A discussion page to allow me to add my experiences using a Raspberry Pi 2/3/Zero V1.2/1.3 as a companion computer for Ardupilot/APM/Pixhawk flight boards. I will update my experiences as I learn, feel free to comment and offer tips, it's all free here.
I'm building a github for my experiments: https://github.com/benb0jangles/Companion-Pi
Drone Unit: Raspberry Pi Zero V1.3 + Pi Camera Module
img file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1cVb3uX0f0dQTZzSmVISFdYd3M
Ground Unit: Raspberry Pi 2
img file: <to be added>
Goggles Unit: Raspberry Pi Zero V1.3
img file: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1cVb3uX0f0dakFpaTAyVF9HV2s
Ardupilot Technical Questions:
Also, if you have any technical code/hardware questions which you feel may take ongoing contributions and help over an extended timeframe, feel free to ask over on Ardupilot.org technical discussion page here: http://discuss.ardupilot.org/t/companion-pi-2-3-zero/9460
I will update as I get by, please contribute by offering your 'plug & play' wifi adapters using Raspbian Jessie. Also, if you happen to pick up this project, and are working faster than me, then please send us your own .img file experiments. Thanks.
Replies
ty i'll try this with my 4g dongle and report back
Did not know! Any idea is this is the same on the rpi 3?
don't know, just give it a try...
You can use a Turnigy SBEC rated for up to 26V input w/ 5/6 volt switchable output @5A. As opposed to a UBEC that burns power to output the right voltage, a Switching Battery Eliminator Circuit will only use what is asked from it and at lower input cost. You can get one that will take up to 40V DC, as well. Power seems to be reliable, unit stays relatively cool.
http://www.amazon.com/Turnigy-5A-8-26v-SBEC-Lipo/dp/B00URCLEG0
As with everything, highly recommend that when connecting you double check input polarity and output polarity. Also, I think default jumper was 6V, so make sure to change that.
So is possible to connect like this?
Theoretically, yes. I don't know what requirements are of the wifi board. It *might* need ground between the rpi and the wifi board?
I believe the rpi will consume as much as 2A and an happily run a USB wifi module like this guy: https://www.adafruit.com/products/1030?gclid=Cj0KEQjw6My4BRD4ssKGvY...
Many others to choose from, of course.
BTW, I just cut and soldered an old short micro-usb cord from a backup battery I had. I can't stress enough that checking polarity is important. With really crappy stuff coming out of china you could easily have black and red wires reversed, so be careful.
Thanks for advice. The wifi module I am looking to is:
2.5ghz module
or
5.8ghz module
with this usb adapter
I would try to power using the sbec.
why not just get something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN822N-Wireless-External-Antennas/...
The modules I link to have 500mw/1000mw of power, I can't see anywhere on the tp-link device that shows output power? Most generic wifi modules are under 100mw
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN7200ND-Wireless-Adapter-Detachab...
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