Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joseph Glanville on May 20, 2009 at 9:23am

I don't see why not, it is a rather stable airframe and doesn't require any complex mixing.
It is my understanding that the FMA copilot is superior for one reason or another, I am not an expert on IR stabilization however and someone else here on the forum will likely answer that question.

You shouldn't need to carry more than 500grams even if you had a camera onboard so don't worry about upgrading your power system.

Integrating the autopilot itself should be rather easy, I gather your glider is simple aileron, rudder and elevator configuration.

I suggest you read the information on the Ardupilot homepage and then ask back here if you have any questions.

Goodluck with your glider/soon to be UAV.
Keep us updated on your progress. :)

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on May 20, 2009 at 8:03pm

The configuration I have is only three channel.
are ailerons absolutely required for uav.
Since my plane is a scratch build i can add aileron if required.

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on May 20, 2009 at 8:27pm

I have made a check list based on my reading about the Ardu Pilot .
I don't know if I am right but am looking for guidance if I need something more OR if I have added something not required :
THE THINGS NEEDED FOR THE AUTOPILOT:-
• ARDU PILOT SHEILD
• FMA COPILOT WT XY SENSOR (have futaba pa2)
• FMA COMPATIBLE Z SENSOR
• FEMALE TO FEMALE SERVO CONN.
• FTDI USB TO UAV CABLE
• MACHINE PIN HEADERS MALE&FEMALE
• 2 STRIP OF BREAKAWAY HEADERS MALE
• NEED A MAGNIFYING LENS(MAYBE)
• Gps module
• Xbee 2.4 wireless module
• Adafruit adaptor board
• Spark fun usb adaptor board
• XBee 1mW Chip Antenna

Please add or subtract as you feel is right .

My aim is :
Stage 1 : autonomus flight
Stage 2 : after success of stage 1 Ariel photography

Venkat

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on May 20, 2009 at 8:50pm

You don't need the FMA Co-Pilot, just the XY sensor.

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on May 20, 2009 at 9:07pm

I already have a Futaba PA 2 pilot assist can it be used

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on May 26, 2009 at 9:53am

Hi ,
So I have decided to take the plunge soon and buy , I just need a final confirmation from the pros here what I need to convert Mr MOSS to autopilot is all I have listed above minus Item 2 and 3 and instead of them I buy a x-y sensor of FMS .
With such a set up I should be able to achieve autonomous flight ........ RIGHT !!

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on November 18, 2009 at 6:25pm

MOVED MY POST TO THE AIRFRAME THREAD AS I THOUGHT IT WILL BE MORE APPROPRIATE THERE

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on December 21, 2009 at 7:38am

I finally got the aurdu pilot fitted up , GPS Locked adjusted trims etc on my MPX Easy Cub .
Two observations :
1) When I switch to auto pilot the plane goes into full throttle and elevator goes full down even in the ground test .
2) Took off manually after gaining altitude switched to Auto in head wind and the plane immediately went into a steep dive switched back to manual recovered went round again switched to auto and same behavior . Which may be due to 1) above ..

The connections and set up are ok ,

Has anyone come across this problem and can you direct me to a solution.

Venkat.

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Permalink Reply by viky on December 23, 2009 at 9:51pm

Your channels may be reversed in code .
? Have you calibrated the ardupilot before flying
? Which code version you have used
? Please show the block diagran of ur connectivity

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on December 24, 2009 at 3:08am

Hi Venkatesh,
It is good to hear you finally have the Ardu pilot and got it going. Is the airframe different from the SPAD you had going earlier? The channels might be reversed in code and needs some tuning.. So check them first on the ground before taking it to air , do not be in hurry to fly it. There are many experts here so do not worry , someone will be able to get the solution. There are few versions of the code , tell us and if possible post the code. & tell us how you have connected it all. Take lots of photos too. Good luck :-)

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Permalink Reply by Venkatesh Sai on January 15, 2010 at 9:41pm

got time to test between exams , with a bit of tuning have been able to reverse the servos and the hand over take over is quite smooth between auto pilot and manual.
I operate with a Futaba 6 Exa RC and have assigned the manual to auto shift to channel 5 (2 position switch) , I set the altitude hold to 50 mtrs .
The moment the plane is handed over to auto it takes turn towards home and spirals downwards , I have been able to retard the spiral rate but unable to eliminate it . The throttle cuts at this stage

The airframe is the Multiplex Easy Cub similar to the easy star . The FMA sensor is in the center of the dihidral .

On ground the plane behaves the opposite the moment I switch to auto the throttle goes to full.

Could this be a problem of using a two position switch instead of 3 position OR the fma sensor detecting the horizon in air but unable to do so on ground due to tree cover.

Venkat

The

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Permalink Reply by Greg Fletcher on January 15, 2010 at 10:47pm

Never switch to auto when the plane is not flying. For ground testing you should unplug the motor.
The plane will try to climb and increase the throttle. This is normal behavior. As far as the spiraling
goes... make sure your transmitter is on with the controls centered when the aurdu resets. This is very important
If you don't do this the servos will go to one side if "stabilize" mode is entered from a loss of GPS.
some times the sat's aren't aligned good and the turn caused the GPS to fail.

Greg

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