UAV Links

[joelhaasnoot]

This is a place for UAV links, especially for hobby builders. Suggested categories are:
- Radio Modules
- Your Private Projects
- Theory and Papers
- Plans for appropriate bodies
- Autopilots
- Software
- Microcontrollers
- Stores

Please use this area for links, and keep questions to a minimum.
Below is a list of links submitted thusfar, categorized and cleaned up (several links have gone dead)

Hobbyist UAVs
- Autopilot: Do it yourself UAV (http://autopilot.sourceforge.net) - Open source project
- Paparazzi project (http://www.recherche.enac.fr/paparazzi/wiki/index.php/Main_Page) - University research project with a platform and all the source files
- YB2Normal (http://www.yb2normal.com/uavtwinstar1.html) - hobbyist UAV, with several tutorials on the same website
- "Hanford Site" (http://www.hanfordsite.com/) - 4 rotor UAV project, little activity though
- Albatross (http://www.albatross-uav.org) - "The Kiwi UAV"
- Tom Pycke's blog (http://tom.pycke.be/) - UAV Blog with good background, also information about build process

Competitions
Competitions
- 2007 Student UAS Competition (http://uav.navair.navy.mil/seafarers/default.htm)
- AUVSI International Aerial Robotics Competition (http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/AUVS/IARCLaunchPoint.html)

Teams
- NCSU Aerial Robotics (http://art1.mae.ncsu.edu/index.php)
- "The Texas Buzzard" (http://aeweb.tamu.edu/aeroel/buzzard/airplane.html)
- Autonomous Vehicles Laboratory (http://www3.uta.edu/faculty/reyes/AVL/Default.htm)
- Aerial Robotics Club (http://clubs.engr.arizona.edu/arc/0405site/index.htm)
- Georgia Tech Aerial Robotics (http://controls.ae.gatech.edu/gtar/)
- RHIT Robotics Team (http://rhitrobotics.org/)
- SPSU Aerial Robotics Team (http://a-robotics.spsu.edu/)
- Waterloo Aerial Robotics Group (http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/%7Ewarg/index.html)

Components
Commercial

Autopilots & IMUs
- Procerus (http://www.procerusuav.com) - UAV systems
- Micropilot (http://www.micropilot.com/) - Various UAV components such as IMUs and base station software
- Romomotion (http://rotomotion.com/) - Autopilots and IMU systems, intended for helicopters *
- UNAV (http://www.u-nav.com/) - "Intelligent Control for Unmanned Systems", various autpilot systems
- EZI-Nav Autopilot (http://www.auav.net/)
- UAV Flight Systems: AP50 Autopilot (http://www.uavflight.com/AP50.htm)
- MIDG II INS/GPS (http://microboticsinc.com/ins_gps.php#TOP)
- IMU 400(http://www.xbow.com/Products/productsdetails.aspx?sid=27)

Radios
- Maxstream (http://www.maxstream.net/) - Various radio modules in various price ranges and options

Computer Modules
- Gumstix (http://www.gumstix.com/) - Tiny ARM-based computer platform, running Linux and used in many UAV projects
- Bluewater Systems - Snapper System Modules (http://www.bluewatersys.com/snapper/) - More small computer platforms

Complete UAVs
- Microdrones (www.microdrones.com) - Quad-rotor UAVs

Open Source
- RCAP (http://rcpilot.sourceforge.net/modules/rcap/index.php) - Open source autopilot controlling rudder only
- "RC Electronics" (http://hem.passagen.se/skj/engelska/rcel.htm) - Several plans for homemade autopilots and other RC projects
- OpenSourceQuadroCopter (http://www.uavp.de/index.php?lang=en)
- UAVDev (http://www.uavdev.com/) - Open source platform - very fragmented information

Link Collections
- Thirty Thousand Feet: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (http://www.thirtythousandfeet.com/uav.htm)

Groups
- Remote Control Aerial Photography Association (http://www.rcapa.net) - Association working with FAA on UAV leigislation

Media
- NY Times Article on UAVs (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/business/yourmoney/15atomics.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin)

