someone would combine wikipedia style information hording with a/. style moderating and meta-moderating system... ..Or how about a Digg-style moderation system, where only Ron Paul articles and "Top 10 AMAZING HDR photos OMG!" would make the front page?
Another great use of RC aircraft gear for other purposes... Battery looks to be a 2-cell Lithium Polymer, ~150mAh or so. I use LiPos on all my RC airplanes and helicopters, pretty much the only way to go for lightweight applications.
Why you would want to write a tacking algorithm on a PIC microcontroller is beyond me. I've written my fair share of embedded code over the years (I'm partial to ARM7's and ARM9's myself), and I'll tell you, if my project doesn't absolutely -require- something that small, I'll write it on a PC. Especially if time is a factor.
Even an embedded Linux platform (e.g. Gumstix) would be a bad idea for this project, as cross-compiling is a PITA. For rapid development (something I have much experience in), go with a standard PC with your development system of choice: C/C++, LabVIEW (really, not flamebait:) , MATLAB, etc.. Basically whatever you already know. Whatever can get data in and out of an ethernet port.
As for hardware, there are so many ways to go. If you have some cash laying around, go with National Instruments as their hardware line is well supported, has a very nice C/C++ API library, and will stand up to the elements pretty well. Even if you're on a budget, they sell some multifunction USB DAQs for less than $200. Buy your motor controllers and control wiring from Automation Direct they'll have almost everything you need.
Dr. Lester: Any questions? Craig Schwartz: Just one. Why are these ceilings so low? Dr. Lester: Low overhead, my boy - we pass the savings on to you! But seriously, that'll all be covered in the orientation.
No, most of them are closed loop. A small percentage of them use stepper motors but most use servos with PID controllers (which is exactly what is inside a process control). Either way, I wouldn't recommend bothering the guys on Yahoo Groups.
For a working example of a PID controller, try the OpenServo project: http://www.openservo.com/ There are a few revisions to the board, each with a different Atmel chip powering them. The best part is, it's written in WinAVR GCC C/C++.
He won't be able to do much with a single-axis gyro. Also I didn't see any mention of an accelerometer, or an altitude sensor. He would be much better off (and save some money) by learning how to solder and use real components instead of the overpriced lego stuff. For example, my current RC autopilot setup uses 2x IDG300 dual-axis gyro IC's and an ADXL330 3-axis accelerometer. Also a SiRF III 20-channel GPS module, a pressure sensor for altitude, and a set of Nordic 2.4 GHz wireless tranceivers. Right now I have everything tied into an ARM7 but a Nano or Pico-ITX might be in my future.
Add a GWS slowstick RC airplane ($35) and miscellaneous electronic pieces for a grand total of $370 or so. Not to troll, but I really don't see why people invest so much in doing things in legos when there's so much real hardware out there to play with.
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Try the 'Preview' button next time ;)
Relax, parent is an ancient troll: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/21/1339237
Another great use of RC aircraft gear for other purposes... Battery looks to be a 2-cell Lithium Polymer, ~150mAh or so. I use LiPos on all my RC airplanes and helicopters, pretty much the only way to go for lightweight applications.
Even an embedded Linux platform (e.g. Gumstix) would be a bad idea for this project, as cross-compiling is a PITA. For rapid development (something I have much experience in), go with a standard PC with your development system of choice: C/C++, LabVIEW (really, not flamebait :) , MATLAB, etc.. Basically whatever you already know. Whatever can get data in and out of an ethernet port.
As for hardware, there are so many ways to go. If you have some cash laying around, go with National Instruments as their hardware line is well supported, has a very nice C/C++ API library, and will stand up to the elements pretty well. Even if you're on a budget, they sell some multifunction USB DAQs for less than $200. Buy your motor controllers and control wiring from Automation Direct they'll have almost everything you need.
Dr. Lester: Any questions?
Craig Schwartz: Just one. Why are these ceilings so low?
Dr. Lester: Low overhead, my boy - we pass the savings on to you! But seriously, that'll all be covered in the orientation.
No, most of them are closed loop. A small percentage of them use stepper motors but most use servos with PID controllers (which is exactly what is inside a process control). Either way, I wouldn't recommend bothering the guys on Yahoo Groups.
For a working example of a PID controller, try the OpenServo project: http://www.openservo.com/ There are a few revisions to the board, each with a different Atmel chip powering them. The best part is, it's written in WinAVR GCC C/C++.
Good observation. That is correct, so far it hasn't made it out of my backyard. I have a long way to go before I'll safely let it out of my sight :)
He won't be able to do much with a single-axis gyro. Also I didn't see any mention of an accelerometer, or an altitude sensor. He would be much better off (and save some money) by learning how to solder and use real components instead of the overpriced lego stuff. For example, my current RC autopilot setup uses 2x IDG300 dual-axis gyro IC's and an ADXL330 3-axis accelerometer. Also a SiRF III 20-channel GPS module, a pressure sensor for altitude, and a set of Nordic 2.4 GHz wireless tranceivers. Right now I have everything tied into an ARM7 but a Nano or Pico-ITX might be in my future.
? products_id=741? products_id=698? products_id=8161? products_id=465? products_id=152
5-axis IMU ($109.95): http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php
2-axis gyro (use with above to make a 6-axis (double up on one axis) ($69.95): http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php
Altimeter: ($49.95): http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php
GPS receiver, SiRF-III ($55.95): http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php
And finally, 2.4 GHz 1Mbit transciever to control it ($24.95 each): http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php
Add a GWS slowstick RC airplane ($35) and miscellaneous electronic pieces for a grand total of $370 or so. Not to troll, but I really don't see why people invest so much in doing things in legos when there's so much real hardware out there to play with.