PC & RC plane

[flybibop]

Hello,

I would like to control my plane with a computer, via my radio.

I 'd like to generate the PPM signal by the parallel port of a PC. The parallel port would be linked to the training module of my radio.

Has anyone ever tried such a system ?

In fact, my problem comes from the training module : I've got a GRAUPNER MC16 radio with a fiber optic cord. The input of the Master module has 3 pins (stereo jack). I'd like to make the connexion between the parallel port and the module with an optocoupler (the 4N35). but I don't know how to make the wiring between the optocoupler OUT and the module IN.

Does anyone know how to do that with a GRAUPNER radio ?

Thank you !
I'm sorry for my bad English :)

Yan

[camship]

flybibop,

I have built such a system using a chipset provided by Ken Hewitt.

PC to RC Interface Unit:

http://www.welwyn.demon.co.uk/PC_RC/PC_to_RC.htm

You will have to write your own software however. I am not a programmer but was able to write my own in VB6.

I am unfamiliar with the Graupner radios and can not advise you on your question about the trainer port. If it is at all similar to the current crop of TX's then one line is going to be ground, one for PPM input from the student TX and one for output of PPM from your TX, when yours is used in student mode.

Trying to use the PC's parallel port to generate the PPM signal will mean that it will be incapable of doing much else, i.e. reading any type of inputs or using other software without having severe timing problems with the PPM output.

Ken Hewitt's chipset simply reads "position" data from the parallel port and generates the appropriate PPM signal for output to your TX leaving the PC free for other tasks.

Good luck with your system.

Rob

[risto]

http://www.mh.ttu.ee/risto/rc/electronics/pctorc.htm

Risto

[camship]

Risto,

Very cool indeed. I see you used a hardware solution for storing position data. I almost went a similar route but found the pre-programmed PIC from Ken. Had a real crash course learning VB, I'm not a programmer or EE. So far works in Win98, WinNT4. Haven't tackled WinXP yet.

I originally built my system to have "free-look" capability with video piloted systems using a Head Tracking HMD. What are you using yours for?

Next project is image recognition for tracking marked insects in flight. Yeah, I occasionaly do entomology field studies for a university. Fun chasing bugs! Hey, maybe some of you EDF F-18 jocks would like to provide a fast moving target? If I can track an EDF BUG I'm sure a dog fly would be no problem!

Keep 'em ABOVE the terrain.......

Rob

[flybibop]

Thank you very much for your answers !

But I see that GRAUPNER radios are not common for those systems :p

I fact, my problem is that I haven't got any oscilloscope. I can't see how the signal is in the 3 contacts of the trainer port (and I don't know if they are the same as those in FUTABA radios).

I think I'll have to find a scope ;)

Bye !

[risto]

> What are you using yours for?
I used it to control a small robot:
http://www.mh.ttu.ee/risto/work/hexapod2/

> I fact, my problem is that I haven't got any oscilloscope.
You probably have a PC with sound card. There is on the web free software that allows to use a sound card as an oscilloscope (not very fast oscilloscope, but enough for PPM modulation).

Risto

[flybibop]

A scope with a sound card :

Very good idear ! I'm going to try this.

Flybibop