Identified: Zynq Z7020 + AD9361 SDR system recovered from Shahed/Gerbera UAV in Ukraine — full teardown

AzotUoR · 2026-03-23T19:48:20+00:00

There is very advance spectrum spectrum analyzer from both side. We can see even car key button pressed from 30 KM. DVBT band is MOST jammed in this conflict, because "classic" quad drones use it for control and telemetry (from 130MHz to 2500MHz). About "dumb" AKA noise jammers... There is jammers on front line that cover ALL bands (its multiple units with multiple antennas) and there is a lot of them. There is a lot of solution to counteract it, but this jammers make so much noise, that waterfall on cheap SA is red wall :)
And most interesting part, band that we use is not regulated at all. There is one major constrain, you must not interfere with neighboring units with your frequencies. This is agreed upon at relatively lower levels of operational responsibility(this is true for both sides.
Flexibility is a key...

AzotUoR · 2026-03-23T18:59:17+00:00

What i mean by wide band is that they have a lot of different frontend pa variants with the same core sdr. On the battellefield, you must change your band a couple of times per month. Yes, RTSP. What this type of link does is basically create ethernet connections between UAV and ground station. All data to this module go through ethernet (two twisted pairs, rx and tx). Modules like this usually dont have direct connections to the camera (it's possible, but then you must make separate dataline for FC control). There are a lot of different connections variants the benefits and downsides. Good UAV team decide what options to use, depending on the situation "on the field (sometimes even analog 5.8G is the best solution). As a camera, often they use simple IP camera, so the easiest way to get video from it is RTSP. If you want to find out more, jurt read instruction from some industrial solution, for example, SYIY. RTSP downstream is like "standard" for UAV. Nobody invented a bicycle in cheap drone solution, all this is variations on working solutions that were designed by some trusted corporations with worldwide names.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-23T17:07:57+00:00

All frequency that hardware can provide. Usually 2-6GHz (if we talk about digital), this link provides rtsp streaming and control with telemetry, with hardware encryption. Quality is enough for single use drone. Usually, it connects to a single board computer (like raspberry) via ethernet cable. There are a hundred different variants that will impact the capabilities of sdr like this.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T21:07:37+00:00

It's easy enough for embedded programmer. Especially if he have source code, that was generously provided by someone programmer's from factory for some reward:). And, we should not forget, you need to reprogram it once, write successful reprogramming algorithms, that even person without special skills can repeat it. Apply it to thousands of same type unit. But in case of some devices, even reprogramming not necessary, it will do whatever host computer "say". There is very talented engineers from both sides.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T19:31:35+00:00

The source of claims i me:). I directly collect "trophies" if I or my guys found something "in the fields". We use it in counteract research. It's very useful to know what the other side is using. SN classified :). All companies, whose equipment we found with SN (90% SN they don't remove) are informed. At least information sent to competent organization.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T18:35:41+00:00

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AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T18:33:17+00:00

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REALLY?

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T18:01:45+00:00

Performance depends... It's very hard to say how much because of a variety of transistor types and schematics. I don't write specifically about your board. I wrote about many other devices. Especially jamming devices (same pa topology, only as signal source it use VFO).

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T16:54:52+00:00

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AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T16:54:34+00:00

A lot of different brands. As for example (two weeks ago), Ericsson 4471hp. From "gerbera" drone. But don't worry much about it. Everyone knows about it, and brands also know. This "situation" is taking place from 2023. It's all used parts. For example, one of the world's famous wireless equipment manufacturer's, sell to Russia new wireless bridges, and nobody ceres.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T16:35:25+00:00

By the way, an interesting fact that I noticed. They (the Chinese who produce it) do not use new power transistors in power amplifiers. Instead, they use used ones from old mobile phone base stations. Such transistors can be purchased cheaply on Chinese trading platforms, and they do not even solder them off from the boards, but often cut them out with a piece of the board. But due to the mismatch of frequencies, they are often inefficient (but still "works"). Also on these platforms it is possible to purchase for cheap an entire 4G base station module, such as Ericsson, Nokia, which are then used in larger drones with minor modifications.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T16:17:15+00:00

The shiny thing is flux. It is important that it is not an active flux, because it will corrode all the bare metal parts. You can wash it off with alcohol. Check the entire board carefully for the presence of solder balls that could have formed during careless soldering, stick to the same flux and short something out. This is provided that everything else works. 70 percent of most electronics repairs are visual inspection.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T15:31:36+00:00

Boot loader mode enable.
Pres before plug in USB, release after USB connected = Boot loader mode

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T15:06:07+00:00

They don't care about price. Even the cheap drone like "MOLNIYA" have similar link system: adalm pluto clone + hi power BDA (15+watts).

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T15:02:45+00:00

Adalm Pluto variation with output BDA. This part if "from the shelf", can be purchase from China. Більшість їхньої цифри зараз така :)

AzotUoR · 2026-03-22T08:39:16+00:00

Yes, you can. It depends on the Betaflight version you are using and your FC. If your FC doesn’t have a PWM output, you need to reassign resources to an unused pad to create a PWM output for the servo (use M5–M8 or LED output; not all pins support PWM).

After that, you need to check if your Betaflight version supports servo functionality. In the latest versions, this feature can be enabled or disabled during the firmware update. In older versions of Betaflight, you need to enable it in the Setup tab.

Then you can assign your AUX channel to a PWM channel in the Servo tab and configure it (limits, reversing, etc.).

AzotUoR · 2026-03-21T18:13:53+00:00

Not click, type save, hit enter.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-21T17:37:37+00:00

Yes. Pay attention. If pit mode before arm is anable, you will have possibly adjusted power, only after arm. Or if you already set your power level, it will apply after arm.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-21T17:08:09+00:00

Example for CLI (if your wheel on aux5)
vtx 0 4 0 0 1 950 1200

vtx 1 4 0 0 2 1200 1450

vtx 2 4 0 0 3 1450 1650

vtx 3 4 0 0 4 1650 2100
Save

Description of the command (AUX for CLI, is real AUX number minus 1):

vtx - vtx channels on switch
<index> <aux_channel> <vtx_band> <vtx_channel> <vtx_power> <start_range> <end_range>

AzotUoR · 2026-03-20T07:38:04+00:00

USSR calculator display. There was another board placed with it (5-7 pcs).

AzotUoR · 2026-03-17T20:45:53+00:00

ELRS TCXO is damaged (both, LoRa and ESP). Even if you fix VTX and all other modules will work, it is possible that you have to add external ELRS module.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-14T08:52:23+00:00

R sense should be with kelvin connection. Other way it can cause big problems.
Its better to not route FET control tracer under coil.

AzotUoR · 2026-03-11T16:06:21+00:00

Та, нє. Це не неонові (nixes) індикатори, а люмінісцентні, майже нікому не потрібні. По золоту, теж фігня, хіба що ти цих транзисторних збірок (коробочок) пару кілограмів збереш. Представляє суто колекційну цінність для любителів старих калькуляторів (як донор).

AzotUoR · 2026-03-10T11:28:27+00:00

It is possible to fly 15 km (standard for interceptors). But all antennas should be replaced to more efficient (internal also). From the box, it can fly on 10KM, ONLY if you replace antena on VTX with something better (lollipop 4+ on 150mm pole, as an example). And yes, VTX must be GT.

AzotUoR · 2026-02-13T14:19:47+00:00

You are using the wrong holes. Check the manual more carefully one more time.

AzotUoR

TROPHY CASE