Discussion AttoPilot V3.0 6DOF IMU Q&A

[Soulglow]

Yep !

Question: would'nt that be simpler from devlopment pt of view to "simply" offer a IMU module to upgrade the already available Atto v1.8 ?

The caracteristics of v1.8 are very good, and permits a wider choice of airframes: with 3 channel for control...... flying wing or high wing glider?

SO... if i need an aileron plane.... i will have to put a thermopile stabilisator on top of Atto ?

Payload control eliminated ( camera stabilisation) ?

I will take a Atto v1.8 with an IMU unit option right now, but not if it have been stripped of most of his hot features.

My .02 $

Alain

[dmgoedde]

Originally Posted by Soulglow

Question: would'nt that be simpler from devlopment pt of view to "simply" offer a IMU module to upgrade the already available Atto v1.8 ?

This is not possible because of the available IO pins left over on Atto v1.8: there are none. The only available trick is to have a seperate IMU module, then the IMU attitude solution is converted by DACs into thermopile-equivalent analog signals (to look like XY and Z thermopiles) that plug into Atto v1.8. This is pretty convoluted way of doing it, plus then we wouldn't have the body-rates of the IMU directly inputed into the Atto controller. It is too Frankenstein-ish. Also, the IMU alone is much more complex than anything inside Atto v1.8 requiring special calibrations which consume lots of time and are painstaling. I bring that up because of the cost... there are GREAT reasons why no commercial company sells an IMU autopilot for less than $3,000 (if you don't count the U3550 at $1500)... I would expect that with an $800 Atto v1.8, people would NOT feel OK to pay an additional $1000 or more for an IMU add-on.

Originally Posted by Soulglow

The caracteristics of v1.8 are very good, and permits a wider choice of airframes: with 3 channel for control...... flying wing or high wing glider?

Atto v1.8 actually has FOUR channels for flight control, then 3 more, one of which is the trigger controller. The remaining 2 are currently un-coded pan and tilt. 7 "channels" total. The 50Hz attitude control of both the v1.8 and 3.3 IMU are 100% suited to flying wings and full house trainers.

Originally Posted by Soulglow

SO... if i need an aileron plane.... i will have to put a thermopile stabilisator on top of Atto ?

No. If you have an Atto v1.8, it is a complete 3 axis autopilot. If you instead have the v3.3 IMU autopilot, it also is a complete 3 axis autopilot. In fact, both of these autopilots excel with small aileron planes... and by 'small' I mean between 8 ounces up to 20 ounces... 32 ounces. All that is OK. Of course your 10 Lb (160 ounce) 8' Telemaster is fine too.

Originally Posted by Soulglow

Payload control eliminated ( camera stabilisation) ?

Payload control for triggers is inside both Atto v1.8 and the IMU version.

Originally Posted by Soulglow

I will take a Atto v1.8 with an IMU unit option right now, but not if it have been stripped of most of his hot features.

I have prototype IMU autopilots that are based on a modified v1.8 control board, but this will never be a production unit. Besides, even if this were to become a product, it would not cost just a little more than the v1.8 at $800. It would be more by about 2-3X.

[Dutchboy]

Count me in for one of these IMU units.

Dutchboy (Torin Segstro)

[Mecha]

will the new GCS have a Mission Simulator? can anyone comment on this

[airmcn_3]

Originally Posted by Mecha

will the new GCS have a Mission Simulator? can anyone comment on this

The short answer is NO but Dean and I have been talking about this. It has to do with code and how it’s written; the system would need to run through the autopilot in order to be accurate.

Stand by on this one. Its one more major item to add to the giant list we already have........


Chris

[Cort]

For what it's worth simulation is huge for my needs. we operate in very tight environments and simulate all missions before they are flown. As you may have read in other threads I am currently using and MP 2128G and have the ability to simulate all missions. Mission simulations include terrain avoidance warnings (assuming you have loaded a DEM), indicators when cameras are being triggered, relative ground coverage of what is being captured by the photos (this is relatively crude but helpful), etc. I am very excited about the new ATTO and love the way that Dean and all that are involved with it are constantly posting their experiences and supporting the product. I would strongly support development of simulation and be willing to pay for it

Cort

[Cort]

okay i re-read my post....I am willing to pay for the development of simulation in the end cost of the autopilot......not willing to pay for the development outright....LOL. Sorry guys wish I could do that for you but that unfortunately would be my sons college education or more.

Keep up the good work!

Cort

[airmcn_3]

Originally Posted by Cort

okay i re-read my post....I am willing to pay for the development of simulation in the end cost of the autopilot......not willing to pay for the development outright....LOL. Sorry guys wish I could do that for you but that unfortunately would be my sons college education or more.

Keep up the good work!

Cort

LOL, We got what you meant

Don’t worry we will work on it, but...... We currently have a lot on our plate and Dean is way overworked. I will continue to bring it up to him and the GCS software designer.

Chris

[tekrunner]

Originally Posted by Cort

For what it's worth simulation is huge for my needs. we operate in very tight environments and simulate all missions before they are flown. As you may have read in other threads I am currently using and MP 2128G and have the ability to simulate all missions. Mission simulations include terrain avoidance warnings (assuming you have loaded a DEM), indicators when cameras are being triggered, relative ground coverage of what is being captured by the photos (this is relatively crude but helpful), etc. I am very excited about the new ATTO and love the way that Dean and all that are involved with it are constantly posting their experiences and supporting the product. I would strongly support development of simulation and be willing to pay for it

Cort

Interesting, just read the Wiki on DEM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_elevation_model

Any chance you could share more info on this? I've been interested in how the various autopilots work on a "hug the earth" concept.

So if I understand correctly micropilot lets you load one of these DEMs and helps maintain a certain altitude over various terrains? So if you approach a mountain it maintains the same altitude relative to a mountain it flys over and if it flys over a valley would it dive down and maintain the same altitude relative to the valley floor? Anyone know how Atto for example treats varying terrain without a DEM?

[jtprouty]

Atto doesn't know how high the terrain is at this point. When you do your flight planning you have to tell it how high to fly in meters. The altitude is based on height above ground and is relative to your home position when you initialize it. If you use Google Earth to make your waypoint file one of the thing you have to do is verify that your target altitude will be clear of all terrain. You can set different altitudes for different waypoints by hand editing the WP.txt file.

I may be wrong but I believe you'll be able to do all of this via a GUI in the near future.

Jimmy

[tekrunner]

^^^

Ok thanks for the synopsis. And yeah I think configuring your flight plan via GUI should be coming, Airman can you clarify?

[Mecha]

From this thread link http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1083347

Originally Posted by airmcn_3

The pan tilt function is being turned on this week! As you may or may not know Dean is extremely busy trying to get all the functions and reliability you are looking for.

Chris those this means that V1.8 user will get pan/tilt too?

Will the new GCS have target tracking on the pan/tilt?

[airmcn_3]

Originally Posted by Mecha

From this thread link http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1083347



Chris those this means that V1.8 user will get pan/tilt too?

Will the new GCS have target tracking on the pan/tilt?

Yes you are correct users will get the updated firmware.

Not sure if target tracking is being planned, I will ask Dean. I personally hope so!!

Chris

[borneobear]

Sorry if I missed it, but has the system been approved for international sales?

[jtprouty]

Yes. Send a message to "info@attopilot.com" for more info.

Jimmy