[joelhaasnoot]

Ok, here are some of my own:
- http://autopilot.sourceforge.net
This is a project for helicopters, but should easily be applicable for planes too. Build your own electronics, though.
- http://www.nongnu.org/paparazzi
This is initially a university research project, but has some good ideas, good software and lots of pictures

[jbeanelliott]

Here is my collection of websites related to UAV's, autopilots and related products. Sorry they are not categorized.

www.iknowsystems.com
http://www.est-kl.com/aufbau_general/index_hard_tracking.html?http://www.est-kl.com/hardware/tracking/ascension/3dnavigator.html
http://www.u-nav.com/
http://www.rotomotion.com/prd_REV2.4.6DOFK.html
http://www.xbow.com/Products/productsdetails.aspx?sid=27
http://www.uavflight.com/UAV_AP50_DataSheet.htm
http://www.sovereign-publications.com/wecontrol.htm
http://www.micropilot.com/
http://www.uavworld.com/
http://www.yb2normal.com/uavtwinstar1.html
http://www.adroit.com/board/?topic=topic5
http://www.microboticsinc.com/midg.html#TOP
http://autopilot.sourceforge.net/
http://www.silvertone.com.au/ezi-nav.htm
http://www.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/cgi-bin/uavboard/ikonboard.cgi
http://hydropower.inel.gov/turbines/pdfs/pnnl-deng.pdf
http://www.isthq.com/main.asp?a=2&b=0&pageid=88&view=active
http://www.analog.com/en/content/0,2886,764%255F800%255F8078,00.html
http://www.microstrain.com/news/article-09.aspx
http://www.analog.com/en/content/0,2886,764%255F800%255F7585,00.html
http://ausim3d.com/products/AuWeb_eC_sensors.html
http://www.5dt.com/products/pfob.html
http://graphics.usc.edu/~suyay/muri/muri-result.html
http://www.procerusuav.com/
http://www.motionnet.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?a=sc&no=11060
http://www.inition.co.uk/inition/product_mocaptrack_ascension_reactor2.php

-John Elliott (Seattle)

[LukeZ]

RC Auto Pilot (http://rcpilot.sourceforge.net/modules/rcap/index.php)
This autopilot design reads waypoints pre-programmed into your GPS and controls only the rudder on your aircraft. Not a full-fledged system but interesting and fairly inexpensive. Part of a larger RC Pilot project (http://rcpilot.sourceforge.net/) that aims to develop several other components of a UAV system, they seem to have made good progress on a ground-station software package.

EZI-Nav Autopilot (http://www.auav.net/) system by AUAV (Dave Jones).
Fairly full featured UAV solution, three axis control, comes with ground station software. Prices are listed on the website.

Rotomotion (http://rotomotion.com/index.html)
The company that developed out of the Autopilot Project mentioned by Joel, they sell Inertial Measurement Units as well as complete autopilot systems. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression is that this stuff is only for use with helis.

I may mention more later, as there are quite a few others, but these are the ones that come to mind when I'm thinking about what most mortals might be able to afford. If cash isn't a problem for you, check out Cloud Cap Technology (http://www.cloudcaptech.com/default.htm), Micropilot (http://www.micropilot.com/), or UNav (http://www.u-nav.com/). Others can feel free to elaborate on what these companies offer if they wish...

[tve]

hi all,

I already mentioned this in the BLDC thread because of the motor controllers, but it seems like it would be ok to post it again here.

http://www.hanfordsite.com/

This is a 4 rotor UAV project that I'm working on. I will be adding a 32-bit Arm-based controller running linux to it by this weekend. The controller will have a 802.11 wireless usb adaptor for an ad-hoc telemetry link. I have been working on new code. The next flight should be very stable. I expect to be flying by GPS within a couple of weeks to a month.

Once I get everything working right and get the source all cleaned up, I will be sharing the designs for everything.

