RFD900/3DR Radio connected to Arduino or any Microcontroller
Is it possible to connect the RFD900/3DR Radios directly to Arduino?
The idea is instead of connecting the telemetry radios to a computer, I'll connect it to a microcontroller that will be able to decode the received data then send the decoded data to different ports. At the same time, it can also encode data from different input ports that will be sent through telemetry.
The reason for building this is because of the unreliability and/or bulkiness of laptop computers during field flights. Sometimes, windows PC programs suddenly crashes and if ever monitoring devices shuts down, control and video will still be maintained since there are other control 'inputs'.
Here's a picture of what I'm talking about.
However, some settings such as the tuning/trim for joystick controls will still be set at a computer then maybe, stored at the Arduino server. The whole GCS will be placed in a suitcase like other groundstations but having two screens, the FPV/Camera Video and the screen with the Map and other data. The tablet will also handle the setting of waypoints or other actions similar to mission planner like the application developed here. Possible look of GCS will be like this:
The suitcase may also have buttons that can enable RTL, control camera pan-tilt, or change flight mode.
However, these are only possibilities if the RFD900 can be interfaced easily to the arduino board.
If connecting the radios to arduino is possible, then maybe its time to learn the protocol used (MAVLink) that will be decoded/encoded in the arduino.
Its cool to have multiple inputs/multiple outputs with proper coding.
Developers and experts, give me insights on these as the ZigBee/XBee module is new to me and I want to learn more since RFD900 range and speed is very tempting.
Tags: 3dr, GCS, MIMO, Xbee, arduino, connect, groundstation, radio, rfd900, tablet
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Zachary Eldridge on
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This is in the works for tablet use only. No extra webserver or such. http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/who-wants-a-iphone-app-used-as-a-...
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Permalink Reply by Delfin Magote III on -
Thanks. I've actually been following your discussion and have also linked your post here. By the way, this GCS server I'm talking about simply enables multiple inputs multiple outputs (MIMO) which can be handy if you want several monitoring devices (Different LCD screens for each values) and several input devices (Joysticks and pushbuttons).
The Android App for my tablet will be the app you're currently developing, the advantage of this GCS server will enable me to use external joystick for control. However, it's only useful (I think) if you will be having a suitcase GCS and also you will not fear of losing control in case the program (computer) or app (tablet) crashed.
Looking forward to your development.
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If the app crasheds the APM will still follow it rules/waypoints and follow it flight path or you can have it RTL.
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Permalink Reply by Delfin Magote III on
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Yes, failsafe.
By the way, have you started developing the android app? or you will finish the apple app first? no additional chips are required for an Android platform and I think it will also be easier to develop the android app unless you're expertise lies in apple apps. I'll be following your thread, for the meantime I'll research how to integrate a google map to my app, a copy of copter-GCS but with some minor changes.
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Copter-GCS is a good program that is out there. It been awhile since I seen a upgrade. However, PID for planes can't be changed but your plane will fly somewhat ok. IOS is in development at the same speed for android. I would think it was unfair if I didn't make both platforms.
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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on -
It is a transparent serial RF modem. It can do everything a regular serial cable can do, except be used to hang yourself!
So if that isn't enough I highly suggest you call the suicide hotline.
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Permalink Reply by Delfin Magote III on
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Oh. So its that simple, thanks. I actually browsed the community but so far no one made it, seems impractical to them I guess. Creating the GCS server using arduino will not be a problem anymore, so I'll just focus on porting the joystick controls. :)
Thanks for the info by the way.
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Permalink Reply by Jake Stew on
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I should clarify a bit I guess... It doesn't provides CTS and RTS lines like you might have in many serial cables. Just standard RX,TX,5V, and GND.
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Permalink Reply by Delfin Magote III on
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yeah,I know, I just need the TX and RX port. I didn't even used CTS and RTS before since all my projects before used a USB port (MAX232 + prolific cable and microcontrollers that doesn't require max232) and detected as a serial COM port.
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Permalink Reply by John Campen on -
Wouldn't the Simple GCS fill this requirement? http://store.jdrones.com/Ground_Stations_s/56.htm
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