AMIMON Connex LR User manual

Connex LR Manual

Abstract
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Table of Contents
Introduction to CONNEX LR ................................................................................................... 4
Getting Started – Air and Ground Units ........................................................................... 4
About CONNEX LR ....................................................................................................... 4
CONNEX LR Ground unit ............................................................................................... 5
Limitation of Liability and Warranty .................................................................................. 9
Safety Instructions and Maintenance ..................................................................................... 11
Safety Symbols and Instructions ................................................................................... 11
Potential Hazards ........................................................................................................ 11
Specifications and Supported Features ................................................................................. 13
Technical Specifications ............................................................................................... 13
Supported Remote Controls, Gimbals and Telemetry Flight Controllers ........................... 13
Supported Resolutions ................................................................................................. 14
Setting up the CONNEX LR .................................................................................................. 15
Setting Up the CONNEX LR Ground Unit ...................................................................... 15
Controlling the Drone Camera Gimbal ........................................................................... 16
Placement Recommendations and Best Practices ................................................................. 18
Placement Guidelines of CONNEX LR .......................................................................... 18
Reception Range and Reception Areas ......................................................................... 18
CONNEX LR Operational Instructions ................................................................................... 22
Ground Unit – On Screen Display (OSD) ....................................................................... 22
Alert and System Messages ......................................................................................... 24
Multicasting to Multiple Ground Units ............................................................................ 25
CONNEX Management Application for Windows/MAC ........................................................... 27
Message Alert when running the Management Tool Installation Process in Win8/10 ......... 27
Management Application Overview (Windows / MAC) .................................................... 28
Installing the CONNEX Management Application (Windows / MAC) ................................ 28
Connecting the Air Unit or Ground Unit to a Computer ................................................... 30
Upgrading the Air Unit or Ground Unit Firmware ............................................................ 31
Configuring the Link Between the Ground and Air Units (Windows / MAC) ....................... 33
Checking the Ground Units Registered to an Air Unit (Windows / MAC) .......................... 35
Unregistering Ground Units (Windows / MAC) ............................................................... 36
Configuring Fail Safe Parameters (Windows / MAC) ...................................................... 38
CONNEX Management Application for Android Devices ......................................................... 41
Management Application Overview (Android) ................................................................ 41
Installing the CONNEX Management Application (Android) ............................................ 41
Connecting the Air or Ground Unit to Your Mobile Device ............................................... 42
Working with the CONNEX Mobile Application ............................................................... 43
Configuring the Link Between the Ground and Air Units (Android) ................................... 47
Checking the Ground Units Registered to an Air Unit (Android) ....................................... 49
Unregistering Ground Units (Android) ............................................................................ 51
Configuring Fail Safe Parameters (Android) ................................................................... 53
3

Introduction to CONNEX LR
Getting Started – Air and Ground Units
The CONNEX LR can connect to both CONNEX transmitter and CONNEX Mini Transmitter, as long as
the Transmitter and the CONNEX LR are in version 4.5 and above.
To get started with the Air Unit:
Please refer to the CONNEX\CONNEX mini\ CONNEX Fusion manual.
To get started with the CONNEX LR:
• Set up the Ground Unit, as described in Setting Up the CONNEX LR Ground Unit [15].
The monitor connected to the Ground Unit then automatically displays video and an overlay of infor-
mation received from the Air Unit, as described in Ground Unit – On Screen Display (OSD [22].
About CONNEX LR
AMIMON’s CONNEX LR provide a high-end, high-performance wireless HD connection that can oper-
ate in challenging unmanned air or ground platforms under harsh conditions with zero latency, such as
UAV/UGV. The small and lightweight CONNEX systems transmit commercial, industrial, inspection and
monitoring video in real time to their Ground Unit(s), which can be located up to 3,000 meters away.
The figure above contains the following main components and people:
•Air Unit: The Air Unit is connected to a drone in order to capture video from the drone's camera and
to transmit it to up to four Ground Units simultaneously (multicast), thus creating a wireless video link.
4
NOTE
The CONNEX LR is not paired with any air unit by default. For more information
regarding the pairing process, please refer to page 25, "Pairing Additional Ground
Units with an Air Unit" .

•Ground Unit: The Ground Unit connects to various types of monitors, video goggles or a portable
video monitor via the HDMI port. This enables the pilot and/or camera operator to monitor the video
transmitted from the Air Unit.
