What is the G-Lock System ? (Q+A)

[Admin]

What is G-Lock ?

G-Lock is a camera gimbal stabilisation system which can perform fast, accurate stabilisation and smooth camera slewing for all 3 axis.


What hardware do I need ?.

The G-Lock will be available on several hardware platforms. The first is a downloadable upgrade to the existing Freefly Radian system. A single Radian can be upgraded to the full 3-axis G-Lock system.


What do I gain over a standard Radian ?.

The G-Lock offers many improvements over a standard Radian:

1) Full 3-axis stabilisation from a single module

2) Full slew acceleration control for super-smooth slewing

3) New 'Proportional Mode' for camera positioning using a slider, shoulder lever or dial. The angle for each end-point is fully programmable.

5) Gain control for any axis using an RC channel in real time.

4) 16 mounting orientation options.

6) Remote mounting option (using a Signal-Master module) to allow the G-Lock to be remotely positioned on or near the camera for maximum stabilisation accuracy and minimal wiring across the moving parts of the gimbal.

7) Load and save your configurations for quick and easy swapping between setups.

8) New high-speed link (HSL) output for upcoming Brushless Motor Drive module.


Will it work with brushless motors ?.

The G-Lock system will be fully upgradeable to brushless motors with the new CARVEC Brushless Motor Drive Module which will be available later this year.


How mature is the system ?

The G-Lock is based on the same proprietary CARVEC operating system as the Freefly Radian - so the important software parts are very mature and proven. Many of the higher functions have be re-developed to give a full 3-axis stabilisation system in a single unit.


How do I upgrade a Radian to be a G-Lock ?.

When you purchase the upgrade, you send in the upgrade code shown from the CARVEC Bootloader. You will then receive an upgrade code which you enter in the 'Upgrade' box. Once you apply it, the module will be changed to be a CARVEC G-Lock system and you can program the latest G-Lock firmware from the CARVEC Systems web site.

Please visit www.carvecsystem.co.uk for details on how to order.

[mario]

How can a single unit perform better than one unit for each axel?

Maybe I am missing something but I thought that that was the big advance of the Radians over all other systems.

[JohnC]

A lot of it depends on the quality of the internal IMU - but the main benefit of separate modules is that they can tolerate some misalignment better. For example, if the tilt gyro is not set perfect then with a 3-axis system it will cross-feed and give roll error as you tilt down to 90 degrees. In real life, this can happen if the plastic tilt wheel on a cinestar gimbal is not quite straight.

It does mean the G-Lock needs to be carefully mounted to avoid this. The signal-mast module allows it to be fitted remotely under the camera tray to be sure it moves directly with the camera, but not have much wiring interfering with gimbal movement.

Also the PC app lets you monitor the roll whilst moving the tilt by hand to check how much interaction there is and adjust it out.

The main benefit of the G-Lock is the much simpler installation and the new features it offers like much smoother slew control and of course the brushless motor upgrade. This will allow any combination of servos or brushless motors. For example, you could fit the brushless drive on roll and leave tilt+pan as servos.

[JohnC]

These pictures show how much neater a typical full 3-axis system looks compared to the original radian system.

The Signal-Master module is inside the side-tube and has a Spektrum Rx attached.

[ghaynes]

John,

Can't see the photos in your last post.

[JohnC]

Thanks Gary. I had an emergency internet host change a couple of weeks ago and I forgot to upload them to the new site.

They aren't great, but they give the basic idea.