[chbot] UAV I'm in

[Charles Manning]

I think it would be different to try different approaches and share ideas.

The UAV stuff I'm doing is not Propeller based. While Propeller seems to have 
some admirable properties for some purposes, I just can't be bothered 
learning yet another architecture, getting yet another set of tools, etc etc. 
unless there is a very pressing reason to do so.

You don't need much CPU grunt to do a basic UAV and I'm going to use an AVR at 
first because I know the toolchain, they're very cheap and very easy to use. 

Most control stuff is quite light in its CPU requirements and a 68HC11 
(remember them?) is enough to do a two-wheel balancing robot so I figure it 
is enough to control a UAV flight.

If I get to needing something more grunty than that, for some serious software 
engineering, then I'd probably put in an ARM Linux board. I've recently been 
working with OMAP based Gumstix which will give you a very powerful Linux 
board (including 256MB flash and 2456MB ram) in less than 20 grams.

I know you could kick of with Ardupilot or similar which will give a whole 
drop-in autopilot for approx USD150 including GPS (http://diydrones.com/), 
but I'm interested in doing a fresh project rather than just plugging in an 
existing project.




On Monday 24 August 2009 09:48:21 Steven Graham wrote:
> I have been interested in doing an UAV (robot plane) for a while and
> when I saw some of the web sites asoceated with the Propeller it
> convinced me that the Propeller chip would make a good platform. My
> feeing is that a UAV is very achievable for any one, but it does take a
> spread of skils and abiliies. I have built and flown RC model aircraft.
> And would be happy to help in any way I can. I also have the tools for
> hot wire cutting of foam for wings etc whether covered or left bear i.e.
> foamys.
>
> In the weekend I found a Mag/Book on the new Magazines Polytechnic
> library called "Make technology on your time". It had an interesting
> article on building an UAV. I was not able to copy the article so if any
> one has access to photocopying at the Polytechnic it is a good read and
> a valuable resource to bring to the UAV group.
>
> There is a lot of potential in this field. I recently sat in a
> presentation by CAA (civil aviation authority of New Zealand) one point
> of interest was that there is a new category of aircraft in New Zealand,
> Yes UAVs. The will become aircraft doing useful work in NZ.
>
> Steven Graham.
>
>
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