Hi Folks,
I have been trying out a telemetry bridge setup. The main aim is to be able to use Droid Planner/Andropilot on android or even mission planner without the telemetry module hanging around the tablet or PC.
My setup is as follows:
AIRBORNE: APM with 3dr telemetry module
BRIDGE: Android Device that supports USB host. In my case, I used a tablet called ODYS running 4.2 jellybean. I installed an app called MAVCELL. Link to playstore.
The app relays seria MAVLINK traffic from an FTDI device via a USB OTG cable through a TCP/IP connection. Includes an internal TCP/IP server or can connect as a client. Allows bi-directional communication. Developed specifically for passing MAVLink UAV traffic from the DIYDrones/3dRobotics APM2.0/2.5 drone controller telemetry through the cellular network to a Ground Control Station (GCS) such as Mission Planner.
In my trial, i set up the android tablet as a portable hotspot.
DROID PLANNER: I ran droid planner on a samsung galaxy camera. The galaxy is connected to the tablets wifi network.
In droid planner, i set up the connection type to TCP, and set up the IP address to the tablets IP address. In my case, 192.168.43.1. I set the port number to 8080. This is the port number assigned by MAVLINK.
I tested the setup on ground and I was able to get good telemetry data on the galaxy. I havent tested the wifi range, battery time on the devices, reliability etc. When i get to fly again, I will test the setup.
I also connected my laptop to the tablets wifi and connected to APM using mission planner through TCP. Same address and port number. This also worked like a charm! Infact, i had both the droid planner and mission planner connected at the same time. I got telemetry data on both devices.
Later, I want to try to set up a dynamic DNS client app on the tablet (Bridge). This might enable remote connection to the APM from anywhere on the internet.
In theory, all this should work. It would be nice if more guys try out this setup to find out whether it would be reliable. I see this as a cheap way of setting up a telemetry bridge as lots of us have spare android devices lying around.
Best regards from Kenya.
Comments
interesting as a project because it is quite a contraption!
A Bluetooth bridge would eliminate your intermediate device and mavcell making it much simpler, if I understood right what you are trying to achieve. ( check out a blog I've written about a BT bridge if you like:http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/3dr-telemetry-module-recycl... )
But I am a bit like you, if it is too simple, it is not interesting enough :)
IIRC even android 2.3, doesn't support OTG and AFAIK x10 has android 1.6
too bad it doesn't cover more devices, my Xperia X10 wont install it :(
or try looking for an app that already exists - here's what I found https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freezinsteve.blue...
That's entirely doable - just find someone to write an app for you or do it yourself
im still looking for a bluetooth app that would be able to do the same.
interesting but why not bluetooth?
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