Ardustation Mega with Graphic LCD

I’d like to share my latest hardware ground control station. I call it the ArduStation Mega.

It retains all the features found on the DIYDrones Ardustation, as well as my Ardustation Uno but with some very important upgrades.

Notably the main processor has been upgraded to an ATmega2560 giving 8 times the size of both flash and ram, amongst other things :)

Also there is a graphical LCD that should provide a larger, more user friendly display.

The extra serial ports (4 in total) will enable future expansions as and when required. One is dedicated to the USB for loading software as well as potentially being used to allow a computer to share the installed Xbee.

If you don’t want to use an Xbee, or want to use more than one, that’s fine- three of the serial ports are broken out to the left of the board. These could also be used for adding a GPS unit, or perhaps a bluetooth to pc link for example.

Also broken out is the i2c port, so you can link it up to a magnetometer if need be (could make for simpler antenna tracking alignment)

A micro SD card will allow data logging, parameter saving, mission uploading and hopefully more!

The rotary encoder (like a radio’s jog dial) should help with faster navigation / value editing. The buttons are also on a separate PCB such that they can be mounted flush with the display or separately subject to enclosure constraints. (Also this means I can change the layout of the buttons)

The battery supply and Xbee RSSI are connected to give health information on voltage and telemetry link signal strength. Additional analog pins are also broken out for monitoring external sensors.

The PCB has been sized to match the dimensions of the LCD, giving a neat install that can be attached with screws and spacers. All of the components are mounted on the inside as well, such that the total unit size is minimised.

As with my Uno version, I use a single cell LiPo for the battery source, with an efficient step up regulator for the 5v supply. There’s also inbuilt USB charging.

The antenna tracking will be achieved by the two servo headers on the right hand side of the board. These also have a solder jumper for selecting off-board power in case heavy duty servos are to be used.

Please let me know what you think!

If you want to see more, here's a video of me showing it off:

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Comments

Robert M March 8, 2012 at 2:40pm

Truly terrific work guys! Do you know how much extra room there is on your board in terms of power and heat. I am using heavier servos on my tracker (2x HITEC 785) for 2 patches for video and telemetry. The power requirements are a bit too much for the current Ardustation and the regulator gets extremely hot off a 3s.

Keep up the good work!
binzi February 8, 2012 at 7:19am

All ports are reserved, in the back :)
I also hope that the antenna tracking, electronic compass antenna tracking is better.
Hope Colin can improve him.

Thank you, Colin, to share with us so good ArdustationMega
Colin February 8, 2012 at 5:35am

This looks very neat Binzi, thanks for sharing.

Does this design break out the spare serial ports? They are important for future additions such as GPS and WiFi. Also many users want antenna tracking, are there connections for two of the PWM outputs?

I look forward to seeing it in action :)
binzi February 8, 2012 at 3:15am

The ArdustationMega almost ready
Unfortunately, hardware problems (battery 5V Boost) will soon release no problem with the design documents

If programmers want
I think I can some to complimentary ArdustationMega hardware, to rapid development of help ArdustationMega software
binzi February 1, 2012 at 4:12am

I redesigned one, ready to go into the box a 57MMX100MM

Will soon be able to meet with you, and to the design documents will be released when
Colin January 28, 2012 at 9:00am

Binzi, I've now uploaded the schematics for the button board. You can find them here
binzi January 27, 2012 at 7:15pm

Where can I find the button board schematic, he is the I2C?...Thanks
Michael Urban January 25, 2012 at 4:51am

Colin, roger on the keypad code. Thanks.

Michael
Distributor

Stefan Olofsson January 25, 2012 at 4:50am

A bit more sublte maybe!! (8-D
Colin January 25, 2012 at 4:44am

Sounds like a good idea. I'm sure something like this could be wired up.

of 15

This reply was deleted.