LR1 Distance Sensor

Add live distance readouts up to 100m away to your Astro!

Mounting

1

Loosen the thumbscrews and slide the LR1 all the way back. This will make it easier to plug in the cable

2

Mount the counterweight to the bottom of the LR1 using the flathead screws and a 2.0mm hex driver

3

Mount the Distance Sensor Module to the side of the LR1 using the button head screw. Then attach the socket head screw to the top of the camera. Ensure the module is snug against the camera and do not pinch the cable.

4

Plug the cable into the expansion port. You may need to temporarily unplug the LR1 cable to run the distance sensor cable behind it

5

Balance the tilt axis of the gimbal by shifting the payload forward and back, then tighten the thumbscrews

If you are adding multiple modules to the LR1 Payload at the same time, a combined counterweight is required, available here.

Software Setup

Install the Distance Sensor App on your Astro, which can be found here. Version 1.0.1 is needed to work with the Distance Sensor Module

For NDAA/Blue Astros, you will need to enable Cloud Services before Astro will connect to the Auterion Suite for app download

Power on Astro and connect to a PC via a USB-C cable, then open 10.41.1.1 in a web browser. Under 'Settings', turn on the 'Cloud Services' toggle and reboot the aircraft.

To install the app:

1

2

Click on your Astro in the Suite

3

Under Software, install the 'Precise Distance LRF' app

Turn on Astro with LR1 and the Distance Sensor module. Once connected, in AMC > Settings > Enable 'Show Distance Sensor App Output'. The distance readout should now be displayed on the Fly screen in AMC

How to enable distance sensor readout

For NDAA/Blue versions of Astro, you will need to enable 'Mavlink USB-C Connectivity' for the distance sensor to work.

Power on Astro and connect to a PC via a USB-C cable, then open 10.41.1.1 in a web browser. Under 'Settings', turn on the 'Mavlink USB-C Connectivity' toggle and reboot the aircraft.

Features

  • Live distance readout (in meters) in AMC at ~5Hz

  • Range up to 100m on objects with >70% reflectivity at +/-10cm

    • Below 10m, we have found the error to be within +/-4cm

    • When mounted, the front of the LRF is 44mm forward the LR1 sensor, which should be accounted for when sizing objects in frame based on the distance sensor data.

  • Distance sensor value saved in LR1 image metadata (in meters)

The Distance Sensor Module does not adjust the LR1 focus settings at this time

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