Fotokite Streaming

Direct Integration (Recommended)

Legacy Streaming Methods

Direct Integration

The Direct Integration with Fotokite automatically:

• Displays Fotokite location in Ops Hub
• Streams live video into a mission
• Automatically generates flight records

Fotokite Sigma Streaming into Ops Hub

Fotokite Sigma Flight Records

Requirements

• A Windows tablet running Fotokite Live. iOS and Android tablets are not currently supported for the Direct Integration.
• The Direct Integration is a paid add-on feature and is not enabled by default. It must be activated on your DroneSense account before it will work — contact DroneSense Support to have it turned on.
• The DroneSense plugin enabled on your Fotokite system. This is disabled by default — contact Fotokite to have your system enrolled.
• Your DroneSense account will need to use DroneSense SSO to use the Fotokite integration. If you're not sure whether your account has been migrated to DroneSense SSO, check with your organization's DroneSense admin, see the DroneSense SSO Sign-In Upgrade article, or submit a request to DroneSense Support.
• A stable internet connection on the tablet, via Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Integration Steps

1. Add the Fotokite as hardware in DroneSense

1. Navigate to the Hardware page and click Add Drone +
   

2. Fill in the fields as shown below:
   

   Use the numbered guide:

   1. Name: such as Fotokite Sigma
   2. Team: Select from the list
   3. Manufacturer: Fotokite
   4. Model: Sigma
   5. Remote ID: Should be the 16-character aircraft serial number
   6. Remote ID Type: Standard ID
   7. Aircraft Serial Number: This is the Serial Number of the Kite, which is usually five or more characters (e.g., A123BG)
   8. Unique Device ID: This is the Serial Number of the Ground Station, which is usually five or more characters (e.g., A123BG)
   9. Default Pilot: Select from the list and will be assigned to flights automatically.
   10. Default Mission: Recommend setting this to a Training mission for testing purposes. You can change this later on the Hardware page or the Ops Hub mobile app.
   11. Bitrate Ceiling: Leave set to 0
3. Click Save

2. Set up the plugin on the Fotokite system

1. Update the Fotokite system to the latest software version.
   
2. Open Fotokite Live on the Windows tablet and connect it to the Fotokite system. The DroneSense plugin should appear in the plugin section of the status bar after a few minutes. If it doesn't appear, it may not yet be enabled for your system — contact Fotokite.
3. Enable the plugin: go to System Menu > DroneSense and tap Enable. It's disabled by default.
4. Check the internet connection status in System Connect (Internet over Wi-Fi or Internet over Mobile Data). DroneSense requires a stable connection.
5. Tap the settings button to open the login page in your browser. Enter your Organization ID, then log in with your DroneSense SSO credentials — the same login used for Ops Hub. You'll need to log in again every time the ground station is power-cycled. If you don't know your DroneSense SSO credentials, check with your organization's DroneSense admin, see the DroneSense SSO Sign-In Upgrade article, or submit a request to DroneSense Support. Once you're logged in, close the browser and return to Fotokite Live.
6. The plugin should now report a Connected state.

3. Fly

1. After takeoff, the Fotokite system will appear in DroneSense Operations Hub for remote users, and flight records will be generated automatically.
2. To change the Default Mission or Default Pilot later, go back to the Hardware page, select the Fotokite, and then Edit Details.
   
3. Select a different Default Pilot or Default Mission and click Save.
   
4. You can also use the Ops Hub mobile app to assign hardware. Check this guide for instructions.

What to expect during a flight

• The plugin stays in a Connected state on the ground, but streaming to Ops Hub doesn't begin until the Kite actually takes off, and it stops once the Kite lands — this is expected, not a sign the integration has stopped working.
• Both color and thermal video, along with telemetry, stream to Ops Hub for the duration of the flight.
• A new flight record is created for every takeoff and landing, so multiple flights in one session will produce multiple records.
• If you log in after the Kite has already taken off, the Ops Hub session starts immediately upon a successful login.
• Momentary video disconnects reconnect automatically, and long flights (30+ minutes) are supported without the feed dropping.

Legacy Streaming Methods

Mobile Streaming and Tracking (MSAT)

Media Sharing

Mobile Streaming and Tracking (MSAT)

Requirements:

• MSAT is active on your account
• Android device which supports capturing video
• An Android capture card dongle
• A display extender dongle

Steps:

1. Prior to deploying the Fotokite Sigma
   • Connect the Display Extender dongle to the blue USB port on the (bottom left side) of the Fotokite Sigma tablet and install the correct drivers. You will need an internet connection to download the drivers.
   • Under System Settings, make sure the Multiple Displays dropdown is set to Duplicate these displays.
2. Install the DroneSense app on your Android device
   • Connect Android Capture Card to an Android device and open the DroneSense app and start Mobile Streaming and Tracking, select a mission, Call Sign, and Device Type.
   • Select the external video source on the DroneSense app. You should see color bars on the display.
   • Connect an HDMI cord from the Display Extender dongle to the Android Capture Card dongle.
3. You should see the screen from the Fotokite Live program displayed on the DroneSense app.

Media Sharing

Select an option:

Utilizing Fotokite Tablet

Utilizing Separate Computer

Requirements:

• Advanced Video Sharing is active on your account
• Secondary internet connection to Fotokite Sigma tablet
• A capture card dongle — this is the same one used for capturing video with Android
• USB to Ethernet adapter for Fotokite tablet
• If you are using a separate computer to capture media
  • A display extender dongle
  • HDMI Cable

Utilizing Fotokite Sigma Tablet:

1. Connect the Fotokite Sigma tablet to an internet connection using the USB to Ethernet adapter or the docking station.
2. Utilizing Chrome or Edge browser log into your DroneSense account and navigate to Operations Hub
3. Select a mission and click the Share Media to Mission icon
   
4. Fill in the Call Sign and Display Name fields. They can be the same thing.
   
5. Click Video Source and select Desktop Window from the list
   
6. Clicking on Desktop Window will open a new window where you can select to share your Entire Screen, a specific Window, or a specific Chrome Tab
   
7. Clicking on Window will bring up a list of available windows to share. Select the Fotokite Live program window and your screen will switch to that window. Go back to your web browser and click the SHARE button.
   
8. The Fotokite Live program should now be shared through Operations Hub.

Utilizing a Separate Computer:

1. Before deploying the Fotokite Sigma
   • Connect the Display Extender dongle to the blue USB port on the (bottom left side) of the Fotokite Sigma tablet and install the correct drivers. You will need an internet connection to download the drivers.
   • Under System Settings, make sure the Multiple Displays dropdown is set to Duplicate these displays.
2. Connect the Capture Card dongle to a separate computer.
3. Log in to your account and navigate to Operations Hub
4. Select a mission and click the Share Media to Mission icon
   
5. Fill in the Call Sign and Display Name fields. They can be the same thing.
   
6. Click Video Source and select the USB Video adapter (Capture Card dongle) from the list
   
7. Connect the HDMI cord from the Display Extender dongle to the Capture Card dongle.
8. You should see the screenshot of the Fotokite Live program displayed in Operations Hub.