FPV

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Flying electronic RC planes from the ground is fun. Piloting a FPV plane from First Person View is really cool. With the arrival of light and powerful video stream transmitters and long range remote RC transmitter modules , the range of flight has increased from line-of-sight to an order-of-magnitude wider.

Research

To build a reliable platform I want to begin with the fundamental basics and then extrapolate more specific products.

Electronics

  1. Lower frequency will allow greater range, longer wavelength requires larger antenna
    • Higher frequencies, 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz, will quickly get attenuated by the atmosphere
  2. One energy-source, single set of batteries for motor, camera, OSD, VTx, Rx, servos
    • Minimized weight, as batteries contribute as the heaviest component
  3. Receiver antenna diversity for maximum flexibility of the airplane, each antenna 90 degrees perpendicular
    • Omni-directional antennas will have a radiation pattern much like a form of a doughnut, with dead-spots center, above and below
  4. Same radiation polarization on ground station and airplane where possible, alternatively inverted-v on aircraft and circular polarized ground antenna
    • Signal quality of same polarized electric fields can be many tens of dB different [1]
  5. Parallel 3S 11.1V Lithium-ion Polymer batteries, both on plane and ground station
    • Prevents voltage drop if one cell is bad, might add reverse current protection (diode) to avoid 3S "charging" the then 2S battery
  6. Power- and signal-wiring separated as much as possible
    • Noise from motor can degrade digital signals if coupled with signal-wires
  7. Shielded components and wires, twisted wires, will eliminate most noise and oscillation, PCB ground plates facing interference source, last resort ferrite rings and capacitors (LC-filter)
    • Minimize both ambient noise and interference from nearby components, think of a long wire as an antenna that will pick up anything, ground the wire shielding close to battery
  8. Video-transmitter on a higher frequency band than RC-transmitter, 1.3GHz VTx and 433MHz RCTx, 2.4GHz VTx and 433MHz RCTx
    • Having the same frequency/band on VTx and RCRx will cause signal degradation
  9. Video-transmitter, as well as RC-receiver, powered by 5V voltage from main Lipo-batteries via BEC
    • When the main engine batteries are drained or the ESC unexpectedly shut down, a separate BEC will continue to power the rest of the 5V system, 12V directly connected will require more filtering
  10. Split aileron servo signal to use twin aileron servos for each wing
    • Prevent loss of control on servo failure, must be mounted close together to drive force-drive the dead servo, might drop this
  11. Proper cooling of video-transmitter using an appropriate heat-sink and thermal-adhesive
    • Powerful video transmitter dissipate a lot of power in form of heat, prevent signal loss

Plane

  1. A wing for speed and stability
    • Makes it possible to fly in windy condition and greater distances, less drag
  2. Batteries in front and electronics behind the batteries, suitable motor to create enough lift
    • Front heavy for stable dives when motor is inactive and in up- or down-drift
  3. Find the center of gravity by temporarily putting everything where they're supposed to go
    • Makes it easier to find where the sparing bars between the wings will go and position of the motor mount, leave the battery location to last for fine tuning CG
  4. Motor mount on or close to the center of gravity
    • Easier to handle during acceleration and less wobbly when the force is pushing the center instead of the back end, imagine a horizontal axis over the wings as center of gravity
  5. Keep the servos, transmitters, and battery packs as near the center as possible
    • Makes the flight more stable in windy conditions, instead of wobbling back and forth because of inertia
  6. Antenna for VTx mounted at the end and center of the left-wing, while the two RC-receiver antennas on the other right-wing, shifted 90 degree
    • Minimize interference between the two radio systems, 90 degree angled to allow cross-polarization, both vertical and horizontal for better signal quality at different plane orientations
  7. Servo location as far forward as possible to put center of gravity back
    • Push-rods on an angle does not affect the elevator action, might put but more pressure on the servo [2]
  8. Mount the motor outside the mounting plate, against the back
    • More continuous airflow results in quieter throttle up and high speed flight [3]
  9. Use high speed and good torque (> 8 kg/cm) standard servos with servo rod guide for ailerons
    • A fast decline will put lot of forces on the ailerons, pulling out of a dive even more, guides will hold the rods straight

Gear

Use this as a guide to ballpark what is needed and then just pick whatever falls inside your needs and specifications.

