Mapping Payload Hardware Overview

The A7R4 Payload is a fully integrated camera and gimbal system for enterprise mapping workflows.

• Learn more about the Astro aircraft here.

• The A7R4 Payload consists of a Freefly gimbal with an integrated Sony A7R4 camera. It is developed for use with Astro and other vehicles that use the Freefly Smart Dovetail and the Pixhawk Payload Bus standard.

Gimbal Packing Foam

The foam we designed is the safest way to pack and ship your mapping payload. However, it can be cumbersome to figure out how to attach it for the first time. Here is a #protip video showing you how we do it.

Installing/Removing the Gimbal from Astro

Mapping Workflow

Inspection Workflow

Video Workflow

A7R-IV payload is primarily intended for photos, but with some minor modifications it can be used to record video.

Data transfer to USB-C is not fast enough to record video at the Sony A7R-IV’s fidelity. As such, video needs to be recorded to the Sony A7R-IV's internal memory card. You will need to purchase a faster SD card in order to record at full quality. We have tested this Lexar Professional SD card, but any full-sized UHS-II SD card should work. You will also need to change the location to which the camera saves videos and images. Press the icon on the right of the screen while in Photo Mode, and change the Image Storage dropdown to Camera.

Once these settings are changed, you can switch between taking images and video footage using this button in Photo Mode:

Camera Settings

AMC provides control of these settings in flight by pressing the icon on the right of the screen while in Photo Mode:

AMC will override these camera body settings:

• Shooting Mode dial, if set to P.

• Exposure Compensation dial, if set to 0.

Other camera body controls and menu options will be honored. For example:

• Focus Mode (e.g. wide, zone).

• Exposure Metering Mode (e.g. spot).

• Exposure Compensation dial, if set to non-0 value.

Saving Photos to Camera and USB Simultaneously

Changing A7R-IV Settings

Astro remembers the settings that you can change within the AMC software. Next time you power on the system and when the camera establishes a connection with Astro, Astro will set these settings.

If a setting is not exposed in the app, we are most likely not overriding this setting. In order for these settings to be changed and saved even if the unit is powered off, follow the below procedure:

• Using the wheel on the controller, tilt the gimbal/camera down at an angle so it's easier to access the buttons on the camera.

• Using the menu or “fn” buttons on the camera, change the desired settings.

• Turn the camera power off by using the rotary switch on top of the camera.

• Wait 10 seconds. The camera takes a while to save settings to its own memory.

• Power the camera back on. Confirm that the settings that you changed have persisted.

Resetting a7R-IV Settings

Resetting Camera to defaults for Astro Mapping

The USB-C connector needs to be disconnected from the left side of the camera to reset the camera settings in Menu > Setup7 > Setting Reset > Camera Settings Reset. Use a thin driver to unplug and connect the USB-C, as it helps with the lack of clearance afforded by the gimbal.

Changing Camera Settings

Here's an example video of the camera settings being changed (switching from JPEG to RAW, in this case).

Performance

The A7R4 Payload's high pixel count allows you to cover a large amount of area quickly at low resolution, or collect very high-resolution imagery at lower altitudes. Approximate GSD, coverage per flight, and expected altitude are listed below for reference. This is based on a 70% forward and 65% side overlap, single pass (no crosshatch).

A single Astro flight with the A7R4 Payload is typically 25 minutes. The exact time depends on the survey area's geometry, the number of turns required, and the flight speed, as well as environmental factors such as wind speed and direction. Note that the time presented in AMC is an estimate, and not adding return or transit waypoints may affect its calculation. A good rule of thumb is to aim for an AMC-calculated flight duration of 22-23 minutes. This should allow the flight to complete and return before hitting the battery reserve.

Camera Body

Sony A7RIV-A

Weight

Astro's maximum payload weight is 1500 grams.

Gimbal

Lenses

Lens selection in AMC only matters for mission planning calculations (overlap, photo trigger, etc) and for infinity focus to work properly.

If you plan a mission with a non-standard lens, make sure that the correct lens is selected in the Survey section of the Plan screen. If your lens isn't on the dropdown, you can enter the details manually by selecting Custom Camera instead of a specific lens.

When changing lenses, select your lens from the Focal Length dropdown in Camera Settings found in the camera settings.

If your lens isn't on the dropdown, pick any lens from that menu and use auto-focus.

Balancing Procedure

• Loosen both fasteners in the camera hotshoe as well as the ¼-20 fastener with the washer so the camera is free to slide forward/backward.

• Hold the gimbal by its Pan/Roll arms and ensure the tilt motor can spin freely.

• Shift camera forward/backward in its slot 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 also not move in either of these two positions.

• Once the camera balance is correct, tighten the ¼-20 fastener as well as the two fasteners on the hotshoe.

​The Freefly Mapping Payload is Sony's 61-megapixel Alpha 7R IVA camera integrated with a Freefly gimbal. It ships with a 24 mm lens, and several other lenses are supported.

The payload is optimized for photogrammetry. It also supports inspection and scenic photography.