Solid State, High Current Isolation Switch - New Product

 

Using state of the art devices and PCB design we've made a reasonably small and lightweight isolation switch capable of switching high current batteries directly. Advantages we think this offers:

- Isolation of all electronics on the ground for safety
- No connection pitting compared with using large switch based isolation solutions
- Minimization of EMC radiation as connectors are plugged in and out
- External electronics can be used to switch the power system on / off
- Auto Off in case of aircraft incident. A pull out cable can switch power off automatically
- Simple very low current toggle switch can be mounted more or less anywhere for easy power isolation

Isolation (switching) normally happens when very low current is drawn, however the switch still needs to pass the full current when ON. This switch will happily pass through the heavy currents required by many large multi-copters and electric aircraft. (70A continuous. