detections-semantic/_docs/02_plans/deployment/environment_strategy.md

Environment Strategy

Environments

Environment	Purpose	Hardware	Inference	Gimbal
Development	Local dev + tests	x86 workstation with NVIDIA GPU	ONNX Runtime or TRT on dev GPU	Mock (TCP socket)
Production	Field deployment on UAV	Jetson Orin Nano Super (ruggedized)	TensorRT FP16	Real ViewPro A40

CI testing uses the Development environment with Docker (mock everything). HIL testing uses the Production environment on a bench Jetson.

Configuration

Single YAML config file per environment:

• config.dev.yaml — mock gimbal, console logging, ONNX Runtime
• config.prod.yaml — real gimbal, NVMe logging, thermal monitoring

Config is a file on disk, not environment variables. Updated via USB in production.

Environment-Specific Overrides

Config Key	Development	Production
inference_engine	onnxruntime	tensorrt_fp16
gimbal_mode	mock_tcp	real_uart
vlm_enabled	false (or stub)	true
recording_enabled	false	true
thermal_monitor	false	true
log_output	console	file (NVMe)

Field Update Procedure

1. Prepare USB drive: Docker image tar, TRT engines (if changed), config.yaml, update.sh
2. Connect USB to Jetson
3. Run update.sh: stops services → loads new images → copies files → restarts
4. Verify: health endpoint returns 200, test frame produces detection
5. Remove USB

If update fails: re-run with previous package from USB, or re-flash Jetson from known-good image.