Video system

Cameras

Preferred voltage is 5V to avoid boost/step-up converters and switching noise isolation.

Recording:

  • GoPro HD Hero - High-definition on-board recording
  • Contour HD - Another HD on-board recorder
  • Aiptek HD - Small hd cameras [4]
  • KeyCam HD #11

Flying [5]:

  • TBS 69 FPV Camera - Pixim Seawolf CMOS sensor, 12V, 690 lines
  • Globe Flight GF-PX540 - Pixim PX540 CMOS sensor, resolution 540 lines, pricey, 1/3-inch sensor, lower 1/3 brighter, high quality 3.6mm lens, 22 grams, 10-12V [6] [7] [8] [9]
  • DX201 DPS camera - 540 lines, excellent image quality, based on same Pixim CMOS sensor as above, 12V [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
  • DPC-480A / RMRC-480 / NGH-480A / BEV OSC 480 - 480 lines, great colors, 1/3-inch sensor, can configure brigher zones, 36 grams, 12V [15] [16] [17]
  • Fatshark RCV922 camera - Resolution 420 lines, 1/3-inch sensor, lower 1/3 brighter, unsaturated colors, 3.6mm and 2.8mm lens, 30 grams, 3.3-5V [18]
  • WDR600 - 550 lines, 1/3-inch sensor, 12V [19]
  • Fatshark CCD killer - 420 lines, light, comes with pan/tilt setup, cmos sensor (apparently kills ccd), 3.3V-5V [20] [21]
  • Black Widow KX131 - 380 lines, 1/4-inch sensor, nice colors, value, 23 grams, 5V [22]
  • FPVCAM-480 OSD - Resolution 480 lines, 12V [23]
  • SONY KPC-VSN505PHB - 550 line resolution, rf noisy but can be fixed [24], 5V
  • Sony SN555/VSN700 camera - 555 line resolution, excellent low light performance, 29 grams, 12V [25]
  • DPC-161 - Cheap, resolution 380 lines, 5V [26]
  • Sony SN777 - Same as VSN505 [27], 555 lines resolution, 12V, RF noisy [28] [29]
  • KX-171 - 5V, too dark in sunlight, LVP and G2 might be better [30] [31]

Transmitters

For video transmission from the aircraft. Preferably use 2.4GHz band as it's safer, won't interfere with other, no high powered devices on band, 900MHz overpowered by mobile phones, 1.2GHz aviation communication [32]

  • Lawmate 500mW 2.4GHz Tx - 5-5.5V, 12 grams, use ch5 2370MHz and ch8 2510MHz, outside regular band, noise-free, mod for better cooling [33] [34] [35] [36]
  • Foxtech / BEV 5.8GHz 200mW Tx - 6-16V, 25.1g, RP-SMA connector but comes with converter adapter, unfiltered power output for camera, 1000m range stock dipole antennas, 3km confirmed [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43]
  • IntelligentFlight GP-707 2.4GHz 10mW micro audio/video transmitter - 1.6 grams, comes with receiver [44] [45] [46]
  • Sunsky 1.2GHz 400mW [47] [48]
  • Sunsky 1.2GHz 800mW [49]
  • BEV 1.3Ghz 800mW transmitter, 12V [50]
  • ImmersionRC / Airwave 600mW 5.8GHz A/V transmitter - Built-in 5V regulator for camera, 6-16V

Receiver - Single

  • Lawmate 2.4GHz RX-2460CK receiver - 8 Channels, 12V DC in, minimum 10V DC, small, Comtech FM2400RTIM8 module [51] [52] [53] [54]
  • Foxtech / BEV 5.8GHz 200mW Tx - 6-16V, RP-SMA connector, dual video outputs [55]
  • IF 2.4GHz GP-737 / GP-707 receiver - only 4 channels, hair better than Lawmate 2.4GHz [56]
  • RangeVideo 1.3GHz Deluxe receiver - RSSI 0-5V output
  • Airwave 5.8GHz receiver - Perfect match for ImmersionRC 5.8GHz transmitters, known manufacturer, 9-12.6V
  • EagleEyes FPV Station - Receiver with antenna diversity, antenna tracking

