Continuing the drone copter theme (although this product will most certainly have other uses), the DJI LightBridge is a digital transmitter, capable of carrying full HD video of distances up to 5km (3.1 miles).

The DJI LightBridge uses 2.4G RF technology, transmitting up to 1080 30p video. The standard 5dbi omnidirectional antenna has an affective transmission distance of up to 1.7km (1.05 miles). The above mentioned 5km distance is in reference to the optional 14dbi antenna.

This could be considered a big game change for some; a digital transmission is fair less prone to interference than an analog source.

The transmitter takes composite and HDMI in, outputting HDMI and USB; the latter for use with mobile and tablet devices.

The sky end of the device weighs an impressive 70g, which for reference is just shy of the weight of a GoPro 3+ without it’s housing; great for compact low weight carrying drones.

• Use 2.4G RF technology, transmitting power 100mw (CE and FCC certification)
• Ground terminal with 5dbi omni-directional antenna (standard), measured the effective transmission distance of 1.7km (1.05mile)
• Ground terminal with 14dbi directional antenna (optional), measured the effective transmission distance up to 5km (3.1mile)
• Built-in remote link
• Downlink and uplink remote video link system while working at 2.4Ghz
• Uplink frequency hopping (FHSS) + Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology, high transmission stability, strong anti-jamming capability
• Downlink MIMO multiple antenna technology and using OFDM modulation, with advanced algorithms to effectively improve the stability of the system data bandwidth and complex environment, improve the dynamic performance of the system
• Real-time monitoring of each downlink channel interference state, dynamically select the best channel operation (up to 8 image transmission channels)
• Low Latency - System maximum delay 80ms
• OSD function - Built-in OSD function, with NAZAV2, WKM, A2 use when no external IOSD, information overlay function can be realized
• Built-in 4000mAh high capacity ground terminal battery, the device can work for 4.5 hours
• Through the USB external mobile devices, providing the charging function for mobile devices, an external device to extend the use of time
• Video Inputs – HDMI, AV, DVSB
• Supported formats  - (HDMI) 720P50; 720P60; 1080I50; 1080I60; 1080P25; 1080P30; 1080P50; 1080P60
• Supported formats  - (AV) PAL25; NTSC30
• HDMI HD video output
• USB 2.0 Full HD video output: IOS, Android and other mobile phones, tablet PCs do monitor via USB connection
• RF parameters  - 2.405 ~ 2.4835GHz, comply with CE, FCC certification
• Interface (ground side)  - LED lights; power switch; charging port; USB 2.0; HDMI; remote control inputs (two Luyao controller input)
• Interface (Sky end)  - LED lights; DBUS; HDMI; AV; DVSB; keys for frequency
• Power supply (ground terminal)  - DC power input 11 ~ 26V; built-in lithium battery; Consumption: 6W (no external USB device), 8W (external USB device)
• Power (Sky end)  - DC power input 11 ~ 26V; Power consumption: 8W
• Dimensions (ground side)  - 125 X 89 X 20 (mm)
• Dimensions (Sky end)  - 67 X 47 X 20 (mm)
• Weight (ground side)  - 360g
• Weight (Sky end)  - 70g

The DJI Lightbridge is a Full HD digital video downlink running on the 2.4 Ghz frequency. The DJI Lightbridge offers extremely powerful, small and light-weight form factor. The live HD video streams up to 1920 x 1080p @30fps from up to 1 mile away, which means that it is the ideal solution for the professional aerial photographer and First Person View / FPV users. The DJI Lightbridge will remove the limits from low definition analog video transmitters.

The DJI Lightbridge has a ground station which is less than 100mW which is in compliance with CE and FCC certification, there will be an option to add an optional 14 dBi patch antenna to boost transmission distance tremendously, and predictions are 3.0 miles in the right conditions with this upgraded antenna.

When connecting up the Lightbridge you will find that there are a number of DJI and industry standard connectors to allow the integration of the Lightbridge into your workflow with minimal disruption, AV input, HDMI input, DJI Zenmuse gimbal input (Digital Video/Power Supply/OSD Data) HDMI HD image output and USB 2.0 image data output for iOS and Android phones and tablet synchronization.

The use of the 2.4 GHz in the Lightbridge means that you are able to connect up your remote control and video system together to allow a seamless link to your aerial platform, the DJI Lightbridge supports two remote controls: one for flight control (10 Channels) and the other for gimbal control (6 Channels). Control signals are received in the air and then transmitted to the flight controller through the S-BUS / D-BUS system. Remote control data travels to the uplink via the TX-Thru Port at the same time that video is streamed back down all without interference so there will be no issues using your radio system. If the video transmission system is used as a standalone system it is not recommended to use a 2.4 Ghz radio system as there can be issues, only use 2.4 GHz radios via the S-BUS / D-BUS system.

DJI’s Lightbridge has a Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) + Direct Sequence Spread System (DSSS) technology is used for the uplink transmission to enhance the stability of the connection and offer anti-jamming capability. The use of this FHSS and DSSS means that up to 8 downlinks can be connected for parallel streaming and work independently without interference from one another. The Lightbridge supports "MIMO", multi-antenna technology and OFDM modulation methods, these along with the advanced algorithms are utilized for downlink transmission to enhance data bandwidth, improving dynamic performance and increasing stability even in challenging environments, any interference is constantly checked for and is monitored during the downlink transmission with an automatic switching between 8 channels for the best possible signal all of the time with a Maximum latency of up to 80ms.

No additional equipment is required with the Lightbridge for OSD functions when used with DJI A2, DJI WooKong-M and Naza-M V2 flight controllers, the flight parameters will be displayed onscreen when desired, the OSD functionality can be turned off via the mobile software for HDMI and iOS / Android Output.

A single Lightbridge air unit can transmit to multiple ground units sending video to multiple screens. (Only one of the ground units can be used to send a control signal while additional ground units will only be able to receive a video signal). The Lightbridge encryption ensures only authorized devices can receive data which can be programmed via mobile device software.

The Lightbridge ground unit has a high capacity 4000mA battery built in offering up to 4.5hours of use per charge, it is rechargeable through the supplied charger or via a 3S~6S Li-Po power battery, there is a USB charger port for mobile devices, this prolongs the life of peripheral equipment with a battery status level indicator. A full charge of the Lightbridge battery takes approximately 1.5 hours.

The aluminum alloy casing with extreme internal and external shielding for interference protection means that the Lightbridge will deliver the best possible performance and HD Video.