Regards,
tve

[danstrider]

Competition teams
http://www.ncsu.edu/stud_orgs/ar
http://aeweb.tamu.edu/aeroel/buzzard/airplane.html
http://www.cuuav.org/
http://www3.uta.edu/faculty/reyes/AVL/Default.htm
http://clubs.engr.arizona.edu/arc/0405site/index.htm
http://controls.ae.gatech.edu/gtar/
http://www.flyingrobots.com/
http://www.rose-hulman.edu/Users/groups/ARC/Public/HTML/
http://a-robotics.spsu.edu/
http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/%7Ewarg/index.html
http://www.devry.ca/clubs/iarc/enter.htm

Competitions
http://www.bowheadsupport.com/paxweb/seafarers/default.htm
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/AUVS/IARCLaunchPoint.html

Autopilots/Hardware
www.micropilot.com
http://www.uavflight.com/
http://www.u-nav.com/3300.html
http://www.uavforum.com/
http://www.u-blox.com/products/sam_ls.html
http://hem.passagen.se/skj/engelska/rcel.htm
http://cs1.cs.nyu.edu/%7Ebacon/birch/html/tom/RAPTR.html


Video!
http://art1.mae.ncsu.edu/vids/pres_vids/AR%202004-2005%20promo.wmv

Great that there's a new UAV forum!
Dan

[MattChave]

CUAV - Open source UAV control system (http://www.uavdev.com) - (soon to be released).
It uses 3 magnetic field sensors and 3 accellerometers to calculate the current attitude.
On the site you can find project pictures and decriptions, thesis writeup, movie of attitude control, a recent developments section, other links to interesting and related sites. There is also an events calendar for you to add your UAV event to, forums, live chat with others on the site. The website is updated weekly as new toys arise.

http://www.uavdev.com

[radiohound]

R/C Auto Pilot http://www.uavs.net
Infra Red horizon and attitude sensing http://www.scalerobotics.com/store/catalog

[ElectroLawndart]

Hi All,

There's alot of good reading in the links here. How do we turn this into a sticky so that it doesn't get burried?
Dart

[LukeZ]

We need a moderator to do it. Somewhere it says who the moderator is for each forum but I can't seem to find it. However, I remember that when the forum was first created Steve volunteered to be the moderator, and he probably still is. His screen name is eBird (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=10591). If he's reading this maybe he'll do it, otherwise I guess we'd need to send him a PM request.


Luke

[LukeZ]

Speak and it shall occur!! :eek:

[RetroFlight]

Great info! I've been wanting do a UAV R/C rocket boost glider, didn't know for sure where to start other than "MicroPilot" and that system was not a complete match for my requirements and is quite pricy. Lots to absorb here for a novice UAV'r.

[hugo_vincent]

Yet another hobby UAV system:

http://www.albatross-uav.org

[Tuner]

http://www.maxstream.net/products/xbee/xbee-pro-oem-rf-module-zigbee.php

http://www.maxstream.net/products/xtend/oem-rf-module.php

http://www.bluewatersys.com/snapper/

http://www.gumstix.com/

http://www.nongnu.org/paparazzi/

http://www.araa.asn.au/acra/acra2004/papers/pounds.pdf


My 2 cents

[cobaltdan]

www.atairaerospace.com
flight computers
inertial navigation units
servo controlers
and uav paragliders

[Stephan.Sabath]

A link to semi-professional UAS:

http://www.uav-autopilots.de

[MattChave]

this stickey would be ideal if joelhaasnoot or one of the moderators could put all the links into one post at the top and categorize them. something like his origonal categories:
- Radio Modules
- Your Private Projects
- Theory and Papers
- Plans for appropriate bodies
- Autopilots
- Software
- Microcontrollers
- Stores
etc
and then delete all the superfluous posts to keep it clean and on one page.
perhaps ask people in the top post, to post their desired category and link with a short, one line description. otherwise it will become less usefull as they grow over several pages. If there is a discussion in these forums about the unit we could link the description text to the thread (nice and compact)


example:

Autopilots:
http://www.uavdev.com - -=[CUAV]=- Unique, customizable, open source flight control system

[MikeDD]

http://www.elkhart.net/~miked/Ulinks.htm

[joelhaasnoot]

I will :) Soon, or this weekend, I was working on it, but then my computer crashed, leaving me with nothing.

