Trigger Survey3/2 Camera From Pixhawk (PX4/APM) Flight Controller

This guide walks you through the hardware and software                                                                                                                                                                                                              modifications required to trigger the Survey3/2 cameras from a PWM                                                                                                                                                                                         signal using the Survey3/2 HDMI Trigger Cable.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

   Disclaimer: Proceed at your own risk, we are not liable for any damage you may cause to your UAV or                                                                                                                                                           

   camera as a result of these instructions. If you follow everything correctly you will not cause any damage and

   can easily revert back to the original settings by doing a factory reset.

  Step 1: Insert servo plug from HDMI trigger cable into Pixhawk AUX PWM port of your choice (typically the

  second slot, RC10 port). Make sure the white cable is in the bottom PWM signal row of pins just like the

  below photo:

Step 3: Connect Pixhawk to your computer using USB cable. Open Mission Planner and click Connect button

at top right.

Step 4: Click "Config/Tuning" button at the top of screen. Click "Full Parameter List" on the left. In the search 

box on the right type "rc7_function". Confirm the value is 0.

Step 5: Click the "Initial Setup" button at the top, click "Optional Hardware" on the left, and then click "Camera

Gimbal". Change the value of the Shutter section according to the following values and press ENTER on

the keyboard:

RC10

Servo limit:

minimum 1000

Maximum 2000

shutter:

Push: 2000

Not pushed: 1000

Duration: 1

 Navigate to Flight Data, then go back to Initial Setup > Optional Hardware > Camera Gimbal and 

verify all settings are exactly as pictured above.

Step 6: Turn Survey3 camera on. Choose Photo setting icon in bottom right corner of rear LCD screen. Drag 

until you see Interval option and change to OFF. Do this for all cameras you want to trigger via PWM.

Step 7: Plug the HDMI trigger cable connected to the Pixhawk into the Survey3 camera.

Step 8: Back in Mission Planner go to the "Flight Data" screen, right click anywhere on the map

and select "Trigger Camera NOW" to test the camera trigger. If the camera doesn't fire, then you may need

 to do a factory reset on the Pixhawk and redo the steps above in Mission Planner.

Step 9: Mission Accomplished...Safe Flight! :)