UAV Build Setup
Hi, i have a few thoughts about a project i have in mind.
Here is my "plan"
Features
Mission Critical
- IMU
- Between 3-5km operational range (i think this is based on available electrical batteries power)
- Automatic waypoint flight without RTB on signal loss
- Ability to use FPV and AP (better on same signal-tx/rx)
- On board video recording (with optional start recording switch based on trim or ground control)
- Ground Camera control (pan, tilt, zoom)
- OSD (within AP or with an external OSD device)
- Put everything inside the plane, no external components
Optional
- Camera object tracking-stabilization aka Automatic camera control based maybe on a trigger action. e.g.: on reach waypoint activate camera, point and track a gps coordinate.
- Semi-Automatic flight stabilization (rudder, yawn, pitch, thrust) for takeoff, land, navigation.
- Circle navigation until trigger (like end of fuel or ground input)
- On flight waypoint/flightplan change
- Switch on/off AP during flight
- Laser telemetry for distance to target on OSD (max range 300m or so)
For that i choose the nitromodels predator. It's quite big but with plenty of space and the design is for a real drone.
What kind of equipment do you suggest to me in order to achieve as many features as possible?
Big questions are about autopilot and camera. Hope someone can help me.
Best regards,
J
Here is my "plan"
Features
Mission Critical
- IMU
- Between 3-5km operational range (i think this is based on available electrical batteries power)
- Automatic waypoint flight without RTB on signal loss
- Ability to use FPV and AP (better on same signal-tx/rx)
- On board video recording (with optional start recording switch based on trim or ground control)
- Ground Camera control (pan, tilt, zoom)
- OSD (within AP or with an external OSD device)
- Put everything inside the plane, no external components
Optional
- Camera object tracking-stabilization aka Automatic camera control based maybe on a trigger action. e.g.: on reach waypoint activate camera, point and track a gps coordinate.
- Semi-Automatic flight stabilization (rudder, yawn, pitch, thrust) for takeoff, land, navigation.
- Circle navigation until trigger (like end of fuel or ground input)
- On flight waypoint/flightplan change
- Switch on/off AP during flight
- Laser telemetry for distance to target on OSD (max range 300m or so)
For that i choose the nitromodels predator. It's quite big but with plenty of space and the design is for a real drone.
What kind of equipment do you suggest to me in order to achieve as many features as possible?
Big questions are about autopilot and camera. Hope someone can help me.
Best regards,
J
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by j C on -
i found a good fpv site that will come on handy to you too
http://rc-tech.ch/index.php/en/hobby-shop.html?page=shop.browse&category_id=7 this is a good HD camera. good for on board recording and video quality but can't attach a pan & tilt servos
http://rc-tech.ch/index.php/en/hobby-shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=134&category_id=51 this is a camera with 3x zoom where i can use pan & tilt servos but without on board recording. video quality isn't important. this project is for fun but i prefer to think to all variables rather than doing (and buying) all step by step (where possible)
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DeveloperPermalink Reply by jasonshort on -
A lot of guys here use gear from dpcav.com or rangevideo.com
It's hard to put FPV gear "inside the plane." A pan/tilt gimble will protrude and so will the video transmitter and antenna.
The transmitters get quite hot and need to be air cooled. I have mine sunken into the fuselage so the vents are exposed.
That 3x digital zoom is pretty worthless. If you REALLY want zoom on FPV, you need two cameras with two different lenses and switch between the inputs. That is until true HD cameras and transmitters become available.
I also suggest stabilization during FPV, you will loose your signal and perhaps the plane if you don't. Ardupilot can offer this as well.
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Permalink Reply by j C on
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oh well didn't see that it's digital zoom so the zoom feature is useless
for the 'all inside' option i think i will find a way to use a box like this for the FPV: http://www.elettronicainrete.it/prodotto/2111/TELECAMERA-DOME-CCD-S...
or
http://www.elettronicainrete.it/prodotto/154/Dome-camera-colore-350...
or
http://www.elettronicainrete.it/prodotto/464/Telecamera-B/N-miniatu...
sensors are quite the same the one found on r/c fpv sites
checking my list with ardupilot feature this is the result:
Mission Critical
V IMU with arduIMU
V Between 3-5km operational range (i think this is based on available electrical batteries power)
V Automatic waypoint flight without RTB on signal loss
? Ability to use FPV and AP (better on same signal-tx/rx)
? On board video recording (with optional start recording switch based on trim or ground control)
? Ground Camera control (pan, tilt, zoom)
V OSD (within AP or with an external OSD device)
? Put everything inside the plane, no external components
Optional
X Camera object tracking-stabilization aka Automatic camera control based maybe on a trigger action. e.g.: on reach waypoint activate camera, point and track a gps coordinate.
VSemi-Automatic flight stabilization (rudder, yawn, pitch, thrust) for takeoff, land, navigation.
X Circle navigation until trigger (like end of fuel or ground input)
X On flight waypoint/flightplan change
? Switch on/off AP during flight
X Laser telemetry for distance to target on OSD (max range 300m or so)
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DeveloperPermalink Reply by jasonshort on -
Those domes look heavy. Weight is your enemy. Drag is far less of a problem than you think.
check out http://www.readymaderc.com/store/
Start small and build up.
I hear a predator is not a good choice due to tip stalling. An EasyStar is the best platform.
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Permalink Reply by j C on
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well the box isn't important and obliviously the camera and tilt & pan system are outstide the aircraft
stalling can't be improved increasing motor power and/or balancing the plane?
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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on -
Predator models make rubbish sUAS, have a good read around and about the site jC all the answers are here.
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Permalink Reply by j C on
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from rcmodels forum:
There is a post in the HC Forum that has one that seems to fly well. The issue with tip stall perhaps can be solved with a bit of washout in the tips. The video of the one claiming the tip stall has me wondering if the plane was setup correctly. It more or less a powered glider with the high aspect ratio wing. I'm not sure why that shouldn't fly pretty easy. There has been a lot of confusion about which plane is which. Some have even confused the foamie version thats out with the ARF's The HC version is bigger than the Nitro Models version. That should help to some degree. Does that mean its a winner? Not sure time will tell. If its a woofer I'll be happy to say so...
i mean to buy the balsa kit not the foam one. even if i need some structural tweak i'm supposed to do a functional and good looking project. i know that ES is better to start but i really want to reproduce as much as possible a real one
if it's really impossible i will not start at all but first i have to know everything i need to know in order to make a decision
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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Doug Weibel on -
What makes a good full size drone doesn't make a good model size drone. Don't get carried away by the Predator being "sexy".
Check out http://www.abellrc.com and look for the 26ccAV
This is more in line with your goals. An EasyStar won't carry a ton of gear (on board recording, multiple cameras, laser rangefinders, etc.), but the one above will, and it will fly 5km out and back again .
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Permalink Reply by j C on
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well multiple camera is not an option. is it possible to remote control a standard small video camera? like focus, zoom, shutter speed, etc?
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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on -
yes
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Permalink Reply by j C on
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so, considering all of this what ap is the best?
ardu or udevboard?
can you point me to documentation about controlling the camera? thanks
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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on -
Have a look here http://www.millswoodeng.com.au/failsafe_device.html
Buy an Attopilot and a couple of maxstream xtends and your away.
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