I added RC control via telemetry link to DroidPlanner, the new app (V0.4.0) will be on Google Play shortly.
First let me say that this isn't a replacement for your RC transmitter (at least for now), always keep your RC tx nearby. I want to use this to guide a plane in FBW mode, so the sensibility and latency of the telemetry links isn't so critical.
It is responsive but the touch screen is a bad interface for the user. Even using a mouse for control is better and gives a lower latency. I was planning to add support for USB Joysticks, but none of the crappy game-pads I had is recognized as an InputDevice by the Android OS. As soon as I find a supported Joystick I will implement it.
The setup used is this:
- APM2.5
- Chinese tablet running DroidPlanner
- 3DRobotics telemetry modules, default settings (56k serial, 64k air)
- EthernetGCS prototype.
- A couple of servos
- Dlink DI-524 WiFi router for the local network
Here is a video showing the delay caused by the telemetry and application, it isn't larger than MP on the same setup.
If you missed the last post, here is a video of Droidplanner doing an entire mission/planning:
And here is a picture of the current state of the EthernetGCS prototype (the final board will be 70x20mm, without the antenna):
Just a tip from diydrones user Rana:
The WiFly module from spark-fun works with the DroidPlanner App, and is a very simple setup since it plugs on a Xbee board. The module and be connected to the APM and be received by DroidPlanner trough a WiFi router or directly in adhoc mod (but adhoc this isn't tested yet).
I would like to thanks Craig from 3DRobotics for his support, and all the beta testers for their feedback. As always if you want to help consider donating for the project by buying this app, joining the development team, or reporting a issue/bug/improvement on GitHub.
For those who can't wait the update on Google Play I attached DroidPlanner_v0.4.0.apk.
Comments
Thank you for your response, Arthur!
I wish it had higher priority, I'm really interested in such function.
One more small question. As I understood, you transmit sticks position with MANUAL_CONTROL ( #69 ) message, am I right?
It would be also good to add some features such as real-time plot and battery voltage/current and capacity monitoring.
Thanks.
I have tried some months before with the library usb-serial-for-android, but with no success. Now that FTDI has released their own library I restarted to work on this.
There should be a working release in the next couple of days (followed by a blog post). This is an issue on GitHub.
No, but I added this as an issue on GitHub. But It's low priority for now.
Currently if you find a way to access the telemetry data via a TCP connection it should work with no problems. You just have to find a way to make a Xbee - Ethernet connection.
Arthur, great job, thanks! I have a littile question. Is it possible to control using inclination of table (by accelerometers)?
can it work with xbee?
Wonderful !
Well for me the afternoon was just starting. It's essentially the same, I just improved the UI before releasing to at google play.
Hi Arthur ! That's really great, is it the same version Which I tested late night on my setup at time when we were chatting ?
Roberto, adding over to what Arthur said, this module can very very easily hooked to a 1w or 2w wifi amplifier to give few ten's of km's range. In the following image, it's 2watt wifi amplifier hooked to the wi-fly module.
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