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QuadControl - A cheap, expandable controller

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Over the past couple of months I've been working on the QuadControl MCU, the intention of this is to have a cheap, easy to use and expandable control board for Quads and Hexacopters. The features are as follows:

ATMega640/1280/2560 Processor, dependent on needs, the first prototype will have the 640 as it is cheapest - they can all be used on the same PCB as they have the same footprint and fuses etc. The intention is to use the 2560.

ITG3200 3-axis gyro.

ADXL345 3-axis accelerometer.

9 Motor/Servo Outputs, the standard four for Quads plus another two for Hexa's and three for camera stabilisation.

8 Receiver Inputs.

FTDI/ISP Connections for programming and bootloading.

Expansion capable, for further I2C sensors and a 3.3V GPS.

Small Footprint, at just 38x54mm it is about half the size of an Arduino Mega2560, and significantly less tall.


The first version of this has now been successfully test flown on my quad. All features appear to be working, which is promising! The board is designed to mimic an ArduinoMega2560, so will work perfectly with MultiWii and Aeroquad code - ArduPilot is, however, untested as I'm unfamiliar with it. I'm looking for a tester or two to help me verify the design (specifically with ArduPilot and on a Hexa). As there are two small issues with this design (FTDI pins aren't in the correct sequence/tracking error) I can offer it at cost price.


I'm now in the position of looking to produce more boards, and was wanting external input. What features would you like to see on a board like this?

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