[SpeedMaster]

http://projects.itek.norut.no/UAV/

Power line surveillance in Norway. I`m working on this project. :D

[iflytrikes]

Hi guys,
before i found this section i posted some queries in the "aerial photography" :D
it is nice to know the people r sharing so much ... i wish i too cld provide some info ...
im totally amatuer in this area but hv been trying to get people here (in india) interested in developing a uav system.
for tht i have designed a sailplane based platform ....
not yet flown (as u wld see by my posts in the "other" section)
but will ... i promise to send all u guys pictures ...even if goes to the ground.
the earlier one did ... and i clicked a few pictures ...interested???? then is shall put it up ... i hope it shld b ok to send the pictures of wht i hv done now ...let me know?

[mportobello]

http://tom.pycke.be/
Great introduction to the basic math behind gyros, accelerometers and kalman filtering.

[mluvara]

RCATS - www.rcatsystems.com UAV Telemetry and electronics

Michael

[libelulamodelos]

i want to share some links !!

this is my personal blog
http://andresherreracali.blogspot.com

my new company
http://fromsky.hrglobalideas.com

my fathers company
http://libelula.hrglobalideas.com

[stanradzikowski]

http://www.eagletreesystems.com/Sailplane/sailplane.html

[senosy]

i want to share some links !!

this is my personal blog
http://andresherreracali.blogspot.com

my new company
http://fromsky.hrglobalideas.com

my fathers company
http://libelula.hrglobalideas.com


You are well done with your job!
I like it.

[libelulamodelos]

hey thanks!!

[Daniel Schuebeler]

one more link:

www.microdrones.com

[RCAV8R13]

May I add:
www.insitu.com
RCA

[AntonK]

Tuner posted the nongnu link to paparazzi. We have a new Wiki Ill post the link to as well. http://www.recherche.enac.fr/paparazzi/wiki

- AntonK

[patrickegan]

Groups

www.rcapa.net

The only recognized private/independent association working with the FAA on UAV/UAS integration into the NAS!

[sphericalone]

thank you that is the best link so ffar

[patrickegan]

Affirmative!

RCAPA goes to Washington

http://www.rcapa.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1185

[UAVeez]

http://www.thirtythousandfeet.com/uav.htm

[ibrahim]

http://www.geocities.com/easyrobotics

[classic]

there is also this company
neuralrobotics.com
and this is a heli company with some cool videos on you tube and their web site
www.neural-robotics.com

[parkxx]

Here's a New York Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/business/yourmoney/15atomics.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin) on UAVs.

[Nicoleto]

Here is another link. It is an Open Source Quadrocopter AUVP project
It has 3 Gyros, one 3 axis Accelerometer, One pressure sensor, One magnetic module, one GPS etc.


http://www.uavp.de/index.php?lang=en

[joelhaasnoot]

I need to update this :) Should be something new soon...

[joelhaasnoot]

Ok, so the first post has been update with a list and categorization of all the links. As you may see, some links from this thread weren't included: I've filtered the list and gotten rid of some really useless stuff and any dead links I found. Please do continue to contribute good links - this is a great resource!

[julian@astro]

Hi all,

RC Groups is a fantastic source of research links, ideas.

we humbily submit our site to the extensive UAV list
http://openuav.astroplanes.com

Keep up the good work everyone

[Wulffy]

Just received an email from AIU (http://www.airlineupdate.com/aiu_directory/directory_index.htm). They have added several directories, one of which may be of interest to this audience:

EDIT - URL CHANGED...:
http://www.airlineupdate.com/data_pages/uav/uav.htm

I taken an opportunity to make a few clicks, and it looks like they have quite a repository going there...

Have fun!

