Help with cellular control

Shawn

Looking for a little help, I’m not much of a software developer nor am I much with a computer. I do know the basics however. With that said I am a private pilot “rotorcraft” and have been flying RC and full scale for quite some time. I have recently bought a rather large Uas. It’s called a Mugin, now I have flown this beast several times and believe me you need a airstrip or very large field to land or takeoff. I’m am currently working on a pneumatic rail launching system instead of the typical takeoff method. Now I came upon this WONDERFUL SITE and have managed to read though several discussions. My plan “goal” is to control this aircraft through cellular for extended range flights. Now before I get bashed “ possibly” by some of my fellow US flyers I do know the rules and laws and have been totally cleared for this is the region I would be flying. The aircraft has a transponder, it does create a radar signature, and I will be in constant communication with ATC. I have a pixhawk cube as flight controller which includes airspeed and Lidar. This IS a gas aircraft with a fuel injection system for the engine. So longer story short I need help with the communication aspect, I have thought about the “SAT” method but the cost for such system is astronomical which incledes the usage “bandwidth”. I would like telem, control, and video back to ground station. Is this truly even possible?
Thanks for your time and possible help in advance

Sinamics

Shawn Hi and welcome.
I had to google "Mugin" and yes, quite huge aircraft you got there, but a very nice one.
LTE communication works perfect with very low lateancy, so if you are flying in areas that have cell coverage i will highly recommend LTE over SAT. As you stated, low orbit satellites will do the job but the price is still very high and the data transfer speed is not that good.

I have been developing UAVcast-Pro version for some time now, and it will be released this weekend i guess. This application is just what you need. It will provide you a nice web interface where you can easily add destination for video and telemetry. It also uses VPN connection, with very easy configuration.

You will basically need the following equipment

RPI 3 (preferrably)
PiCam
2x LTE usb modem. One for the RPI and one for your ground control station
Extra power supply 5A, 5v bec
Flight controller with Ardupilot software. Pixhawk Cube should be fine, but i have never got the possibility to test that one yet.

This is my test bench.

An image from the UAVcast-Pro installed on Raspberry PI.

Shawn

Ok so what is the cost where can I buy? Also I have a pi 3+ with Jessie lite installed, also I have a huawei modem E3372-510 h converted to stick mode so what do I need to do to get the modem to work with ras pi. I have installed program we dial etc, but modem will not self start it just flashes blue, and it will only go solid if I type ifup ppp0, lsusb, ifup ppp0, and the of course after I’ve logged in as root user sudo -s

Shawn

Also thank you very much for your reply

Sinamics

Shawn
UAVcast-Pro will cost 19us for lifetime, that also includes free support either by chat or teamviewer if neccessary. Guaranteed to get everything working.

UAVcast-Pro uses ModemManager and will handle all the modem communication stuff for you, including autostart.

Is there any reason you converted from H to S mode? H mode will do it even easier to connect. It will act the same way as a ethernet cable. Just connect and you are online.

You basically just need a PiCam, and a extra power supply for your raspberry to get started. Modems can draw up to 3A at max, and the regular USB will not be enough.

You then just connects the Cube and Raspberry by USB cable.

I`m currently making some installation and usage [How To] videos. It will be more clear for you when these are ready. Tomorrow i think.

Shawn

The modem was purchased converted, it was said it would give a more direct connection, I’m not sure if that’s true or not.
And $19 USD? Ok so where do I sign up?

Sinamics

Shawn S mode will give you more flexibility as you send AT commands directly to the modem. When H mode, all the connection is made by the dongle itself. I know @mocart uses E3372 H mode, and he is very satisfied with that.

UAVcast will be available shortly, during the weekend i think.
the package is ready, just the information page and howto videos are not.

Did a short presantation for you. Very short.
This is how it basically works. You configure everything you need in the web interface, then enables the Autostart, and you are ready.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xVOBEm93l1i2k1atSt5nhR7A_BoNEXpz/view?usp=sharing

Sinamics

Shawn Btw, the above video is streaming Video and Telemetry using a secure VPN. Just for you information.

Shawn

Looks Fantastic!

Now will their be detailed instructions for us "me" computer dummy's to install and get running?
and the pix cube, it has a small USB used for flashing just like the pix 4, will it all work the same?

Sinamics

Shawn Sure. Everyting will be covered. Installation, usage, vpn.. Im currently making some how to videos to better explain the process. It`s not very hard, i would say very easy in fact.
You need to be able to connect raspberry either by SSH or you can use the RPI desktop if you want.

You just need to download the package and start the installation. When installation is done, you can reach the UAVcast-Pro by typing the RPI IP address in any browser connected to the same network as RPI.

As said, i have never tried UAVcast-Pro on the Cube version. But i dont see why it shouldt work. Both Pix & Cube are built on the same principle i guess.

You can also connect TX / RX from telemetry port directly to the RPI GPIO tx/rx if USB cable wont work.

If you can install teamviewer and send me the ID and password i can connect and install everyting. I would like to know myself if there is any problems with Cube version.

Shawn

Ok sounds great, i will be looking forward to working with you, just let me know when this product is ready

Sinamics

Shawn Sure, will do.

Shawn

are their any files i should go ahead and download in preparation?

Sinamics

You just need to be able to connect rpi. I'm using ssh client bitwise tunnelier. Just google it and download. Type the rpi ip address and hit connect. That's everything you need.

I can install everything for you remotely if you want. You then need teamviewer, a Remote desktop client.

Shawn

ok i use putty, to connect with ras pi, and if you can install remotely then that would be great.

i have downloaded team viewer "looks interesting" never used it before...

Sinamics

Shawn putty works as well. Team viewer is a great tool, and it's free. 👍

Shawn

Well it looks like it could be a great use

Shawn

I’m wondering, instead of 2 cell modems can you say, turn hotspot on phone to give laptop internet service while in the field or does that not work the way I’m thinking it does

Sinamics

Shawn sure, that will work. You can create a hotspot on your phone and connect your computer, your IPAD, any other devices to the same hotspot and be connected with the RPI.

This is really easy when using the VPN function. There is no need to configure any port forwarding as we used to before.