Hi guys, previously I posted a description about my Ground station.

Since than, I spent many hours on testing and flying with it!

Regarding my experiences, I came up with a 2.0 design, which could be really a multifunctional, easy-to-use device for many multirotor/UAV pilots.

First of all, the basic connection diagram can be found at the beginning of this blog entry.My vision is to use a 10” Android tablet, and have a special bay for it. Also, the three RF modules (RC module, Video receiver and telemetry) should have been detachable modules, to let user replace them with another ones. And also let the road open for later development on them.

Here are the short descriptions for the detachable module parts:

1) RC range

I think the radio part has to be as simple as it can, to avoid any malfunctions in basic RC handling. My idea is to design a simple core (ie. in Arduino) which runs the program that handles the sticks, trim buttons and switches/pots, generates PPM for RF module, but has not any screen or input keys. All the programming part could be done by the Android tablet connected via FTDI, with a special app – or the ground station app. Maybe some of the open-source Transmitter develpoments could be used as basic….? Since it would be modular, many kind of RF modules (433 LRS, 2.4 GHz FHSS, etc...) could be used later.

 2) Video range

I see some interesting test videos about UVC video interfaces, which have native driver support in android 4.3+! FEBON makes great UVC products, so maybe these could be used, and latency could be reduced for FPV specific purposes, if FEBON looks enough fantasy and/or market in FPV. My vision is that Droidplanner app should handle live video feed, for example use it as a background in a graphical HUD-like view (so OSD would be not neccessary anymore). Since it would be modular, both HDMI or RCA video receivers could be built in to different modules, let user upgrade the video quality later (I hope HDMI video systems will be cheaper soon), or have multiple video modules for different setups and replace them on field.

 3) telemetry range

Both 3DR or higher range telemetry modules could be used, in changeable modules.

I think the adoreable work of Arthur and the developer team of Droidplanner could be use as a basic for this device. Some new functions should be developed (ie. background from video feed, setup interface for RC core, and many minor updates).

If anybody interests in this project and would like to invest in or has some ideas, just contact me via nhadrian@gmail.com. But I’d be the happiest if 3DR and/or the Droidplanner team would be interested in, since their work would the basic for many parts (ie. Droidplanner itself…)

I’m good in 3D designing but not qualified enough for PCB design/programming. So what I can offer is to make 3D design and perhaps moulds for later injection moulding, or give support in them. Also I have contacts for 3D printing and milling for plate productions. I would not get any single coin for my work, just enough parts to build one GS for myself...

Some more thoughts…

I think the construction type I used in GS1.0 works great and could be used (composite plates and plastic sidewalls and spacers). Also the Li-ion battery I used works great, 6600 mA looks enough for contionous usage. But I think there must have the opportunity to connect external 12V source during operation and perhaps have a small charger circuit that charges the internal Li-ion battery if external source has enough amperage.

Regarding tablet, we should find the best tablet for this purpose, which has good-positioned USB socket, the factory firmware can handle all functions that we need, has enough screen brightness/quality for outdoor operation and not the most expensive on the market…

Also some tests should be made if Droidplanner can handle two FTDIs and one UVC interface connected to an USB hub at a time.

About modules, I think some fast-release design should have been made, with quite universal connectors at the end, so any kind of devices could be inserted into the module housing. Antennas and/or external antenna connectors (ie. for tracking antenna systems) have to be on the modules end.

Best regards

Adrian

Hi, I'd like to introduce my latest copter, the RatCopter.

My goal was to make some simple and still good enough platform for testing and having fun, without the risk of crashing expensive parts. As you'll see on the pictures, I used zip ties everywhere around. They are strong but will break on crash, avoiding other parts. (The name came from an undemanding animal… :) )

This tricopter is based on RCExplorer's idea, with some improvements and modifications. The frame is made of 1.5mm thick G10 and 1x10mm Al square tubes. Front arms can be folded back to the rear one.

First there was a solid camera mount in the front, but I realized that I'm missing the stabilization and the possibility of pitch movement. So I made a 2-axis brushless camera mount, the motors are DIY rewinded Turnigy SK3 2822 ones with EZO bearings. Now I have -90…+30 degrees of pitch range, controlled by FC, so camera can be pointed to target automatically during Mission flight.

Current setup's technical data:

• motor to center distance: 400 mm
• all-up weight: 1550 g
• flight time: ~12 min
• battery: 4000mA 4S LiPo

Parts list:

• Custom frame
• APM 2.6 with latest code
• CN06 Plus GPS with MAG
• 868 MHz telemetry module
• NTM2830 900KV motors
• Turnigy Plush reflashed ESCs
• Immersion 600mW video TX with CP antenna
• MinimOSD with latest MinimOSD extra code
• Mobius HD camera (with live output)
• Alexmos 2-axis BLS gimbal controller
• RCTimer 90A current sensor
• Turnigy TGY-306G servo on tail
• RCExplorer's tail mechanism
• some LED stripes and buzzer
• FRSky TRF-4 FASST compatible receiver with PPM output
• TS1084 12V step-down IC for video transmitter
• 2A DC-DC 5V converter for Mobius
• RECOM 5V DC-DC for APM
• L7805 step-down IC for servo

Maybe you noticed the amount of DC-DC converisons, my idea is that if everything works on it's own power source, than one part can't burn out all the others. Also, any IC's connected to video systems are equipped with L-C filters, and the linear regulators are connected to the tail boom with thermal couplings. So heat dissipation is not a problem at all!