Receiver - Signal Diversity Controller

  • Oracle Video Diversity Controller - Monitors video signal from two receivers (with different antennas), picks the better, opposite of RSSI-based selection [57] [58]
  • Immersion RC Duo5800 diversity receiver - Two Airwave receiver modules built-in
  • Immersion RC Duo2400 diversity receiver - Exactly the same as 5.8GHz but different Airwave modules

Antennas

A 14 dBi patch antenna has a narrower radiation beam than a 8 dBi patch antenna. A focused 14 dBi yagi for a focus beam in one direction. [59]

  • Clover Leaf - Circular polarity, omni directional, cork screw radiation, put on VTx, use right/left hand polarity for receiver and transmitter or directional circular antenna [60] [61]
  • Helical antenna - Directional, for video receiver, tuned by making your own [62]
  • Skew Planar wheel - Circular polarity, omni directional, bit larger and less directional than clover leaf, use on VRx [63] [64]
  • BlueBeam set - Consists of one 3 lobe clover leaf (aircraft) and 4 lobe skew planar wheel antenna (ground) [65]
  • 2.4GHz 14 dBi Patch antenna N-connector [66]
  • IFTech 5.8GHz 8 dBi Patch Directional SMA-connector [67]
  • L-com 5.8GHz 8 dBi Patch Antenna [68] [69] [70]
  • Sander style dipole - Omni directional, lighter than any purchased dipole, can be tuned to exact wavelength of frequency [[71]
  • Inverted-V antenna - Omni directional, more spherical than dipole, simpel to build and tuned [72]]

OSD - On-Screen Display

  • ImmersionRC EzOSD - Uncluttered display, GPS on-board, signal strength indicator via I2C, current/voltage sensor with Deans
  • SimpleOSD - Minimalistic, only the most necessary information [73] [74]
  • Eagle Tree OSD Pro
  • DOSD

Pan/tilt

  • Hitec HS85-MG - as the pan servo
  • Hitec HS56 - as the tilt servo

Goggles

Resolution is limited by the camera not the goggle, best camera can deliver 480 lines [75], though sensor might state a higher resolution but it's not delivered.

  • Carl Zeiss cinemizer plus - Adjustable fit, 32 degrees viewing angle, better optics, 640x480, screen smaller but higher resolution/optics, small box, half immersed, better color and contrast than Fatshark, diopters adjustment -3.5 to +3.5D, longer video switching than Fatshark [76] [77] [78]
  • Fat Shark Dominator V3 - 30 degres FOV, no edge distortion, 45-inch on 2 meters, 640x480, modules for Fat Shark Dominator 2.4GHz/5.8ghz and head tracking modules, new rubber support shape, 6-14V
  • Fatshark RCV922 V2 Base Edition - Wide angle 46 degrees, 80-inch on 2 meters, 640x480, fully immersed, adjust for interpupil distance, video and power inputs, FPV ground station friendly, 6-12V [79]
  • HeadPlay Googles - Adjustable, 800x600 resolution, requires exactly 12V, large box [80]
  • EVG920 Video Eyewear - Not adjustable interpupil distance, 80-inch on 2 meters, 640x480, 1000 mAh battery, 5V [81]
  • Fatshark RCV230T/922T Teleporter - All-in-one, limited 320x240 resolution and range [82]
  • Fatshard RCV922 Aviator - Video input, 640x480 resolution, Vin 6-12V [83]

Microphone

  • BEV high sensitivity microphone for FPV [84]

Display

  • Haier HLT10 10.2-inch LCD display - for ground station, audience view, 12V

Recorders

  • Lawmate PV500 EVO - 720p video recorder, pricey [85]
  • Archos 604 - Groundstation video recorder [86]
  • Pinnacle Video Transfer - Video recorder [87]

