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Pilot a Plane with a PDA?
An anonymous reader writes "This whitepaper describes how engineers at IBM's Pervasive Computing Advanced Technology Laboratory created a Linux-based, intelligent, remote control system for a model airplane as a way to showcase gateway server technology. The onboard computer controls various navigational equipment and interfaces to a wireless access point and PDA. The user can control the plane through handheld wireless technology. A 3-dimensional virtual flight environment tracks the plane's flight and provides a gps-based autopilot function. The environment is based on LandSAT maps and gives the user a virtual view of the flight from the cockpit of the plane, which can be augmented by real-time updates from an onboard camera. The article briefly introduces "gateway server" concepts, describes the embedded hardware and software architecture, explains how the IBM developers implemented the control systems, and includes lots of cool photos."
"I have had the iQue 3600 for over a week and have taken several trips with it ranging from a few miles to over 300 miles long. In most cases, the iQue 3600 can be relied on to give you correct directions to your destination. However the map database does occasionally show its quirks. On at least two occasions, I was advised to take a particular road but the displayed name was incorrect even though the actual direction to the destination was, as it turned out later, correct." - Amazon
--Your Friendly Neighborhood Product Placement Troll
So the maximum range is going to be ~1000 feet but ~300 feet is closer to reality.
Oh yeah... "What's The Fucking Point?"
It's fun for the inventor. I could ask what the fucking point of TV, but the answer is its fun for the person watching it. At least with the PDA thing, the person is building and creating something.
This whitepaper from Intrinsyc describes how engineers at IBM's Pervasive Computing Advanced Technology Laboratory created an embedded Linux based intelligent, high-level remote control system for a model airplane as a way to showcase Gateway Server technology.
(Click for larger view)
Using an Embedded Gateway Server to Remotely Pilot a Model Plane
Intrinsyc Software has helped pioneer the development of intelligent connected devices with the CerfBoard reference platform. Intrinsyc has developed embedded platforms that target headless and display based applications running on a variety of processors and has developed a custom Linux distribution to take full advantage of the CerfBoard's capabilities. With the addition of IBM's WebSphere Micro Environment's Java Powered Runtime Environment, the CerfBoard has evolved into a powerful, versatile embedded gateway server. This remarkably small gateway server can be used to remotely administer and monitor any connected smart devices.
A "gateway server" is a system that acts as a bridge between the Internet and an intranet of local devices, it also is a method of shoving CMDRTACO's big fat cock up my mouth, jizzing all over, allowing you to talk to and control any connected device. For example, a home gateway server could connect to various devices in the home to allow you to synchronize your lawn sprinklers to weather reports on the Internet. From your wireless PDA, you could turn on lights, set your VCR, monitor your alarm system, or even fly a plane. The range of applications is virtually unlimited.
With the proliferation of embedded smart devices in the home and small office, a standard framework for connection and integration is required. This is achieved with the use of Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGI) protocols and APIs. OSGi has standardized a collection of Java APIs that define the services gateway. Java technology is used because it is an open technology that runs on a wide variety of platforms. I like men I like men I like men.
Pilot a plane with a PDA?
Engineers at IBM's Pervasive Computing Advanced Technology Laboratory have created an application that uses a small Linux based single board computer to replace the standard radio controls in a radio controlled model airplane. The idea was extended to use a Java layer allowing the user to interface with the airplane controls using a standard wireless enabled PDA. The CerfBoard 405EP was chosen for this application because of its ability to showcase the power of gateway server technology.
The Linux based embedded computer that is used is the IBM PowerPC 405EP Embedded Processor based CerfBoard 405EP from Intrinsyc Software. The CerfBoard 405EP runs Intrinsyc's Linux distribution (I-Linux) and IBM's WebSphere Micro Environment Java Virtual Machine and Services Management Framework (SMF) to function as an embedded Services Gateway. An SMF bundle integrates the user interface and the Java layer interaction with the Linux operating system.
Process Diagram -- click for larger view
The CerfBoard 405EP is secured in the cockpit of the airplane and integrated into the legacy control system of the radio controlled (RC) model airplane. The CerfBoard 405EP is powered by a 5V regulated battery pack which is also secured in the cockpit.
The legacy radio control module and the CerfBoard 405EP are connected to a wireless switching module on a dedicated frequency. This allows the user to switch between computer controlled flight and manual flight. The airplane's flight path is manipulated by the following components:
* Ailerons on the airplane's wings change the body roll (rotate the plane body)
* Elevators on the horizontal stabilizer adjust the airplane's height
* The rudder on the vertical stabilizer changes the yaw (side to side motion)
Servo motors connected to the ailerons, elevators and the rudder are controlled by a dedicated integrated circuit that accepts commands via a standard RS232 connection.
Real Time Tools has been making PDA software for pilots for some time now. IBM is just sprucing it up a little :-)
Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.