I had many issues with jello effect, so tried many variations of dampening. This current setup looks good enough for me. Also I had many small modifications between test flights. But now I have a multi-purpose copter, with the capability of FPV flying and doing some nice shots in manual/mission mode.

Here is one of my latest test videos, showing the capabilities of this small copter:

I made some photos today, I hope you'll find any details you are interrested in.

Best regards

Nhadrian

Hi,

I'm Adrian from Hungary/Europe. Let me introduce my tricopter project.

My goal was to make something really good-looking copter that have ally features I need.The design process started 1 years ago. My first idea was to make a composite chasis, from glass/carbon fiber.I designed the copter in a 3D modelling software, and also designed the necessary moulds for making each parts, here is the initial design:

This is a sample of the mould design:

I also made some FEM calculations, to check the stress dispersion:

Unfortunatelly, this type of production would cost too much for me. I tried to find partners in Hungary, without success. So I almost forgot this project. But some months before I read a lot about 3D printing, and finally I found a great partner in Hungary (many thanks to the Ground Zero Team www.groundzero.hu !!!). So I started to redesign my copter according to the requirements of 3D printing:

Then I sent the .stl files for FDM printing. Here is the result:

This is my current configuration:

• Turnigy SK3-2826-1130 motors
• 8x4,5 karbon SF props
• 10A HK ESC (simonK firmware)
• ArduFlyer 2.5 with ArduCopter 3.0.1 code
• ULOX NEO6-M GPS
• 2000mA 3S lipo (2 db 1000mA 3S2P)
• Flytron 25A ultralight current sensor
• MKS-DS95 servo
• RECOM 5V 1A power supply for electronics
• 3DR 868 MHz telemetry module
• RCTimer OLED screen
• Immersion 600mW 5.8 video TX + Coverleaf antenna
• MinimOSD, with KVTeam code
• KPC-E700PUB camera
• FRSKY Futaba FASST-compatible receiver, PPM
• controlled LED-s and buzzer

All-up weight is 782g, and has 8 minutes of safe flight time with 20-25% of remaining battery.

(Please note that I used Crius AIO Pro at first with MWI code and KV-OSD code. These can be found on the following pictures and in the videos.)

LED sripes are controlled by APM:

Here are some videos:

Flight test (with Multiwii)

Onboard video (with Multiwii + KV-OSD)

For more details please connect me by mail: nhadrian@gmail.com

- UPDATE - 

stl files can be downloaded from here:

http://shpws.me/oGJN
http://shpws.me/oGKc
http://shpws.me/oGKd
http://shpws.me/oGKg
http://shpws.me/oGK7

And these are the additional metal parts for rear arm control:

I wish you all good luck on reproducing my tri.

Please note that I'll not modify desing according to personal wishes, since my spare time is quite limited and I focus on my personal projects. Thanks for understanding!!!

Best Regards

Adrian

Hi, I'm Adrian from Hungary.

Let me introduce my vision which became reality!

My idea was to make a portable ground station that includes all necessary components for FPV flying or piloting an Arducopter. I decided to use these parts from my previous ground station:

• Futaba FF9 transmitter with FASST module
• 868 MHz 3DR telemetry module + USB FTDI panel
• 8" LCD screen + control panel
• time base corrector (for screen to avoid sleep)
• Iftron nano 5.8 GHz video receiver

I decided to add extra functionality to my ground station. Instead of using my Mobile phone, I bought an Android MiniPC (MK808b sunvel clone) and connected to the LCD via HDMI. My first idea was to use a touchpad for input, but I couldn't find any that could match my requirements. So finally I bought an USB ring mouse! The mission control app is Droidplanner.

After I had all the required parts in front of me, I started to design the shape with a 3D engineering software. Here is the final result (rendered 3D images):

Basically it has a top and bottom layer made of 2 mm black glass-fiber plate and FDM-printed spacers/side plates. 

The ground station has the following sockets/peripheries:

• 2x USB and 1X USB OTG port
• balancer port for battery
• video and audio RCA output
• trainer port for simulator
• 12V DC input for using external power supply
• 3 antennas: 2,4 GHz transmitter, 5.8 GHz video receiver, 868 MHz telemetry
• port for teach panel of time base corrector

I'm using 9 cells of 18650 size Li-ion (3,7V) in 3P3S configuration. With 1.3A measured consumption ground station can operate more than 4 hours!

After I received all parts, I started to put it together. It took 2 weeks, with endless amount of soldering...and also had to make some PCBs for trim buttons, LCD control, power distribution, etc.

Here is the final result:

Both video input or mission control can be shown on the screen:

Here are the external connections: 

The ring mouse and the power switches:

UPDATE: Under the hood...

Finally I'd say thanks to the following team/people:

• Ground Zero (www.groundzero.hu) for help in 3D printing
• Arthur Benemann for Droidplanner
• my friend for sharing his CNC mill station

For further information, please connect me by mail: nhadrian@gmail.com

I'm not planning to produce since it would need serious investment. For example, the FF9 and the 8" LCD screen that I'm using are discontinued, so replacement should be bought...

Best regards

Adrian