Comment by Mogly (Umesh Tharanath) on August 17, 2009 at 6:56am

Woww this perfect what i need. It is made for Digi XTend OEM RF Module which iam using. it is long range too (41 miles allmost 63km line of sight).

Where i can buy this ?

Is there any impact on ArduPilot (Code or Modifications in Hardware) ?

Does it suppoert built in Camera ? Since Digi XTend OEM RF Module is capable of 115 Kbps data transmition. which can trasmit streaming video too. (as some one did RX/ TX [RC radio] using Xbee Pro small module.)

In Failsage device i is mentiond that it has 8 cha servos and it also says 5 ch RC in the diagram. how additional 3 ch servos going to work ? (well I am not much into electronics).


This is nice breakthrough though!!! :)

Comment by Ho-Chung Chang on August 17, 2009 at 8:17am

Beautiful Board

Developer Comment by Pat Hickey on August 17, 2009 at 8:08pm

How soon can I buy one of these in the US? This board solves a lot of problems I've been working on, and I'd much rather buy one than build my own.

Comment by Ios on August 17, 2009 at 8:44pm

@Mogly, the board should be compatible with Ardupilot, Paparazzi, and Attopilot, but hasn't been tested on all yet. One of the outstanding features is indeed that it is made for the Digi XTend which is a very long range data modem, and the board is very small.

@Otto Pilot, The board is available for purchase directly from Millswood Engineering - Their contact details are here.

Comment by Andrew Dunlop on August 18, 2009 at 6:58am

@Mogly, very glad you like it, we worked quite long and hard to get it right.

You are quite correct, the Failsafe has 8 channels throughout, to drive the last 3 or 4 channels you have a few options. If you have an 8 channel RC receiver, then that is one possibility, but perhaps not the best one, as you would need to remain within RC range (and pull a few tricks with the wiring).

There is a variant - the Failsafe PTZ (for pan, tilt, zoom) - which has channels 5, 6, 7 and 8 dedicated to telemetry applications. These channels have no connection with the autopilot or RC receiver, but are controlled purely and simply by serial commands sent from the ground control station up the telemetry link. This is probably the best way to access the extra channels. Of course, you need to have some software on the ground that can send the right commands.

The details will be on www.millswoodeng.com.au in a day or two.

@Otto pilot, as Nick said, please drop me an email, I'd much rather you bought one too :-)

Cheers,
Andrew.

Comment by Mogly (Umesh Tharanath) on August 18, 2009 at 9:31am

Awesome.. Andrew Dunlop!!!! ThanksUsomuchforReply...

Is it comes with any software (Opensource ?) hopefully yes.
This would lead us use telemetry link for other purpose too.
Like Temp Sensors,
hummidity Sensor,
Cam pan tilt,
Leaser Scan assulator,
picking/droping the object,
Parachute What not.. ??? You name it we can do it. :D Sweeet...
Only telemetry radio link without RC RX... sounds cool.... Manual and Automatic all with Radio Modem..
No more problems with range or RC radio, number of channels.. all that headaches....

I am excited to workon this.... Please some one tell me how much this would cost.. and how fast we can get this..in our hands. ( considering DIYDrones dilivery :( almost a month did not get my ArduPilot Shield Kit & AttoPilot XYZ Horizon Sensor till now..)

- Mogly

Comment by Andrew Dunlop on August 19, 2009 at 3:12am

Sadly no software.

However, the protocol to drive the servos is simple and well-defined: you can use either the Scott Edwards Mini SSC II protocol (which is very simple), or the Pololu SSC protocol, along with a few Pololu-style additions. Or both simultaneously if you like. There are programming examples floating around on the web to draw inspiration from.

Not sure about temp and humidity sensors; the Failsafe is mainly a control rather than measurement device.

A Failsafe is $160 (Australian) for the standard version, or $180 for the PTZ, plus postage to your part of the world. Delivery would be a couple of weeks (my current units are all spoken for).

Andrew.

Comment by Ios on August 29, 2009 at 10:00pm

Here is a small demo application which is now available from Millswood Engineering, which works with all versions of the device.

Comment by Ios on September 19, 2009 at 3:09am

Here is a video of what the PTZ is capable of doing :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3EDB1PmtSE

Comment by Morli on September 29, 2009 at 1:17pm

By far the best ancillary product I have seen. good job guys. keep it up. We ( amateur UAV guys) won't be doing well without you supporting us. You top my wish list. Hope lot more of professionals are doing what you are doing.

regards
Morli

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