-t

[Paul_BB]

Hi everybody,

I'm new in the uav business, but I intend building something like Icebear. (A stable slow flyer + guidance) (Good job Icebear ! :) )
I used to work in system control applied to airplanes here in France, and I discovered on the net the ET301 GPS-UAV Development Platform from SparkFun. Well it's incredible. Bill Premerlany knows what he is speaking about...

http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/GPS/GPS%20UAV%20Manual%20Part1.pdf
http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/GPS/GPS%20UAV%20Manual%20Part2.pdf
http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/GPS/GPS%20UAV%20Manual%20Part3.pdf

It shows you can do a lot without a complete 6dof IMU + Kalman Filtering.
I've already ordered a Cubloc 480 from Comfile, a 3 axis accelerometer, a 2 axis gyrometer and a GPS. I don't want to buy Bill's solution because I want to add some functionalities and I don't like assembler language.
I'll buy the Miss airplane later on. I'll keep you informed.

Paul

[icebear]

Interesting project Paul!

Looking forward to seeing more of it here - good luck!

/Icebear

[Paul_BB]

Thanks Icebear,

Well, it will take some time. So much to do with the family and the office ! I'll give some news when I will have complete the SW & HW.

Paul

[amir_7569]

Hi too all.
Im amir from iran and i recently could design and make the first unfixed wing UAV in the world.
My UAV name is DR-hesabi.
DR hesabi was a great man in iran.
Now I work on Autopilot system for it.
you can see my UAV in :
www.drh-uav.mihanblog.com

[patrickegan]

Was the idea that you’d have greater flight stability at supersonic speeds?

[amir_7569]

hi to all frieds.
this is thw link of the first unfixed wing UAV in the world and i designed and create it:
www.drh-uav.mihanblog.com

if antbody can help me or have a good idea please tell me.
and evrybody can help me to create an autopilot for it please contact withme.
amir.7569@gmail.com

[patrickegan]

Amir,

We (U.S. citizens) cannot or should not help you as it would violate current Commerce Department policy.

[Wulffy]

Amir,

We (U.S. citizens) cannot or should not help you as it would violate current Commerce Department policy.

I respectfully disagree.

http://www.longtail.com/the_long_tail/2007/08/can-open-source.html

[patrickegan]

That is your prerogative, I personally will not take the chance.

[aghaei]

we see your interest project about VTUAV i pleased to have more information about the build plan of it i look forward to hearing from you.

[sectrix]

WirelessVideoCameras.com
They sell......wireless video cameras. A good many are specifically for UAV applications. Ranges from 1000' to 25 miles, CMOS or CCD camera. Amateur radio license required.

maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-16.html
Several autopilots, specifically the BTA AS-07. Only useful for turning a plane back home when radio contact is lost.

data-linc.com
Radio Modems

parallax.com
Creaters of several different types of microcontrollers. It is an educational company, so there are also materials to help learn about microcontrollers here as well.

[patrickegan]

It’s my opinion the Torshi still smells funny…

If you have the skill set(s) and drive to make a VSW design work and can justify the expense in man-hour’s and money, one would have assume that a mechanical autopilot is not beyond your reach.

[Cloud Cap]

I would also like to add Cloud Cap under UAV autopilot companies:

www.cloudcaptech.com

[RCAV8R13]

I would also like to add Cloud Cap under UAV autopilot companies:

www.cloudcaptech.com
Welcome to the groups Cloud Cap.
Kip

[MadSmasher]

Sorry for being off topic, but is there a specific thread where people talk about their uavp problems? I was wondering if any body has ever had a gyro go bad? I just had to replace one with a weird problem. It worked when it wanted to.

[amir42]

Hi guys,

I would like to add a link to our new project called Next Generation UAVP.
It's an ARM7 based Quadcopter.

Our website can be found at http://ng.uavp.ch

The current state permits very stable hoovering in place and normal dynamic flight. We are using Kalman filters for sensor data fusion and succeeded in keeping the closed-loop control frequency at 1kHz. The software is very flexible and allows the implementation of different closed-loop controllers beside each other. We implemented a small home-brew operating system allowing real time controll and cooperative multitasking distributing the rest of the cpu processing power to several non-realtime tasks like consoles and communication endpoints.

I blogged a bit about the project at http://amir.ch

Regards
- Amir

[jtprouty]

Hi All,

We're working on several designs and have just put our website online. Check it out at http://www.hangar18uav.com.

