A vital function behind a DJI drone that’s typically neglected is the drone transmission system.
I’ve personally flown a number of DJI drones from totally different generations, and I can say – good heavens, what a distinction!
DJI drones often have the OcuSync transmission system, which is exclusive and proprietary to DJI. The transmission module is put in on all DJI drones and can’t be upgraded or modified, nevertheless it is available in totally different variations. And the flight vary, penetration, controller compatibility, and some extra elements rely on it.
Right here, I’ll share with you all the pieces that you must know concerning the DJI transmission system, why it issues, the distinction between them, and the way we will establish one.
Behind DJI OcuSync: Elements & Evaluation
A transmission system in a drone is likely one of the most important components with out which a drone can’t fly in any respect. It merely can’t make a connection between a drone distant controller and the drone itself.
In client DJI drones, now we have the OcuSync transmission system, which has two roles:
- It captures reside video and sends it again to the pilot. The pilot receives a reside feed, which will be seen on the telephone display related to the distant controller or the DJI RC with a display included. The OSD can be transmitted by the identical module with all the knowledge that you must see throughout a flight (battery left, sign energy, route, and many others.)
- The OcuSync on the drone additionally receives radio enter. The pilot info is distributed from the distant controller and acquired by the identical drone module.
In FPV, now we have two totally different modules: the video module (VTX) and a separate radio RX module that receives enter on a special protocol. However not with DJI.
Subsequently, with no transmission system, you can not management the drone or see a reside feed.
» MORE: Lengthy Vary Drones: Final Information
What’s the distinction between numerous DJI transmission methods?
As drone know-how evolves at an unimaginable price, so does the DJI OcuSync.
There are fairly a couple of variations between the totally different variations, so let me enable you perceive what will be affected if you’re about to decide on a drone based mostly on this function.
- Flight Vary: The flight vary is the primary to be affected. Newer OcuSync variations all the time include a big enchancment in flight vary and sign energy between the radio and the drone. DJI has all the time executed a wonderful job in creating long-range drones, primarily due to their transmission methods.
- Flight Penetration: Flight penetration is yet one more very important issue that we’ll typically observe to enhance with newer OcuSync methods. From flying a drone behind obstacles and bushes to areas with vital interference, the sign penetration of a drone is instantly impacted by the OcuSync transmission model.
- Stay feed decision and framerate: What we see on our telephone or RC display, the main points we observe, include a selected decision and framerate. That’s yet one more issue impacted by the OcuSync model. With the newer variations, the drone can transmit extra knowledge in real-time, therefore benefiting from higher decision and framerate.
- Latency: In drone phrases, latency is the response time between the drone distant controller and the drone itself after we relate to radio transmission or between the drone video system and the picture displayed associated to the video transmission. Older OcuSync variations and cheaper radios may have slower response instances.
- Compatibility: All these DJI drones with an OcuSync transmission system must be suitable with a radio that helps the identical protocol. That’s why by no means purchase an RC except you’re assured it’s suitable along with your DJI drone.
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OcuSync variations
Let’s not leap forward and begin with the traditional know-how discovered within the early model of drones that aren’t used anymore at present.
You will not be fascinated with that.
What that you must know is that at the moment, there are DJI drones in manufacturing as of at present that use OcuSync variations 2.0, 3.0, 3+, and the most recent, 4.0. We’ve flown drones with almost all of them and have examined them completely at Droneblog, so that is the voice of expertise.
What’s the distinction between these variations? How do they deal with all these options?
I bear in mind once I had my first Mavic Air, it struggled to transcend 500 meters (0.3 miles) within the distance earlier than breaking apart the sign badly.
It was certainly that unhealthy. So far as I do know, it used some type of dual-band Wi-Fi transmission know-how.
However it was a tremendous first drone. I get goosebumps once I bear in mind it. Let me share with you one picture I used to be capable of seize at a most distance earlier than I utterly misplaced connection in line of sight (so I bear in mind)
Then, I upgraded to a Mavic 2 – my first “long-range” drone. What a distinction between these two drones – what a DIFFERENCE!
Think about this being just a few years again. Now, if we give it some thought, the transmission system in these drones was of the primary and second technology, and as in comparison with at present’s O4, we actually examine futuristic with historical know-how.
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OcuSync 2.0
From the primary time it was launched, the DJI OcuSync 2.0 with Mavic 2 in 2018, DJI drones began to be able to flying long-range.
5 years later, the OcuSync 2.0 remains to be in manufacturing with the brand new DJI Mini 2 SE and Mini 3 and will be discovered on a number of drones, together with the DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2, Mavic 2 Professional & Zoom, Phantom 4 Professional V2 and DJI Matrice 300 RTK.
It was the primary vital enchancment to have the ability to see, on some drones, a reside feed decision of 1080p, having fun with the skies and observing nature on a big pill with… once more, goosebumps…
With the OcuSync 2.0, we had been additionally capable of fly our drones on dual-band 2.4 and 5.8ghz, and, relying on the drone, we might fly as much as 3.7 miles in Europe and 6.2 miles within the USA.
