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Dear Friends,

this is the first test of VR Gimbal that control 3 axis ... it's only pre alpha revision of code. 

At the end of this week 31 / 05 / 2013

We finish to implement the VR Gimbal LT library .

  • The i2c imu with mpu6000 + hmc5883 work fine .
  • The SPI imu with mpu6000 + hmc5883 work fine.
  • The 3 driver motors work fine : we check at different refresh rate and with different qty of force.
  • Radio decoder library work fine : with ppm and ppmsum.
  • AP_LIB work good and save the parameter on internal eeprom .

Now start to implement 

PID control and FORCE control lib ... in this video is possible to see the first revision of firmware with the pre alpha code . Not yet available PID only P control and we are using same code used in the past for contol servo with external potentiometer.

In the next week start to work on complete PID control and absolute control approach.

 

with this version of firmware we are testing : 

  • if imu on i2c work fine .
  • if the hardware motor work fine .
  • if the 3° axis control work togheter with other axis without problem.
  • if the serial port for setting parameter working fine . We test also wireless control of gimbal and all work fine.
  • if the radio encoder work fine.
  • if the ap_parameter work and is serialize right in eeprom.

 

All is ok so the board is ready for prodution :) That's good step for us :)

 

So in this early test on 3° axis we found that we need more force on 3° motor on yaw respect of other 2 axis when we are in limit situation . So wee need to use bigger motors with more couple. 

About the developer sorry for delay but before to confirm the start of pre order we prefer finish to test electronic board of first batch .

For more info check here :

http://www.virtualrobotix.com/group/vr-gimbal-user-group/forum/topics/vr-gimbal-3-axis-32bit-direct-drive-gimbal-controller?xg_source=activity

Best

Roberto Navoni

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Today Marco doing a great test with his Hexa and VRBrain  he used firmware Arducopter32 2.9.2b developed by official DIYDRONES Team and ported on VRBrain and supported by VRI Lab Team.

The Dev Team doing a great work :) The main advantages of VRBRain is that is 30x faster of standard APM 2.5. The main difference is processor: VR Brain use STM32F4 168 mhz  and integrated FPU . APM used a standard AVR 8 bit processor at 16 mhz.

On VRBrain the scheduled time task  is respected at 99% , we have 80 % of cpu time in idle  and 3/4 flash free for  future development of firmware and 1 year of test by our VRI flight team.

With this feature you have a great smoth flight and the attitude is processed at 500 hz  , sensor is update at 1 khz instead of 250 hz in APM 2.5. 

In this test the VRBrain is controlled directly by AndroPilot. The application is available on Google Play and supported by Android 4.x Pad and Smartphone.

The AndroPilot is connected to VRBrain by 3DR radio telemetry module directly connected to USB port of ASUS Pad.

In video is possible to see the guided mode and Follow me functionality available on AndroPilot application.

The AndroPilot use internal GPS Pad for position of Marco and send every some times and when Marco move the new point to drone that follow Marco during his travel in the field.

I think that this result is very impressive . The integration of different technology is developed very good , It's only an early stage prototype but the result is yet very good . 

The board use by Marco is VR Brain 4.0 with enclosure and 3DR Ublox the quality of fix is very good. 

 

For more info of VRBRAIN : 

http://www.virtualrobotix.com/page/vr-brain-v4-0

 

Best

Regards

Roberto Navoni

 

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Dear friends,

after hard work on firmware doing by Arducopter and Virtualrobotix Dev Team , we are happy to present the result of this incredible test ... this is only first test VRBrain vs DJI Wookong .

The firmware is ARducopter32 rev 3.0.3 , this revision of firmware use AP_HAL library to interface the Arducopter application . The firmware is mantain by Arducopter devteam , the last improvment doing by Leonard that solve some glitch in loiter , and gps override mode.

The result of work doing by Randy and the other member of the team is incredible , we fly the quad in gps mode and it fly as robot ... as Dji Wookong .

This is a video doing during VR Lab test of new VR Lifter frame.

But if you like fly in stabilize mode you can enjoy you a lot. :) I prefer a lot fly my quad in stabilize and acro mode it's nice.

The power of VRBrain with its  STM32F4 microcontroller  have 164 mhz of clock with internal dsp have a more  power of DJI Wookong cpu that use SAM3X micro processor at only 96 mhz and don't have dsp processor for hardware math processing.

Now the new revision of VRBrain 4.5 can support also an external IMU so we can solve the vibration problem with mechanical patch.

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Whe have a great new wiki page for support the user :

https://vrbrain.wordpress.com/

A new tools for update the firmware is available and will be release in the next days , so you can choose your code download local and program the board without problem.

We are very happy of VRBrain performances :)

p.s.

Thanks to Marco Robustini for his great video :)

Best

Roberto Navoni

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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asia-Tech-Drones-SA/413169978765502?filter=3

Asia Tech Drones is a supplier of FPV / UAV fixed wing aircraft and support equipment.

Introducing the Cyclops Hobby UAV / FPV plane.

Cyclops Specifications and Performance

Cruise Speed > 28 knots
Max speed ~ 68 knots
Stall speed @4.3 lbs ~ 11 knots
Climb Rate > 2000 ft/min
Wingspan ~ 106.5 in
Wing area ~ 608.7 sq in
Fuselage Length ~ 46.2 in
Dry weight ~ 2.8 lbs
Loaded weight ~6.1 lbs (3.0 lbs of Lipo / Payload)
Flight duration > 3 hours (payload dependent)
Configuration options included in kit: T Tail & V Tail, Belly Wheel

This is the ultimate in a DIY Fixed Wing airframe that will give you all the flexibility and performance to do whatever you may want to in the FPV or UAV activities.


The Cyclops is actually Two Planes in one kit.

Materials: EPO Foam - Wings, Fuselage and Tail; Carbon Fiber - Tail boom, Wing spars and Tail support components; Plywood - Internal structure & support; Plastic – Misc. parts.

Fully Composite Version Cyclops available soon.

Recommended & Optional Hardware NOT included: 
(6) 12-17g metal gear, digital servos. Motor: Foxtech W48-30 kv370 or .10 -.15 size motor; ESC 40-60 amp; BEC =/>5 amp; 6s LiPo Batteries; (2) 9g Servos for P/T camera; (1) 9g Servo for Pan of Belly camera; Nose Camera, Belly Camera, Tx, APM Autopilot.

Introductory / Pre-order price: $175 (first 1200 kits only) 
Regular price: $200 *Does NOT include shipping.

Additional info contact: Asia Tech Drones S.A. Email: sales@asiatechdrones.com

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Dear Friends,

in last month of this year our team work a lot on new electronic boards :

  • VR Micro Brain 5
  • VR Brain 5
  • VR GPS Ublox LEA6.
  • VR Telemetry Module.

Our products have the feature of being based on the original design and not be mere clones, with a research and development team ready to meet the demands and needs of users more evolved.

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VR Brain 5 Micro

The VRBrain Micro is a board of the new 5.x series of extremely small dimensions and is based on the powerful micro processor STM32F4 to 168 MHz , the operating system supports Nuttx as the PX4  and Pixhawk  and It compatible with the APM firmware Copter , Plane and Rover.


The Brain VR Micro is very small and lightweight only 10 grams in weight and 3.7 x 3.7 cm wide. Ideal for setting up of small and micro  sized drones as the frame AV250 .

Supports GPS and magnetometers external standard which it shares with the standard vr brain and allows the controller to provide automatic features as stabilize ,  return to the home , hybrid loiter auto take off and landing .

