The specification describes the embedded control application for drilling machines, with special regard to positioning and tool control. The virtual control network is based on a hierarchical approach. The drilling control unit acts as the application manager. Based on the inputs from the sensor unit and control information from other control applications on a drilling machine, the drilling control unit manages tool activities such as drilling, compacting, etc., and controls the material flow and the mast position, as well. Depending on the drilling machine’s capabilities, several instances of the indicated virtual devices may be implemented. The number under the related virtual device indicates the maximum number of instances that may be supported for the related virtual device.

To work with positions on a construction machine, a local coordinate system is introduced for each machine, which enables the use of local coordinates for all calculations instead of large, global positions. The point zero (0,0,0) of this coordinate system, as well as its alignment, is well-defined so that it can be used on each machine with minimal mathematical effort.