Next Generation of Ground Station

3689478926?profile=original

Since I entered into the drone world I've had a problem with the concept of taking my laptop out into the field with me, but as a new (hopeless) pilot I would often like to know more about what's happening with my hexa as it's flying.  To solve this issue I got myself an Ardustation, only to find that it didn't have all the information on it that I was looking for, and the text screen, while great in sunlight left something to be desired...

So, I have started work on what I'd consider the 'Next Generation' of Ardustation, it's based on an Arduino 2560, and a 3.2" TFT Touchscreen...

I've included a GPS for local positioning and future (very near) "Follow Me" functionality, my plan is to pack as much functionality into the unit as I can so that out in the field we can all have a ground station that is more robust than a laptop but just as functional.

so far I have functions to change the mode, a basic HUD (this is limited by the processing power of the 2560 & bandwidth of the display interface), a Flight map, and some debugging code to view the data that is being received over the Xbee.


It should be mentioned that I've lifted some of the code from the Ardustation 2 software, but it has been largely modified by myself to collect more data and simplify program flow.

Let me know what you think?!  if there is enough interest in the project I will publish the code, parts list, and a concise 'how to' on constructing the unit.

E-mail me when people leave their comments –

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

Join diydrones

Comments

  • Antenna tracker support?

  • Hi mate, I haven't actually made very many changes to the code of late as I've been flat out at work, however I'm more than happy to add you as a developer and walk you through the concepts behind how I've layed everything out if you would like to continue/assist with it?

  • I'm intrested in helping out on this but I see the last checkin was on the 5th Jan.Does that mean no one is working on it anymore?

  • I got the SC Card working by changing the four resistors on the TFT shield from 10k to 220 ohm. They are located at the lower side of the left row. Just shortening the R's may also work. On the TFT are also 2k R's in line so the lines to the TFT are protected.

    hope this helps

    3692581921?profile=original

  • what do i need to do to get the sd card working?

    i see that the three pins are shorted and one with an other resistor.

    please let me know what to do

  • T3

    Yes, on the sources section :

    https://ardustation3.googlecode.com/archive/b39a3521f1f70f02c0322d9...

  • i dont see the code at https://code.google.com/p/ardustation3

    is it posted?

  • T3

    Ok, it's working, next step, i will add a "circle" flight mode, it is a very cool function (do some circles with the head pointed trought the center)

  • Sylvain, it is under the 'source' tab on the Google code page. If you just want a quick copy go to source, browse, select the directory an download zip, Paul
  • T3

    Ok, i get it, with the git command

This reply was deleted.