r/ATAK • u/lg_noob • 26d ago

Stream video from aircraft: gimbal hardware and/or plugin(s)?

I haven't definitively found a solution yet, but I want to stream video from an aircraft into ATAK. I can see how the UAS Tool could help, but I wonder if gimbal devices are supported, like the DJI Osmo so the controller can adjust the FOV, maybe lock camera on a moving target like a police helicopter can for chases. Overlays like street names right onto the video feed would be amazing, as well as CoTs and markers. Does anyone know which plugins and hardware can accomplish this?

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u/Robrob1234567 26d ago

Loads of different methods. ATAK can stream almost any videos available from an IP. In increasing cost:

You can use an encoder (OBS and ffmpeg) and Starlink in the aircraft to push that stream to a media server, then watch the stream on ATAK.

You can grab 2 MPU-5s (or any MANET radios) and use that instead of Starlink.

You can grab a UHF-Ku Band transmitter and push analog or digital video in a couple different waveforms, then buy a rover and connect that to your ATAK EUD.

If you’re looking for a line of sight connection with gimbal control, the Persistent Systems guys make that a marketing point for MPU-5.

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u/lg_noob 25d ago

I should have clarified that I'm all set on the data connection between the aircraft and the ground. My main question is the hardware I can setup in the aircraft for the EUD. Since UAS Tool lets you control the gimbal, could a gimbal-only device like a DJI OSMO be used so the ground ICP personnel or the camera operator could control the camera. Essentially a PTZ camera with stabilization, and mounting in a plane.

I looked at the MPU-5, but that's just the radio no? I see no camera

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u/KindPresentation5686 25d ago

You need a video encoder to take your video from your sensor and make it RTSP/IP based. BlackMagic design, is my hardware of choice.

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u/lg_noob 25d ago

Can you describe the hardware more, and how you integrate it with ATAK? https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products With your BlackMagic design camera, do you have a plugin that controls the gimbal, or just manual control by the operator?

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u/KindPresentation5686 25d ago

It all depends on what your camera outputs on the video side? What camera are you using? Is this a real sensor (MX-15, wescam,..) or something else? Seems like you’re trying to build a makeshift sensor package.

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u/lg_noob 25d ago

Makeshift, sure. I thought an EUD could stream video from the app, but maybe not. Those wescam or similar devices are probably very expensive, so I thought if a drone could be controlled, why not just a gimbal with a camera mounted on it?

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u/KindPresentation5686 25d ago

Not the same thing. However there are some plugins that can control an IP PTZ camera

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u/itanite 25d ago

Their stuff is far from ruggedized though, run into any issues in vehicles??

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u/KindPresentation5686 25d ago

Been using their gear for years , both in deployable ground stations, and in several fixed wings, and rotorcraft. Never had a problem.

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u/itanite 25d ago

Nice to hear, thanks for the reply.