The intermittent switching between these two bands was an vital function to watch with OcuSync 2.0 and altered the angle on how a DJI drone flies in numerous environments.
OcuSync 3.0
As drone know-how has developed, we at the moment are seeing probably the most used transmission system in all DJI drones: the DJI O3, or OcuSync 3.0
Certainly, you’ve heard concerning the DJI Mini 3 Professional or perhaps concerning the DJI Air 2S. Glorious drones, able to flying long-range with out points.
That’s solely due to the brand new and improved OcuSync 3.0 system over the older 2.0.
Whereas the two.0 model was very cost-effective, and we will typically see it in finances entry-level drones, with the higher O3 energy, there comes a better value for these drones.
When it comes to efficiency, the OcuSync 3.0 considerably improved over the two.0.
Relying on the drone, we will see drones equivalent to DJI Mini 3 Professional able to flying as much as 5 miles in Europe or 7.5 miles within the USA (in geo-restricted environments) or see a lift of flight distance as much as 15.5 miles or 25km with DJI Mini 3 Professional and Clever Battery Plus.
What a distinction!
The OcuSync 3.0 additionally proved very able to flying farther in heavy-interference areas, equivalent to city or downtown WiFi-choked environments.
Furthermore, we at the moment are seeing the DJI RC-N1 and DJI RC (with display), the 2 most used DJI controllers ever to boast full compatibility with all OcuSync 3.0 drones.
However when it comes to compatibility, the DJI RC-N1 also can work with a couple of older O2 DJI drones, whereas each RC-N1 and DJI RC are suitable with a couple of OcuSync 3+ drones (from the Mavic 3 sequence).
» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Professional: One-Yr Overview (Video)
OcuSync 3+
Transferring on, the OcuSync 3+ is a minor enchancment of the unique O3 System that’s discovered on most DJI drones these days.
Presently, we will see the OcuSync 3+ transmission system solely on probably the most superior client drones launched by DJI, the Mavic 3 sequence.
And that’s it.
Paying 1000’s of {dollars} for such drones, we needed to see some benefit when it comes to vary and penetration, so we took this addition.
Furthermore, these Mavic 3 drones are suitable with the professional-level radio controller, the DJI RC Professional, which takes full benefit of this new transmission system.
The identical DJI RC Professional can be cross-compatible with the DJI Air 2S, which comes with the usual O3 model.
Furthermore, the O3+ Mavic 3 drones are well-compatible with DJI RC and RC-N1 controllers that boast the O3 primary model.
See DJI? Cross-compatibility is feasible! Why don’t we see it extra typically with newer drones?
Now, shifting into the technical knowledge of the DJI O3+, with the Mavic 3 sequence, we will realistically see a transmission vary of 5 miles in Europe or 9.3 miles within the USA.
If we’re speaking about unrestricted environments, the Mavic 3 drones can fly as much as 18.6 miles or 30 kilometers.
What an enchancment!
However the nice benefit of the O3+ is that being hosted in a professional-level, industrial drone, we would have liked a extra strong transmission to penetrate interference, to have the ability to take real-estate pictures, examine a constructing, or do some mapping with out having to cope with spotty connections.
The O3+ transmission system, the identical as O3 and O2, operates on dual-band 2.4 and 5.8 GHz however at a lot higher energy.
We are able to additionally see the reside view picture on 1080p at 60fps with the costlier DJI RC Professional.
» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 Professional Overview (I’ve NEVER flown a drone that I loved a lot)
OcuSync 4.0
With 2023, now we have a brand new period of high-end drone know-how that surpasses something ever manufactured, at a fraction of the worth.
For those who’re nearly to get into the drone interest, I strongly suggest, with none doubt, going both with the DJI Air 3 or DJI Mini 4 Professional.
Each these drones include the most recent transmission know-how, the OcuSync 4.0 (and way more).
After a number of years of having fun with drones on the prime of the road when it comes to transmission energy with the OcuSync 3.0, now these drones appear to be toys as compared with O4.
No joke right here.
The OcuSync 4.0 is at the moment probably the most highly effective transmission module present in mainly any client drone.
We’re nonetheless restricted in Europe with a sensible vary of 6.2 miles or 10km, however in the US… properly… I’m questioning how, however each the Air 3 and DJI Mini 4 Professional are restricted to 12.4 miles or 20km in transmission vary.
That’s method past the visible line of sight if we’re following the drone legal guidelines.
However in actuality, with no restrictions, the O4 transmission system is able to flying a reliable drone for as much as 20 miles or 32 km.
See the place we obtained? How can I examine such drones with the 0.3-mile transmission on my outdated Mavic Air? It’s good that I’ve bought it, although.
And that’s how drone know-how has developed previously few years. What ought to we count on within the subsequent 5 or 10 years?
On the technical facet, the DJI O4 makes use of the identical 2.4 and 5.8 GHz dual-band transmission, has a low latency of as much as 120ms, and this new OcuSync system is suitable ONLY with two new distant controllers:
The DJI RC-N2 and DJI RC 2.
We’re glad to see it this manner solely to acquire one of the best transmission system.
Different DJI transmission methods
These aforementioned transmission methods are probably the most used and located in most DJI drones. However hey, they’re not all.
