Hi, can you control 2 drones with one PC on the same channel?
Edit: In other words, what happens when 2 sets of drones and PC's; using the same kind of telemetry solution, 3DR in particular on the same channel, are the same place? Do both sets receive the others packets?
I need this kind of multicast functionality for another project I'm working on, so I'm hoping it works like this.
Replies
The RFM50 is a proper radio module for the Si1000. Almost all of the pins are exposed.
The 3DR (Hope HRM-TP, IIRC) is kind of a crippled version that exposes only a couple serial port pins.
With a real module you can do anything the uC is capable of. Like taking analog voltage readings with the ADC, outputting analog voltages with the DAC, I2C, SPI, data logging on a SD card, outputting (or reading) PWM or PPM signals directly from the radio module, etc., etc., etc..
If you were a real good programmer you could likely implement an entire basic autopilot on the RFM50 module. It already has more processing power than the APM, so your only real limitation is the memory and peripherals.
Just seems like a real shame for the Hope module/3dr radio to cripple such a cool radio chip and uC by not exposing any of the pins.
Basically how does these chips handle RF collision? How do they know that what they are receiving is not what they sent themselves? Again 1 week and no official reply, it's almost as if you don't wan't to sell these. :(
Reading over the HM-TRP modules datasheets... there is no indicated addressing scheme for the module. It is just a wireless modem. Any addressing would be part of the controller firmware.
You would have to write code to set an address/ID for each flying member and then the ground member would have to be able to recognize and sort out the transmissions.
You are basically describing a TCP/IP type wireless router scheme using ISM band radios. The flying members are the laptops/printers/tablets and the ground member is the wireless router connected to the server.
Is my analogy close to what you are proposing?
-=Doug
Have you looked over the set up for the radios located HERE?
As you state, the software will be your task because Mission Planner supports only one aircraft at a time.
A clue might be the following bullet point of features:
Further reading discusses packets, MAV link framing and other information that may be a clue to your quest.
If you are lucky, someone may come along with more experience or even development knowledge.
-=Doug
Can someone help? Event the official store is not replying. Can you run 3+ x 3DR on the same channel? I will implement the software myself so I'll sort the "sorting" out myself.