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
- 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:
Video showing
assembly of the kit:
Video showing a Sentinel AAT in operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9yK6Vtb--M
Video showing an
example flight from one of the testers:
Available to purchase:
VirtualPilot Sentinel Antenna Tracker kit
- Product Code: VPAATKITV1
- Availability: In Stock
-
£80.00
- Ex Tax: £80.00