For the past 4 months I have been designing and developing a UAS system mainly for entertainment purposes but the future could hold potential business opportunities. My research has led me to several potential paths and products to experiment with in order to accomplish my goal.
Goal: To build a semi-professional grade UAS and ground station capable of long range flight, camera/payload stabilization, autonomous flight (takeoff->landing), waypoint navigation, stabilized flight, real-time telemetry feedback and video, being controlled by joystick/throttle, and long endurance; all being under a DIY budget.
I have chosen several products to meet these requirements and I will give a detailed description of both my airframe and ground station plans and will accept any comments/suggestions from more experienced persons.
To start off, I will give you a little background on me. I am a newly separated Special Operations veteran with UAV experience (RQ-11B, Scan Eagle). I have a great deal of computer knowledge but could use a refresher on programming. I have an outstanding command of RF propagation and theory.
Airframe: Skywalker 1.9m wingspan version. I chose this for its durability, modification ability, low-cost, payload weight, and great reviews. The aircraft will be coated with Styroplast, primed and painted, and equipped with landing gear. Servo doors/covers will be installed. High quality linkage will be used.
Motor: Scorpion SII-3014-1040
ESC: Scorpion V3 60A
Prop: APC 9x7.5E
Battery: 4S 8000mAh LiPo
Servos: 6x HS-65MG (2x ailerons, 1x rudder, 1x elevator, 2x flaps)
Primary R/C Control: Joystick control interfaced with ArduPlane over 900MHz
Secondary R/C Control: Dragon Link LRS 435MHz with JR 7-Channel Radio
Video Link: Lawmate 2.4GHz 1W Tx; ImmersionRC Duo2400v2 diversity Rx
Video Antennas: 1x 2.4GHz 18dBi Yagi; 1x 5dBi Omni; 1x 3dBi Omni (Tx)
Cameras: 690TVL U-WDR Pixim Seawolf CCD for Pilot Cam; GoPro Hero 2 HD for Aerial Video/Surveillance
The Pilot cam will be mounted in the tip of the nose; The GoPro will be mounted on a custom P/T under the fuselage.
Autopilot: APM 2.0 + Digi Xtend 900MHz
Xtend Antennas: 1x 14dBi Patch; 1x 3dBi Omni
OSD: MinimOSD
Electronics Battery: 3S 2200mAh w/ UBEC
Ground Control Station: Will be embedded in case with professional aluminum panel mounting, switches, and wiring.
Case: Pelican 1650
Monitors: 2x 12.1" LCD
Joystick: DIY with CH industrial joysticks and POT to USB board
GCS Battery: 12v 20Ah Lead Acid
Antenna Tracking: ArduStation II GCS
This is a project I am currently working alone, so if anyone is in the Valdosta, GA area and is interested in partnering, please let me know.
I apologize for not having more photos, but as I start my build I will be posting many videos and photos!
Happy Flying!
Comments
I would love to incorporate one however, I do not have the funds to do so right now. If the FAA will allow me to use my UAS for business purposes I could justify getting one, but until then its a no-go.
I'm still working on this project. I've been looking at different airframes and also considering designing one of my own to market. Between a new addition to the family, moving, between jobs, it's been pretty hectic and I have not made the progress I would have liked to make. Slowly but surely it is coming along!
Hey Hunter,
Are you still working on this? Saw your IR Gimbal post, wondered if you're going to incorporate one into a build.
A few updates regarding this project.
I have added another payload to this UAS. Not only will it have video surveillance features but it will also include wireless surveying and penetration capabilities as well as cellular network mapping. I have a lot of background in this so it was only natural to try and incorporate this into this project. It will feature a Gumstix board loaded with Linux and Aircrack. The datalink will be via 3G/4G cellular to a backend server available over a VPN. There are a lot of other instruments going into this but will not disclose due to several options that I have not chosen yet but this is the gist.
I have chosen a name that I will give it before her maiden flight: Lelantos. Titan god of air and the hunter's skill of stalking prey.
These are some renders of my GCS that I am designing. These models are a work in progress so changes will be made! Please let me know what you think!
Here is a rough draft of the 3D model I'm working on.
I agree. When I was planning to stay here in DE for awhile, I was looking into DroneCell. But APM didn't support it and I really didn't want to have to re-do my entire project plan. Now that I'm going back to the U.S. this is no longer a problem :)
@Chivar: Thanks. I'm really excited about this one. I should be settled around the beginning of May so my build should start then. Until then, I'm working on 3D models and designs. I'm no good with 3DS Max so if anyone wants to take my model and clean it up a bit I'd be happy to oblige. I'll be posting a pic of a render soon. My 3DS Max froze before I saved :( so I have to redo some things.
ill be following the progress of this :)
@Vladimir: I actually started flying RC planes before and got to thinking about turning one into a UAV. I never knew there was an entire community on doing just this. That's how I stumbled across DIYDrones!
When it comes time to test the autopilot, Xtends, and loading the software and code; I might need to call on the experts to assist me a little. I'll try to do it myself first and if I run into problems I'll come with the questions!
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