Angus Peart's Posts (5)

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Introducing OpenPilot

openpilot_logo.png

Introducing OpenPilot - Open Source UAV Platform

OpenPilot is a next generation Free Software autopilot for small UAVs, including multi-rotor craft, helicopters as well as fixed wing aircraft. It aims to takes the best features of all current enthusiast autopilot systems and combines them into a simple easy to use package. Simplicity does not come with any compromises either, with no hard-coded settings, a complete flight plan scripting language and other next-generation features, OpenPilot is planned to be an extremely capable UAV platform.

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Key Features:

  • Fully Open Source Free Software
  • Custom built powerful hardware using High Density STM32
  • 8 RC Channel Inputs for PPM (No converter needed)
  • 8 Servo Outputs using standard servo connectors
  • I2C, CAN & PWM ESC Support
  • Micro SDCard for settings and logging
  • State of the art AHRS
  • Implements the open UAVTalk Protocol for GCS compatibility
  • Cross Platform Ground Control Station & Set-up tools
  • Cross Platform Firmware Development

OpenPilot is a Open Source community project and there are many ways you can get involved.

For developers the project has two sub-projects, you can get involved in the Flight Software Development which is the embedded firmware written in C or with the Ground Control Software Development which is written in C++ using the Qt application framework.

Links:

OpenPilot Wiki

OpenPilot Forums

OpenPilot Store

IRC:

There's always developers in the OpenPilot IRC channel which is #openpilot on freenode.

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Something new is coming...



Do you want to find out what this is all about?
If you do, you should listen to the podcast this Sunday night for all the details.
For now, a few features of this mystery device pictured above;


  • Open Source Software & Hardware
  • STM32 Microcontroller (32bit, 72MHz, 90MIPS)
  • MicroSD Card for datalogging, setting and flight plan storage
  • USB 2.0 Full Speed support
  • Barometer intergrated on-board
  • 8 Servo Outputs
  • 8 RC Inputs
  • 3 Serial Ports
  • 6 ADC Analog to Digital Inputs
  • I2C, CAN and SPI Communication Interfaces
  • JTAG Debugging Interface connector

See you then!
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Check it out:http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/10/prweb3108684.htmhttp://www.invensense.com/products/itg_3200.html

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$3 in mass volume, so that has to mean under $20 single quantity.16bit digital output using I2C Interface is nice, 16bit is a good start.Sadly if it's anything like the IDG range it will never compare to "serious" gyros like the AXDRS range. It's a start though.
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