The weather is terrible. Waiting for parts to arrive, so thought I would try OpenHD
@GunjaFPV mentioned that no one had tried it yet.
Claims of 100ms latency. General-FAQ - OpenHD
They have a list of alternatives. OpenHD vs Alternatives - OpenHD I may try out the competition, but i like the design concept in openHD and the development goals.
Used an old laptop, booting from USB as the ground station. Using a PI Nano 2 W as the air unit.
Ground station
- Laptop (£0) (already had)
- SanDisk Ultra 32 GB USB Flash Drive (£8) (already had)
- USB WiFi Adapter Realtek RTL8812BU (£17)
Air Unit
- PI 2 Zero (£17) (already had)
- ZeroCam NOIR - Camera for Raspberry Pi Zero (£15) (already had)
- USB WiFi Adapter Realtek RTL8812BU (£17)
- 8GB microSDHC (£4)
Total rough costs so far: £78
So claims of 100ms, I am getting 230 ms, but I not tweaked the power supplies or wiring. The latency does not appear to increase with distance. Claims 1-3 km is easy to achieve - claims even up to 75km.
Some video/photos of set-up and latency:- (Yes I have too many laptops).
The laptop is low powered and running as a ‘live os’ not installed OS with graphics drivers. Not using a recommended SPC Okdo ROCK ZERO 3W. Latency can be improved by: Laptop install, PSU (beef and regulate), Rock Zero and camera (Arducam).
Rough set-up so far as - First Time Setup - OpenHD.
Lots of fun - next steps
- Install Live OS as real Hard Drive based OS. Test in under-powered first (maybe install daily driver if latency not improved)
- Purchase and wire up flight controller
- Purchase and install on 3.5 inch frame (or wing??)
- Purchase and install voltage regulators.
- Hard wire USB connection on external WIFI.
- Test latency
- Motor and props
- …
- Profit
I love the concept of using a laptop as ground station and an air unit £60. I can fly by watching the laptop and wearing my glasses - no extra lens required. Can use lots of Raspberry PI cameras - the cost of a damaged camera is low. As well as modular. I am guessing it would be really good in a wing. Nice excuse to get a wing?