The board  able to handle up to 12 inputs on sbus receiver and 6  input on  PWM standard receiver , 8 PWM outputs for connecting ESC or Servo .

The source code of the project and ' available on the official repository and DIY Drone and ' ongoing integration of automatic features to APM Planner firmware upload directed, via bootloader.

These are the specifications :

  • CPU STM32F4 VR OS based on NuttX kernel 7.1 
  • 1 I2C EEPROM  for parameter storage. 
  • IMU MPU6000 SPI.
  • MSIC Barometer 10 cm resolution.  
  • 8 PPM Radio RC Input .
  • 8 PWM ESC - SERVO Output.
  • 1 SBUS Radio Input compatible with Futaba SBUS and Spektrum ,too
  • 1 SBUS Servo Output.
  • SD Card Reader until 64 Gbyte.
  • 1 RGB LED 
  • 2 LED Output 
  • 1 Buzzer Output 
  • On board telemetry module availabe at 433 / 868 mhz. (option) 
  • connector for external 3DR/VR GPS + MAGNETOMETER
  • dimension : 3.7 x 3.7  hole 3.2 x 3.2 .
  • weight : 10 gr

Status : First Fly done all work fine available for Pre Order.

VRBrain 5

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The VRBrain  5 is  the evolution of the 4th revision board, at an architectural level remains very similar to the previous version of Flight Control Board having demonstrated excellent reliability and robustness.

The card features the latest generation processor STM32F4 OS 7.1 Nuttx This card was created with the aim to implement greater redundancy than the earlier and allow the autopilot to integrate into a  distributed wifi network environment .

The board allows you to support 2 IMU sensor based on MPU6000 chip , up to 3 magnetometers and two GPS . In addition to the bus for redundancy and imu ' present an additional bus that allows you to add devices bluetooth or wifi network to interconnect directly to the drone PAD and Smartphone , or to the standards network infrastructure  .
It 's  also available  CAN bus for high-speed interconnection of optional devices.
The board revision 5 have a slot for  use  SD card that allows you to save the  flight logs and make them available online for integration with portals log flight management .

The card bootloader  allows the card to be updated directly from mission planner or compatible CGS applications.

These are the basic specs :

  • CPU STM32F4 VR OS based on NuttX kernel 7.1 
  • 1 I2C EEPROM  e FRAM for parameter storage. 
  • 2 IMU MPU6000 SPI , second imu option.
  • MSIC Barometer 10 cm resolution .
  • 1 MSIC Barometer  option 2th barometer on external  imu. 
  • 8 PPM Radio RC Input .
  • 8 PWM ESC - SERVO Output.
  • 1 SBUS Radio Input compatible with Futaba SBUS and Spektrum ,too
  • 1 SBUS Servo Output.
  • SD Card Reader until 64 Gbyte.
  • 1 RGB LED 
  • 2 LED Output 
  • 1 Buzzer Output
  • CAN BUS for interconnect option module 
  • 1 connector for  VR telemetry module availabe at 433 / 868 mhz. (option) 
  • 2 connector for external 3DR/VR GPS + MAGNETOMETER (option)
  • weight : 23 gr
  • enclosure available.

 Status : pre flight check done , all is good , in production .

Available in pre order . 

VR GPS 

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VR GPS Ublox Lea 6H with HMC5983 Magnetometer

 

First Virtualrobotix GPS engine using Ublox LEA-6H receiver.

This is a 50-channel high sensitive engine that boasts a Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) of less than 1 second.

Also provide a rechargeable backup battery to improve warm start.

The dedicated acquisition engine, with over 2 million correlators, is capable of massive parallel time/frequency space searches, enabling it to find satellites instantly.

Innovative design and technology suppresses interference sources and mitigates multipath effects, giving LEA-6H GPS receivers excellent navigation performance even in the most challenging environments.

Virtualrobotix GPS uses an high efficient low noise amplifier to improve antenna signal (19dB) and a SAW filter to select GPS frequencies (see graph below).

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It also mounting an ultimate 3-axis digital compass, with selectable interface SPI or I2C (HMC5983).

This one is an high speed (220Hz output) and high resolution (2 milli-gauss) magnetometer.

 

Features and Specifications:

  • ublox LEA-6H module

  • 3,3V or 5V Inputs, with low noise 3.3V regulator.

  • 5 Hz update rate

  • Rechargeable 3V lithium backup battery for high efficient warm start

  • Panasonic Low Noise Amplifier for antenna signal with high gain (19dB)

  • EPCOS SAW high quality low-loss RF filter for GPS application

  • 25 x 25 x 4 mm ceramic patch antenna

  • Dedicated I2C EEPROM for receiver configuration storage

  • High resolution compass (2 milli-gauss) and high speed (2 milli-gauss)

  • Power and fix indicator LEDs

  • ArduPilot Mega compatible 6-pin JST connector

  • Exposed pads for simple soldering connection.

  • I2c / SPI HMC5983 magnetometer .
  • 2 ttl tx-rx ser connection.
  • 38 x 38 x 8.5 mm total size, 18 grams.

Status : all it's ok a lot of flight without problem , in production , ready  for pre order. 

Some example from log collected in first test VRX GPS is red Line 3DR is blu

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VR Link (telemetry Module) - micro - standard - advanced OSD - base station .

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In addition to the autopilot systems in our laboratories have been developing a telemetry system simple , modular and advanced compared to what's available on the market and compatible with the 1.0 mavlink protocol. 

We chose to mantain compatibility with the modules 3DR , but we have worked to expand its functionality.

Micro version :

The micro version it's an add on to the micro brain that allows you to add easily and efficiently support wireless connectivity directly onboard .
The module ' based on the micro SILAB 1000 and it' core normally available .

Standard version:
The standard version is a standard kit with a radio that will allow the connection from the drone to the ground, the main peculiarity of the standard version is that can work independently by simply feeding it through a usb battery pack or a small lipo .
On the ground the module replicates the light and sound of the buzzer's drone.
This feature allows you to detect any alarm signal even if the light on the drone is not ' perfectly visible.

The module on board the drone has available an RGB LED and a speaker very powerful signal that allows you to see and hear even at a considerable distance of the drone .
These new modules using the communication protocol mavlink and therefore are compatible with any drone supports this protocol : VRBrain 4.x and 5.x - APM 2.x, PX4 , Pixhawk , Autoquad etc.

With this feature easily solve a problem that often prevents you from realizing anomalies on board the aircraft such as the loss of the GPS signal , the abrupt decrease in battery level or the sudden lack of the radio signal that activates the failsafe .

Osd advanced version :

On board of drone  can integrate the function  osd simply adding a module dedicated on  the telemetry module . This configuration allows you to add the image coming from the analog video  FPV  camera as overlay of standard fly information as :
artificial horizon, altitude , distance from home , flight mode , battery level , etc. etc..

Status : hardware ok , working progress on first revision of firmware for standard and advanced revision.

We are ready for the worldwide market if you need more info on price ,  pre order , or you want to became a member of our distributor , support and developer team contact : info@virtualrobotix.com 

Best

Roberto 

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During this holidays i finish the port of HIL functionality on Multipilot32 .

On the picture you can see my hil configuration :

MP32 + VRIMU FULL

FOX 5 Frame.

Serial interconnection with my PC

On the Pc there is Mission planner rev 1.1.18 and AerosimRC or Xplane.

This is the first video tutorial of first flight this revision is in Italian , but is simple to understand what i'm doing .. i hope to have some times for recording an Eng. revision , or if a member of our community would doing his video is welcome :)

I use Camtasia to video screen capture . It work fine and not change performance of simulator.

