Description

A new approach to bring low cost antenna tracking to standard analogue flight controllers used for iNav and Betaflight without the need for any additional hardware on the aircraft for most flight controllers.

It also supports all other FC’s that use minim hardware with MWOSD 2.0 and also many others with addition of a video telemetry module.

We have been flying with this tracking method for a couple of years as a side project and the design has now evolved to the point of exceeding the performance of other commercial trackers we were using so have decided to release it as a kit for those who are interested and also have access to 3D printing facilities.

*** This is a DIY kit only - you will need to provide your own 3D printed case ***

Key points:

Low cost DIY antenna tracker
No extra hardware usually required each aircraft
Does not require bluetooth or wifi modules on RC transmitter
Simple and reliable tracking
Ultra-fast position updating – up to 30 hz

Full release GPS enabled flight control systems supported:

iNav – all max7456 compatible FC running 3.0 onwards
Ardupilot / PX4 /KISS / MULTIWII and other FC using external minim OSD running MWOSD 2.0
GPS standalone OSD using MWOSD 2.0 on minim hardware

Other supported systems:

iNav – earlier versions with modified releases
Betaflight – versions with modified releases
All other GPS enabled OSD / FC can be supported with use of micro minim osd acting as a telemetry module

Features:

Works with standard FC boards running 7456 OSD IC and running supported iNav or Betaflight versions:

FC only requires updated firmware to support tracking
No additional hardware required

Does not require Bluetooth / Wifi modules or adapters:

Not impacted by 2.4G RC tx
Not impacted by 2.4G Video tx
Does not impact 2.4G RC rx.

Does not typically require modules on each aircraft:

Significant cost saving. No additional expense for adding extra aircraft
No additional weight
Reduces wiring, complexity and failure points

Does not require telemetry feed from aircraft via RC transmitter:

RC telemetry not required - supports all RC TX links. No limitations

Supports all RC TX:

Supports all RC TX. Not limited to OpenTX etc
Supports all RC link types. Not limited to specific RC TX modules such as Crossfire etc

Fast position tracking updates:

Tracking data update refresh rates of 25-30hz
Design optimised for maximum performance with poor signal quality

Wifi enabled:

Fully embedded GUI for configuring
No additional hardware or software required
Configure the AAT from PC or mobile device browser
OTA - Over The Air software updates
Wifi auto disables in flight for full compatibility with 2.4G video users
Potential for future WiFi driven tracking development if required

Alarm capabilities:

Low battery physical alarm
Loss of telemetry alarm

Physical Elements:

Two independent video outputs – one RCA, one 4 pole Fatshark compatible
OLED support to view battery voltage etc.
Single channel audio output via Fatshark compatible connector
Battery out for monitor etc.
Status LED

Kit contents:

Everything necessary to connect to FPV goggles except Battery, RX and antenna
Tracker PCB
Servos
Components to complete PCB – connectors, LED, OLED, buzzer etc.
Fixings to assemble 3D parts - bearings, screws, bolts etc.
Video output cable – suitable for Fatshark 4 pole goggles
XT60 power cables
Servo cables for RX etc.

3D print components

Easy print design
STL files available for download
Source files available
Generated in FREE Google SketchUp for free and easy modifications

So why another tracker?

We have been using various antenna trackers for over 10 years – audio , video and via TX telemetry. Audio and video trackers have performed well, but the on board hardware get expensive for large fleets and price becomes a factor. With recent developments, trackers using telemetry via TX and Bluetooth have become a reality.

Initially the RC telemetry seemed the perfect solution, but we were disappointed with the reliability. The loss of tracking from dropped connections and flying with others using 2.4G for video or RC control became both frustrating and unacceptable.

We had an idea of a solution for standard FC that could address both these issues and put together a proof of concept design for testing. This far exceeded our expectations and after flying with it for a couple of years we have decided to release it as a kit for the FPV community.

Downsides.

Let’s be open – there are the downsides to every solution. Here are the key ones for this :
Tracking data sent in first line of video signal – not usually displayed in Goggles or on FPV monitor
Tracking data may be recorded by some DVR
The first row of OSD display becomes unavailable for OSD. However, this row is not usually fully visible
This does not use tracker GPS location – so cannot be used in a moving vehicle
Not currently released as a continuous rotation unit
Not currently available as a fully assembled unit
Requires supply of your own 3D printed case

Not directly supported.

FRSKY/Pixel OSD based FC. e.g. Matek F722WPX. (support available with additional external minim OSD)
Ardupilot/PX4 using embedded OSD. (support available with additional external minim OSD)

Comprehensive documentation

Assembly manual – https://github.com/aat-sentinel/Documentation/blob/main/README.md

User guide – https://github.com/aat-sentinel/Documentation/blob/main/README.md

iNav software repository – https://github.com/aat-sentinel/FC-iNav

Betaflight software repository – https://github.com/aat-sentinel/FC-Betaflight

STL and source CAD files repository – https://github.com/aat-sentinel/AAT-lite-hardware

Video describing the AAT:

https://youtu.be/vFgUl5-nj9M

Video showing assembly of the kit:

https://youtu.be/zmBVMtzduP4

Video showing a Sentinel AAT in operation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yK6Vtb--M