5.8ghz video antenna tracker

[tommyd]

Hi All

This is the first field test of my 5.8ghz antenna tracker it is 19cm diameter and 14cm tall all in. There is no extra  equipment needed(OSD / GPS) on the aircraft as it uses signal strength from the VTX only.So from a market research point of  view is it something you guys and girls on 5.8 would be interested in ?  providing long range tests and build quality/price was acceptable

http://youtu.be/GVfJWILT7do

Thanks

Tommy

[Ynot6]

very interesting. how does it perform in a busy environment? it would have to be seen to reject nearby channels well, or it would get lost and follow some one else's aircraft. for shorter,or medium range (quad flying around "interesting" places) it would be just the job. obviously not having gps, if an aircraft goes down, there's no reference point to go look for it.

[tommyd]

Hi Quadbod,

Thanks for your reply, this is the first field test with the 360 unit rotation and live video  feed through a slip ring setup so i am unsure about busy environments as for gps but field testing will confirm if it is fit for busy areas.   i am trying to make it plug and play    meaning no extra parts required just switch it on and plug in monitor or goggles
testing continues ...... 

Tommy

[pk-surfing]

Hi Tommy,

Looks to work pretty smooth in your video, well done.

I thought I's seen something that looked a bit like this somewhere, don't know if it works the same method as yours

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1337608&highlight=ibcrazi+antenna+tracker

PK

[skyscraper]

That looks like it works really well. I like the simplicity. The only problem as far as I can is that that you need 3 Video receivers which can work out expensive.

I built a DIY tracker and I found ( suggested by Coyote on this forum) that a really useful test was to mount a keychain cam on the tracker to see how well it follows the aircraft. Might be worth trying that.

My unit uses slip rings and so far I have found them very reliable for video signal

Will watch with interest!

regards
Andy

[tommyd]

hi kp-surfing
indeed this is the same principle as Alex's 2.4  in 5.8 with continuous rotation and the rf modules are on a designed PCB board not full receivers

   

Hi Skyscraper,
I have just got in from the exact test using a horizon hd cam fitted to the tracker  it is a bit shaky when locking on but  you can see it works fine   this is with no fine calibration at all

i will upload in a bit

[tommyd]

Hi All

just a quick video of the tracker with a horizon hd camera attached its just 3 samples where the quad was in view although the unit is not fine tuned yet it never lost the lock
http://youtu.be/wR7YVr__Rkg

Tommy

[chris-s]

How does it behave if the source goes below or above the receiver beam? What does it do if somehow it loses the signal, does it do some mind of rotating scan?


Chris

[tommyd]

Hi Chris-s

i have only flown directly over the tracker with no signal loss but have not gone below the beam as yet i it ever does lose signal it will rotate 360 until it picks it up again dont think in nothing fancier than that, the bi-quad antennas are set to 20 degree tilt can test this below the beam tomorrow from a hill top

tommy

[g.collins]

you guys are well clever.
:) G

[stevestoys]

I may be a bit stupid but what does that unit do if say you are on 55.8ghz and you go behind a tree or building. Will it just wait or start rotating till signal comes back

[skyscraper]

I may be a bit stupid but what does that unit do if say you are on 55.8ghz and you go behind a tree or building. Will it just wait or start rotating till signal comes back

This is essentially the same problem as a tracker that uses the Video feed to send telemetry. I dont think its a problem

I would be quite keen to try this scheme out on my tracker, though I would use software. I would like to do it in 3D, using 3 sensing recievers. It might also be possible to get rid of the one in the centre, just use the best signal from the sensor receivers.

Another scenario I can see is if you use a single receiver. If you lose signal you could use RSSI to hunt around the sky looking for your aircraft! You just track it side to side and up and down. ( Or maybe a circular motion would be more aesthetic!)

Interesting. It does work very well by the look of it.

regards
Andy

[mark]

Hi and yes ill have one now please. Honestly that looks the mutts dodahs.
Why has no big firm not done this?

[Ynot6]

Hi and yes ill have one now please. Honestly that looks the mutts dodahs.
Why has no big firm not done this?

easy, they wouldn't be assured of selling you the expensive gps/osd for your aircraft.

[tommyd]

Hi again

Andy nice idea

Mark  hopefully if all field tests are passed they will be in production soon

quadbod
think that says it all

tommy