The code is available on repo this is the direct link :

http://code.google.com/p/multipilot32/downloads/detail?name=Firmware_AC32_Hil_rev_ok.rar&can=2&q=#makechanges

This revision of code is the ACopter 2.1.1r7 derived from 8 bit revision Arducopter 2.1.1r7

Enjoy with your MP32 and Happy New Year :)

Best

Roberto

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The official presentation of VR Spark 350 will take place at DroneShow Ferrara 28/29 March 2015.

The latest revisions of VR Spark 350, currently undergoing certification, will be presented on a confidential basis to some selected beta testers at the 2015 FIAPR convention.

VR Spark 350 was born after a year full of experiments, where we worked on improving electronic technologies, mechanical design, usability for end user and the possibility to be used for commercial purposes respecting regulation rules that govern the use of drones in the civil aviation world.

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We implemented control systems and flight termination to ensure compliance with the Italian and French rules and to achieve high levels of safety and reliability. It has a maximum take off weigh under 1.6 Kg. (3.4 pounds) to take advantage of the imminent FAA and European regulations that will enable smaller drones to fly in restricted areas.

We are currently undergoing experimentation to achieve Italian and French approval for commercial use, and plan to start selling in April.

VR Spark 350 main applications are:

  • low budget filmography.
  • safety and rescue.
  • Video inspection .
  • Marketing (drones branded for promotion - delivery -)
  • Automatic features as  follow me through VR platform Leash. (Action Sports)
  • Photogrammetry.
  • Training schools for professional pilots.
  • Suitable for drones startups company and research projects (eg H2020).

This multi role machine aims to enter as a protagonist in the business services using drones.
It has all the features to aspire to be the Italian answer to the Chinese DJI Phantom. The semplicity and portability of a DJI Phantom, but with so many more payload options and flexibility!

Technical Specification:

  • Frame configuration : Multicopter Quad .

  • Propeller:  9x4.5

  • Motors:  980 KV

  • Time of flight 18 min.

  • Weight : 1.6 kg al decollo.

  • Flight Control : VR Brain 5.2 PRO ( VR SPARK CUSTOMIZATION)

  • GPS : VR GPS 8 GNSS dual mode navigation system GPS / GLONASS.

  • Flight Termination System : VR Flight Stop PRO Power Cutoff + Parachute. (option)

 

  • Radio Link:

    • Primario: SBUS FRSKY X4R

    • Secondario: Terminatore di volo : PPMSUM FRSKY D4R

 

  • Telemetry:

    • FRSKY S.PORT.

    • VR Link 868 / 915 (Mavlink telemetry module)

    • VR OSD ( Video overlay main telemetry information : attitude , GPS , Battery)

 

  • Standard Payload 2 Axis Brushless Gimbal + GoPro 4 Hero Black.

  • PAYLOAD Option Max Weight ( 500 gr)

  • Battery 3S 4000 Mah.

 

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It is thanks to the work of a large community made up of people with great competence, passion and technological skill that this project has seen the light.

Thanks to Virtualrobotix and the APM:Copter DEV team which has done an excellent job bringing this platform to high levels that was, in its infancy, within the reach of only a few experts.

Now after extensive work on the simplification and usability, so many more professionals can enjoy the flexibility and power of this platform.

for info contact : info@virtualrobotix.com 

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In this video you can see the first fly review of VRBrain micro 5.0 

In this test you can see the great quality of new magnetometer and gps . Emile doing an automatic fly . Set by VR Pad Station 3 waypoint , the last is an RTL . The drone take off from Emile's hand then land exactly in same position :) Emile don't move from his position during all the automatic fly test :)

Dear Friends,
I worked hard in recent weeks to test the new micro VRBrain 5.0
To test the card I used the frame I called our "Personal Robot SDK Fly" The configuration I used for testing and 'the following:

Frame VRX AV250 with Prop Guard
- Micro VRBrain 5
- VR GPS Ublox LEA 6
- 4 10 Amp ESC with Firmware SimonK
- 4 2400 KV Brushless Motors
- 4 Carbon Fiber Propeller dda 5 inches.
- 1 Battery 2200 Mah
- Receiver Futaba SBUS R7008 SB.
- Transmitter T14SG.

During the tests I carried out flight tests and reliability in a stable manner. I flew in different boundary conditions without having any kind of reliability problem. I made flights in both indoor and outdoor.

End the tests with flight manual I started  the automated flight test . The GPS took our new GPS  VR GPS uBlox LEA6, the main feature of this GPS and 'to have on board the new sensor HMC 5983 with automatic temperature compensation and more accuracy and immunity to electromagnetic interference.

In the tests we performed automated test of loiter mode, hybrid loiter, return to home and  waypoint navigation.

Given the excellent results of the tests we have decided to close this firmware revision of the first software will be installed on the cards that will come over the next week.

More info about the components of the test are available here:

http://www.virtualrobotix.it/index.php/en/shop/autopilot/vrbrainmicro51-detail

http://www.virtualrobotix.it/index.php/en/shop/accessories/3dr-gps-ublox-lea-6-30-37-detail

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70869986?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024Dear Friends,

in last month we working on Multipilot32 platform , we develop library and porting ArdupiratesNG and Ardcuopter 2.0 firmware on this Arm Platform. It's compatible with standard Diydrones accessories ; Oilpan , Magnetometer Sonar and GPS.

But we're working on improve our Board this is the result of our work :

Mukltipilot32 "Build your Dreams" BYD support some upgrade the main is that can use two micro controller :

Stm32F103 72 Mhz 512 K flas 64 K ram or new revision of this micro STM32F205 , this is the first board available on the market that support this powerfull micro 120 Mhz  1 mega of flash and 128 kbyte ram.

You can reserve your sample and join us to port library and ACopter firmware on it. In the next week will be available a limit serie of board with 32F205 , for more info about this micro this is the link :

http://www.st.com/internet/mcu/product/245093.jsp

For more info contact me at : lasernav@gmail.com

 

On the board there is a new micro but also a secret pod :)

 

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We change the position of SD card and now it use SDIO bus not SPI , more powerfull with dma and parallel bus.

 

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On the board there are some pad with Label DON'T TOUCH , with this pad is possible to setup for STM32F103 or STM32F205 micro controller.

 

 

Read more…

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The project is about controlling digital cameras remotely using USB PTP commands and adding telemetry and camera feedback data to the video signal coming from the controlled camera. The main purpose is to be applied on UAV projects, otherwise, it can be used on every kind of camera remote controlling and shooting.

The hardware used here allows some nice extrapolations of the project. Let's say you could use the USB Host to attach another kind of peripheral like a video-game Bluetooth to control a rover or you could add a USB HID compliant touch-panel to a custom display to interact with OSD data and so on. It's a great DIY hardware.

You can read all the details and the history of the project by clicking here.

Welcome to the ArduCam OSD Project!

Sandro Benigno.

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Earlier my plan was to mount my Galaxy Nexus 7» tablet on my radio, but I decided that the Nexus7 is too large and heavy for this.

Therefore, I decided to use my Samsun Galaxy S III phone in this project. I have used the same type of back cover so it is simple to add/remove the phone on the radio.

On the back of the Galaxy S III back cover, I have mounted a 433Mhz 3DR telemetry radio module in a small plastic box. Then all you need is a USB OTG cable to connect the 3DR radio to the phone.


Ready to go
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Without the phone

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From the side - have used an FPV monitor Mount from goodluckbuy, that I have modified

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From the rear, showing the 3DR telemetry radio mounted on the backcover.