Jimmy

[Connexxion]

Congratulation guys!

Funny I just saw your link,since I was wondering what progress you guys made.
I remember Dan (kd7ost) opted the cooperation between several RCG members a while ago.

Glad to see the "world famous" Pegasus will be an option for other not so well builders like me. :D

What material will it be made of?(please say CF!) ;)

Connexxion

[jtprouty]

Thanks, Connexxion.

The Pegasus is currently all wood but we have plans to produce a composite version as well. We're working hot and heavy on a flying wing design with EPP wings and a composite fuse to house the electronics and the payload. Should have a version of it available in the next couple of months. Fully autonomous (other than takeoff and landing) with a 12 MP camera for $3100 complete.

Jimmy
UAV Systems Engineer
Hangar 18
www.hangar18uav.com

[mentari]

http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/RateGyro2

http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/RateGyro

http://scratchpad.wikia.com/wiki/UnmannedAerialVehicles

[wartoy]

The links from Paparazzi project mentioned above is broken. The face page looks great!

- Paparazzi project (http://www.recherche.enac.fr/papara...x.php/Main_Page) - University research project with a platform and all the source files

[wartoy]

CORRECTION!!!!

To be able to access the links from Paparazzi project you must be a registered member.

[mecevans]

uav calculator

http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/UAV_design_V4.htm

[bmw330i]

CORRECTION!!!!

To be able to access the links from Paparazzi project you must be a registered member.

CORRECTION!!!! You just have to follow the right link: http://paparazzi.enac.fr/
The link posted is invalid.

[TCIII]

Wulffy,

To provide any technical assistance, that might or could be used for military purposes, to anyone in Iran, would be a violation of the ITAR which can land you in a federal prison, if convicted, whether that was your intention or not.

Just a thought.

Regards,
TCIII

[leo3518]

I think it's very important for me. Thanks.

[yinnwesoe]

hi all
i am interest about Uav and its construction.
i would like to construct.
would you help me?

[armin*]

Quadrokopter Mikrokopter Directories http://www.mkstation.de

[monster8]

I would like to add an Autopilot, UAV and UAS company:
Guided Systems Technologies
http://www.guidedsys.com
Turnkey Fully Autonomous Helicopter UAVs and UAS
Helicopter autopilots

[Zigrath]

Just thought I'd share my private project with you fellow UAV guys.
I'm starting a master's thesis related to UAV this year, and I have a project blog here (http://anjdreas.spaces.live.com/).

It is basically a software simulator that will help develop low-cost UAVs by providing a testbench to test out the hardware setup and control algorithms before you try it in real life. The goal is to simulate real life sensors (noise, inaccuaracy, etc..) and real life physics so the environment becomes as realistic as possible.

Hope you like it, and feel free to comment or ask questions in the blog!

[brakar]

This link belongs here too I presume: http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3278

brakar

[supertomy]

I need information of Canadian autopilots, beyond the micropilot ,thanks

[airmcn_3]

I need information of Canadian autopilots, beyond the micropilot ,thanks


Why Canadian? You guys still have to follow the ITAR/EAR rules. Any autopilot designed and built in the USA has no export restrictions to Canada. You should look at AttoPilot.

Chris

[dredevil]

What is the problem with micropilot?

[agshane]

And one more link that could be useful is http://www.uavflightschool.org They have complete package for someone wanting to get into the UAS field.

Happy Landings!

Greg

[kbosak]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1137076
FLEXIPILOT 6DOF IMU autopilot and EasyUAV

Made in EU. Shipping now.
Availability: only Axis of Peace countries.

[higwak]

Hi! Mr kbosak.
Which countries are axis of peace? I'd like to know that I live in there.

[kbosak]

Hi! Mr kbosak.
Which countries are axis of peace? I'd like to know that I live in there.
World minus Axis of Evil.

[dredevil]

What does that leave?

[kbosak]

What does that leave?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_of_evil
"Axis of Evil" as described by George W. Bush:
Iraq
Iran
North Korea
...would add Afghanistan in the present state and a few other war zones, are out.