Disco4G is a software modification (softmod) for the Parrot Disco drone. Instead of the built-in regular Wi-Fi, it allows to use a 4G/LTE cellular/mobile network connection to link Skycontroller 2 to the Disco. Control/telemetry and live video stream are routed through the 4G/LTE connection. In other words, range limit becomes your imagination! Ok, to be fair, it's still limited by the battery capacity 😜
Pros:
- Range limit is no longer dependent on Wi-Fi signal
- Low hardware cost (around US$ 40.-)
- All stock hardware can be used (standard Parrot Skycontroller 2 with FreeFlight Pro App)
- Return-to-home (RTH) is auto-initiated in case of connection loss
- Allows independent real-time GPS tracking viaGlympse
- Easy initiation of 4G/LTE connection via Skycontroller 2 button
- Can be used for manually controlled flights as well as flight plans
- 💥 Videos and photos can be recorded to amicroSD card inside the 4G modem
Cons:
- Dependent on4G/LTE mobile network coverage
- Might incur mobile data cost (dependent on your mobile network operator)
- Slightly higher latencyas compared to Wi-Fi
Instructions too technical? Having trouble installing the softmod? Questions on what hardware to order? Want to meet the developers? Interested in other mods (batteries, LEDs, etc.)? Interested to meet like-minded people? Having a great idea and want to let us know?
We have a great and very active community on Slack, comejoin us!
- The Parrot Disco's stock Wi-Fi loses video signal way before the specified 2 km.
- Because we can 😁
In simple terms, the Wi-Fi connection is hijacked and routed via a tethering device (e.g. mobile phone) through a 4G/LTE cellular/mobile network to the Disco. As tethering device, any modern mobile phone can be used (iOS: "Personal Hotspot" or Android: "Portable WLAN hotspot" ). The Disco requires a 4G/LTE USB modem to be able to send and receive data via cellular/mobile networks.
Initiation of the 4G/LTE connection (and switch back to Wi-Fi) can be done by simply pressing the Settings button twice on Skycontroller 2.
The "Power" LED on Skycontroller 2 will change to solid blue once the 4G/LTE connection to the Disco is established.
Once up in the air, everything works in the same manner as with the stock Wi-Fi connection, e.g. flight plans, return-to-home (auto-initiated in case of connection loss), etc.
The mobile device running FreeFlight Pro (the one connected to Skycontroller 2 via USB) can even be the same as the mobile tethering device/phone.
ZeroTieris a free online service, which we use to manage and encrypt the connection between the Disco and Skycontroller 2. ZeroTier will find the fastest and shortest connection (e.g. by doing NAT traversal) to give you the best possible performance, regardless of the mobile operator's network topology.
Additionally,Glympse,a free App for iOS/Android, allows independent real-time GPS tracking and showsdetailed telemetry data(signal strength, altitude, speed, compass, battery and latency) of the Disco via 4G/LTE. This can be particularly useful to recover the Disco in the unfortunate event of a crash or flyaway.
This gives you
- More storage space available than the built-in 32 GB: great for longer flights or multiple flights where videos cannot be transferred to a PC immediately.
- No more long transfer time required from the Disco to a PC (usually done via USB cable or Wi-Fi).
- Saves battery power (and reduces charging cycles long-term) as videos don't have to be transferred on a battery-powered CHUCK.
- The microSD card can be unplugged after the flight and plugged into a PC - the pilot can watch the video immediately without having to transfer anything first.
👉 More infos inthis FAQ entry
Hardware:
- Parrot Disco/Parrot Disco-Pro AGwith firmware 1.4.1 to 1.7.1
Buy now!
Order fom Amazon ~US$850.00
- Skycontroller 2 (silver joysticks) with firmware 1.0.7 - 1.0.9
or - Skycontroller 2P (black joysticks) with firmware 1.0.3 - 1.0.5
- Huawei E3372 4G USB modemorcompatibleandSIM card
Buy now!
Huawei E3372h-153 (Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa)
Order from AliExpress ~US$36.00
Order from Amazon ~US$42.00
Huawei E3372h-510 (USA, Latin America, Caribbean)
Order from AliExpress ~US$50.00
Order from Amazon ~US$39.00
- USB OTG cable (Micro USB 2.0 Male to USB 2.0 Female, ca. 15 cm, angle cable)
Buy now!
Order from AliExpress ~US$2.00(choose "direction up" )
Order fom Amazon ~US$14.00(choose 15 cm)
- Antennas (2x CRC9) for the modem (optional)
- Mobile device/phone with Wi-Fi tethering andSIM card(for best performance, use the same operator as the USB modem's SIM card). Most recent iOS and Android devices work fine.
- PC with Wi-Fi (one-time, required for initial installation)
Software:
- FreeFlight Pro App on iOS or Android (can be the same device providing Wi-Fi tethering)
- Zerotier account (free)
- Glympse App for independent real-time GPS tracking (optional) - free Glympse Developer account required
Please see Wiki articleInstallation.
Please see Wiki articleHow to fly on 4G/LTE? (User Manual).
Please see Wiki articleFAQ.
Yes and yes! This softmod has been developed over countless of days and nights by RC hobbyists and technology enthusiasts with zero commercial intention. Anyone can download our code for free and transform his/her Disco into a 4G/LTE enabled fixed-wing drone by following the instructions provided.
However,we highly appreciatefeedback and active contributionto improve and maintain this project.
If you insist, feel free to donate any amount you like. We will mainly use donations to acquire new hardware to be able to support a wider range of options (such as more 4G/LTE USB Modems).
Join ourUAVPAL Slack workspaceor check out theissue sectionhere on GitHub.
Email:(please do not use email for issues/troubleshooting help. Join our Slack community instead!)
- Parrot - for building this beautiful bird, as well as for promoting and supporting Free and Open-Source Software
- ZeroTier - awesome product and excellent support
- Glympse - great app and outstanding API
- Andres Toomsalu
- AussieGus
- Brian
- Carlo
- Dustin Dunnill
- John Dreadwing
- Joris Dirks
- Josh Mason
- Justin
- Phil
- Sarah Davis
- Tim Vu
This is still an EXPERIMENTAL modification! Mod and fly your Disco at YOUR OWN RISK!!!