Misc

  • Immersion RC PowerBox - Groundstation video and power filtering box

Control system

Radios

When on UHF the regular 2.4GHZ/35/72MHz transmitter not be used. The PPM signal is feed to the long range transmitter. 35MHZ/72MHz:

  • Futaba 6EXP PPM/PCM 1024 35MHz [88]
  • Futaba 9CHP-PCM 36MHz [89]
  • Futaba T9CAP PCM/FM [90]
  • Futaba 10C 10-Channel Computer Radio [91]
  • Futaba 10C/9CS/9C 72MHz Synthesized Module [92]
  • Spektrum DX7 - Mod for 433MHz [93]

2.4GHz:

  • Spectrum DX8/DX7S 2.4GHz 7/8-Channel DSM2 radio
  • Futaba 6EX 6-Channel 2.4GHz FASST radio
  • Futaba 8FG Super 2.4Ghz FASST radio

Transmitters

Connects to any PPM radio via trainer-port.

  • ImmersionRC EzUHF transmitter - 433 MHz frequency band, 200mW or 600mW power-mode, 9-12V prototype model
  • Dragon Link transmitter - Transmits at 433MHz, 500mW [94]
  • Thomas Scherrer OZ2CPU UHF system - Many hardware revisions, hard to keep track

Receivers

  • ImmersionRC EzUHF receiver - 8-channel receiver, signal diversity, 50A current-sensor, 10 Hz GPS
  • Dragon Link receiver
  • Futaba R149DP 72 MHz [95]
  • Corona RP8D1 35 MHz, 4 meter antenna [96] [97] [98] [99]
  • Corona RP6D1 35 MHz [100] [101]

Other

  • ImmersionRC EzAntennaTracker - Uses GPS-coordinates from EzOSD inserted in the right audio channel
  • FY31AP autopilot system - Return to home, follow path, hold altitude system [102]
  • Gain Boost 2.4GHz Amplifier 1000 mW - Perfect for existing Spectrum DX6/DX7 radios (no replaceable module to replace) [103] [104]

Plane

Airplanes

  • Ritewing Zephyr II - Official version of the Zephyr, injection-mold, equipment bays, no stalls and better low speed flying characteristics, easier to land (slower), great community [105]
  • Ritewing Zephyr - Fast wing, foam wing base, glass fiber rods, and winglets [106] [107]
  • Multiplex Easystar - Simple glider-plane [108]
  • ParkZone Radian PNP - Glider, prop in front, huge easy to spot [109]
  • EasyStar - Cross between glider and sport plane, 3-channel, easy to modify [110]
  • AXN Clouds Fly - Great glider, limited space for equipment
  • Ele Bee - Flying wings [111]

Motor

  • Hacker A30-10L V2 [112]
  • Turnigy 35-36B 1300Kv Outrunner [113] - Great for Maxi Swift [114]
  • Turnigy AerodriveXp SK Series 35-36 1400Kv 550w [115] [116]

ESC

  • Graupner Brushless Control 70 BEC [117]
  • Hacker X-55 SB Pro Brushless Motor Speed Controller ESC 55A
  • Turnigy Plush 60A ESC [118] - Great for 4S
  • Turnigy Plush 40A Speed Controller [119] - Great for 3S

Blades

  • Turnigy 10x6 folding blades
  • Aeronaut CAM foldering carbon propellers
  • Aeronaut CAMcarbon Power-Prop 10"x7
  • TGS 10x6F Precision Folding propeller [120] [121]
  • Aeronaut CAMcarbon 9"x7 folding prop blades [122]

Spinner

  • Aeronaut Propadapter [123]

Motor mount

  • Ebay high-strength boat motor mount [124]

Servos

  • Hitec HS-645MG - Metal gears [125]
  • Gaupner Servo DES 708 BB MG - Metal gears [126] [127]
  • Turnigy 380MAX Micro Servo [128]
  • Blue Bird BMS-661DMG+HS Super Fast Digital Servo (MG) 6.4kg .08sec 46.5g [129] [130]

