I think for the hobbyist, the only real choice is an open source autopilot. Unfortunately with a closed source solution, you are stuck with the feature set that the developer wants you to have. Another major advantage of open source autopilots is that reading the source code is a valuable learning, and troubleshooting tool. Even if you never intend to modify the code, just being able to look at it can be enough to resolve a problem.In my personal opinion, the Paparazzi project is the best hobby autopilot. At the hobby level, no closed source(or open source) project can match the coding resources the Paparazzi project has. The Paparazzi project has a long list of features which are only matched by expensive proprietary autopilots. Want a camera, multiple UAVs, video, full featured ground station(with integrated real time video if you want), telemetry, powerful flight plans, to control a quadcopter? You can do all of this and more with Paparazzi.What are the technical requirements?I added a technical requirements post for UAVs in general here. The only thing you need to add to that list is some decent Ubuntu Linux ability. If you are halfway competent with windows you will be just fine. My father has been using Ubuntu exclusively for months now, and he is doing fine. He can barely even delete folders, and his first successful download in the short time he had Vista was spyware pretending to be antivirus.How long does it typically take to get it working?It took me a few months working off and on. It takes a while to fully get a handle on all the parts. You ARE going to bang your head on the wall a bit. I also spent about two days building the wiring harness. The molex picoblade connectors are a pain. Tip from me: buy the precrimped wires.What are the real costs, all included?Expect to spend around $600 for autopilot with telemetry. excluding RC Plane and laptopYou will need:The autopilot: Tiny V2.11 Comes with integratedGPS(Get the LEA-4P model, since the GPS is easier to deal with)Vertical IR SensorHorizontal IR SensorSee the Get Hardware page on the wiki for parts sources. Do not buy any parts from Halfbase.com, or you will most likely lose your money.I recommend using the Xbee Pro modems, it is pretty easy to get them working.For airborne, part number: XBP24-AWI-001 ← OEM module with whip antennaFor ground, part number: XBP24-PKC-001-UA ← This one has a nice aluminum enclosure for your ground station which will keep your modem alive longer.These are the 2.4ghz modems, if you have 2.4ghz video on your plane you can get xbee in 900mhz.Start with a slow and stable plane, and you will have an easier time and will not need to add a rate gyro on the roll axis.Where's the best place to get started?The best place to get started is on the Paparazzi wiki. The wiki can be hard to understand at times, but bear with it. If you find a problem, make some edits please.Go to the site map link on the wiki, and read EVERY page on the site map. It is a pain to read the whole thing, but it will help you a lot.Next download and install the paparazzi software, and simulate some flights, and play with the flight plans.Once you have done that, then I would purchase the hardware.What's the best place to turn to for help?1.The wiki2.The mailing list (don't forget to search the list archives)3.This big nasty thread on rcgroups (don't forget the thread search tool)The normal rules for getting help online apply: Show what you have tried to solve your problem, and use a descriptive title.Whew! You still with me? Paparazzi is not easy, but it is rewarding. Anyhow if you wanted easy, you would not be wanting to build your own UAV. It is a lot of hard work no matter what autopilot you choose, but it is extremely rewarding when you are standing in a field watching your plane fly around with no input from you.
Given your background and expertise, I would like to run a specific mission by you to see if it is feasible -
I am looking at using the Nexstar EP (RTF) as an aircraft platform to carry 1lb (16 oz) of payload (Autopilot/camera / sensors) and fly it for 30 minutes.
a) Do you think this is feasible ?
b) Would the extra pound of payload drastically alter the flying capability of the model
c) What battery pack/motor/prop configuration would you recommend to get 30/35 minutes of flying time
My primary objective is to maximize endurance and at the same time get a stable platform to mount a camera on. (aka - not flying at ridiculous high speeds)
Well is hard to be paparazzi make a living get into other lifes also every body hate paparazzi also that kill lady d also Online Pharmacy is the fastest way to get pills.
Hi Cory ! Paparazzi AutoPilot is oldest and most respected open source autopilot in the world. Paparazzi AutoPilot teams are working all around the globe. People have put lots of hardwork and efforts for this. I have not seen Paparazzi developers missing even a single day when there was no update.
Since during those old days since Paprazzi was the only one so most of the RC Pilots has no choice but to go for it. But look now there are plenty of Open Source Autopilots available which are very much less expensive as compared with that of Paparzzi and have very good features. For example take the case of AuduPilot 2, by Jordi, it is only 24US$, supports Waypoin Navigation, Stabilization using IR sensors and further more using X-Bee 2.4GHz modems, it suppots wireless Telemetry also.
