In last months virtualrobotix lab work hard on a "secret alter ego project" our target was add low cost companion computer and add advanced functionality to our Flight Conrol and other mavlink compatible design .
During last fair in Milan spoke with Michele about the problem of analogic trasmission during the FPV Racing because the indoor situation create a lot of rf iusse . During our development work a lot on low latency and redundace system. So that was a good application where understand if our work was good or not for control the drone in fpv mode and with digital control channel. Our doubt was on data link and low latency of the channel .
Actually we are not already update vr pad station with last update but we are work in progress so decide to do a test with PC connected to the drone.
In this demo we use
a VR uBrain : http://www.virtualrobotix.it/index.php/en/shop/autopilot/vrbrainmicro51-detail
a VR GPS : http://www.virtualrobotix.it/index.php/en/shop/accessories/gps-ublox-8-detail
as companion computer i used a :
Raspberry PI 2 with a prototype of custom HDMI digital input , a standard RPI camera or usb h264 cam.
A Wifi 802.11 AC dongle , that i implemented in the standard kernel on RPI 2.
The micro brain is connected to companion computer by usb port and we developed a custom application that transport mavlink protocol and support a custom API functionality , but is possible to use mavproxy or drone kit ,too. I prefer c/c++ or java app not python.
By our api is possible to activate by ground station video and remote control on mavlink for control the drone with very low latency so is possible to control the drone in stable mode.
During the test we are incredible surprised we don't have any artifact and don't lost the video link ... we did some test on outdoor until 400 m without big problem. :)
This is only the begin of the project for update your "old" vrbrain technology with new advanced digital functionality to your drone :)
In this video all the functionality of the drone is controlled by 5.8 ghz IP data link ... the radio is connected to pc it is like a joystick for mission planner and trasmit to the drone the stick control by mavlink ovverride command. No latency , during a windy day the control is perfect . And during the control i saw the video from the drone without latency .
Outdoor medium range test ... no latency ...
In our api is already implemented the API for control Sony camera and GO Pro 3/4 cam with preview trasmission to ground station :)
If you need more info about our tecnology contact me at r.navoni@virtualrobotix.com we have a secret group in fb of developer that are join at early version of our development :)
best
Roberto Navoni
Comments
"video from the drone without latency"
Really? A digital video link with compression but no latency? I would love to see a comparison video with a standard analog video link (PAL/NTSC over 5.8ghz) like a lot of fpv racers use today.
Nicely done Roberto!
Hi Xian06, during my study i found the imx6 as good cpu for a gpu encoding and decoding h.264 video streaming ... the important is that sh4 sti7105 support the enconding not only decoding i don't know that component very well
I hope soon sti iptv set top box cpu run arducopter code, sh4 sti7105.
Hardware mpeg4 support, gpio ports, wifi, lan,spi,i2c,nand,usb, 1ghz cpu ddr3 ram,.... and only one stream for all. video, control......
@Marco today i'm testing the new VR Pad Station , all the main component is inside and work :) We are working on stability of application.
Well done Roberto!
@Gary
Thank you Gary :)
@Marc Dorman , actually we are developing this add on kit for some VRX customers , drone maker or startup company that ask us special application , that ask us this kind of solution. In three standard condiguration one for drone < 400 gr , other for drone < 2 kg and other for lifter > 2kg < 25 kg. The first RTF drone that will be deliver with this add on is VRX Spark with GoPro camera integration.
We are working on stable version and will be release at first Startup company that ask us this kind of upgrade the next week. If possible to join to discussion of this development in facebook private group.
Will be available a OS image of our solution for RTF application , or a ready to use kit for different application.
On companion computer will be install some standard opensource technology properly configured for
best result.
Roberto
Very nice Roberto, definitely looking forward to your further results.