Batteries

  • Turnigy nano-tech 4S 3300mAh - 2x [131]
  • Turnigy S3 2200 mAh
  • Zippy S3 2200 mAH - Cheap Hobbyking packs
  • Flightmax S3 2200 mAh [132]

Charger

  • Bantam BC-6 - Korean, high quality

Materials

  • Laminate - Apply to foam wing to give it a outer strength and cover for paint
  • Riteweave - Flass fiber mesh to add strength over open cuts in the foam [133]

Glue

  • 3M90 adhesive - Spray adhesive for base to add laminate
  • Zap-a-Gap CA glue - For sparing bars in wings, or Gorilla glue
  • Gorilla glue brown - Glue for wing and sparing bars, activates by adding water
  • Goop, Bison Polymax - Fasten winglets
  • Epoxy adhesive - Properly fasten the motor mount plate to the surrounding foam

Tape

  • 3M Mailing & Storage tape - Mount elevons to the airframe, 1/3 on the elevon, UV resistant [134]

Combinations

Best

FPV:

  • Camera: TBS 69 Pixim FPV camera - 180USD
  • Transmitter: Lawmate 500mW 2.4GHz Tx - 50USD
  • Antenna: Custom built for specific frequency - 5USD
  • Ground antenna: Panel or patch antenna - 20USD
  • Receiver: Immersion RC Duo2400 diversity receiver - 270USD
  • Goggles: Fat Shark Dominator V3 goggles - 300USD

RC:

  • Transmitter: ImmersionRC EzUHF transmitter - 209USD
  • Antenna: Custom built for 433 MHz frequency - 5USD
  • Ground antenna: Omni-directional - 10USD
  • Receiver: ImmersionRC EzUHF 8-channel lite receiver - 109USD

Better

FPV:

  • Camera: DPC-480A / RMRC-480 / NGH-480A / BEV OSC 480 - 90USD
  • Transmitter: Lawmate 500mW 2.4GHz Tx - 50USD
  • Antenna: Custom built for specific frequency - 5USD
  • Ground antenna: Panel or patch antenna - 20USD
  • Receiver: Lawmate 2.4GHz RX-2460CK receiver - Get the combo - 45
  • Goggles: Fat Shark Dominator V3 goggles - 300USD

RC:

  • Transmitter: ImmersionRC EzUHF transmitter - 209USD
  • Antenna: Custom built for 433 MHz frequency - 5USD
  • Ground antenna: Omni-directional - 10USD
  • Receiver: ImmersionRC EzUHF 8-channel lite receiver - 109USD

Good

FPV:

  • Camera: DPC-480A / RMRC-480 / NGH-480A / BEV OSC 480 - 90USD
  • Transmitter: Lawmate 500mW 2.4GHz Tx - 50USD
  • Antenna: Custom built for specific frequency - 5USD
  • Ground antenna: Panel or patch antenna - 20USD
  • Receiver: Lawmate 2.4GHz RX-2460CK receiver - Get the combo - 45USD
  • Goggles: Fat Shark Dominator V3 goggles - 300USD

RC:

  • Transmitter: Spectrum DX8 - 311USD
  • Receiver: Spectrum AR8000 - 129USD

Starter

FPV:

  • Camera: DPC-480A / RMRC-480 / NGH-480A / BEV OSC 480 - 90USD
  • Transmitter: Lawmate 500mW 2.4GHz Tx - 50USD
  • Antenna: Kit or rubber duck - 10USD
  • Ground antenna: Kit or rubber duck - 10USD
  • Receiver: Lawmate 2.4GHz RX-2460CK receiver - 45
  • Goggles: Fat Shark Dominator V3 goggles - 300USD

RC:

  • Transmitter: Spectrum DX7S - 300USD
  • Receiver: OrangeRx R610 Spektrum DSM2 + Satellite - 6+12USD
  • Booster: 2.4 GHz Gain Booster - 50USD

Shops

Tools

Build logs

Guides

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