•Pilot: The pilot can view the video on a monitor or wear video goggles connected to the Ground Unit.
Flight control (telemetry) information from the drone is overlaid on the video. The pilot uses a remote
flight controller to control the drone.
•Camera Operator: The camera operator can hold a portable video monitor on which the video can
be viewed. The camera operator can use a gimbal remote control to control the drone camera’s gim-
bal through the S.BUS port of the Air Unit.
Key Features
The following features apply to all CONNEX Family products:
• Zero latency, real-time video
• True full HD 1080P at 60fps
• Extremely resilient 5GHz digital link
• Supports a 3,000m/10,000ft stable link in an LOS conditions
• Supports both 40 MHz bandwidth (for best quality) and 20 MHz bandwidth (for stability boost)
• Manual frequency selection option that enables setting a specific non-DSF frequency in the author-
ized regional spectrum.
• Automatic Frequency Selection (AFS) that fully complies with regulations and automatically selects
the best free frequency available
• Encrypted and secure
• Sturdy design for harsh conditions
• Built-in OSD view with embedded MAVLInk-based telemetry
• Gimbal control over Futaba® S.BUS and PPM
• Plug-and-Fly, ready to operate out of the box
• DFS support enables multiple free channels, thus boosting robustness
• Android and MAC / Windows-based management support application
CONNEX LR Ground unit
The following figures show both sides of the Ground Unit.
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CONNEX LR– 1
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CONNEX LR– 2
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Key Name Description
1 LEDs For a description of the Ground Unit LEDs, refer to Setting up the CONNEX Ground Unit [15].
2 OSD Button Enables/disables the OSD display. This display presents a screen of telemetry information collected
by the CONNEX system on the monitor connected to the Ground Unit (e.g., Air Unit flight parameters,
height, direction, signal strength, and so on). For more information, refer to Ground Unit – On Screen
Display (OSD [22].
By default, OSD is enabled (displayed). Pressing this button disables and re-enables OSD.
3 Link Button The CONNEX systems supports up to four Ground Units per Air Unit. The Link button enables you to
connect up to three additional Ground Units to the same Air Unit. For details, refer to Multicasting to
Multiple Ground Units [25].
4 Power Port Input rating: 8-26 VDC.
5 Tripod
Mount Hole
Enables you to connect the Ground Unit to a tripod. Connection to a tripod is optional.
6 S.BUS / PPM
Trainer
This port can be connected to the Remote Control trainer port. This port enables you to remotely con-
trol the gimbal on the drone using the link between the Ground Unit and the Air Unit. The Ground Unit
supports both S.BUS and PPM inputs.
The bit rate of this control can be configured in the S.BUS Rate field using the CONNEX Manage-
ment application for Windows / MAC [38] or for Android devices [53].
7 Micro USB
Port
This port enables configuration and upgrade of the Ground Unit software using the CONNEX Man-
agement application for Windows / MAC [38] or for Android devices [53].
8 HDMI Port Enables display of the received video. Connect this port to a monitor’s HDMI port using the provided
standard HDMI cable.
Ground Unit Cables and Antennas
Cables and accessories for the Ground Unit are described in the table below.
Name Description
Standard HDMI
Cable
1.2 meters.
Power Connector DC plug to XT-60 Male – 50cm length.
S.BUS Trainer
Port Cable
3-pin to Futaba – 1 meter cable.
PPM Cable PL 2.5mm male to PL3.5mm male.
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Rx Antennas 2dbi screw-on antenna.
Micro USB Cable Standard Micro USB cable for upgrading the CON-
NEX LR software.
The Micro USB connector connects to the USB port
on the CONNEX LR.
The mini USB connector connects to a computer on
which the Ground Unit software is installed.
USB to Micro
USB Connector
Enables connection of the Air Unit to a tablet or mo-
bile device.
Brackets and
screw
Enables connecting the CONNEX LR to a pole, and
fastening the HDMI cable.
for more in formation go to <LINK>
Limitation of Liability and Warranty
This CONNEXTM product is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. The company disclaims all
other warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchanta-
bility and fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
Under no circumstances shall the company be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without
limitation, consequential, special, or incidental damages or damages for loss of business profits, busi-
ness interruptions, loss of business information or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or in-
ability to use the CONNEX product, even if the company has been advised of the possibility of such
damages.
NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS
Notice Required for the License Granted under Articles 2.1 and 2.6. As a condition of the licenses
granted pursuant to Articles 2.1 and 2.6 hereof, Licensee agrees to provide to any party that receives
from Licensee an AVC Royalty Product the following notice: THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER
THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL USE OF A CONSUMER OR OTH-
ER USES IN WHICH IT DOES NOT RECEIVE REMUNERATION TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLI-
ANCE WITH THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS
ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED
FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO. NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR
SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED
FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. SEE
Notice Required for the License Granted under Article 2.6 and for Sales to Codec Licensee cus-
tomer(s). As a condition of the license granted under Article 2.6 and the license granted to a Codec
Licensee to make sales to Codec Licensee Customer(s), Licensee agrees to provide any party that re-
ceives an AVC Product from Licensee exercising such license rights the following notice: THIS PROD-
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UCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE. SUCH LICENSE EXTENDS
TO THIS PRODUCT ONLY AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF OTHER NOTICES WHICH MAY BE IN-
CLUDED HEREIN. THE LICENSE DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY OTHER PRODUCT REGARDLESS
OF WHETHER SUCH PRODUCT IS INCLUDED WITH THIS LICENSED PRODUCT IN A SINGLE AR-
TICLE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C. SEE MPEGLA
Website
This equipment is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Di-
rectives 1999/5/EC and 2011/65/EU.
The frequency range 5.15-5.35GHz, available under Indoor mode, is for indoor use only.
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Safety Instructions and Maintenance
Safety Symbols and Instructions
Safety Symbols
High Voltage Sign: Warns the user of the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product enclosure, which
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk.
General Warning Sign: Warns the user of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions.
Safety Instructions
• Do not open the Air Unit or Ground Unit enclosures. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified service personnel only. The use of controls, adjustments or procedures other
than those specified in this user guide may result in exposure to shock and/or electrical or mechanical
hazards.
• Do not immerse the units in water.
• Do not block the air ventilation openings.
• Always disconnect a unit’s power by pulling the mains plug.
• Clean with a dry cloth only.
• Keep powered on units at least 20 cm away from your body.
• Do not expose the units to moisture or excessive heat. Unit operating temperature is 32–113⁰F or
0−45⁰C.
• Unplug the units during lightning storms and during long periods of storage.
• For CONNEX only: The provided power supply is for indoor use only.
• Use only the supplied accessories or those recommended on the AMIMON website. Accessories (in-
cluding cables) must not be replaced, as this may affect performance or functionality, or damage the
unit. We highly recommend that you use the provided AMIMON cables. If an alternate cable is used,
make sure that it is of the highest quality.
• Do not use the product if there is any physical damage to the enclosure.
• For CONNEX only: It is normal for the product to become slightly hot during use. However, if the en-
closure’s temperature becomes too hot to touch, turn the product off and contact support. The inter-
nal fan of the Air Unit (transmitter) should work at all times when power is on.
• Do not let the product come into contact with corrosive materials.
• Do not let the product come into contact with fire.
Potential Hazards
The product's Transmitters and Receivers contain HD wireless video module devices that should be op-
erated according to the same rules and limitations applicable to normal HD wireless video module devi-
ces. Do not operate the units in environments that may be susceptible to radio interference resulting in
danger, specifically:
•Areas where prohibited by law: Follow any special rules and regulations and obey all signs and no-
tices. Always ensure that the unit is turned off (the power switch is not lit) when instructed to do so or
whenever it may cause interference or danger.
•Where explosive atmospheres may be present: Do not operate the units in any area where a po-
tentially explosive atmosphere may exist. Sparks in such areas could cause an explosion or fire, re-
sulting in bodily injury or even death. Be aware and comply with all signs and instructions.
•It is not advisable to operate the units while at a refueling point or service station: Users are
reminded to observe restrictions on the use of radio equipment in fuel depots (fuel storage and distri-
bution areas), chemical plants or where blasting operations are in progress.
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•Areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere are often, but not always, clearly marked: Po-
tential locations can include gas stations, below deck on boats, chemical transfer or storage facilities,
vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (such as propane or butane), areas where the air contains
chemicals or particles (such as grain, dust or metal powders), and any other area where it would nor-
mally be advisable to turn off a vehicle’s engine.
