New UAV product...

[CrashingDutchman]

How about an UAV board with these specifications (to begin with):

- GPS module on board
- Datalogger, data saved on SD card
- Possibility to put a route (several waypoints) in a file on the SD card, when switching on autopilot, it will follow the route
- Rudder control
- Altitude control through pressure sensor


Furthermore, how about these optional items later:
- Telemetry link
- Video overlay for those that are already using wireless video


Anything that is missing or you would like to see on this board?

[sodman12]

not that i can think of. Does this tell you where your gps location is live?

[JeffElecRC]

Some thoughts:

- People like using different GPS modules: i.e. Ublox, etc. So limiting someone to use a specific GPS is probably not a good idea. Furthermore, the GPS may have an integrated antenna so its better off as a seperate module that connects to the main autopilot board via pwr,gnd,uart. That way the user may have their GPS seperate from the autopilot.

- You're going to need processors, one or two ARMs should do the trick (thats what Paparazzi UAV is currently using)

- If you add an altitude pressure sensor, might as well add another for airspeed.

- You may consider adding a seperate ADC with open inputs so that someone could connect a current-sensor or tachometer to the board and have that data sampled and stored on the SD card.

- Telemetery modules are noisy you dont want it mated to your autopilot board, add a connector on the board so the user may connect the telemetry module of their own choosing.

-With rudder-only control, will the user need something like an FMA co-pilot for roll stability?

[Joe2003]

adding 'actions' to the waypoints, such as take a photo or return to base etc.
These could be stored in external media too.

btw, the solution im working on intergrates this sd card reader:-

http://www.active-robots.com/products/accessories/ummc.shtml

[mlbco]

A friend of mine has been working on an aircraft along these lines. Here are some web links:

http://online.sfsu.edu/~meholden/Publications/min_sense_airplane.pdf

http://online.sfsu.edu/~meholden/autonomous/airvehicles.html


Steve Morris

[CrashingDutchman]

Thanks for the replies. We are going to consider the suggestions and I will report back later.

[sodman12]

steve,

that bat is badass. I like it alot! dont think ill be spending 50k on it though.

you know the person that worked on it or your friend is doing something like it?