Mainlink MK22 User manual

MK22/MK55
Long-range Wireless Transmission System
User's Manual V1.0 2022.10
Introduction / Installation Guide / Instruction

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
Copyright © 2022 Mainlink All Rights Reserved
2
Disclaimer
Please read the user's manual carefully before use. Be sure to pay attention to the
warnings and understand all points completely.
Please strictly abide by the local radio frequency management regulations.
Please follow the installation steps in the manual to use this product. Our company
and agent will not take legal responsibility for the damage of equipment or personnel
caused by the installation and modification of users.
This copyright of this manual belongs to Great Mainlink Tech Co., LTD. No one may
make copies without written consent.
Caution
Attention to installation
1. Before power on, make sure the antenna connection is reliably . Otherwise, it will cause
damage to the device.
2. Make sure that the voltage is within the range of use.
3. Please pay attention to the EMC of all the electronic equipment on your drone.
4. It is recommended that the antenna should be installed downward and keep the antenna
away from the metal on the drone.
5. Make sure to use the matching antenna.
Before use
1. Make sure that all cables are connected correctly and firmly.
2. No foreign objects (e.g. liquids, sand, etc.) can be entered inside the device.

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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3. It takes 15 seconds for the device to start. Video and data cannot be transferred until the
device has finished booting.
4. Please ensure that the environment in which the equipment is used is free of other
electromagnetic interference.
5. When the signal weakens, you can improve the effect by changing the heading direction
of the antenna.
Get instructional video
In order to use the system correctly, you can get the instructional
Video at the following address:
https://mainlinkaero.com/cn/video/video-main.html
Download Maestro Assistant
Download the software at the following address：
https://mainlinkaero.com/cn/download/download-main.html

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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CONTENTS
Disclaimer................................................................................................................................ 2
Caution..................................................................................................................................... 2
Attention to installation..............................................................................................2
Before use.......................................................................................................................2
Get instructional video ................................................................................................3
Download Maestro Assistant.................................................................................. 3
Packing list ...............................................................................................................................6
Overview.................................................................................................................................. 8
Features.................................................................................................................................... 9
MK22 Interface Description..............................................................................................10
Installation............................................................................................................................. 14
Air .................................................................................................................................... 14
Ground .............................................................................................................................14
1.Connect the antenna ....................................................................................... 15
2. Connect to the Ground Station................................................................ 15
MK22 Instruction ...................................................................................................................... 16
Quick start .................................................................................................................... 16
MK22 with CODEC module MF05 ..........................................................................18
.........................................................................................................................................19
MK22 with Mission Planner .....................................................................................19
Improve RC controller distance through SBUS..................................................23
Maestro Assistant................................................................................................................ 25
Interface of Maestro Assistant................................................................................25
How to use Maestro Assistant................................................................................26
1. Connect MK22 with Maestro Assistant. .......................................................26
2. Read current parameter。.............................................................................27
3. Configurations...............................................................................................27
MK22 Web UI Configuration Description..................................................................... 30

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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Login.............................................................................................................................. 31
Setting........................................................................................................................... 32
System update............................................................................................................ 38
Wireless pair................................................................................................................ 39
Language...................................................................................................................... 40
Advanced User Display ............................................................................................. 40
Specification ......................................................................................................................... 44
FAQ.......................................................................................................................................... 46

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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Packing list
Device
Ground Air
Accessories
2Pin XT30 cable
×1
2Pin cable
×1
For Power
For pairing and reset
3Pin cable
×5
4Pin cable
×2
For UART and SBUS
For Ethernet
Short Antenna
×2
Fiber-glass antenna
×1

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For air unit
For ground unit
Long Antenna
×2
RF feeder
×2
For air unit
For air unit to UVA
19Pin cable
×1
For Ethernet and Power_Out

