What is FPV and what's the difference between Wi-Fi and analog 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz.

Introduction

If you've ever been interested in drones or quadcopters, you've come across the abbreviation FPV. FPV (First Person View) - a first-person view like in computer games. Every day the prices for quadcopters are decreasing and drones with FPV function are becoming available even in the low-end UAV segment.

Flying a drone with FPV can literally feel like a bird. That is why this trend is rapidly gaining popularity. Seeing this, manufacturers have increased the production of drones with FPV flight capabilities. The first person view gave a big boost to the popularity of drones. Every day there is a growing number of people who are already flying or are just going.

Prices for FPV drones start at around $ 100. Such drones are mainly needed for getting familiar with FPV flying and understanding which drone will be next. However, there are two different technologies for transmitting FPV signals: digital (via Wi-Fi) and analog at 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz. Let's take a closer look at them.

What is FPV?

FPV in the field of drone or unmanned hobby-is the broadcast of video in real time from the camera of the drone to the monitor, goggles or helmet of the pilot. In other words, this technology allows you to see what the drone "sees" at the time of flight. To carry out such a flight, a camera, video transmitter and antenna are installed on the drone. There are 3-in-1 assemblies (AIO - All In One), which are often used in hobby on micro drones such as Tiny Whoop

* Example of FPV AIO camera.

What is the use? The first-to feel to some extent freedom of flight. The second-FPV allows you to control the drone over long distances.

With FPV, you can see exactly where the drone is at a given time and orient yourself by the surrounding area. After we've figured out what FPV is in a drone hobby, let's take a look at the most popular video streaming methods.

Types of FPV: digital and analogue

As mentioned above, the transmission of a video stream over the air is realized by means of a transmitter and receiver, which in turn can operate in different radio frequency ranges - 900 MHz, 1.2 GHz, 1.3 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz. In the hobbyist niche, the most commonly used bands are 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. And the equipment used for data transmission can be of two types: digital and analog. Each type has its pros and cons, but one is clearly better than the other. Let's take a look at each in turn.

2.4GHz analog FPV

Of the options described in this article, the 2.4GHz analog band is the least popular. The reason lies in the low quality of the frequency for receiving the FPV signal. A video picture at this frequency is more susceptible to blur and noise. All because of the large number of devices that surround us and operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Starting from mobile devices connected via Wi-Fi and ending with microwave ovens. They are all sources of interference at this frequency. Accordingly, in the city, flying in FPV mode at 2.4GHz will be problematic.

FPV over Wi-Fi at 2.4GHz (digital)

* Left to right: One of the options for smartphone holders (installed on the remote control budget UAVs); One of the options for the budget FPV Wi-Fi camera with a built-in VTX and antenna.

The most popular technology through which FPV flight is realized. Installed mainly on budget drones. Almost every quadcopter under a hundred dollars will have FPV over Wi-Fi. The first reason for its popularity is a cheap Wi-Fi transmitter that is connected to the drone's camera, the second is that there is no monitor in the package, its role will be played by a smartphone or tablet. In the case of analog equipment, the drone is additionally equipped with a remote control with a monitor or glasses.

Therefore, FPV over Wi-Fi is the easiest and most convenient way to fly in the first person today. After turning on the drone, you need to connect the gadget to a Wi-Fi point and go to the application. The disadvantages of digital technology are the signal transmission distance, limited by the capabilities of Wi-Fi, a large number of sources of interference in the 2.4GHz range and the biggest disadvantage is the image delay, the further the drone is from the pilot, the greater the delay value, which subsequently nullifies all further first-person flight. This method is only relevant for the first acquaintance with FPV and nothing more.

5.8GHz analog FPV

5.8GHz FPV of choice for professionals and amateurs. Pros. Good balance between bandwidth and range. The delay of the picture is so small that it is invisible to the human eye. It is currently one of the best ranges for FPV flying. By default, it is installed on racing drones, since the delay of the transmitted image is optimal for high-speed flights.

There is only one minus - the price. Due to the additional monitor or glasses, the price is much higher. You will also have to pay extra for a powerful transmitter.

Beginners are advised to start with budget FPV goggles

FPV over Wi-Fi at 5GHz (digital)

Broadcasting over Wi-Fi at 5GHz has come to the budget niche not so long ago, which has significantly improved the quality of the video stream and the removal distance. Therefore, when choosing a budget drone with FPV, it will be best if the model's Wi-Fi VTX operates at 5GHz.

Note: To attract the user's attention, developers often use “G” instead of GHz / GHz (for example, 5G or 2.4G). In fact, this has nothing to do withthe fifth generation of mobile communications, but simply indicates that the drone control / video stream transmission is carried out at 5GHz (or 2.4GHz, respectively).

Output

The result is:

  1. 2.4GHz analog FPV outdated technology, practically not used
  2. Wi-Fi FPV at 2.4 GHz is a new budget technology, but the picture is broadcast with a significant delay
  3. Wi-Fi FPV at 5 GHz (5G Wi-Fi) is a new budget technology, the picture is broadcast with less latency compared to Wi-Fi FPV 2.4GHz, with better quality and longer range. Best for entry-level drones (toys).
  4. 5.8GHz analog FPV is the best of the three, the choice of professionals and amateurs. 58 and by an order of magnitude bypasses analog FPV in broadcast quality (HD quality with ultra-low latency). The first to offer such a digital FPV as a hobby, able to compete with analog, were DJI InnovationsDJI Digital FPV system. The disadvantage of this technology, as always, is only one-price..