Hello guys.
I have just finished my 2nd semester in mechatronic engineering (so yeah, I am kind of a beginner), and now I want to make a project on my own.
I want to build a quadcopter. In the beginning just rather simple.
However, I do not know how to program the motors (I know about programming servos). And everytime I search for it on Google, all I get is some DIY kit, or a link to an arduino site (Arduino Autopilot).
I am thinking about using this motor:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__5423__FC_28_12_Brushless_Outrunner_1534kv.html
This ESC:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__25112__HobbyKing_Red_Brick_20A_ESC.html
Microcontroller:
NXP P89V664 (based on the 8051 by Intel)
http://www.nxp.com/documents/data_sheet/P89V660_662_664.pdf
So basically, my questions are:
Could this setup work?
How do I program the motors?
- Like a servo? With PWM?
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Replies
Hi Rene -
Have a look at this course at Rice University:
http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~mobile/elec424/tilt3.html
In previous years, they built every part of a quad rotor from scratch, including all motor control. It looks like they buy the airframe now, but they still create their own controller(s) and write their own code.
Perhaps you are asking the wrong question. The brushless motors themselves are nothing more than coils and magnets. There's nothing to program.
The ESC's can be programmed and controlled. To control an ESC (and by extension the motor it drives), you send it a PWM signal (like a servo) and it creates a corresponding range of motor speeds. Calibration of the ESC against your throttle ensures that the range of your throttle reflects the full range of the speed controller.
Furthermore, most ESCs have filters and other "logic" that can be programmed. Usually, this is done by listening to beeps and changing the input (eg. throttle stick), but you can also get cheap ESC programming cards to do it directly. The main features that can be programmed are the startup speed (ie, whether it immediately ramps up speed "hard", or if it starts more "softly" which protects geared motors from stripping the gears), whether the motor stops softly, or uses a "brake" to stop suddenly if you give it 0 input, and finally what voltage to cut-off power at.
Hope this helps
You cannot program a motor.