LEGO Onboard Xiaomi Repeater mod

ZWActual · Sep 11, 2019

12 volts are needed to operate that camera.

The Tello battery as @xcrost mentioned above can only deliver 5V out of the OTG/USB port.

RRR · Sep 12, 2019

ZWActual said:
12 volts are needed to operate that camera.

The Tello battery as @xcrost mentioned above can only deliver 5V out of the OTG/USB port.

I am not good with this but do you think that this battery will work? GP 12V 23AE Battery - GP : Flipkart.com

ZWActual · Sep 12, 2019

That is an akaline battery for devices such as remotes, sensors etc.

That camera and most RC devices are powered from Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries. Suggest you read through this primer to understand the basics of using and maintaining these type of batteries:

Lithium Polymer Etiquette: a Comprehensive Guide to Working With LiPo

Lithium Polymer Etiquette: a Comprehensive Guide to Working With LiPo: In this Instructable I will be going over the basics of proper charging, discharging, handling, usage, storage, and care of lithium polymer batteries so you can use them safely and effectively in your future projects. Now...

www.instructables.com

That said, was able to locate the manual (attached to this thread) for the Hawkeye Firefly 4K Split Camera. This unit is actually able to take in a range of input voltages (7-22V; 2S-6S battery).

The camera comes with a power/video cable with pin 1 acting as the positive (+) terminal and pin 2 as ground on a JST style connector. Opposite end is raw ended.

Here's a sampling of 2S LiPo batteries from the same site I believe you acquired the camera from.

2s lipo battery - Buy 2s lipo battery with free shipping | Banggood Shopping

Buy the best and latest 2s lipo battery on banggood.com offer the quality 2s lipo battery on sale with worldwide free shipping. | Shopping

www.banggood.com

Information is above. Up to you to decide how to put it together and balance your design to how you want it. Good luck!

RRR · Sep 13, 2019

I contacted the company. Good news is that Firefly Split cam also supports 5V so we can finally use OTG and can use this 4k cam. I will update you guys as soon as I get hold of the camera. Its still not reached.

ZWActual · Sep 13, 2019

@RRR

Great. Keep us posted on the setup..

2old4toys · Sep 17, 2019

Can someone explain to me why would mounting the Mi WiFi extender in the back of the Tello be better range vs saving the Tello excess flight weight by just having the WiFi extender taped to a hard hat with a power bank worn on top of your head?

raulvolador · Sep 18, 2019

2old4toys said:
Can someone explain to me why would mounting the Mi WiFi extender in the back of the Tello be better range vs saving the Tello excess flight weight by just having the WiFi extender taped to a hard hat with a power bank worn on top of your head?

I'll try to explain you...

This mod involves TWO repeaters working at once, first one is in the back of the Tello and the second one is close to you, on top of your hat if you like

Best regards

Raul.

ZWActual · Oct 25, 2019

RRR said:
I contacted the company. Good news is that Firefly Split cam also supports 5V so we can finally use OTG and can use this 4k cam. I will update you guys as soon as I get hold of the camera. Its still not reached.

Any updates?

raulvolador · Oct 25, 2019

The mod works. Main drawback is reduced flying time and a little radio link instability.

I always carry it with me to flying location. First flights are using my stock, unmodfied Tello. If I suffer video interference or feel the needing to get a bit farther I mount Lego Onboard in seconds and perform same flight again.

Last attemp at countryside (no wifi nearby) I got 300 meters flying stock no-mod Tello

Same place and day using Lego Onboard I got 430 meters. Notice reduced bitrate, db signal stays always at 90% due onboard repeater.

That's an excellent improvement about 40% better range.

But... I realized wifi link is not stable enought when using mod. Sometimes signal decreases sharply and I have to perform a sudden return to home maneouver. It's a little scary

All the best.

ZWActual · Oct 25, 2019

@raulvolador

Thanks for your reply. Always detail oriented and informative.

Are you running the Firefly Split cam as well? Was wondering if @RRR ever got that installed and working.

RRR · Oct 25, 2019

ZWActual said:
Any updates?

I got camea yes, due to new year festival here, I havent got much time to work on that. I will update you guys soon, Camera comes with mini HDMI camera for settings operation, I dont have that so I need to buy that too.

ZWActual · Oct 25, 2019

@RRR

Thanks for the update. Diwali? If so, enjoy.

raulvolador · Nov 28, 2019

Hi all,

I'm glad to present you a new video about Xiaomi Onboard Lego Mod.

In this video I'll try to give you a detailed explanation of how it works and a complete range and video quality test.

I added video at first post too.

Please, watch and leave your comments.

Raul.
-------

Flydrone · Nov 28, 2019

Congratulations Raul. A really interesting mod for our little TELLO!

my distance record, it's still 308 meters with only xiaomi and parabola and a good video return!
Hello and have fun with your Tello!

vsaranov · Dec 4, 2019

There was an idea to use the DT-W5G1 module, which could be a Wifi repeater only at a frequency of 5 GHz, which would increase the communication range.
Double Frequency (2.4G and 5G wifi)

raulvolador · Dec 5, 2019

vsaranov said:
There was an idea to use the DT-W5G1 module, which could be a Wifi repeater only at a frequency of 5 GHz, which would increase the communication range.
Double Frequency (2.4G and 5G wifi)

Great idea !

MNNJR69 · Dec 7, 2019

I ordered all the parts a couple of days ago. Even got everything in red to match the Iron Man theme! I post the pics around June 2021, when all the parts finally arrive form China. That about how long they take to get here!???

RRR · Jan 2, 2020

ZWActual said:
@RRR

Thanks for the update. Diwali? If so, enjoy.

~~Sorry to inform you guys. Firfly 4k split not working. Not getting power from Tello. As per company reply and documents, it did accept 5V. Any ideas to make this work?~~

Edit: Its working! What you need to do is, first, start the drone, after it's powered up and running, then only insert the camera. Now I need a lego adapter, to mount the camera. I have ordered it and it will come after 20 days! We need to wait that much!

Seaking6 · Jan 27, 2020

This is fantastic, how far do you think it could travel in 1 direction away from the starting point? 1km? Thanks.

bigred143 · Jan 30, 2020

I found a super easy way to do the Yiaomi Repeater Mod, with no soldering or taking the Mi apart. I got the , the Lego Tello Adapter and a USB 2.0 OTG Cable Micro USB to USB (4-inch)... All from Amazon... Assemble and TaDa... complete setup and no soldering or ripping apart the Yiaomi either... Waiting for the Lego Adapter and then I'll include some pics...