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OILPAN_for_MP32.JPG
This is a quick start guide to setup your OILPAN IMU with the new MP32 board. The actual firmware is a port of the 2.0.39 Arducopter firmware so once installed you will be able to use the planner as you do normally.

To start with the new Hardware set-up you need the following:

 

  • OILPAN rev H or older revision Foxtrap.

 

Before you can use the AC32 firmware you MUST solder two pin headers on the connectors shown below. You then need to short them in order to upload new firmware and fly! (you can use an old motherboard jumper plug to short the connector so you would be able to reuse your OILPAN on the old ATMEGA)

Jumper.JPG

 

This is used to connect your MP32 to the Planner or to the CLI:

 

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If you have an xbee working on your actual setup, you can use that instead of the USB-->serial, just hook it up to the Telemetry port as usual.

 

  • Telemetry pins soldered on the OILPAN see:
telemetry_pins.JPG

 

  • 4 cables female female to connect the usb adapter to the OILPAN on the Telemetry Port

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  • a Magnetometer(Optional) HMC5843 or HMC5833L soldered on top of the Oilpan

magnetometer.jpg

 

GPS_cable2.JPG

 

  • You also need a bind plug to put the MP32 in firmware upload mode(see later...). Or you can use one female-female cable like the ones posted above.

bind_plug.jpg

First download and install software and drivers

Download the latest VRIDE Framework. At the moment it is the 0.0.4.5.7 link here VRIDE.0.0.4.5.7 unzip it and place it in a folder like C:\MP32

  • You need to install drivers for your USB to serial adapter from here
  • You need to install DFU drivers for your MP32 board. You can find the drivers in the C:\MP32\drivers\mapleDrv\dfu\ folder of the VRIDE just downloaded.
  • Download the specifically modified firmware for the OILPAN from here OILPAN firmware. Unzip and overwrite the libraries folder in your C:\MP32 folder and the ACopter32 folder under the C:\MP32\Firmware\ folder

 

Installing the Mediatek GPS (DIYDrones)

At the time of writing only the Mediatek GPS from DIYDrones with firmware 1.6 is fully tested. The GPS needs to be attached directly on the MP32 board. To do this there are several ways. What I chose was to get a GPS cable adapter like the ones DIYDrones store sells and cut off one end that I solder directly on the board. You could also solder connector pins on both the MP32 and the GPS board and use a 4 wire cable.

This is a picture to explain what I did:

GPS_cable.JPG

The 1st and last wire of the cable are not used, so you can cut them off. This is the schema on how to connect them:

MP32 Cable Wire # / Pin GPS Adapter Circuit Board
JP19-2 (GND) (2) (GND)
JP19-4 (5V) (5) (5V)
JP19-6 (Ser4 Tx) (4) (IN)
JP19-8 (Ser4 Rx) (3) (OUT)

 

This is where you will find the JPs on the board:

GPS_connectors_2.jpg

A picture shows were you can find the connectors:

GPS_Connectors_1.JPG

Compiling and uploading the firmware

Configuring the VRIde

VRIDE is the "32bit version of Arduino". Is based on the LeafLabs? Maple IDE and uses a language much similar to the Arduino framework.

Once your hardware i ready and your drivers are finally set up you can start to open the vrobotix-ide.exe and in File-->Preferences choose the folder where you unzipped the VRIDE rar (eg. c:\MP32)

VRIDE_prefernces.jpg

Then choose from the menu File-->sketchbook the Firmware-->Acopter32 sketch like in the Arduino framework. VRIDE_Sketchbook.jpg

This is your new firmware ready to be uploaded. But before we can continue we have to check and modify a few parameters in the code.

Modifying the code before the upload process

To let the compiler know you are using the OILPAN and not the VRIMU we need to make a few changes in the code. Nothing too difficoult.Future developements will not require you to make all this modification, so keep up for the news! So follow these steps:

  1. Locate the libraries folder in your C:\MP32 folder and open with a text editor like Notepad++ the following files:
    • AP_ADC\AP_ADC_ADS7844.cpp: be sure to comment out the #define VRIMU so the line would be //#define VRIMU like this:
    •          //#define VRIMU
    • If you have the old compass HMC5843 you have to open the file AP_Compass\AP_Compass_HMC5843.cpp and add a new line at the end of the defines: #define HMC5843 otherwise if you have the most recent mag, leave as it is.
    • Open the file AP_IMU\AP_IMU_Oilpan.cpp and comment out the //#define VRIMU and //#define VRMIMUIDG5000 line and add (if not present the line #define IMUOILPAN:
    •          #define A_LED_PIN   69  //37
      #define C_LED_PIN 71 //35

      //#define VRIMU
      //#define VRMIMUIDG5000
      #define IMUOILPAN
    • Open the file AP_IMU\AP_IMU_Oilpan.h and do the same of before: comment out the //#define VRMIMUIDG5000 and add if not present the line #define IMUOILPAN:
    •          #include "IMU.h"

      //#define VRMIMUIDG5000
      //#define ADC_OBJECT
      #define IMUOILPAN
  2. Locate the folder Acopter32 in the Firmware subfolder (C:\MP32\Firmware...\ACopter32). Then open and modify the following files:
    • In config.h:
      1. locate the //MAGNETOMETER section and modify the #define MAG_ORIENTATION as follow:
                   //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // MAGNETOMETER
        #ifndef MAGNETOMETER
        # define MAGNETOMETER DISABLED
        #endif
        #ifndef MAG_ORIENTATION
        # define MAG_ORIENTATION AP_COMPASS_COMPONENTS_UP_PINS_BACK
        #endif
        #ifndef MAG_PROTOCOL
        # define MAG_PROTOCOL MAG_PROTOCOL_5843 // Default Setting
        #endif
      2. locate the "Developer Items" section and modify as follow:
                   //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // Developer Items
        #ifdef MP32
        //#define VRIMU
        # define IMUOILPAN
        //#define VRMIMUIDG5000
        #endif

Ok, so now the code is ready to be uploaded.

Uploading the code

  • Now Plug the Bind Plug or one female-female jumper cable into the second input from the left of the MP32 (Called JP4_7, JP6_7 and corresponding to the 7th input of the old ATMega).

This is used tu put your MP32 in firmware upload mode. When in this mode (and board powered) you will see a green led blinking on the MP32 board. This means you can start the upload process.

  • Plug the USB cable directly into the MP32 USB port. This is used as a power source and as a communication port.
Like the Arduino IDE, before uploading the firmware check that the code compiles correctly by clicking the Verify button. If code compiles, you can click on the Upload to board button.
Wait for the completed upload message in the VRIDE message window.

 

Setting up the firmware for first use

Once the code has been uploaded you will be able to interact with it using the USB-->serial adapter shown above, you have to connect the adapter to the Telemetry port on the OILPAN. To get into the CLI you will not have to switch the slider. This mode is disabled!

You need to use a Hyper Terminal to get to connect to the CLI the first time. This can be found in Windows XP in START-->All Programs-->Accessories-->Communications-->Hyper Terminal. For Windows7 and Vista you need to download the Hyper Terminal program from here:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J31857IQ. This is the original Windows XP program.

So now that you have the USB-->Serial connected to the telemetry port and Hyper Terminal connected to the COM, power up the MP32 using for example the usb port on it. As soon as you connect you will see a message saying to press S to enter interactive mode. You have five seconds to press S after boot up. This will let you in the CLI mode. Use the the SETUP-->Reset to reset the parameters, configure your radio, level, calibrate ESC as you will do in old ATMEGA chip.

