I'm sorry to report that FMA is no longer carrying Z sensors. They ran out of existing stock and because their basic Co-Pilot doesn't require them, they won't be making any more. They will continue to make XY sensors, which the Co-Pilot does use, and those should be back in stock in a few days.
We're currently exploring alternative sources for the Z sensors, but in the meantime, I suggest you buy them from Dean Goedde for $40 including cable (scroll to bottom for price list).[Update: Turns out that those may not be totally compatible (they're 3.3v and require special wiring to our 3.3v shield). Stay tuned....we're looking at other options.]
[Update 2: Dean writes and says that they are compatible: "My Z head is 100% fine at 5V. The analog output will be 1/2Vdd for a balanced horizon view, and skew away based on tilt. After all, myself, FMA, and Paparazzi are all using the same components and design. The AD8551 OpAmp is being used in all 3 of our Z heads and is fine to at least 5 volts.]
Angus I hope you did'nt go for build advice from bin boy Barrow ;-) (no he did a good job only joking) All I see Mr K junior doing these days is dancing!! Slightly OT sorry guys and girls, but balloons were around long before all the rest so we rule everything aviation and thats that!
@John; Digikey sells the raw sensors, not the actual devices. You still need the whole differential circuit and PCB to go with it.
It is possible to not use the Z sensor, just like in the CPD4. That could be something to look into?
Gary, it's the family N90 demonstrator (built in 1989), which is or is about to be retired, with 750+ hours :D
I now have my own brand new homebuilt (XH-XUP, yellow/blue arrows). I don't have the money for a kavanagh :p
Chris/Jorde,
Didn't you guys post plans for making your own XY sensors? From what I recall you did not go forward because selling completed units would be too much of a hassle. Nothing stops an individual from building their own as Jorde said. At that time this was discouraged because the parts were a little on the $$ side and pre-built ones were readily available. As this is a DIY project the build your own option sees to be right in line.
I know that I would need help figuring out plans for a Z sensor, but I know that I could aquire/assemble the required parts and end up with working units. This for me would work until another source for professionally built units are available to purchase. I figure the more of these type of things I do only helps me out in the long run for learning and building my onw stuff later.
The CPD4 (the one that works with your own Rx) doesn't use the Z sensor. Only the older one with the built-in 72Mhz Rx did, and that's been discontinued.
I doubt whether making a Z sensor would infringe FMA's patent on the basic process of using the IR senors for aircraft stabilization. Making a knockoff entire system almost certainly would violate a patent.
Digikey sells the device, but at a high price for small quantities. The solution is to buy at the quantity price and to make a mount. If there is a market for 50-100 Z sensors it would be viable.
Unfortunately I delayed ordering my Z sensor and now just have the XY unit.
It might be possible to achieve a suitable result using photodiodes and an IR filter.
The legal issues associated with making them is something you would want to look very closely into.
There is a reason why Dean (AttoPilot) is paying royalties (to FMA) on the sensors he makes, and the likes of RangeVideo/EagleTree are not making their own for their OSD devices.
From memory, the Paparazzi project get's away with it because of the European/Global... (for lack of a better word) "geographical diversity" of it's creators, manufacturers and webstores, and that the quantity is quite low.
One option would be to use the new sensors that are coming out with the CoPilot-II, they have integrated ADC and seem to output with a interface somewhat like Maxim's "OneWire" technology.
You could always just use another XY sensor for the Z sensor, but that's not an ideal solution at all.
Comments
What's the cost difference between an IR and gyro solution?
I know quite a bit of the cost of an Attopilot is what Dean pays to FMA for use of the XY patent.
Guess we will all go IMU soon anyway.
We'll probably start selling populated PBCs and thermopiles. Give us a couple weeks.
It is possible to not use the Z sensor, just like in the CPD4. That could be something to look into?
Gary, it's the family N90 demonstrator (built in 1989), which is or is about to be retired, with 750+ hours :D
I now have my own brand new homebuilt (XH-XUP, yellow/blue arrows). I don't have the money for a kavanagh :p
Didn't you guys post plans for making your own XY sensors? From what I recall you did not go forward because selling completed units would be too much of a hassle. Nothing stops an individual from building their own as Jorde said. At that time this was discouraged because the parts were a little on the $$ side and pre-built ones were readily available. As this is a DIY project the build your own option sees to be right in line.
I know that I would need help figuring out plans for a Z sensor, but I know that I could aquire/assemble the required parts and end up with working units. This for me would work until another source for professionally built units are available to purchase. I figure the more of these type of things I do only helps me out in the long run for learning and building my onw stuff later.
The CPD4 (the one that works with your own Rx) doesn't use the Z sensor. Only the older one with the built-in 72Mhz Rx did, and that's been discontinued.
Do you think this means they will shortly stop stocking the standard co pilot and only sell the new version
Is that Cameron demo a 65 Angus?? You should have a Kavannagh there ;-)
Digikey sells the device, but at a high price for small quantities. The solution is to buy at the quantity price and to make a mount. If there is a market for 50-100 Z sensors it would be viable.
Unfortunately I delayed ordering my Z sensor and now just have the XY unit.
It might be possible to achieve a suitable result using photodiodes and an IR filter.
There is a reason why Dean (AttoPilot) is paying royalties (to FMA) on the sensors he makes, and the likes of RangeVideo/EagleTree are not making their own for their OSD devices.
From memory, the Paparazzi project get's away with it because of the European/Global... (for lack of a better word) "geographical diversity" of it's creators, manufacturers and webstores, and that the quantity is quite low.
One option would be to use the new sensors that are coming out with the CoPilot-II, they have integrated ADC and seem to output with a interface somewhat like Maxim's "OneWire" technology.
You could always just use another XY sensor for the Z sensor, but that's not an ideal solution at all.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 5 Next