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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Overview
Industry drone market is developing very fast in recent years. The fight time and
distance of drones are getting longer and longer. MK22/MK55, a long-range wireless
transmission system, is designed for VTOL fixed wing and other long-range drones. The
system can transmit video, fight control data, gimbal control data, and RC data
simultaneously. With the advantage of high level intergration and powerful function,
MK22/MK55 is a typical good product to meet long-range transmission requirements.
There are two frequency bands——800MHz、1.4GHz and 2.4GHz. Users can choose
according to their needs. Please choose the suitable frequency band according to local
regulations.
MK22 can transmit data and video to 22km, MK55 can transmit data and video to
55km, making it very suitable for long range drone.
If you use our recommend ground station, you only need one cable with
connector to connect the device and your ground station.
*1Test under LOS and no interference conditions。

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Features
Long distance Modulation
-MK22 Up to 22km @ LOS - OFDM
-MK55 Up to 55km @ LOS
Video interface Data interface
- Ethernet *1 - UART（TTL/RS232）/SBUS，
Hopping/Fixed Frequency Frequency Band
-Fixed: user defined - 800MHz/1.4GHz/2.4GHz
-Hopping: automatic Working mode
BW - Air unit can be ：Point to point mode
-5/10/20 MHz Repeater mode
Work temperature Power range
- 40℃～+70℃- DC 9~28V Battery 3S~6S

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MK22 Interface Description
Air unit with side view
1. Ethernet
Number
Character
Description
Input/Output
1
T+
TX+
O
2
T-
TX-
O
3
R+
RX+
I
4
R-
RX-
I
2. UART1
Number
Character
Description
Input/Output
1
G
GND
I/O
2
R
RS232 RX
I
3
T
RS232 TX
O
3. UART2
Number
Character
Description
Input/Output
1
G
GND
O
2
R
TTL RX
I
3
T
TTL TX
O

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4. Power
Number
Character
Description
Input/Output
1
G
GND
I/O
2
V
+Vcc（9v~28v）
I
5. SBUS1
Number
Character
Description
Input/Output
1
S
SBUS OUT
O
2
V
+5v（I max 1A）
O
3
G
GND
I/O
6. SBUS2
Number
Character
Description
Input/Output
1
S
SBUS OUT
O
2
V
+5v（I max 1A）
O
3
G
GND
I/O
7. Power indicator
This indicator is solid green when air unit is booting.
8. Link indicator
LED Pattern Description
solid green Wireless link is established
light off Wireless link is lost
9. Status Indicator
LED Pattern（Blink only in booting）Description
Blink 2 times Initialization OK, Frequency is 1.4G
Blink 1 time Initialization OK, Frequency is 800M
Blink 3 times Switch mode (Swith from air to ground, vice verse)

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Blink slow all the time Enter configuration mode
Blink fast all the time Device abnormal
10. SMA antenna connector.
Ground unit
1. Fiber glass antenna.
Please connect the standard fiber-glass antenna to this connector.
2. OLED display.
The OLED screen on the ground displays transmission parameters such as signal strength,
frequency and bandwidth.The five LED lights below correspond to the power indicator,
the chain indicator, and the signal strength indicator.
3. Battery
SONY XXXX batteries are available. Default switch 5 is in the center. When flipped up, use
battery powered mode，Please install the battery in the battery holder; When flipped
down, use the external power supply mode, please connected port 4 to an external power
supply.
4. Connector.
The navigation plug includes ports, serial ports, SBUS, power supply and other interfaces.
The specific definitions are as follows:

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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Number
Description
Input/Output
1
Rx+
I
2
Rx-
I
3
Tx+
O
4
Tx-
O
5
UART1 TX (RS232)
O
6
UART1 RX (RS232)
I
7
UART2 TX (RS232)
O
8
UART2 RX (RS232)
I
9
RC1_IN
I
10
RC2_IN
I
11
+5v
O
12
GND
I/O
13
GND
I/O
14
GND
I/O
15
GND
I/O
16
GND
I/O
17
GND
I/O
18
Vcc (9v~28v)
I
19
Vcc (9v~28v)
I