Using the Planner to finish configuration

Once you have done first configuration, you will be able to connect to the MP32 using the AC2 planner found here

For all the rest of the Arducopter Wiki.

Frames supported by the code:

  • Quad X mode
  • Quad + mode
  • Hexa X mode
  • Hexa + mode

 

Features actually not supported by the code:

  • sonar is not implemented
  • camera mount stabilization is not working
All the rest should be working! This is still BETA so use at your own risk, and please report any issues to the Issues list in the Multipilot32 google code project.

 

HAVE FUN!!

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VR Spark 350 born after a year full of experiments, where we worked on improving electronic technologies, mechanical design, usability for end user and the possibility to be used for commercial purposes respecting regulation rules that govern the use of drones in the civil aviation world.

We implemented control systems and flight termination to ensure compliance with the Italian and French rules , now start to work on U.S to achieve high levels of safety and reliability. Current configuration with Brushless Gimbal , GoPro 4 and Parachute is 1.3 kg . It has a maximum take off weigh of 1.8 Kg. (3.4 pounds) to take advantage of the imminent FAA and European regulations that will enable smaller drones to fly in restricted areas.

We are currently undergoing experimentation to achieve Italian and French approval for commercial use, and plan to start selling in April.

We are searching partner that want support us for VR Spark Section 333 FAA certification.

for info contact me by skype my account is : virtualrobotix or at my email r.navoni@virtualrobotix.com I'll be present during ELC Technical Showcase in San Jose.

VR Spark 350 main applications are:

  • low budget filmography.
  • safety and rescue.
  • Video inspection  .
  • Marketing (drones branded for promotion - delivery -)
  • Automatic features as  follow me through VR platform Leash. (Action Sports)
  • Photogrammetry.
  • Training schools for professional pilots.
  • Suitable for drones startups company and research projects (eg H2020).

Example of filmografy :

Example of our Flir based Thermal image sensor :

This multi role machine aims to enter as a protagonist in the business services using drones.
It has all the features to aspire to be the Italian answer to the Chinese DJI Phantom. The semplicity and portability of a DJI Phantom, but with so many more payload options and flexibility!

This is last Technical Specification: (Updated) 

  • Innovative Italian Design and special painting technology. 
  • Frame configuration : Multicopter Quad .

  • Propeller:  9x4.5 Option 10x4.5 

  • Motors:  980 KV

  • Time of flight 18 min.

  • Weight : 1.3 kg in full  configuration Gimbal , GoPro 4 Camera and Parachute .

  • Flight Control : VR Brain 5.2 PRO ( VR SPARK CUSTOMIZATION)

  • GPS : VR GPS 8 GNSS dual mode navigation system GPS / GLONASS. until 18 sat and HDOP < 1.5

  • Flight Termination System : VR Flight Stop PRO Power Cutoff + Parachute. 

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Luca ... The Flight Stop work fine ? ... Opsss :) 

  • Radio Link:

    • Primary: SBUS FRSKY X4R

    • Secondary: Flyght Stop : PPMSUM FRSKY D4R

  • Telemetry:

    • FRSKY S.PORT (Telemetry information available on Taranis display LUA Script customizable ) .

    • VR Link 868 / 915 (Mavlink telemetry module)

    • VR OSD - option -  ( Video overlay main telemetry information : attitude , GPS , Battery)

  • FPV Functionality : 
    • CCD camera integrated in the drone .
    • 5.8 Ghz Video TX .
    • Video Switch between the FPV Camera and GoPro 4 .
  • Voltage and Hall effect Current sensor integrated on distribution board.
  • Standard Payload 2 Axis Brushless Gimbal + GoPro 4 Hero Black.

  • PAYLOAD Option Max Weight ( 500 gr)

  • Battery 3S 4000 Mah.

  • Special Drone Code 1st Meeting version support on board RaspberryPi . 

 

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It is thanks to the work of a large community made up of people with great competence, passion and technological skill that this project has seen the light.

Thanks to Virtualrobotix and the APM:Copter DEV team which has done an excellent job bringing this platform to high levels that was, in its infancy, within the reach of only a few experts.

Now after extensive work on the simplification and usability, so many more professionals can enjoy the flexibility and power of this platform.

for info contact : info@virtualrobotix.com 

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Today i create a Google Community Group for manage the beta testing of VR Pad Station this is the link : 

http://plus.google.com/communities/102697330643558260161

This is the official Virtual Robotix Discussion group about VR PAD Station 2.0 :

http://www.virtualrobotix.com/group/vr-pad-station-2-0

We upload the last revision of VR radio RC . The new name is VR PAD Station 2.0 . We integrated the mavlink 1.0 telemetry function with original Virtual RC project so now is possible to use VR PAD Station as tools for :

  • Receive telemetry from drone.
  • Setting Parameter .
  • Change Flight Mode.
  • Set waypoint.
  • Send direct command as Return to Landing point , Land or Guided mode.
  • Virtual Remote control with a lot of advanced feature for setup the radio stick

We are work in progress with some advanced feature as Special Follow me mode , Fligh log book and VR Gimbal integration.

The App is compatible with APM Copter , Plane and Rover.

Inside the community could be possible discuss directly with developer about the new request feature .

After join the community could be possible download the APK in a special section of  google play

This is the direct link to google play store beta registration: 

https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.laser.VrPadStation

If you yet register in the community appear this message .... 

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If your registration accepted you can download the beta testing of our application :)

.

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Feedback about our application are welcome ... :) In the next week we intend improve a lot the application with new feature under development.

Best

Roberto

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This is a preview of VR Pad Station 2.0.1 enviroment that we use for develop VR Pad Station and check the  VRBrain APM Copter and Plane customization before to real flight .

Here you can found the procedure for join Google Group community  and download VR Pad Station for alfa testing  :

http://www.virtualrobotix.com/profiles/blogs/vr-pad-station-2-0-available-for-beta-testing

Here you can found info for install SITL on linux . In my test enviroment i use VMWare with Ubuntu linux and follow this instruction for configure enviroment on my PC :

http://dev.ardupilot.com/wiki/setting-up-sitl-on-linux/

After installation in ardupilot directory Tools/autotest 

you can found the file : 

sim_arducopter_randy.sh

in mavproxy configuration : 

mavproxy.py --master tcp:127.0.0.1:5760 --sitl 127.0.0.1:5501 --out 127.0.0.1:14551 --out 192.168.1.5:14550 --out 192.168.1.7:14550

you can change the ip adrress after --out with the ip of  your PAD with Port 14550 . On your pad and on mission planner you need to choose UDP connection to port 14550 normally is default .

For found your ip address on your PAD there are a lot of app on Play store that are usefull for  see what's your ip , keep atention if you use DHCP is possible that your ip change every time you connect to wireless network. 

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This is the screenshot of new Pannel available on VR Pad Station 2.0.1 in this pannel you can connect to drone , receive the parameter and choose what application do you want to start or going inside configuration pannel . If you are not connected you cannot select the application .

The actual release online is only compatible with PAD in the next week we finish the layout also for smartphone and release it.

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This is the screenshot of Ground Station app . On all the app is available on the top main information about status of the drone : Battery , GPS Fix , Mode of Flight .

On the top on the right you can found the button for choose the other app available . The app share same mavlink connection so you don't lost time when you change app.

On the left of the screen you can see main navigation info , in the middle of the screen you can found the main command available : 

Take off mode : It's a special guided mode we have implemented for take off your drone , we put the drone in guided at 5 meter and when you click take off after arm the drone the drone going in the sky. We test it at the field and it work fine , but at the moment is better to use these function only in simulation not in real world.

