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PhuBar: an open source heli gyro

Posted by Chris Anderson on December 5, 2010 at 8:47pm

Here's a nice little open source project that replaces the flybar in helis with a little gyro board. From the writeup:


"PhuBar is a stabilizer device for micro-sized R/C helicopters. It is based on the Parallax Propeller processor and the ITG-3200 gyro chip. It is not intended to be a UAV controller or inertial navigation unit. It simply provides stabilization similar to that of a physical weighted flybar, making small helicopters easier to fly, and making the physical flybar unnecessary."

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Comments

  • Greg Glenn December 8, 2010 at 4:49pm
    Thanks to Chris for mentioning my project here. I had thought about posting something here, but I didn't think the PhuBar really qualified for drone status. To answer some of the questions:

    Rhine: I don't sell kits but I do sell the PCBs from time to time. I should have a few extra, maybe 3-4, by the end of December if anyone wants to build their own. Otherwise, you can order your own PCB from the link on the Wiki->Parts page here: http://code.google.com/p/phubar/wiki/Parts.

    MarcS: I am sure something similar could be built using the ArduIMU. I chose the Propeller because it is easier to manage multiple real-time inputs and outputs with its 8-core architecture. And with the ITG-3200, the whole thing is light and compact, which is good for tiny helicopters.

    I really want to get other people involved in writing code to add more features to the PhuBar3.

    I am currently awaiting delivery of some Freescale accelerometers so I can build a PhuBar6 with full DCM implementation for true self-leveling and pirouette stabilization. It remains to be seen if the Propeller can handle DCM with fixed-point math, or if I will need to wait for the MPU-6000 next year.

    Heli Hacker
  • Ryan Fraser December 7, 2010 at 1:12pm
    @Rhine
    It should work with any 4 channel or more FlyBar copter. All that changes is the direct coupling of the swash plate to the rotors. Most kits that I've seen provide longer tie-rods and sometimes a shorter main shaft.
    So I'm sure the trex can do it you'll just have to dig up longer tie-rods.
    This system (or any Fly-Barless) system won't position lock the copter. The Arducopter "Traditional Helli" set-up will do position lock, but you will still need the Fly-Barless module.
  • Rhine December 7, 2010 at 1:01pm
    how much this it? and where can i buy it at? will it be easier to do a yaw with it?
  • Rhine December 7, 2010 at 12:54pm
    well i have a trex500 will this work with a flybar to keep the helicopter stabilization am looking for something also that will keep it in one spot!! how much does that cost?
  • Ryan Fraser December 7, 2010 at 4:43am
    Sweet, if you look retail systems there like $3-500! Chris always finds the best stuff.
  • Jiro Hattori December 6, 2010 at 4:51am
    Sure, I would like to buy parts kit from DIY Drone :)
    Anyway, good chance to go back traditional Heli.
  • Developer
    Mark Colwell December 6, 2010 at 4:45am
    Wow, Now I will add Parallax Propeller to my learning curve ! This a mature device with several great options, We could add our ArduIMU v2 and Mag Compass to add 9DF vs gyros only IMU. maybe Heli Hacker could sell this thru our DIY Drones store?
  • MarcS December 5, 2010 at 11:56pm
    Couldn´t we use the ArduIMU to build such a system?
    Or is there something preventing this use?

    Does anyone know other open source flybarless systems?
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer December 5, 2010 at 9:44pm
    Now thats cool
  • Developer
    Ryan Beall December 5, 2010 at 8:48pm
    Exactly what Doug and I were going to start on! Thanks Chris!
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