Eagle Tree Systems (the one that provides my GPS and on screen display overlay as well as data logging for my FPV setup) has been working hard to get a ground station setup that has built in antenna tracking control, remote telemetry and video diversity (picks best of two separate receivers for video). I spent over $150 for a basic video diversity already by itself, and this new unit from ET has that plus all the tracking and antenna tracking for only $89. Anyway, this is what I’ve been waiting for since this last summer to help with longer range flights. Note, it is mostly just the electronics. You still have to buy the 9dbi square patch antenna, the receivers and actual servo tracker (all expensive, but most FPV already has all of this).The way the diversity system works, is you typically run one Rx on a 3dbi omni antenna that is non directional (but the coverage looks sort of like a 3D donut that spreads out from the antenna, with pretty significant fall off directly above the antenna, represented by the hole), and another antenna on a second Rx that is more of a directional high gain (either a zaggi or patch). This coverage is more of a cone shape that originates at the antenna and spreads out in a 15 degree window, but it has much higher gain/distance. Again, problem is, it is very directional. So, you run 2 receivers for coverage. In close, the omni picks up great 360’ around you. Out far, as long as you keep the antenna pointed at the plane (that is where this servo antenna tracking setup comes handy), the directional picks up. Then you run everything through a video processor that picks the best video signal and switches between then in 25ms response. Since I have a diversity switch I already bought, I’ll probably cascade them for 3 full antenna types (2 omnis, one at 90-degrees from the other).
EagleEyes Pan/Tilt tracking demo from Bill Parry on Vimeo.
Update (2/27/2010): Got my Eagle Eyes and Ready Made RC Antenna Pan/Tilt in and built. Had some problems with the Hitec HS-465HB servo used for the pan, and had to go with an HS-645MG, which almost doubles the torque at 133oz-in. Need to probably look at getting a second lighter 900MHz video Rx, which would really help, I think. Either that, or I pull the side-car off that has the second 900MHz Rx and lipo and put it down below. Just have to figure out how to route 2 12V power cords and 3 RCA cables then, without them wrapping around the tripod and catching on anything (that tripod tilt handle has to go). I think this is probably what I need to do after a lot more thinking. Anyway, video below.
wow that's really great!
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