FIELD OF VIEW GEOSNAP EXPRESS User Manual

GeoSnap Express

User Manual

Date

Revision

6/18/15

Manual created

12/14/15

Added Troubleshooting section

2/11/16

Updated to match 2.3.x firmware

3/28/16

Added File synchronization section

5/23/16

Updated to match 2.4.x firmware

6/29/16

Updated

iii iii iii iii

Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1

The GeoSnap Express ................................................................................................................... 2

System components ..................................................................................................................... 2

Getting Started ...................................................................................................................... 4

Installing the GeoSnap Express on a DSLR camera ...................................................................... 5

Using the wired remote trigger ................................................................................................... 7

Using the 6-position I/O port ....................................................................................................... 7

Powering the GeoSnap system .................................................................................................... 8

Loading new firmware onto the GeoSnap system ....................................................................... 8

LED codes ..................................................................................................................................... 9

GeoSnap System Files .......................................................................................................... 10

Imagenum file ............................................................................................................................ 11

Configuration file ....................................................................................................................... 11

Flight data log file ....................................................................................................................... 19

Image log file .............................................................................................................................. 20

Pix4D log file .............................................................................................................................. 21

Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................. 22

GPS signal quality test ................................................................................................................ 23

Fix status code lookup table ...................................................................................................... 25

Specifications & Settings ...................................................................................................... 27

Physical specifications ................................................................................................................ 28

Power specifications .................................................................................................................. 29

6-position I/O port specifications .............................................................................................. 29

MicroSD card specifications ....................................................................................................... 30

Camera settings ......................................................................................................................... 30

GeoSnap Express and DSLR Checklist ........................................................................................ 32

1 1 1 1 1 1

Introduction

In this section:

 The GeoSnap Express  System components

Introduction

2 2

The GeoSnap Express

The Field of View GeoSnap system was developed to streamline camera payload integration, facilitate intelligent triggering, and produce a valuable log of position and ground track heading

conditions at the moment of image capture.

System components

GeoSnap Control Unit

GeoSnap Hotshoe Module

GPS antenna port

Power input

MicroSD card slot

Onboard button

6-position I/O port

Wired trigger port

Control unit port

IR LED port

Introduction

3 3

Wired trigger pigtail

Velcro mounting patch

IR trigger cable

MicroSD card adapter

Power pigtail

6-position housing

6-position I/O wires

GPS antenna

Accessories

4 4 4 4 4 4

Getting Started

In this section:

 Installing the GeoSnap system  Using the wired remote trigger  Using the 6-position I/O port  Powering the GeoSnap system  LED codes  Loading new firmware onto the GeoSnap system

Getting Started

5 5

Installing the GeoSnap Express on a DSLR camera

Place the hotshoe module onto the camera’s hotshoe mount

Tighten down the hotshoe module by twisting the lock

Screw down the GPS antenna SMA connector so that it is snug

Note: Make sure you mount the GPS antenna with the top facing up and with a clear view of the sky. Also make sure that you do not mount the antenna near transmitters on the aircraft that could cause interference and degrade the performance of the GPS.

TOP

Getting Started

6 6

If using the hardwire trigger cable

Note: The standard GeoSnap kit comes with a trigger wire pigtail cable that you need to integrate with the appropriate hardwire trigger plug for your camera. The images above show a GeoSnap trigger cable that is integrated with a Sony A6000 trigger plug

If using the IR LED trigger cable

Plug the IR LED cable into the IR LED port on the hotshoe module

Route the IR LED cable to the remote control sensor

Attach the IR LED to the camera over the remote control sensor (you can do this by using a piece of tape)

Plug the 3-pos trigger cable into the wired trigger port on the hotshoe module

Route the cable to the wired trigger port on the camera and plug it in

Getting Started

7 7

Using the wired remote trigger

You can trigger the camera via a wired remote port if your camera has one. There is a wired trigger pigtail cable and/or custom wired trigger cable provided for this purpose. This cable plugs into the 3-position wired trigger port. If you are interfacing with the camera using the wired trigger pigtail, it is recommended that you follow these steps:

1. Purchase a stock wired remote for your particular camera model

2. Cut the cable 1-5” from the connector depending on the location of the wired remote

port relative to the GeoSnap hotshoe module

3. Strip the ends of the stock wired remote cable wires

4. Identify which cables in the stock cable relate to Ground, Focus, and Shutter Release

5. Connect the wires to the wired trigger pigtail as follows: Ground -> Black, Focus ->

White, and Shutter Release -> Green

6. Plug the cable into the camera and the GeoSnap hotshoe module

Using the 6-position I/O port

The 6-position I/O port can be used to interface with the GeoSnap system primarily to control triggering using an external source. A 6-position locking connector and wires with pre-crimped pins are provided in the GeoSnap system accessories. To install a wire into the 6-position locking connector, place the wire into the appropriate slot in the 6-position connector with the smooth side of the pin facing up. Push the wire in until you hear a click then tug on it slightly to ensure that it seated.

6-Position I/O Port Pinout

Label

Voltage

Description

1

Ground

-

2

N/A

- - 3

N/A

- - 4

Trigger

0 to 5V

Control GeoSnap by driving this line high or low

5

Indication

0 or 3.3V

Line goes high when capture verification is received

6

VCC

3.3V

-

Triggering

The GeoSnap board can be triggered externally by an autopilot or other input by driving the Trigger line (position 4) high (3.3-5V) or low (0-0.2V), depending on the settings you have chosen in the configuration file. It is highly recommended that you use the GeoSnap system VCC line (position 6) to provide the voltage to hold or drive the Trigger line high. Triggering using the Trigger line and the VCC line can be accomplished by shorting the two wires together or by using a PWM relay to control voltage level.

Getting Started

8 8

Indication

You may also interface with the Indication line (position 5) to receive indication when the camera has taken a picture. The voltage in this line goes high (3.3-5V) when capture verification is received from the camera.

Ground & VCC

If an external device (i.e. an autopilot) is being used to command a trigger through the Trigger line (position 4) on the GeoSnap system as described above, it is highly recommended that the external device and the GeoSnap system are powered by the same source. If this is not the case (e.g. the external device and the GeoSnap system are powered by two separate batteries), the ground pin on the autopilot and the Ground line (position 1) on the GeoSnap system should be connected so that there is a common ground for triggering purposes.

The VCC line (position 6) should not be used to power any external devices. It should be used only for triggering with the Trigger line (position 4) as described above.

Powering the GeoSnap system

When it comes time to power the system, plug either the provided 9V battery holder or the provided power pigtail cable connected to an appropriate power source into the GeoSnap control module power input port.

GeoSnap Express Power Requirements

Parameter

Value

Voltage input range

4.5 to 28 V

Current input (typical)

0.10 A

Loading new firmware onto the GeoSnap system

If you need to load new firmware on your GeoSnap system, follow these steps:

1. Erase all data from the microSD card

2. Copy the firmware file (FOV.fwu) onto the microSD card and insert the card into the

GeoSnap system

3. Power the GeoSnap system – it will flash alternating red and green LEDs for a couple of

seconds until the firmware is loaded and it automatically erases the firmware file from the microSD card

FIELD OF VIEW GEOSNAP EXPRESS User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual