avernix
Jun 17, 2008, 08:39 PM
Hi everyone,
I am planning to build a UAV Helicopter that uses 3G cell phone connection for control and video uplink. I'm not sure which section to post it under, so I will separate my post into pertinent questions for each section.
Again, the ultimate goal is to build a semi-autonomous heli craft that can maintain stability, go GPS coordinates, and follow waypoints autonomously, and hopefully land.
If you're familiar with Smartphones, many of them have built in GPS (SirfStarIII) and A-GPS (Quallcom) chips. There is also software that uses active internet connection to improve the accuracy of both. Moreover, many smartphones have 2 built-in cameras with decent video resolution and 3MP photos. This makes them ideal platforms for a UAV. There are downsides however, number 1 being latency, making direct control choppy, and second, though no less important being reliability, making certain operating logic and fail-safes in case of signal loss necessary.
Now, here are the aspects I'm curious about as far as auto-piloting this thing is concerned:
1) Is there any existing software logic for stability control of helicopter?
2) Is there similar logic for obstacle avoidance based on GPS accuracy measurements coupled with area relief maps?
3) What's the best way to implement automated landing?
4) What fail-safes would be necessary to protect people and property from damage by the UAV (e.g. cutoff under certain altitude).
5) What other considerations am I missing?
Thanks.
I am planning to build a UAV Helicopter that uses 3G cell phone connection for control and video uplink. I'm not sure which section to post it under, so I will separate my post into pertinent questions for each section.
Again, the ultimate goal is to build a semi-autonomous heli craft that can maintain stability, go GPS coordinates, and follow waypoints autonomously, and hopefully land.
If you're familiar with Smartphones, many of them have built in GPS (SirfStarIII) and A-GPS (Quallcom) chips. There is also software that uses active internet connection to improve the accuracy of both. Moreover, many smartphones have 2 built-in cameras with decent video resolution and 3MP photos. This makes them ideal platforms for a UAV. There are downsides however, number 1 being latency, making direct control choppy, and second, though no less important being reliability, making certain operating logic and fail-safes in case of signal loss necessary.
Now, here are the aspects I'm curious about as far as auto-piloting this thing is concerned:
1) Is there any existing software logic for stability control of helicopter?
2) Is there similar logic for obstacle avoidance based on GPS accuracy measurements coupled with area relief maps?
3) What's the best way to implement automated landing?
4) What fail-safes would be necessary to protect people and property from damage by the UAV (e.g. cutoff under certain altitude).
5) What other considerations am I missing?
Thanks.