After you can activate guided mode and choose the point on the screen and the drone follow your command.

You can choose land or rtl when you want.

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In this screen you can see the same information but inside artificial horizon , on the map you can see the wayoint you load to drone in last mission and a track with position where you start to fly and the actual position on the point where you guided your drone.

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Here you can see on the left the Waypoint editor where you can add or delete waypoint manually or define automatic polygon  waypoint creation, upload and dowload waypoint on file or on the drone. 

If you decide to go in auto mode you can with auto button . In the middle there are the other button if you want you can retake control of your drone or in guided mode or by RTL or LAND.

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This is the VR Radio APP integrated in VR Pad Station , this is a complete app where you control your drone as on your rc radio , you can choose to use PPMSUM output or MAVLINK protocol , if you choose mavlink protocol you can use the app for fly flight inside the SITL enviroment . If you configure Mission Planner or Lasernavigator 3D , you can see in realtime the position of your drone when you interact with virtual stick.

You can arm - disarm the drone , select stabilize and take control of your drone ... put it in loiter choose other app and start to enjoy with automatic functionality .

I'm enjoy a lot with this kind of configuration and i think that SITL is a great enviroment for guy of DevTeam . It's a valid solution for check if the app work fine before to go in the field for doing real flight.

It's a good solution for learn how your APM drone work , you can set different parameter by mission planner or Pad Station and see different reaction from your drone.

We are only in alfa stage but have a lot of idea to develop inside VR PAD Station , join us and give me your feedback so we can improve your  user experience .

Best
Roberto 

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italian regulations for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

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so here we are ... I am responsible in Roberto's Virtualrobotix organization to deal with Authorities concerning Regulations and Operational Terms for Usage of civilian UAVs. It seems that we have a regulations as Christmas gift ... a good one ... I introduce here some main issues. security is the main goal to be achieved ... NO SPACE for non professional solutions and subject.

IMPORTANT is to notice the requirements for the pilots and not only for the vehicles.

Regolamento_mezzi_aerei_a_pilotaggio_remoto.pdf  provide the complete content of it

please do not exitate to contact me about deeper informations

YOU CAN FLY YOUR VRBRAIN NOW !!!

Vista l'importanza della tematica e' stato aperto un forum specifico di discussione :

http://www.virtualrobotix.com/forum/topics/discussione-ufficiale-bozza-regolamento-mezzi-aerei-a-pilotaggio-?xg_source=activity

Gli APR sono distinti in MTOW <=20 Kg e > 20 Kg fino a 150 Kg. Si parla di SAPR Sistemi Aeromobili Pilotaggio Remoto.

Applicazioni di

-sorveglianza del territorio

-rilevamento delle condizioni ambientali

-trasmissione dati

-riprese aeree

-impieghi agricoli

Applicazioni in ambienti ostili

-monitoraggio incendi

-ispezioni infrastrutture e impianti

-sorveglianza traffico stradale

-ordine pubblico

-sorveglianza costiera

-search and rescue

Il regolamento viene emanato come strumento che verrà implementato in funzione delle normative internazionali (ICAO ed EASA).

Riguarda:

requisiti per ottenere le autorizzazioni ad operare

modalità di accesso allo spazio aereo

operazioni consentite

certificazioni di aeronavigabilità applicabili

condizioni per effettuare operazioni specializzate

ottenimento del certificato di operatore di lavoro aereo

NON riguarda gli UAV veri e propri ovvero i vettori di sistemi di VOLO AUTONOMO in cui il pilota remoto NON interviene nel corso delle operazioni.

Il SAPR NON è dotato di equipaggiamento che CONSENTE il volo autonomo ma di strumentazione che consente al pilota il comando e controllo del vettore. DEVE ESSERE GARANTITA LA PRESENZA DELL' UOMO NEL CIRCUITO DI COMANDO E CONTROLLO.

Per i vettori <20 kg non è previsto di norma il rilascio di un certificato di aeronavigabilità.

MA ... QUESTO FATTO COMUNQUE COMPORTA IL SOTTOPORSI A CONTROLLI DA PARTE DELL' AUTORITA' DI AVIAZIONE CIVILE.

Le attività di volo sono condotte in accordo a specifica autorizzazione rilasciata da ENAC al SAPR e non è previsto il rilascio di un certificato separato di aeronavigabilità. L’ autorizzazione ha valore temporale ben definito e per un determinato scopo.

Si sposta dal costruttore all’ operatore la richiesta di permesso per un determinato impiego del vettore prescelto che riceverà una targhetta identificatrice nome del costruttore, il numero di costruzione e il nome dell’operatore. Tale targhetta deve essere installata anche sulla stazione di terra.

Le attività sono divise in sperimentali e operazioni specializzate (commerciali).

L’ AUTORIZZAZIONE SPECIFICA UNIVOCAMENTE IL TIPO DI ATTIVITA’ / APPLICAZIONE.

Per una produzione di serie devono essere applicate le stesse regolamentazioni dei vettori SAPR con MTOW => 20 Kg.

Le attività devono essere condotte in SPAZI AEREI SEGREGATI.

Entra in vigore il concetto di volume aereo V70 con 70 metri di quota e 500 di raggio in condizioni VLOS con distanza di sicurezza di aree congestionate di minimo 150 metri e a distanza NON inferiore a 50 metri da persone e cose che non siano in controllo dell’ operatore.

Valgono inoltre le regole di:

-give way aircraft in caso di altri vettori simili nello spazio aereo oggetto di traffico

-modalità VFR / VMC

-condizioni di luce diurna

-fuori da ATZ e a distanza > 8 km da aeroporti sentieri avvicinamento decollo

-spazi segregati

NON E’ CONSENTITO IL SORVOLO DI AREE CONGESTIONATE, ASSEMBRAMENTI DI PERSONE, AGGLOMERATI DI CASE, INFRASTRUTTURE E AREE RISERVATE PER LA SICUREZZA DELLO STATO (CASERME BASI ETC), INFRASTRUTTURE CHE POSSONO CAUSARE PERICOLO IN CASO DI IMPATTO DEL MEZZO AEREO, STAZIONI FERROVIARIE, AUTOSTRADE, CENTRALI ELETTRICHE, DIGHE, PORTI, IMPIANTI INDUSTRIALI, OSPEDALI, CARCERI.

La domanda di autorizzazione ad effettuare operazioni specializzate può essere presentata SOLO a conclusione con esito positivo di attività di volo sperimentale in cui vengono verificate le caratteristiche progettuali le capacità del pilota di controllare il mezzo in condizioni normali e di emergenza, le dimensioni del volume delle operazioni e i margini di sicurezza, le distanze massime che rendono possibile il LVOS, fattibilità delle operazioni simulando le condizioni relative previste nelle operazioni, valutazione delle condizioni di avaria, efficacia della terminazione del volo e procedure di emergenza.

Come detto è l’ utente finale che si fa carico di tutte le necessarie richieste di autorizzazioni compreso NOTAM etc... + idonea assicurazione e dichiara di rendersi completamente responsabile di tutto quanto possa accadere nella conduzione di operazioni specializzate condotte con il vettore UNIVOCAMENTE IDENTIFICATO con cui si intende operare.

La documentazione che l’ utente finale presenta deve contenere:

-la configurazione UNIVOCA del vettore del sistema completo e dei suoi carichi paganti.

