Hi, why does some drones have an antenna on the top? Seems that it*s more "expensive" drones...
Is it a GPS antenna for safer GPS signal or what? If so, why doesn't the H has one? I guess that an antenna on top doesn't have anything to do with a signal to and from the ground?
View attachment 5552
Thanx, high res for GPS? Why doesn't the H has one? Cost reason? What does high res for GPS mean?That is a High-Resolution GPS antenna.
Dr Delta! Thanx alot, now I know more than yeasterday! Lots of skilled people here...High resolution GPS antenna, yes. That combines with a state-of-the-art GPS unit which has a much smaller error margin then the GPS used in the Typhoon H and for instance tablets and smartphones.
High res gps is also used in aviation and in engeneering like building roads etcetera, working with margins of centimeters/millimeters instead of meters/10's of meters like the more cheapo gps's.
Our H has a simple GPS module, mainly because of costs and also space inside the hull. Besides that is our H designed as a camera-platform, so the use of GPS is relatively subservient. The general purpose of the drones with high resolution GPS is also in more industrial fields, like inspection, mapping etcetera. The quality standards are quite different.
Hi Dr Delta, "Mr" Photo here. I don't know what drone it is I just took a pic from internet to show a sample of GPS antenna on the top..... for a hobby grade unit.... yep. no high defintition unit.
Well.... exactly what tried to explain in very plain language, there are zillions of differences in cost/use/dimension GPS systems (and antennae). Please ask forum-newbie Mr Photo what drone it is @picture. I do not know and I do not care much. Just wanted to answer a fair newbie-question in an illustrative newbie-way.
As a professional pilot I know there are several systems that come with their cost (in money and in space/weight).
I am quite content but not at all impressed with/by the GPS functionality in the Typhoon H (that I have.... issued feb 2017). Looking @telemetry I (my GPS/Typhoon) am shooting from here to there and nowhere. Normally I take off way underground or @ altitudes that are unknown in the Netherlands (GPS readings, cause the altimeter does not know yet).
The used algorithms for navigation level these readings to servicable values, which is great. I will never deny the coolness of the H, I still am quite content with the drone and its possibillities.
Sorry Pat I kind of love you for your very useful postings and your patience every now and then. Hats off. Your contributions and good humor to this forum were a large factor in deciding for the H instead of other drones.
I have come to slightly different opinion in the last few months (since I have a H myself that is). I feel 'discussions' to have sharpened and are of less importance (seems people do not read manuals nor good willing posts) lately. This is a global issue, as a sextagenaire (like you are) I know these mechanisms.
Never mind, if my postings are just an annoying step to sublime your insights (which I esteem greatly) I'll stop posting or answering any post as of now, not wanting to step on any toes. Maybe I'll quit this forum anyhow.
Good luck and nice flights.....!
Phantoms have always had the GPS antenna mounted inside with a bit of shielding between it and the other electronics. They have the compass on the landing gear leg which can cause as many problems as it tries to avoid. Not sure where the compass is mounted on the H.And that is one of the weaknesses of the H. Mounting the GPS receiver and compass so close to the electronics and battery.
I recall that the Phantom 2 Vision plus had a similar issue regarding the GPS receiver being mounted too close to the electronics. All that separated it from the electronics was a thin layer of insulation and, certainly, before they started shipping the V3 model, users had issues with connecting enough stable satellites for flight.And that is one of the weaknesses of the H. Mounting the GPS receiver and compass so close to the electronics and battery.
Hi PatR , I "love" people who knows what they are talking about, as you do! Thanx! As people here seems to do all kind of modifications, why not try to put the GPS antenna outside even on a H?Photo,
After all the above I suppose the answer to your original question would be "because they were smarter than Yuneec".
It's a fact of life a GPS antenna can be significantly impacted by magnetic fields generated by power supply wires and ESC's. Home builders have been aware of this for a long time and positioned antennas and wiring as far apart as possible. There are installations where copper foil has been used to shield the bottom of GPS antennas from other electrical components. On the discontinued Yuneec/Blade Chroma, Yuneec used a pop up GPS antenna. For some reason, most likely associated with cost of production, Yuneec elected to stuff the antenna in about the worst place I can think of to have one.
I don't believe the altitude reporting issues that have been mentioned are related to the GPS though. My money would go to lack of protection at the baro altimeter from impacting wind influences. They are extremely sensitive to pressure changes and relative wind is a well known influence. Believe it or not, so is direct sun light.
Dont go Doc, I enjoy your informative posts.... for a hobby grade unit.... yep. no high defintition unit.
Well.... exactly what tried to explain in very plain language, there are zillions of differences in cost/use/dimension GPS systems (and antennae). Please ask forum-newbie Mr Photo what drone it is @picture. I do not know and I do not care much. Just wanted to answer a fair newbie-question in an illustrative newbie-way.
As a professional pilot I know there are several systems that come with their cost (in money and in space/weight).
I am quite content but not at all impressed with/by the GPS functionality in the Typhoon H (that I have.... issued feb 2017). Looking @telemetry I (my GPS/Typhoon) am shooting from here to there and nowhere. Normally I take off way underground or @ altitudes that are unknown in the Netherlands (GPS readings, cause the altimeter does not know yet).
The used algorithms for navigation level these readings to servicable values, which is great. I will never deny the coolness of the H, I still am quite content with the drone and its possibillities.
Sorry Pat I kind of love you for your very useful postings and your patience every now and then. Hats off. Your contributions and good humor to this forum were a large factor in deciding for the H instead of other drones.
I have come to slightly different opinion in the last few months (since I have a H myself that is). I feel 'discussions' to have sharpened and are of less importance (seems people do not read manuals nor good willing posts) lately. This is a global issue, as a sextagenaire (like you are) I know these mechanisms.
Never mind, if my postings are just an annoying step to sublime your insights (which I esteem greatly) I'll stop posting or answering any post as of now, not wanting to step on any toes. Maybe I'll quit this forum anyhow.
Good luck and nice flights.....!