Is it feasible: ArduCopter + BeagleBoard with Camera + Optical Flow sensor

I'd like to create a platform to be able to test various visual based VTOL UAV control techniques for indoor environments. I've got some theoretical background in this field already and would like to move on to building a real flying platform. Yet I'd like to ask you guys to take a critical look at what I'm planning to do in terms of interface compatibility and feasibility in general.

I was planing to buy an ArduCopter Kit, a BeagleBoard-xM, a simple USB web camera to work with the BeagleBoard and an Optical Flow sensor board (either CYE8, ArPrMi or ADNS2620). I'm not planning to use a GPS or magnetometer in the first place, but if possible I wouldn't like to deny the possibility of doing so in the future. I need telemetry, so XBee is essential, as I'd like to use the ArduCopter's Ground Station.

All of the above OF sensors have an I2C interface (so they could go with the APM instead of magnetometer I suppose, but if there is another way I'd like to keep the magneto), those from Embedded Eye have SPI as well. There is an SPI interface on the BeagleBoard along with USB, UART and Ethernet. I'm not sure however how to interchange data between the BeagleBoard and the APM - would it be possible? I'd like to use the APM as the autopilot.

 

Any suggestions welcome.

 

Tags: ArduCopter, indoor, quadrotor, uav

Views: 2692

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by eng.a.ramdan on March 30, 2011 at 2:11pm

and what about editing the flight control SW on ardupilot to receive the USART command from BB ? what to edit ??

 

Permalink Reply by eng.a.ramdan on April 1, 2011 at 6:16am
Any recommendations? ... what to edit in ardupilot SW to receive from USART ?
Permalink Reply by Sebastian Gralla on April 1, 2011 at 12:12pm
the code will tell you, look into it
Permalink Reply by rapidman2010 on March 30, 2011 at 1:47pm
Permalink Reply by rapidman2010 on March 30, 2011 at 2:07pm

it is better to use gumstix board small and light

http://pixhawk.ethz.ch/wiki/

Permalink Reply by Tom on March 31, 2011 at 12:11am

Looks nice. What is an orientation cost of a PixHawk with all sensors, frame ...? Can all the hardware be bought soldered, I mean like the ArduCopter kits at jdrones.com (http://store.jdrones.com/category_s/40.htm)?

For comparison ArduCopter hardware (599$ at jdrones.com), batteries, RC (Turnigy 9X), BB-xM (150$), cameras and maybe some more could be obtained for around 1200-1500$ at the moment (depending on customs duties, shipping costs etc.).

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