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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Installation
Air
1.Installing the air unit on your drone
Fixed the device and RF cable on your drone. Install the antenna. Pay attention to the
connection of the antenna to tighten. Make the antenna downward. There is no metal or
shielding within 20cm of the antenna.
2. Connecting the gimbal
Connect the gimbal to one ethernet of MK22. Connect UART1 to flight control. If you
need to control the drone with RC, please connect SBUS_OUT of MK22 to flight control
SBUS IN.
Attention: If your gimbal only has HDMI/SDI/AV interface, please refer to the
section of “MK22 with M05E”. When using the SBUS, please pay more attention to the
power.
Do not put the antenna near the motor or ESC, otherwise the device will be interfered.
Ground

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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1.Connect the antenna
Connect the fiber glass antenna which was supplied along with the device to the ground
unit. They have common port—SMA. Make sure to tighten the joint.
Connect the RC receiver and other cables.
Connect the RC receiver SBUS output to the ground unit SBUS_IN and then connect the
power cable.
2. Connect to the Ground Station
The MK22 ground unit can be connected to the Ground Station with ethernet or
UART.
Get Video
You can get video via RTSP, and decode the video with video decoding software
such as VLC. Also, you can get video using Mission Planner and QGC.
Get data
1.You can get data from ground unit via UART1 and UART2. Maybe you need a UART to
USB converter.
2. You can get data from Ethernet port using UDP/TCP protocol.

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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MK22 Instruction
Quick start
1. Preparing
Make sure all the connections are ready, including the antenna, Ethernet cable and so on.If
you connect a ethernet gimbal to MK22 air unit, the GH1.25 interface is recommended for high
reliability.
2. Power on
The DC voltage is 9~28V. After power on, the POWER LED will be solid green.
Any question, please refer to the FAQ. It takes 15 seconds to start up. After the system
starts, the wireless transmission can be established.
3. Using PC to get video from ethernet gimbal.
3.1 Connect gimbal、MK22 and PC as shown above。
Attention：Please ensure that gimbal and PC on the same network segment. The
default IP of MK22 is in the table below. The network segment of gimbal and MK22 can be

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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the same or different. MK22 can transmit video and data transparent.
MK22 air unit default IP
192.168.1.200
MK22 ground unit default IP
192.168.1.236

Version：V1.0（2022.10）
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3.2 Get video
User can get video in PC through the software provided by the gimbal manufacturer.
Also, user can use some common software such as VLC.
Take VLC for an example.
In the “open media” page, please input the following address：
rtsp://192.168.1.36:554/stream0
You can get video after click “play”.
MK22 with CODEC module MF05
If your gimbal has a HDMI/SDI/AV interface, you can add CODEC module MF05 to
work with MK22. MF05 contains encoding module MF05E and decoding module MF05D.
You only need one single cable in the accessory box to connect MK22 and MF05. It is
shown in the picture below.
For more information, please refer to the MF05 user's manual.

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MK22 with Mission Planner
Follow the steps to use MK22 with Mission Planner：
1. Connect the UART1 of MK22 air unit to flight controller, such as Pixhawk. Connect the gimbal
to one ethernet of MK22.
2. Making sure all the air and ground cable connection is finished. Power on the system.
3. Install Mission Planner to your computer.
4. Set the IP address of the computer.
Open “Network and Internet”setting.
Select “Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP / IPv4) properties”.
Change IP address to “192.168.1.xxx”（xxx is in 0～255 , you cann’t use IP 192.168.1.200
and 192.168.1.236, because these IP were set in MK22）.
Attention：The IP “192.168.1.XXX”is just an example. You need to set up your
PC the same IP section as your gimbal.

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5. Get data
There are three methods to get data from MK22 ground unit, using Mission Planner：
UDP port via Ethernet;
TCP port via Ethernet；
UART (COM)
5.1 Get data from UDP port.
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