•Near medical and life support equipment: Do not operate the units in any area where medical
equipment or life support equipment is in use, or near any equipment that may be susceptible to any
form of radio interference. As the unit may transmit signals that could interfere with this equipment,
the host communications device must be turned off in such areas.
For more information, visit www.AMIMON.com.
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Specifications and Supported Features
Technical Specifications
The following table presents the technical specifications for CONNEX LR.
Transmission
Distance Out-
door
Up to 3,000m/10,000 ft. (LoS)
Transmission
Delay
Zero [Less than 1 msec.]
Radio Frequen-
cy
5.1-5.8 GHz, according to regional regulations
Channel Selec-
tion
Automatic frequency selection [AFS]
Video Formats 1080p60/59.94, 1080p/50, 1080i60/59.94, 1080i/50, 1080p30/29.97, 1080p24/23.98, 720p60/59.94,
720p/50, 480i60/59.94, 480p60/59.94, 576i50, 576p/50
Multicast Mode Up to 4 receivers with no delay or quality degradation. [Requiring extra Ground Unit(s)]
OSD Support MAVLink (3DR) and CAN bus (DJI) Telemetry
Gimbal Control Ground unit PPM or S.BUS trainer port input / Air Unit S.BUS port output
Encryption AES-128 & RSA 1024 for key exchange
Operating Tem-
perature
0-45o Celsius
Regulation CE, FCC, MIC
Video Interface HDMI (Type A)
Antenna Con-
nector
RP SMA
Power Connec-
tor
DC round
Power Input 8-26V (3S-6S)
Dimensions
(mm)
200 x 200 x 52
Weight 660gr
Supported Remote Controls, Gimbals and Telemetry Flight Con-
trollers
This section lists the Air Unit camera gimbals and remote controls that are supported by CONNEX and
CONNEX mini.
Supported Air Unit Camera Gimbals (partial list, for pre-tested models)
• DJI - Zenmuse Z15-GH4 (HD), Z15-GH3, Z15-BMPCC, Z15-5D, Z15-5D III (HD)
• DJI - Ronin, Ronin-M
• FreeFly Movi M5
• Tarot T-2D
Supported Remote Controls (partial list, for pre-tested models)
** Please note that any RC unit that outputs PPM protocol over its trainer port can be supported only
with CONNEX SW version 2.0.x and higher.
• Futaba T14GS
• Futaba FX-22
• Futaba T18MZ
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• Futaba FX-32
• Futaba T14SG
• Futaba T10J
• DJI NPVT581
• DJI SR6
• Spektrum DX7S
• JR XG6
Supported Flight Controllers for Telemetry (partial list, for pre-tested models)
• DJI A2
• DJI NAZA
• 3DR Pixhawk
• 3DR APM
• 3DR ArduPilot
Supported Resolutions
The following table lists the video resolutions supported by CONNEX and CONNEX mini.
Video Format Timings Format Name CONNEX and CONNEX Mini
40MHz 20MHz
720(1440) x 480i @ 59.94/60Hz 480i Yes Yes
640 x 480p @ 59.94/60Hz 480p Yes Yes
720 x 480p @ 59.94Hz Yes Yes
720 x 480p @ 60Hz Yes Yes
720(1440) x 576i @ 50Hz 576i Yes Yes
720 x 576p @ 50Hz 576p Yes Yes
1280 x 720p @ 50Hz 720p Yes Yes
1280 x 720p @ 59.94/60Hz Yes Yes
1920 x 1080i @ 50Hz 1080i Yes Yes
1920 x 1080i @ 59.94/60Hz Yes Yes
1920 x 1080p @ 23.98/24Hz 1080p Yes Yes
1920 x 1080p @ 29.97/30Hz Yes Yes
1920 x 1080p @ 50Hz Yes No
1920 x 1080p @ 59.94/60Hz Yes No
PsF No No
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Setting up the CONNEX LR
Setting Up the CONNEX LR Ground Unit
This section describes how to set up the CONNEX LR.
We highly recommend that you use the provided AMIMON accessories and cables. If alternate products
are used, make sure that they are of the highest quality.
To set up the CONNEX LR:
1. Refer to the Placement Guidelines of CONNEX LR [18] for a description of mandatory require-
ments and best practices for optimal placement of the Ground Unit and its antennas.
2. Enable display of the received video by connecting the provided standard HDMI cable from the
CONNEX LR HDMI port to the monitor’s HDMI port.
