UAV Devboard users,
The UAV Devboard, version 3, is now available from SparkFun. It is the same as version 2, except it replaces the LISY gyros with Invensense 500 degree gyros, which are practically vibration proof. Also, now you can use higher rotation rates in your flights without saturating the gyros. The previous gyros had a maximum range of 300 degrees per second.
The board has been flight tested by the team. All firmware for the UDB2 will work on the UDB3 without changing any parameters except the board type.
In MatrixPilot, you should select RED_GREEN_BOARD (even though the board is entirely red!) as the board type. If you are using any of the heli firmware, the board type depends on what version you are running. In the latest heli firmware, set the board type to INVENSENSE_BOARD. In either case, the configuration file that should be pulled is "IXZ500.h"
The "bigger and better" version of the UDB is still in the design pipeline, and is expected to be available in the spring of 2011.
Best regards,
Bill
Comments
The main reason we went with the the IXZ500 instead of the ITG3200 is we wanted something that we could easily drop in as a replacement for the the LISY gyros, without having to redesign the mother board.
We only briefly considered the ITG3200. In terms of drift and working range, the IXZ500 seemed a better fit, with a range of 500 degrees/second, which is adequate for most aircraft.
The ITG3200 has a range of 2000 degrees/second, which increases the effects of drift by a factor of 4, because you have to turn up the software gains. Since there is not much need for that large range in flight control, we preferred to use the IXZ500, to improve the drift performance.
Best regards,
Bill
is there a specific reason behind the use of ixz500 gyros in place of a itg3200 ?
The Invensense compares favorably with the ADXRS610 in terms of rejecting vibration and for good performance with the DCM algorithm.
An advantage of the Invensense family of gyros is that you can get all three axes with flat mounted parts.
We are using gyros with a 500 degree/second range. Some pilots are flying planes such as the AcroMaster or the FunJet, which are capable of using that range.
Best regards,
Bill
How do the invensense compare to Analog devices (ADXRS613, or the new ADXRS450 if you have gotten a chance to play with it)?
Thanks for the information. The Invensense gyros perform rather well. Our heli pilots tested prototypes with several types of gyros, the Invensense gyros are the most resistant to vibration.
Best regards,
Bill
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