-il manuale di volo che contenga informazioni sulle capacità di comando e controllo che garantiscono un volo VLOS

-i risultati delle prove dell’attività sperimentale iniziale ed i risultati del risk assessment effettuato per sostanziare la sicurezza delle stesse, in riferimento alle caratteristiche dell’area dell’attività di volo e alle modalità di esecuzione delle operazioni, in particolare in relazione alla perdita del controllo del mezzo od alla fuoriuscita dal volume assegnato, la capacità di atterrare o terminare in sicurezza il volo in caso di emergenza ed il rischio per eventuali cose e persone sorvolate.

-manuale delle operazioni con procedure di gestione delle attività

Se le operazioni specializzate sono al di fuori dei parametri imposti il rilascio del certificato richiede approfondimenti specifici da parte di ENAC

COMUNQUE L’ AUTORIZZAZIONE VALE 12 MESI ED E’ RINNOVABILE A RICHIESTA E IN CASO DI MODIFICHE O VARIANTI APPORTATE DECADE.

NEL CONDURRE LA PRELIMINARE ATTIVITA’ SPERIMENTALE IL RICHIEDENTE DEVE INDICARE RICHIEDENDO ANCHE UN NOTAM, DOVE INTENDE CONDURLA SPECIFICANDO E ATTESTANDO TUTTE LE MISURE ASSUNTE PER ASSICURARE LA SICUREZZA IN QUESTE ATTIVITA’.

SOPRA i 20 Kg E PER UNA PRODUZIONE IN SERIE si passa alla certificazione di tipo e gli APR sono identificati dalle marche nazionali “I + codice” e identifica IL SISTEMA APR oltre che il MEZZO VOLANTE, (targhetta su vettore UCS riportando marca di tipo nome del costruttore tipo e numero di costruzione); LA CERTIFICAZIONE DI TIPO é assolutamente necessaria e rispondente alle già esistenti norme.

Ovvero l’ abilitazione alla navigazione può essere attestata tramite le medesime tipologie di certificati, previste per gli aeromobili convenzionali. Essa è attestata dal rilascio di Permessi di Volo al Sistema Aeromobile a Pilotaggio Remoto, ad esclusione del caso di un Sistema Aeromobile a Pilotaggio Remoto già certificato, per cui può essere rilasciato un certificato di navigabilità all’aeromobile a pilotaggio remoto.

ENAC prevede il rilascio di Certificati di Navigabilità Ristretti (CdNR) se l’ oggetto è in possesso della certificazione di tipo (TCR) che prevede l’ applicazione delle norme costruttive degli aeromobili per quanto applicabili (ancora non esiste una specifica normativa tecnica di riferimento).

Il TCR include il Type Design, il manuale di volo, le limitazioni operative del sistema.

I permessi di volo vengono rilasciati per operazioni specializzate quando sia stato dimostrato un adeguato livello di sicurezza e dopo avere completato con esito positivo una attività sperimentale.

Dunque nell’ ordine

-attività sperimentale

-permesso di volo

-certificazione di tipo

Il permesso di volo viene rilasciato AL SISTEMA La documentazione che il costruttore presenta deve contenere:

-la configurazione UNIVOCA del vettore del sistema completo

-i criteri di progetto e costruzione

-le condizioni e limitazioni applicabili

-i risultati delle prove dell’attività sperimentale iniziale ed i risultati del risk assessment risultati delle prove a terra e in volo

-il manuale di volo che contenga informazioni sulle procedure normali e di emergenza capacità di comando e controllo

Il PdV ha valore annuale rinnovabile a richiesta

Se l’ attività sperimentale è propedeutica ad un PdV per operazioni specializzate l’ attività deve finalizzare e determinare l’ ambito di quali condizioni e limitazioni le operazioni specializzate possono essere condotte in sicurezza.

Le prove in volo devono consentire di verificare:

-le caratteristiche progettuali

-capacità del pilota di controllare il vettore in condizioni normali e di emergenza

-dimensioni del volume delle operazioni

-margini di sicurezza del volume

-distanze massime per un controllo VLOS in funzione di operazioni condizioni e applicazioni

La domanda viene presentata indicando l’ area di sperimentazione e attestando che sono state assunte tutte le misure necessarie per assicurare nella sperimentazione la sicurezza delle attività nell’ ambito dello spazio e volume segregato

Il pilota deve avere completato e sostenuto un addestramento adeguato.

Il richiedente deve fare richiesta di NOTAM.

Il costruttore se effettua attività di costruzione in serie deve essere certificato da ENAC.

L’ operatore DEVE stabilire un programma di manutenzioni adeguato per assicurare la aeronavigabilità sulla base di istruzioni del costruttore.

IL PILOTA DEVE ESSERE IN POSSESSO DI AUTORIZZAZIONE RILASCIATA DA ENAC A CONDURRE UN SAPR

IL PILOTA IN COMANDO DEVE ESSERE IN POSSESSO DI UNA LICENZA DI VOLO CIVILE O ATTESTATO DI VOLO SPORTIVO

TUTTI I PILOTI DEVONO AVERE SOSTENUTO UN CORSO DI ADDESTRAMENTO PRESSO IL COSTRUTTORE (O OPERATORE SE AUTORIZZATO DALL’ ENAC) RELATIVO AL SAPR DI CUI SI CHIEDE AUTORIZZAZIONE ALL’ IMPIEGO

Ai fini dell’idoneità fisica, il pilota deve essere in possesso in corso di validità e almeno il certificato medico di Classe Seconda in accordo al Regolamento ENAC “Organizzazione Santaria e certificazioni mediche d’idoneità per il conseguimento delle licenze e degli attestati aeronautici”.

PER L’ IMPIEGO DELLO SPAZIO AEREO FANNO RIFERIMENTO LE REGOLE DELL’ ARIA E I REGOLAMENTI APPLICABILI AGLI SPAZI AEREI IMPEGNATI EMANATI DA ENAC

A-STRUMENTAZIONI (ad es. transponder in spazi aerei controllati)

B-APPARATI RADIO che consentono al pilota di seguire le comunicazioni con ATC

C-MODALITA’ DI COMUNICAZIONE CON L’ ATC

D-CAPACITA’ DI ESSERE VISTO

E-CAPACITA’ DI SEE & AVOID IN VLOS

F-CAPACITA’ DI SENSE & AVOID PER BLOS

G-PER OPERAZIONI LOCALI NON E’ RICHIESTO IL PIANO DI VOLO

H-APPARATI E SISTEMI DI TERMINAZIONE DEL VOLO AUTOMATICA O MANUALE ANCHE CON PERDITA DEL LINK

I-SISTEMI DI LUCI DI POSIZIONE PER GARANTIRE LA VISIBILITA’

J-RADIO LINK SU FREQUENZE AUTORIZZATE

PER OPERARE CON VETTORI CON MTOW >20 Kg L’ OPERATORE DEVE:

A-DISPORRE DI IDONEA ORGANIZZAZIONE TECNICA E OPERATIVA ADEGUATA A CONSISTENZA E TIPOLOGIA DI FLOTTA

B-NOMINARE UN RESPONSABILE OPERAZIONI E GESTIONE AERONAVIGABILITA’ CONTINUA

C-DISPORRE DI AEROMOBILI CON CdAERONAVIGABILITA’ O PdV

D-PREDISPORRE IL MANUALE DELLE OPERAZIONI

PER I VETTORI < 20 Kg ENAC PUO’ RICHIEDERE QUANTO AI PUNTI A B D SOPRA

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It's generally considered a bad idea to pre-announce products, but hey, we're an open source community. It's not pre-announcement--it's transparency!

