Optimizing our supply chain allowed us to make our Sky Drone FPV 2 system available at a dramatically reduced price, starting from USD 299.- for the Europe/Asia version and 329.- for the US/Verizon version. The previous price was 699.-.
Sky Drone FPV 2 is a HD camera system for drones that transmits over the LTE network providing an unlimited range and low latency video+data link.
Digital High Definition Video
The Sky Drone FPV 2 system uses a high resolution camera with a wide dynamic range. It provides you with an amazing live video feed of up to 1080p at 30fps.
Telemetry and Command & Control Link
Besides the video link, Sky Drone FPV 2 provides a bidirectional data link between your drone and your Ground Control Station. This can be used to visualized telemetry data and/or control the drone. We support the MAVLink protocol as well as any generic protocol that interfaces via RS232/UART.
Unlimited Range
By using existing cellular networks, the Sky Drone FPV system provides you with virtually unlimited range. The only requirement is cell tower coverage. The system is optimized for the 4G/LTE network to provide best video quality and lowest latency. It does however fall back to 3G or even 2.5G networks by automatically adjusting video parameters without interrupting the stream.
Low latency
By using our own highly optimized video processing pipeline, the system is designed for lowest latency video from scratch. The typical end-to-end latency is less than 150ms.
Groundstation Software
The Groundstation to receive Video from the Sky Drone FPV 2 unit runs on Windows and Linux with version for MacOS, Android and iOS in the pipeline to be released in Q2 2017.
Interchangeable Lenses
The Sky Drone FPV 2 system is using high quality lenses that are interchangeable. Instead of locking you to a specific lens, you have the freedom to change the lens for specific use cases (wide angle lens for best overview or narrow FOV lenses for artistic flights with less distortion).
Security
The video stream and meta data are fully end-to-end encrypted making it impossible for third parties to eavesdrop the transmission or interfere with it. Rather than reinventing the wheel, we rely on open and proven standards including Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) and Secure Real-Time Protocol (SRTP) using AES128.
For more information see https://www.skydrone.aero/products/sky-drone-fpv
Comments
@Marc You are right, but you can easily remove the casing to mount it directly on/in your frame if desired. The weight of the entire system with casing removed is ~90g. The camera uses an Aptina AR0330 sensor. Not sure what you mean with "I bet that camera is noisy though.". -> i.e. it is not :)
This is a very fair price. The DIY stuff is finicky.
It's kinda weird having a 'unlimited' range video system that is cheaper then current short range digital systems. But I guess when piggybacking the existing LTE technology for transmission, you get reduced cost.
The system is cool, but for many the LTE part is more of a detractor. Depending on where in the world you are, it can be very costly to operate so it is mostly suited for commercial operations. But since legally we are still limited to VLOS range, we cannon use the potential of this system (catch-22).
Which brings me back to cost. Ironically if you could make a direct link system with medium range in the same price class it would probably sell much better. For example the $500 Connex short range FPV racing system is selling like hot cakes.
@HeinduPlessis Yes, the system will automatically fall back to 3G or even GPRS/EDGE as it dynamically adapts the video parameters to the available bandwidth. So basically anywhere with cell data coverage will work.
@Auturgy I understand - as this is a DIY forum: it is definitely possible to build your own system running free software. But I can ensure you that is not "easy to do" for everyone. What we offer, is system that works out-of-the-box and don't require a steep time and energy investment to roll out your own DIY solution.
Regarding latency: the typical end-to-end latency is a bit less than 150ms. As of "maximum latency" - I can't really tell you. Worst case might be: a 2.5G network can add up 300ms to this compared to an LTE nework. Also if you decide to fly a drone on the other side of the globe, speed-of-light limitations and general network delay will add up.
This is terrific, up to now, I've been using the "easy to do with cheap readily available hardware running free software" option @Auturgy mentioned, but I find it anything but easy and I don't think much cheaper than the 299 of this system.
Your response to Rob around LTE - your write-up mention falling back on 3G if not available, so the system is indeed usable almost anywhere with cell data coverage?
@Kevin: send us an email (info@skydrone.aero) and I will provide you more details and the manual
@Rob: yes, there are scenarios whrere our system is not usable at the moment. But I am quite sure ubiquitous internet access - even in remote regions of Canada - will eventually come :)
@Jonathan: Sky Drone FPV is based on an embedded system streamlined and optimized for it's core functions. So currently it is not possible or intended to run any other software on it.
@Auturgy: LTE direct peer to peer communication; low latency optimized; full end to end encryption; and much more
Has the XU4 inside? Might be able to run some of your flight control software on this.
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