Jonathan Lussier's Posts (3)

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Cheaper, simpler Oilpan

Posted by Jonathan Lussier on January 5, 2011 at 7:32am
I'd like to propose a new, cheaper oilpan with (much) cheaper sensors embedded.  The goal would be to have an oilpan (that probably couldn't be used for quads, but for gliders or some planes it would be OK) that is priced at around 30-40$ instead of 160$.  It would be pin-compatible with current oilpan.
Features (modified from Oilpan specs)
  • Single 3.3V regulator
  • Relay switch for cameras, lights or payloads
  • LSM303DLH 3-axis Accel / 3-axis Magnetometer (~5 dollars) (I2C communication)
  • LYPR540AH 3-axis gyro (~5 dollars) (analog)
  • 3-channel, 12-bit ADC for gyro
  • No Data logger
  • No DIP switch
  • Built-in FTDI, making the board native USB. [can this be removed?]
  • No OSD port.
  • No extra I2C port
  • No user-programmable buttons
  • No analog expansion ports
  • Reset button.
  • No voltage dividers
  • One status LED
  • Airspeed sensor port (optional, sold separately).
  • Pressure sensor and temp for accurate altitude (can this be made optional?).

I'm going to start working on the EAGLE files this weekend, what is everybody's thoughts on this?

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XDuino - 32Bit ARM-7 Cortex-M3 MCU with Arduino-compatible syntax and similar IDE

Posted by Jonathan Lussier on January 21, 2010 at 10:52am
Website: http://www.xduino.comPrice: 30$ + 10$ shippingInfo:http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1248633489http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1247691841http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1257646436I think this board would be a great replacement for the arduino, esp in tasks such as ardupilot, arduimu, etc where limitations are present (ie Kalman filters are too slow, ROM is too small, etc). A huge benefit here is also that there are two DACs (not PWMs, real DACs!) and not only that, but they're 12-bit. The ADCs are also 12-bit, compared to the Arduino's 10-bit ones (and there are 16 ADCs vs. 6 on the Arduino).This board is SMT only which I think is reasonable (and lighter weight as well).The board features: (from the website)Bootloader via RS232 (not USB) (which saves weight)32Bit ARM Cortex-M3 running at 72MHz 64Pin (LQFP) by STmicroelectronicsUse Crystal 8.00MHz + Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) - computes at 1.25 DMIPS/MHz to process data that is equivalent to 90MIPSHas RTC (Real Time Clock) Circuit with XTAL 32.768KHz and Battery Backup connector5 Serial ports48 General purpose input/output pins (GPIO)16 Analog input channels 12-bits (ADC)2 Analog output channels 12-bits (DAC)512 Kbytes of Flash memory68 Kbytes of RAM3 SPI ports (2 can do I2S)2 I2C1 USB1 CAN1 SDIOSupports In-System Programming (ISP) and In-Application Programming (IAP) through On-Chip Boot-Loader Software via Port USART1 (RS232)Has RS232 Communication Circuit that uses Connector 4-PINHas 48 Bit GPIO with 5V-Tolerant for independent digital applications (maximum analog input is 3.3V)Use +3.3V Power SupplyConnectors is placed on 50 Pin Header with a distance of 2.54mm (100mil) (25 pins per side) with a distance of 1.5 inch (1500mil/38.1mm), so it is quite easy to use and expand I/O Circuit.Any thoughts?
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