flight Controller* would normally have some sort of real-time operating system (or at least deterministic) in order to respond quickly enough to keep flying. This would be something like ArduPilot.

The *mission planner* software would need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. and is usually run on a PC, tablet, etc. Something like QGroundControl or Mission Planner.

The [Herelink](https://docs.cubepilot.org/user-guides/herelink/herelink-overview) integrates the remote control and mission planner in one unit, but still relies on a *Flight Controller* to be on the drone.

There is also a Beagle Bone Blue which pretty much puts it all on one board.


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