3D Robotics

New product! The 3DR Radio Telemetry System

Hi everyone, I'm very happy to announce something that 3D Robotics has been working on since late last year in cooperation with a few very talented developers. Today we are announcing the 3DR Radio telemetry system, an open-source alternative to XBee telemetry set-ups, with superior performance, great range and a much lower price (half the price of the equivalent Xbee kit).

This is a 2-way, half-duplex wireless communication system with a standard TTL UART interface, based on HopeRF's HM-TRP data link modules, and custom firmware that improves upon the module's original features and performance.

The SiK firmware includes a bootloader that permits radio firmware updates over the serial interface, and radio firmware with configurable parameters. Updates and configuration are fully supported in the APM Mission Planner (press control-A to bring up the window below), and also possible through AT commands.

From the wiki:

  • light weight (under 4 grams without antenna)
  • available in 900MHz or 433MHz variants
  • receiver sensitivity to -121 dBm
  • transmit power up to 20dBm (100mW)
  • transparent serial link
  • air data rates up to 250kbps
  • MAVLink protocol framing and status reporting
  • frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
  • adaptive time division multiplexing (TDM)
  • support for LBT and AFA
  • configurable duty cycle
  • builtin error correcting code (can correct up to 25% data bit errors)
  • demonstrated range of several kilometres with a small omni antenna
  • can be used with a bi-directional amplifier for even more range
  • open source firmware
  • AT commands for radio configuration
  • RT commands for remote radio configuration
  • adaptive flow control when used with APM
  • based on HM-TRP radio modules, with Si1000 8051 micro-controller and Si4432 radio module
Support for different countries and regions is documented in the wiki:
Of course, the list will keep growing, and you can help by providing links on the forums to relevant information on the applicable regulations. This is a DIY radio device, so please check your local rules carefully!

Each kit consists of an 'air' and 'ground' variant, with an FTDI-style 6-pin header and USB type-A connector, respectively. Also included are two RP-SMA antennas, APM telemetry cable, and a USB type-A extension cable for placement flexibility.

Kit price is $74.99:

Individual radios are $35.99 (USB) and $31.99 (pins):

Kits and radios are available for purchase today, and they will start shipping next week.


Coming soon: a 3DR Radio XBee footprint adapter for both frequencies, compatible with our USB XBee adapter and Sparkfun's XBee Explorer boards.


We will also be releasing a version of the radios on both frequencies with an Xbee-compatible footprint, so you already have Xbee adapters, you can use them. 


We hope you enjoy using these radios as much as we have during development, the simpler hardware and configuration tools compared to XBee provide a much smoother experience. We look forward to hearing your comments!

Huge thanks to the developers who made this happen: Team leaders Andrew Tridgell and Mike Smith along with Michael Oborne, Seppo Saario, Marco Robustini and others. 

Views: 23884

Comment by Helldesk on April 7, 2012 at 4:23pm

Oh, another thing: does the 3DR radio support three radios on the same network ID? Meaning two receivers, that don't confuse each other with their heartbeat or keepalive packets. I'm thinking if one integrated one telemetry receiver into the RC transmitter (like the Turnigy 9x, with er9x modded in) just for display of the most critical data, and having another on the laptop / groundstation for the full use of the link's capabilities...

This would enable you to fly with just the RC and still get all the critical information, like location, and systems and battery status, even without lugging along a full groundstation. Then if you do bring one, you still wouldn't lose battery level or RSSI alerts or whatnot on the RC transmitter, which might be the most handy thing to have them on.

Comment by falvin on April 7, 2012 at 4:31pm

@ Marco Robustini,

warning !!! you can't use 900 Mhz band as ISM band in ITALY  It is busy for GSM communication ....

you shoud use 433Mhz or 868 Mhz Band


Moderator Comment by Mark Harrison on April 7, 2012 at 4:34pm

Are there any alternate antennas for the  915 MHz "Air" module?


Developer Comment by Andrew Tridgell on April 7, 2012 at 5:25pm

HI Everyone,

We've opened a new forum topic for these radios, so please join in the discussions over there!

Cheers, Tridge

Comment by Zachary Eldridge on April 7, 2012 at 5:46pm
My kit is ordered. :)
Comment by Evie Alani on April 7, 2012 at 6:50pm

Hello Andrew,  Is the main purpose of the new telemetry item from 3DR to control the APM from my computer?  I was thinking of going with the EZOSD + antenna tracker.  Any thoughts or comments on this?  If I sound like a dummy im sorry.

thank you

Evie Alani


Distributor Comment by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on April 8, 2012 at 12:22am

Hello Marco :)

I see you posted that you have some of these radios already, however I see you have used them on 900MHz: 

"I am doing testing for days and never gave a single problem, the 900 MHz work super fine, tested today in open space, over 800 meters at very low altitude and without losing signal."

If you have the time to test these on the 433 MHz with the Duty Cycle settings and share your findings this would be very useful to users here in the UK and EU, I'm sure you know we are not allowed to use the 900MHz here.... :)

I would love to see some real world tests and results on what the radios do on the 10 Mw and Duty Cycle setting, as I think this is a major point for users here of the system!


Regards

 

Martin.

Comment by Dave on April 8, 2012 at 1:55am

Could I upload firmware via this link and control the copter (Joystick)?

Dave


Developer Comment by Marco Robustini on April 8, 2012 at 3:55am

@Martin: of course, is my next step, I intend to test at low power, for use on quad difficult to reach large distances.
Publish my tests on the new thread created by Andrew, and I ask Alan/Sam (if possible) to send me a 433 MHz version.
There's news about my compass? :-)))

Bests, Marco


Developer Comment by Marco Robustini on April 8, 2012 at 4:04am

@falvin: yes, i know, I hope it will come out modules with frequencies to 868 MHz.
My tests are experimental, I do not intend to use the frequencies normally.
In Italy the ISM/GSM band cover a range from 900 to 1200 MHz.

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