We do have two extra we want to point out, and they’re as follows:
“DJI Transmission” – but so-called like this, it’s a wi-fi transmission system created by DJI, and it incorporates an uncommon DJI O3 Professional transmission protocol. It’s a standalone module that’s utilized in skilled movie manufacturing on giant cine-lifters or non-drone situations.
DJI Digital FPV System – Everyone knows DJI obtained into FPV with the DJI FPV and DJI Avata drones. However wait. The DJI Digital FPV System precedes these drones, and it was step one in direction of digital transmission, a brand new revolutionary technique to see high-quality reside feed in your FPV goggles, an enormous improve from non-DJI analog modules.
» MORE: DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV (Right here’s My Selection)
Transmission system in DJI Distant Controllers
With out returning to the traditional drone know-how (why do I nonetheless point out the phrase “historical”?), now we have quite a lot of DJI distant controllers which might be suitable solely with some drones.
These distant controllers fall into two classes:
- With out a display, the place you have to a suitable cell phone with the DJI Fly App (or comparable app) to attach it with the intention to see the reside view from the drone
- With a display included, the place there’s no want for a telephone to fly the drone.
So, let’s see what transmission system these distant controller use and their present compatibilities.
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DJI Sensible Controller
It’s an early model of a DJI Distant Controller with a display and precedes the well-known DJI RC.
The DJI Sensible Controller works on the OcuSync 2.0 transmission system and is unlikely to be suitable with any new drones.
This controller was (and nonetheless is) engaged on dual-band channels 2.4 and 5.8ghz and might increase with the O2 a transmission vary of as much as 3.7 miles in Europe or 6.2 miles within the USA.
The DJI Sensible Controller will not be in manufacturing anymore.
» MORE: Is the DJI Sensible Controller Price It? (Learn This Earlier than Buying)
DJI RC-N1
The most straightforward but with the best compatibility throughout nearly all of DJI drones, now we have the DJI RC-N1.
To make use of this distant controller, you have to a suitable cell phone with DJI Fly App or different DJI-compatible apps to manage and see reside feeds from the drone.
The DJI RC-N1 remains to be in manufacturing these days and is suitable with many drones on OcuSync 2.0, 3.0, and three+ variations.
Mainly, almost all present DJI drones.
» MORE: DJI RC-N1 Controller – What Drones Are Suitable with It? (Defined)
DJI RC
The DJI RC is likely one of the well-known distant controllers with a display that shares a broad compatibility with DJI drones.
Though not as huge because the N1 model, the DJI RC is suitable with all drones with the OcuSync 3.0 and three+, and on the similar time, now we have backward compatibility with the DJI Mini 3, which hosts the OcuSync 2.0 model.
We might like to see this controller suitable with different O2 methods, equivalent to DJI Mini 2 SE, however this might be unlikely.
The benefit of getting the DJI RC over the DJI RC-N1 is that you’ve a high-quality 5.5-inch display that works at full HD decision with 60 frames per second.
With this, you’ll not want to attach a cell phone and arrange the controller earlier than flying a drone. You merely energy on the DJI RC and the drone and fly it immediately.
The DJI RC works on dual-band 2.4 and 5.8GHz, and it adopts the OcuSync HD video transmission know-how, which permits broad compatibility with drones internet hosting totally different transmission items.
DJI RC Professional
The DJI RC Professional is the professional-level model of DJI RC and is suitable, as we talked about above, with the DJI Mavic 3 line and DJI Air 2S.
It’s an expert controller made for professionals.
A few of us at Droneblog have it, and the suggestions shared is a big improve from the DJI RC when it comes to efficiency, display, transmission energy and penetration, and even the power to put in third occasion apps.
» MORE: DJI RC Professional Overview (The whole lot You Must Know)
DJI RC-N2 & DJI RC 2
In 2023, with the launch of OcuSync 4.0, now we have two new distant controllers: The DJI RC-N2 and DJI RC 2, that are upgrades to the N1 model and, respectively, the DJI RC.
When it comes to design, it seems to be just like its predecessors. However when it comes to efficiency and transmission energy, it’s a serious enchancment. And we would have liked that.
However at the moment, the DJI RC-N2 and DJI RC 2 are suitable ONLY with the DJI Air 3 and DJI Mini 4 Professional. There isn’t a present backward compatibility with different OcuSync drones.
» MORE: DJI RC 2 Overview (The whole lot You Must Know)
DJI FPV Distant Controller 2
This distant controller is suitable solely with the DJI FPV Digital Transmission system present in DJI FPV and DJI Avata drones.
The benefit of this distant controller is that it was manufactured to behave like an FPV controller, with the likelihood to take away the spring stress from the throttle gear.
This distant controller doesn’t assist connecting a cell phone just like the DJI RC-N1 or N2 for reside view photographs, and the one position it has is to transmit knowledge to the drone and never purchase any picture, which is acquired on the goggles.
The DJI FPV Distant Controller 2 is NOT suitable with another DJI drones and possibly by no means might be, because the drone lineup is completely totally different from normal GPS drones.
» MORE: DJI Avata Controller Choices
