Where Do You Get Cheap UAV Materials?

[arshomette]

Hi, my name is Andrew. While I am brand-new here, I have been visiting the forums several times before.

Anyway, enough with the introductions.

For my Junior/Senior (high school) research project, I am constructing an open source UAV controller software (for lack of a better term) in Java. However, I wanted to modify my R/C airplane (a Hobbyzone Firebird Commander, I don't want to use my good plane if possible) into a UAV in order to test the software. First of all, is this the best thing to do?

I looked at the MicroPilot autopilot packages, realizing that UAV's cerntainly aren't the cheapest of hobbies. Is there a place to get cheaper supplies? I am looking at radio modems on www.maxstream.net (http://), but, due to my lack of knowledge on the subject, I have no idea which one is the best for my needs.

Other than the autopilot and the radio modem, I need an altitude sensor and any extra things that I have overlooked... which is probably a lot.

Please help!

[Jack Crossfire]

If the focus is to demonstrate Java being used in a certain application, then a ground based vehicle is much more practical. If flying is required, then it's a long, hard, expensive journey into a lot of stuff which has nothing to do with Java.

[danstrider]

Ha, yeah what Jack said ... the sky is the limit on what you could spend (FWIW, Micropilot is at the cheap side of the market).

However, I'd suggest looking at sparkfun.com for a lot of really good DIY type project materials. I don't know how well they work with JAVA, but if you step into C land, their stuff opens up. They have all sorts of IMU's and GPS units so you can tinker to your heart's content.

As for the airframe, bigger is generally better (don't shoot me here guys, you wouldn't dispute how nice it would be to have the payload capacity to carry another battery!). Open volume is always good.

If I were trying to make a quick & functioning flying UAV, I think I'd take an FMA copilot for roll and pitch stabilization then take a small microprocessor (here's where JAVA comes into play) that controls the rudder. That way the airplane would be self-leveling yet you could still "steer" it with the rudder like a boat. Add a GPS and you have a cheap heading guided autopilot. Note that I haven't actually done this, but I think in principle it would be a great starting point to get in the air and start figuring out the real issues. This could be done perhaps for ~$200.

The sky is the limit for your project!
Dan

[arshomette]

Thanks for your help.

How difficult would writing an autopilot software in Java be?

Is it possible I could borrow a fully constructed UAV for the testing of my software (which is totally geared toward aircraft)? I live in Northern VA if that matters.

Thanks,
Andrew

[Jack Crossfire]

The difficulty with Java is finding a cheap embedded computer that does Java out of the box. The Gumstix needs a lot of recompiling, installation, tracking down dependancies to get Java working. More expensive computers probably have an easier Java setup.

[vector_vortex]

Dallas / Maxim's TINI is about the only micro that will run Java natively with no recompilation/Virtual machine. I have not used or had any experiance with this device, but people in my electronic engineering department seem to like it, If you are determined to code in java, which is not designed for embedded systems, this would be your best bet.
http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/tini/pdfs/TINI_GUIDE.pdf

Have Fun

Joel

[NeoLogic]

The firebird commander is not a good plane to use as a UAV/UAS simply for the reason there is not much of a payload bay. Not to mention it's fast, doesn't carry much weight, and uses Elevons. A horrible combination of factors makes my head spin...

If you want something more flexible, and doesn't have the limiting factors the Firebird has, is cheap, easy to build, go for a GWS slowstick. I don't know where in Northern VA you live, since it's a big area, but in Chantilly is a place called Hobby Hanger. They sell everything you would need to get in the air.... by tomorrow even.

The slowstick is able to carry all the processing power and sensors you need along with extra batts to power them with.

I live in N. VA, so if you need help I might be able to help you out.

But don't let these people tell you that you can't do this. I think Dan hit the nail on the head when he said to use the copilot (I have one you can borrow) and a self-developed rudder control system. If you have to use Java, your limiting yourself. If your using Java simply because it's the only language you know, then use what ya got. :)

Once your done with your class project, you can then use your SlowStick for other cool things like Aerial Photography or pylon racing, lol.

Look for Tyler at Hobby Hanger.. He might have something prebuilt for ya at a reasonable price. Just tell him Drew sent ya.

Let me know if you need help.

-Drew

[NeoLogic]

If you really need a aircraft and can't afford one, I'll let you borrow my SS. I'm not doing AP work anymore.. might as well put it to good use.

Cheers!

[arshomette]

Thank you for all of your help.

Right now, the only thing I am planning to make (I was asking about the autopilot to see if I needed to program it into the GUI) in Java is a GUI in Swing (a Java class) that would be able to communicate with ...something... so that GPS waypoints (3 dimensional; x, y, and z coordinates) could be placed over a satellite image (i.e. Google maps...) and could be sent to a server in order to compile several UAV's (and possibly other aircraft) waypoints in order to avoid crashes by giving priority to different craft (like emergency aircraft would get the highest priority, airliners get the next priority, then civilian craft... for example). This would help the FAA keep tabs on all of the different aircraft. I am using Java because (other than that it is the best language I know, but not the only one) of the ability to send data over the internet (i.e. waypoints) and is not platform sensitive. Probably not the best choice, but this is what I am trying to do.

Did I explain that okay?

@NeoLogic, I live in Ashburn... Right in between Sterling and Leesburg. I will check out Hobby Hanger to get some pricing info.

EDIT~OMG... Just noticed your location NeoLogic... you are in Ashburn too!!!

Wow...

[typicalaimster]

Yeah there is a few of us in the DC area.. I'm down the way in Fairfax.. TwinTurbo over in the FPV forum is up in Germantown.