SokilLink Cloud: Plug-and-play drone control and video streaming over LTE

Hardware OSD/Video
1

Hello everyone. I’m excited to release my software solution called SokilLink Cloud which is intended to stream HD video and control all kinds of Ardupilot-based drones (basically UAVs and UGVs) over LTE connection.

I’ve made it to be as easy as possible, including detailed setup instructions and links for parts to buy.

Basically, the system only requires a LTE modem, Raspberry Pi board and a camera on the board and an Android device on the ground.
In order to bind your drone to Android device, you only need register at the site and enter your LTE modem IMEI.

On-board setup for UGV
On-board setup for UGV1280×960 203 KB

Ground setup
Ground setup1280×960 170 KB

At this moment it is far from being completed but I’d like to add more features once I receive some feedback.
The system has been successfully tested on RC cars and a copter.

You can learn more about compatible hardware here and then install Raspberry Pi firmware and SokilGCS Android application by following links at this page.

Also, SokilLink Cloud software is completely free for personal use.

Please contact me here or at contact@sokil.aero if you have any questions about the software.

2

I would check how much its effecting the satellite count when you start the pi camera as they are well known for being a GPS jammer.

3

Thanks, I will try to check it later.
I could suggest a couple of supported USB cameras if a CSI one blocks GPS on your setup.

4

What is your latency for the video stream over LTE? I am using a Radxa Zero with an LTE Modem and have negligible latency when streaming the video within our internal WiFi network, but have noticeable ~1sec or more, when streaming over LTE. Do you have any recommendations to reduce the latency?

5

It’s about 150ms, a bit higher than through WiFi. I use UDP hole punching to establish a direct connection.

6

SokilLink Cloud architecture
SokilLink Cloud architecture1152×697 15.9 KB

7

Using ZeroTier or software proprietary to your program? We are also using UDP hole punching, but via ZeroTier. Input controls via a joystick are near instantaneous this way, just as good or better than via a 915mhz SIK telemetry radio.

8

SokilLink Cloud does not use any other application for direct connection, it’s only UDP hole punching.
Feel free to try it :slight_smile:

9

Can you change mission plan with it?

10

The Android app does not support mission planning features, although I’m already working on Mission Planner support.

11

hi @Vavooon
can i connect WIFI device like 4G wifi dongle or 4G device

12

You can connect a LTE router over Ethernet or use an USB LTE module (currently SIMCOM7600G-H is suggested, although you may try other ones).

13

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to bind such device to your account using IMEI since it’s only possible for the system to detect IMEI of a USB module.
Please write me an email if you need to bind a system with LTE router.

14

When do you plan to have support for Raspberry Pi 5?

15

Is there something specific you need RPI 5 for? Also, it doesn’t support H.264 video encoding so you’d need to use non-CSI cameras

16

Not really, its just the RPI I have.
They are faster than rpi4, I have replaced them.
I could try a smaller RPI zero.

19

Is it just Zero or Zero 2?

20

Its a Raspberry PI zero w

21

There was an issue during registration LTE modem IMEI number on cloud service resulting in inability to bind device via IMEI. It’s now fixed in 1.1.4
I’d like to invite those who were unable to bind their systems to update firmware and try to bind again.
Thanks to @karla for help with the investigation.