If you go slightly higher in price for a full unctional autopilot using horizon sensing and satbilazation using IMU then nothing better than Bill Premerlani's UAV Dev. Board 2 with his latest firmware 8a. Cost of this hardware is only 149US$
Horizon sensing using IR has some disadvantages and some advantages, for example you have to be very carefull if you are using an engine powered plane with ArduPilot 2 inside it. But the cost of the IR sensors very much less as compared with that of 3 gyros and one Accelrometer.
I have two ArduPilots and one UAV Dev. Board 2, tested both of them with extreem limits of their performance and endurance and found UAV Dev. Board 2 is just superb with its price range and supper great features supported by it. Hats off to Mr. Bill Premerlani for developing such a great masterpiece !
Hey Cory,
Thanks - this was a very helpful post. I am just getting started with Paparazzi - I got the hardware and was having some problems with the USB cable. So I wanted to make a new picoblade -> USB cable. I was wondering where I can get the precrimped molex picoblade connectors? I found them on halfbase.com but then you mentioned that I shouldn't buy anything from halfbase.com. Why is that?
Looks a fantastic development system but I was wondering if anyone knows where I can buy an assembled Tiny V2 board because My PCB skills are not yet good enough to handle SMD's. THanks.
Cory - I really appreciate your posts. We are getting started with a research project at the University of Oklahoma, with the intention of making atmospheric measurements with an R/C airplane using the paparazzi system. So far we have: 1) bought the plane (electric-powered NexSTAR), 2) bought the meteorological sensors, 3) installed the paparazzi software, and 4) purchased the paparazzi hardware (just arrived). We bought the
TINY 2.11_LEA-5H Basic no RF
888-XBP09-DPSIT-156 XBee-PRO 900, 900MHz
888-XBP09-DPWIT-156 XBee-PRO 900 900 MHz
Since your set-up sounds similar to what we would like to put in the air, I was wondering if you could share any additional experience with us or configuration files.
Thank you in advance and again thank you for sharing your information.
Comments
I am looking at using the Nexstar EP (RTF) as an aircraft platform to carry 1lb (16 oz) of payload (Autopilot/camera / sensors) and fly it for 30 minutes.
a) Do you think this is feasible ?
b) Would the extra pound of payload drastically alter the flying capability of the model
c) What battery pack/motor/prop configuration would you recommend to get 30/35 minutes of flying time
My primary objective is to maximize endurance and at the same time get a stable platform to mount a camera on. (aka - not flying at ridiculous high speeds)
Thank you for your time/help in advance.
Paparazzi AutoPilot is oldest and most respected open source autopilot in the world. Paparazzi AutoPilot teams are working all around the globe. People have put lots of hardwork and efforts for this. I have not seen Paparazzi developers missing even a single day when there was no update.
Since during those old days since Paprazzi was the only one so most of the RC Pilots has no choice but to go for it. But look now there are plenty of Open Source Autopilots available which are very much less expensive as compared with that of Paparzzi and have very good features. For example take the case of AuduPilot 2, by Jordi, it is only 24US$, supports Waypoin Navigation, Stabilization using IR sensors and further more using X-Bee 2.4GHz modems, it suppots wireless Telemetry also.
If you go slightly higher in price for a full unctional autopilot using horizon sensing and satbilazation using IMU then nothing better than Bill Premerlani's UAV Dev. Board 2 with his latest firmware 8a. Cost of this hardware is only 149US$
Horizon sensing using IR has some disadvantages and some advantages, for example you have to be very carefull if you are using an engine powered plane with ArduPilot 2 inside it. But the cost of the IR sensors very much less as compared with that of 3 gyros and one Accelrometer.
I have two ArduPilots and one UAV Dev. Board 2, tested both of them with extreem limits of their performance and endurance and found UAV Dev. Board 2 is just superb with its price range and supper great features supported by it. Hats off to Mr. Bill Premerlani for developing such a great masterpiece !
Thanks & Best Regards
Rana
As far as I know halfbase never actually delivered any product.
Thanks - this was a very helpful post. I am just getting started with Paparazzi - I got the hardware and was having some problems with the USB cable. So I wanted to make a new picoblade -> USB cable. I was wondering where I can get the precrimped molex picoblade connectors? I found them on halfbase.com but then you mentioned that I shouldn't buy anything from halfbase.com. Why is that?
Thanks!
See the Get Hardware page on the wiki for parts sources.
The link is above.
TINY 2.11_LEA-5H Basic no RF
888-XBP09-DPSIT-156 XBee-PRO 900, 900MHz
888-XBP09-DPWIT-156 XBee-PRO 900 900 MHz
Since your set-up sounds similar to what we would like to put in the air, I was wondering if you could share any additional experience with us or configuration files.
Thank you in advance and again thank you for sharing your information.
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