Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
When power is on, the gimbal wakes in a low-tuning state. The gimbal polls Astro for the lens information about the camera. Then, the gimbal selects the correct tuning parameters for the installed lens. Most uses will not need to change the gimbal settings from this default.
Users can run Autotune or set custom tuning parameters using AMC.
First, the user must enter Advanced mode by quickly tapping on the triangle icon in the upper-left corner of AMC. Then, the user selects Advanced > Parameters. Scrolling down to the bottom of the parameter groups, the user will find Component 154. Tapping the group expands the gimbal parameters labeled GMBL.
GMBL_TUNE_% sets the autotune backoff percentage; 50 is a good starting point. The user starts Autotune by setting GMBL_TUNE_START to 0.
Stiffness, hold strength, and motor filters may be set as required.
Set GMBL_LENS_ON to turn off lens-based tuning.
Set GMBL_PRMS_SAVE to 1 to write parameters to memory.
Set GMBL_PRMS_RESET to 1 to default all gimbal parameters.
Set GMBL_PRMS_SAVE to 1 to write parameters to memory.
Reboot Astro.
The reset procedure restores lens-based tuning.
If you have issues tuning your gimbal, reach out to support and we can help!
If you change the lens or add/remove an external module to the gimbal, go through the following steps to make sure the gimbal is configured to work with the new setup.
To balance the gimbal, first remove the lens cap from the lens.
Loosen the two finger screws on either side of the payload.
Move the camera forward and backward within the gimbal to achieve the correct balance. In general, you'll want to move the camera back for heavier/longer lenses and forward for lighter/shorter lenses. Shift camera foward and backward in the gimbal until the camera does not tip up or down when it is positioned horizontally and released.
To ensure the camera is very well balanced, test pointing the camera ~30 deg up/down; a well-balanced camera will not move in either of these two positions.
Once you achieve a good balance, tighten the finger screws so your camera stays firmly in place.
Loose screws can result in poor stabilization
With the gimbal already connected, power on Astro
The gimbal may have weak motor power for up to 30s on bootup, before the gimbal is reconfigured by Astro with different tuning based on the lens.
If you are using different lens or have otherwise modified the payload such that the default tuning isn't working, see the advanced gimbal tuning section
If you are using one of the four supported lenses, you shouldn't need to do this
Connector: JST GH 4-Pin
The two 4-pin GH connectors are expansion ports for adding thermal cameras, wide cameras, laser range finders, and other custom modules. They are both USB 2.0 connections. Connector: JST GH 3-pin
The 3-pin GH connector provides 5v and 12v power out.
Warning - do not short 12V or 5V to ground or each other. This will cause permanent damage to the LR1 Payload!
Adding additional payloads will require a rebalance and autotuning tuning.
M3 holes on the camera can be used to mount small weights to balance the payload when using an external module.
Add live distance readouts up to 100m away to your Astro!
If you are adding multiple modules to the LR1 Payload at the same time, a combined counterweight is required, available here.
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:
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
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.
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
Freefly supported add-on modules for the LR1 Payload
To add additional functionality in a small package, Freefly has worked to develop a Thermal Module and a Distance Sensor module that can be attached to the LR1 payload to supercharge your workflow
Have another module you want to see added? Reach out to us at support@freeflysystems.com
Setup the LR1 Payload to fit your mission
By default, the LR1 Payload comes balanced and tuned with the Sigma 24mm F3.5 lens, which covers most mapping applications. However, the gimbal can be re-configured with other lenses and external modules for other use cases!
Make sure to balance the gimbal after changing lenses! See the section below
The LR1 Payload currently supports two external modules from Freefly:
If you would like to integrate your own module, check out this section below:
Add LWIR thermal imaging to your LR1 payload on Astro!
If you are adding multiple modules to the LR1 Payload at the same time, a combined counterweight is required, available here.
Ensure your Astro and controller are up to date! The Thermal Module is compatible with Astro firmware 1.7 and later
Switching between cameras views can be done by tapping the camera name, or by mapping 'Next Camera' to a button on the controller
Contrast - Auto, Custom
Color pallet selection - White hot, Black hot, Ironbow, Rainbow, Rainbow HC, Lava, Arctic, Glowbow, Graded Fire, Hottest
Zoom - digital up to 8x
Image capture - Jpeg, Radiometric Tiff, both
Spot temperature readout
Mix/max temperatures of region
Adjustable region size
Selectable Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin
Togglable settings - Radiometric settings, Spot Metering, Isotherms
Auto and manual Flat-Field-Correction (FFC)
Geotagged photos
Currently, thermal mapping with the Thermal Module is not supported
Focal Length (mm) | Model | Weight (g) | Compatability |
---|---|---|---|
24 (ships with)
228
Supported
35
165
Supported
50
187
Supported
75
230
Supported
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
1
2
Click on your Astro in the Suite
3
Under Software, install the 'Precise Distance LRF' app
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 M3 x 5 FHCS screws and a 2.0mm hex driver
3
Mount the Thermal Module to the top of the LR1 using the M3 x 10 SHCS screws and a 2.5mm hex driver. Ensure the module is snug against the camera. Do not pinch the cable.
4
Plug the cable into the expansion port. Gently push the cable into the cable guide hook.
5
Balance the tilt axis of the gimbal by shifting the payload forward and back, then tighten the thumbscrews. Torque the screws up to 0.3Nm to prevent the adjustment from slipping.