Figure 1. Standard HDMI Cable
3. Connect the provided power cable to the power port on the Ground Unit labeled 8-26-VDC, and
connect the other end to a power source.
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Verify that both LEDs on the Ground Unit light up, as described in the tables below.
LED Behavior
The CONNEX LR features two LED indicators: a Video LED and a Network LED. In normal operating
conditions, both LEDs show a constant white color. No power (or low power) is indicated by the LEDs
turning off.
When the indicators are blinking quickly (both LEDs), a system error has been detected. In this case,
use the CONNEX Management application to update the software [31], or contact CONNEX support.
The behaviors of each individual LED are described in the tables below.
Video LED
Solid The video signal from the camera is locked (i.e., the signal is being received from the Air Unit).
Blinks Slowly The video signal from the camera is not locked.
Blinks Quickly The camera is transmitting a video resolution that is not supported.
Network LED
Solid A link has been established to the Ground Unit.
Blinks Quickly Registration is in progress, or the Ground Unit has gone out of range.
Blinks Slowly The Air Unit is establishing a link with the Ground Unit.
Controlling the Drone Camera Gimbal
The CONNEX Gimbal Control feature enables an operator on the ground to control the drone's camera
gimbal using various remote controls over the video uplink channel. Only gimbals that can input S.BUS
are supported.
This feature is supported only when an Air Unit is paired with a single Ground Unit. Before beginning
the procedure below, verify that this is the case by using the CONNEX Management application to
check the Ground Units that are registered to the Air Unit (see Checking the Ground Units Registered to
an Air Unit (Windows / MAC) [35] and Configuring Fail Safe Parameters (Android) [53]).
To enable the CONNEX Gimbal Control feature:
1. Connect the Air Unit S.BUS/CTRL port to the S.BUS or D.BUS port on the camera’s gimbal.
In order to do that, please refer to the CONNEX FUsion/ CONNEX Mini Manual.
2. Connect the gimbal remote control’s Trainer port to the CONNEX LR S.BUS/PWM/PPM port using
the S.BUS/PWM/PPM Port cable.
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Figure 2. S.BUS/PWM/PPM Port Cable
3. The default gimbal command transmission bit rate is FASSTest 12CH Mode (6.3m sec). If this bit
rate is not supported by the gimbal controller, use the CONNEX Management application to config-
ure the S.BUS Bit Rate manually (see Checking the Ground Units Registered to an Air Unit (Win-
dows / MAC) [35] and Configuring Fail Safe Parameters (Android) [53]).
The CONNEX LR automatically detects the S.BUS/PWM/PPM and transmits the gimbal commands
over the wireless return channel to the Air Unit’s S.BUS/CTRL port.
For a list of supported remote controls and gimbals, see Supported Remote Controls, Gimbals and
Telemetry Flight Controllers [13].
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Placement Recommendations and Best Practices
Placement Guidelines of CONNEX LR
This section describes mandatory requirements and best practices for optimal placement of the CON-
NEX LR.
•Place the CONNEX LR as High as Possible: Place the CONNEX LR on a tripod or pole so that it is
as high as possible. A height of 2 meters is optimal.
•Place the CONNEX LR Facing the Air Unit: Place the CONNEX LR so that its antenna plane is fac-
ing upwards in the general direction in which the drone will be flying, as seen in the illustration below.
Figure 3. Antennas Facing the Drone
•Avoid Interference: Place the CONNEX LR as far away as possible from other transceiver devices,
especially transmitters in the 5 GHz band.
Reception Range and Reception Areas
The CONNEX LR is supplied with its own antennas. 4 of the antennas are built-in to the receiver's body
and does not require outside connection, and the fifth antenna is an external antenna.
Below, you can find the description of the CONNEX LR reception area.
When positioning the CONNEX LR on a tripod, the main lobe of its antennas spreads on a 70o horizon-
tally, giving it a range of up to 3Km of stable reception in LoS condition.
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NOTE
The CONNEX LR has no limitation range, so the user might be able to reach further
than 3Km, with the right antenna positioning, clear line of sight and clear frequencies.
On the side and back lobes, the CONNEX LR has up to 400 meters range, letting the user have a safe
and close landing when outside the main lobe reception area.
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The CONNEX LR's main lobe is also spread vertically 25o. The vertical side and back lobes will also
allow the user a range of up to 400 meters.
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