I’ve been wondering, what would be the easiest way to route telemetry and commands from APM to Internet. Using 3G modem, would provide almost unlimited range (I know there has been some discussions about this in DiyDrones forum. Here in Finland the GSM network is very covering, but due the way the cellular towers are optimized, maximum altitude where the connection works is probably less than 200 m.)
In theory, list of required hardware is not long. One just needs to receive messages from APM and encapsulate them to UDP packets and send via 3G modem and vice versa. Unfortunately handling PPP communications is too large task for simple microcontrollers. I ended up using BeagleBoard for the sake of easy development and since I had one at hand. I realize that BeagleBoard (which essentially is full computer by itself) is an overkill, but it’s not very heavy and fits easily inside Maja’s fuselage. Basically any embedded system, capable of running linux and acting as an usb host would do. Maybe in the future I figure out some additional tasks for BeagleBoard to do.
The setup works quite nice now. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do much flight testing. Weather constantly sucks this winter here in Finland. As you can see I already installed skis, but there's not even snow, even though it's almost new year.
I wrote more detailed post to my blog, with link to sources: http://antibore.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/routing-apm-communications-to-internet/
Comments
Congrats!
When I ordered my easycap I hoped it will be STK1160 cause I've seen reports from ppl making them work but instead I got stuck with the clone one. When you buy such a device they don't tell you what version they are. Unless someone points you to an exact product you are just betting your money and hope you get the right one :)
Let us know how the H264 enconding is working out for you!
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 05e1:0408 Syntek Semiconductor Co., Ltd STK1160 Video Capture Device
super! can you please tell me the USB id of your easycap?
My Easycap is considered as the original. Seems like i just got it working now :)
No i havent tried mjpg streamer, but i tried Gstreamer and that did work, but not as i wanted it to do. That's why i looked into VLC and made a very nice command-line for this to send video at UDP :-) My dataplan is 6gb per month and with my settings i can send more than 50 hours of video before i reach 6GB :-)
Regarding MJPEG, I've seen people having success with mjpg streamer on RPI using USB webcams. have you tried the mjpg streamer with your Terratec adapter? I am just curious how this would work in comparison to VLC streaming. I expect mjpg streamer to require less CPU but higher bandwidth than VLC at the same framerate.
My EasyCap is a clone, like all EasyCaps are and it is seen by the RPI as:
ID 1c88:0007 Somagic, Inc. SMI Grabber (EasyCAP DC60+ clone) (no firmware) [SMI-2021CBE]
I did a quick research to see if anyone made this work but couldn't find any success stories with it so I gave up on it.
I used to do C/C++ programming but I am to rusty to start diving into drivers code so I would rather buy stuff that already works.
...and yes, power is a problem so i'm using a seperate power for the USB bus. Just remember that you need common ground on both sides of the Pi :-)
Paul, Terratec and Easycap are two different capture devices. Terratec Grabby is the one i have working already(but it's burnt now). Easycap is the one i'm trying to work today.
Terratec uses MJPG compression, while H.264 will be an even better compression to use. Terratec Grabby doesn't support H.264 :-)
I was under the impression that the TERRATEC is the one you had working already, that's why I ordered it :). Which one did you have before?
And btw, do you know how much current do the Easycap devices need? I know that the RPI may not supply too much current over USB and you need to use an external power source.
To give you an example, I had my 3G dongle plugged in at the same time with a standard keyboard and the 3G dongle didn't work anymore (couldn't connect to the network) because of lack of power. My plan is to have both my 3G dongle and easycap powered directly from an UBEC to make 100% sure that current will not be an issue.
Also I do NOT recommend using USB hubs because those tend to cause lots of issues on RPI.
Another idea is to use very small IP Cams but those are god damn expensive and in general they lack the specs that a normal FPV cam has.
Yes, in fact i did :) That's why i'm trying to make this Easycap work :) If Easycap doesn't work i will try to find an H.264 video capture device :)
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