Getting to the internals

Going in depth again

(internal components)

Where to start, there's a lot to cover! I guess I'll start with listing all the components on board.

RC components

• Servos-Tiny low powered motors, that turn a control arm. (used to move surface controls)
• ESC-Electronic Speed Control.(Used to control, increase, or decrease motor speed)
• 7ch/8ch Receiver-Receives commands from transmitter(allows UAV to talk to Adrupilot)
• Lipo battery-Lithium Polymer battery(Higher discharge, greater charge capacity)
• Brushless motor-Main motor, supplies lift and acceleration(brushless offers greater efficacy, compared to standard motor)
• Adrupilot-CPU, gives the receiver commands using info from GPS.
• GPS-Global Position System(Recording Lat, and Lang. coordinates, Adrupilot can use this info to direct the UAV to the designated way point)
• FMA Co-Pilot-Stabilizes aircraft (using four sensors to detect inferred signature between earth, and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere)

Well that covers most all of the internal components. This list may change, depending when Adrupilot Pro is available for consumer release. AdruPilot Pro combines the nav. system, with the stabilizing system already with the board. Which means less bugs, faster processing, and cheaper price, rather than buying all three components separate.

Talking Turkey about (UAV research in depth)

My research

(UAV research in depth)

At first building a working UAV, was a mind blowing idea. How am I, a student, with no real financial aid, or higher then grade level education; gonna build a UAV? So I started researching on my home computer. Ive found numerous high powered autonomous UAVs, and autopilot hardware. At first I found "Skilligent Robot Learning and Behavior Control System", this featured Terrain Matching, Image Based Navigation for UAVs. <http://www.skilligent.com/index.shtml>. Which at first look, sounded great! I had a navigation system, along with mobile tracking software. However there was a few issues. One major problem is the weight, and size of the CPU. Also, the Skilligent kit isn't sold in America. Making the Skilliegent inaccessible and over sized for project:ASD.

Finally I turned to assistance of UAV, and RC technology, from a DIY based community.<http://diydrones.com/>. This is an excellent resource for amateur UAV builders.

Ive found a perfect candidate for a CPU, the AdruPilot is an inexpensive autopilot controller that communicates with a GPS module, and FMA Co-Pilot flight stabilization, and RC receiver in the UAV radio system. All of which I will cover in my next post.

The Adrupilot control board cost about $25, and will require break away connectors, 2-pin jumpers, and varies soldering jobs to complete the board for use. After which I will need to program the board using open-source Arduino codes.

Why the switch in RC airplanes?

Well, I initially planed to use the Parkzone Decathlon as a UAV platform. However I revised my decision and decided to use the Hobbico Superstar EP ARF. After I chose to use the Adrupilot system, I realized I needed a larger aircraft, with more power, and control. The extra power would provide greater speed, climb rates, and payload. I also needed a aircraft with ailerons so that the FMA Co-Pilot could stabilize the UAV in flight.

(Next post will cover on board instruments)

Possible Project Implications

Real World Uses

Airplane implications- Field surveillance, campus and business security, parking lot security, ext.

examples-

*Field surveillance- Police, land sellers, can scan, and research vases areas of land. Police/law enforcement can use UAV's to to aid in missing persons cases, and when dealing with fugitives on the run. A UVA can track, follow, and even communicate with law enforcement in real time to help catch fugitives.

*Campus/Business security- During a lock down situation on a campus, or business. A UAV could safely, and freely recon the campus, or business to find, asses the level of threat, and notify local law enforcement about the situation. UAV could also stream live video to a command center, which could relay data, or video to local law enforcement.

Possible Drone Platforms

Possible Drone Platforms

I'm looking for preferably electric airplane to build my UAV from. Ive found two planes I like, that would make the best possible platform to build off of. On one hand we have the "Parkzone Super Decathlon," or the "Parkflyer Cessna 182." I could also work off of a heli, as a platform. However for the interest, of spending funds, and the time factor, I found that a airplane would be the best possible platform.

Links to each aircraft are available to the right of the page.

Project: Aerial Surveillance Drone

Aerial Surveillance Drone

A.S.D.

I, Anthony Beeler, of PHS. I started this project as a senior project, and hopes of getting notice by aviation collages. This is a two year project, i am halfway though my sophomore year, and my deadline to make a UAV, is the end of my senior year.

A.S.D's Mission

• To take off
• Fly through way points programed into flight path
• And land

All autonomously(by its self).

Optional mission programs

• Record flight, or photograph areas of interest
• Drop air born package, or pod(containing a message,or smoke, ext.)

[Future post will come soon]