This is a journal for a BasicX AP I've been working on for the last month:i received my BasicX processor the first week of April and spent the next week pounding out the code .i then spent the next week simulating and adding a few niceties like way point and setup files.the next two weeks was spent waiting for the gps module and other parts .spent the last week making a proto board and a few changes to the gps parser to work with the gpstoday 5-5-08 first test flight : things went very well and it performed better then expected (wee haa!!)ok a few features of my ap:no distance restrictionscan fly any ware in the worldunlimited WPseasy set up file ie trim,ectuses spherical geometry in the nav routine instead of flat plain approximation5-8-08test fly ; changed "P" to 0.5 with very nice results flight path much straighter between wps5-9-08hardware list1x ettrex 32 cannel 5hz gps modual1x BX-241x DE-SWADJ reg from dimension engineering1x 5v LDO reg3x 0.1 uf caps1x 100 uf cap2x 1k ohm resistors1x parallax servopal1x tact button (reset)staight pin connectors1x small perfboard1x fma FS-8 failsafe reciever and copilot (stabilization)5-16-08changed gps serial comm , pumped up to 5hz update looptest flight went good ,some oscillations in yaw5-17-08changed cg ,changed prop to 10x7 ,cg got rid of yaw problem , flew in 15-20 mph winds , worked better then expected , noticed 35 deg + dog tracking on cross wind leg, no missed wp no "turn arounds"will turn up P slightly untill it oscillats and will try Ziegler-nichols method on PID loop5-18-08 flew for 15min "no hands" burned 750 ma noticed some trubble turning left against wind5-19-08 changed to figure 8 pattern, changed gain to 0.75, little left trim in auto mode, flew for 10min before rain5-21-08 demo flight for snohomish co. search and rescue. went well
Hey Wayne. Sounds really good. I am in process of moving into a new place so my BSX is on hold right at the moment but I will take you up on the offer as soon as I settle in.
tests have gone good . I've done some wireless com integration and was stopped short of a full command and control due to lack of ram and am now playing with a net burner unit . also i would recommend better error handling in the bsx algorithm . although im too busy to focus on the AP side of things i would be more then happy to give you pointers.
wayne
Any chance you could post a little how-to on that power pod conversion? I like the looks of it and it could turn the Easy Glider (and Easy Glider Pro, which I just got) from a so-so UAV contender (limited space in the front and obstructed view) to quite a good one.
AP.zip
yes its made from a piece of dragon plate . i also just got done adding wireless com and a SQL based ground stations . will be flight testing soon . the ground station logs all nav data and i can do some basic flight direction ie RTH, gotowp#
but im out of ram to be able to change a waypoint .
GeorgiaTech EE '71 - retired; I want to do what your doing (just for fun) - I fly RC - Been buying sensors and eval boards. Want to build UAV - Autopilot...
Very interested in your SoftWare - I'm close to Zero on S/W but studying the Stamp, Propeller and BasicX software and MicroProcessor chips..
Comments
powerpod
Thanks in advance.
Jim
wayne
I have been looking for this for a while since I too am using a BX24. I was beginning to lose hope someone had done this before.
Anymore comments on this project? Where are you now as far as tests and practice?
Jim
yes its made from a piece of dragon plate . i also just got done adding wireless com and a SQL based ground stations . will be flight testing soon . the ground station logs all nav data and i can do some basic flight direction ie RTH, gotowp#
but im out of ram to be able to change a waypoint .
Did you build that power pylon for the EZG yourself? (I'm assuming it is indeed an Easy Glider).
And did you ever get around to posting that code?
Very interested in your SoftWare - I'm close to Zero on S/W but studying the Stamp, Propeller and BasicX software and MicroProcessor chips..