Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike on September 21, 2009 at 2:35am

Put the traditional tx in a black box with the tx and trainer port sticking out then get one of these http://www.endurance-rc.com/pctx.html

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Permalink Reply by Roberto Hawkowski on September 21, 2009 at 2:51am

What happens if the operating system on your laptop (probably Windows) freeze or slow-down even for few seconds?

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Thomas J Coyle III on September 21, 2009 at 4:23am

Roberto,

You pull the training connector out of the back of the RC transmitter and take manual control if you are using the Endurance RC PCTx.

Just a thought.

Regards,
TCIII

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Torella on September 22, 2009 at 4:51am

i intend to program in a fail safe to return to point of launch if it looses connectivity but i have a few os free laptops which i could program for linux or even get my mac running.just to see what could happen but thanks for the concern i had not given that much thought?

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Permalink Reply by Diarmuid Wrenne on September 21, 2009 at 7:53am

Look for xbee related threads. You are looking for a program that will translate your joystick movements into a serial string that will be sent via serial through a connected xbee module. On the plane there will be an xbee modules that is connected to the one at your pc. The remote xbee will simply pass the received data to the attached micro and will act accordingly.

You will probably need to use an arduino mega as that has 4 serial ports allowing a serial GPS to be still used. the micro may also send telemetry to the base station computer. Look at paparazzi uav. They have a two way link working but I don't think they use a joystick. They use an RC link for manual flight (mainly for safety).

Regards

Diarmuid

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Torella on September 22, 2009 at 4:48am

yes thank you most helpfull info i had been wondering how well xbee worked so i very well could give them a try. but yess i intend on going full arduino for self automation.. from what i see keeping the traditional rc radio for safty sake would be a good idea..tell me for the xbee what is the max range they can support or is it a way to set one up that determines that.

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Permalink Reply by James Turner on September 22, 2009 at 1:47pm

I have just completed building the exact same thing but as many point out you should have a traditional RC as a failsafe. Mine was written in VB which translates the joystick movements into servo commands. The commands are then sent through xbee to a PIC via a MUX on the plane and telemetry is sent back. At the time I couldn't find a similar package to buy. If you are familiar with VB I can send you the source to help you get started although I'm certainly no programmer so it's probably not the most efficient code, but it works. Range of Xbee's depends on the version you get then it's down to how it's setup.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Torella on September 23, 2009 at 7:19pm

im impressed if this is your display. this would be cool if it were on a touch screen laptop .it seems a bit complicated but it looks to be worth it if this is the outcome. about this" VB" ive never heard of it but id like to try it out how would i find more on it.i also have a USB nostromo game controller i hope to crack and incorporate it has a designated throttle wheel .

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Permalink Reply by James Turner on September 24, 2009 at 5:11am

Yes this is one of the three displays but its not as complicated as it looks. all the instrument panels are activex controls which get their values from the telemtry coming back from the plane. It also generates a KML file for google earth tracking. Everything is logged to a file for playback later. If all all you need it to do is control the plane you can do it with just a few lines of code although some programming experience would be handy. You can find out more on VB or any other language through the internet or books.

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Torella on October 8, 2009 at 4:22pm

ok i got what VB was i was just having a moment..now how would i go about doing this do i need original programing from my joystick of does VB write a control mod for it . now with VB do i need a standard joy stick because mine has buttons like a playstation and keys like a keyboard. and the joystick is there but it more like a mini one ..i use it well enough to control my wifi robot..Now you only have one xbee to transmit the signal . iwas under the impression two was needed to complete a proper control.. but yeah if you have a source to VB that would be cool or at least a web page where i could get one would work just as well..Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Jason Larocque on October 8, 2009 at 6:20pm

Heil, I've got the same kind of software build in VB6. I use a Logitech gamepad (compatible with a Logitech joystick). I use 2 Xbee modems and Pololu Micro Servo Controller. I've got also the possibility to change the gain of the different servos, min, max, Invert. Plus... I've got the input of a wirless camera, making a HUD, great for FPV ! Also, I've got a live Google Earth preview of the UAV position.

I think it could be a good idea to merge the progs, or to explore the code of eache other to improve...

Here's a preview:

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Dunlop on October 9, 2009 at 1:46am

At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, we make a product that will do what you suggest. It includes an 8 channel Pololu-compatible servo controller and you can just plug a Digi XTend radio modem straight in.

RC override is already built in (controlled by RC channel 5) for when your PC crashes or you want someone else to take over.

We can direct you to software that will read a joystick and control the servos in realtime.

See here: http://www.millswoodeng.com.au/failsafe_device.html

Scroll down the the section headed "A joystick controlled aircraft with RC override".

Andrew.

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