 

We're working on about a dozen new products at the DIY Drones factory. Some of them are with partners, so I'm not free to discuss them until the partners give us the green light. But others I can tell you a little bit about now, so you'll have a roadmap to help you make your own technology and deployment plans.

 

First, one note about backwards compatibility: we're committed to it. This is a fast-moving field, and we're going to release products based on the latest sensors and chips as fast as we can, because this community expects that. Think of autopilots like cellphones: you're probably going to want to upgrade about once a year. But we also work hard to ensure that the hardware you buy today will continue to be supported for at least two years.

 

Also, new products will be released in beta, as always. Unless you're really keen to help us catch bugs and fix problems, you're not going to want to buy any of these products until they hit the 1.0 software release, which can be as much as six months after hardware release. If all you want is a great-flying UAV, you can't beat the current APM. Most of the following products probably won't hit that level of maturity until late 2011.

 

Here are some of the highlights:

 

MultiPilot 2 ST (32-bit ArduPilot!)

This is a 32-bit Cortex M3 (ARM 7) autopilot board (board layout shown above) that's compatible with ArduPilotMega, ArduCopter and the Arduino programming system. Developed by Roberto Navoni of VirtualRobotix and the Foxteam in Italy, working with DIY Drones and the Arduino team, this board uses the APM IMU shield and will run the ArduPilot family of code, just like APM.

 

You can read more about it here, but the basics are that this board will offer high-end processing power for pro-level autopilot needs in planes, multicopters and helicopters. It can run a Real-Time Operating System and will be ROS-compatible.

 

Current specs are as follows, although these will be upgraded to the latest chips available at the time of release

 

  • Arm7 Cortex M3 processor STM32F103VET6. 72 Mhz
  • Flash 512 Kbytes RAM 64 Kbytes
  • 16-bit Timer 4
  • SPI 2 (ADC Interface, MicroSD connection)
  • I ² C 2 (First I2C (sensor), Second I2C control until ESC 12)
  • USART 5 (GPS, DEBUG Console, XBee Pro Telemetry)
  • USB 1 (Upload Firmware, Debug Console, Power Board for Debug)
  • CAN 1 (Interconnection with Professional ESC 1 Mbit update rate)
  • 6 PWM Output Bit 16 (ESC / Servo Control)
  • 8 PWM Input 16 Bit (RC Input Channel, accept PPM SUM)
  • 8 Analog Input 12 Bit.
  • Professional 4 layers PCB.
  • DC: DC 30 V (6s Lipo): 5 volts and 3.3 volts

 

First prototype boards are incoming and you should not expect commercial versions to be available with release code until the second half of the year. Pricing is yet to be determined. Projected Release: Q3

 

ArduPilotMega 2560

 

Starting in about two weeks, all APM boards will ship with the Atmega2560 chip, which has twice the memory of the Atmega1280 chip that APM currently uses. There are some other minor changes to the board that have already been released in the 1.4 version that is currently shipping. The current code doesn't need all this memory, so the new boards will operate exactly like the current ones and there is no need to upgrade. But this does give us room for more ambitious enhancement to the code in the future. Projected Release: end Jan

 

New All-In-One ArduPilot boards

 

Not everyone wants a flexible development board like APM. Some people want smaller, simpler, cheaper autopilots. That's why we'll be releasing all-in-one versions of APM this year using the new Invensense MPU-6000 6-axis chip (we may be the first autopilot on the market to have them). As promised, we will also update the current APM IMU shield with new sensors when we get them (this is why we made APM modular--so you can upgrade components as technology evolves). Projected Release: Q2

 

Universal Ground Station

 

As Jordi hinted in this post, we're developing a universal ground station: a wireless hardware device that can render an in-browser Ground Control Station on any smartphone, tablet or PC. This "magic box" will be a wireless router between your aircraft and the display device of your choice, as well as driving a tracking antenna and providing datalogging. It's the ultimate cross-platform GCS! Just imagine controlling your UAV via an iPad or even an Andoid phone. This device will make it easy--no software required. Projected Release: Q2

 

More Pre-Made autopilots and UAVs

 

At the DIY Drones store, we only sell components and kits. But our partners around the world are gearing up to sell pre-made autopilots and even ready-to-fly UAVs. You can already buy an ArduCopter with pre-soldered APM electronics from FahPah, but you'll see more in that vein from FahPah and others early this year. The marketplace has spoken clearly on this--not everyone wants to have to use a soldering iron or load code to use a UAV--and DIY Drones partners are responding. Projected Release: Q1

 

On the code side, expect the versions we release this year to increasingly do auto-detection of hardware and otherwise require less setup. Our ambition for 2011: make UAVs as close to plug-and-play as possible. You can hack APM all you want, but if you don't want to see a line of code you don't have to.

 

Other cool stuff

 

The above is just a taste of what we've got in the pipeline. Other products that are in the prototyping stage including open source On-Screen-Display boards (including integrated with APM), open source ESC, smartphone interfaces, new GPS modules, ground rover autopilots and more!

Read more…

Closed Loop Simulation for Arducopter Debugging

Dear Friends
One of the problems in achieving the autopilot as Multipilot
Arduimu or is to be able to debug the more advanced features such as
stabilization, navigation waypoints and return to home without losing or
damaging the aircraft that are used to perform experiments respecting
the law
.

One technology to make this kind of testing is certainly the
simulator using the autopilot hardware connected to a PC running a
software as Physic Engine .



The main difference compared to other simulation systems for the world
Airplanes is that really advanced functions are performed by the
electronic cards which then will fly our model aircraft / UAVs.
The flight simulator is limited dall'autpilota to receive commands and
transmit new data to the electronic structure of autocontollo
consequently transmit simulator to teach new commands to actuators.

I thanks officialy Jason and Osborne for the work they have done on Ardupilot that was for me a source of inspiration.
One of the limitations that I found on Xplane as that It haven't the physic engine for Multicopter .

My initially idea was to use the simulator for debugging Arducopter code for GPS Hold and Navigation.

I'm 'working to a version that supports simulation code a bit
more professional written in Mathlab. The idea is to recive from the simulator the values of the raw acceleration sensors
and angular velocity and
static pressure and differential pressure. So i can check and debug more low level algorithm as acrobatic mode and PID configuration for stable mode.
Follow some video about my early test on this kind of technology.

In this video tutorial is possible to see the automatic stabilization , Return to home function



In this video is possible to see the waypoint definition and Navigation waypoint with autotakeoff and landing .




If someone would work with us for developing this kind technology we are happy to share with you are progress and technology.


P.S.
Thank you Jason for your support on APM and Xplane ;)

Regards
Roberto
Fox Team

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70892699?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

Stefan a member of VirtualRobotix community from spain , doing a great job , one years ago send me first revision of openpilot revision of firmware for VRBrain. 

After some times of development yesterday , doing me a great news,  Stefan send me the VRBrain patch for TauLab project , a fork of openpilot project fully compatible with VRBRAIN.

He add the support of VRBrain directly inside the main code of autopilot and also inside the CGS as is possible to see in the screenshot.

He doing also first flight test :

this is the first video doing in indoor

and outdoor

The test is doing in a windy and cold days.

In this attachment you found the file for upgrade the bootloader of vrbrain and use TauLabs project.

You need to add the patch to original TauLab project here the code : https://github.com/TauLabs/TauLabs

This is the VR Brain Patch

https://code.google.com/p/vrbrain/downloads/detail?name=VRBrain-Tau-Labs.rar&can=2&q=#makechanges

Now the FoxTeam start to check the code and fly it , if some one interest to alfa stage of testing is welcome :)

Thanks a lot for your work Stefan !!! :) 

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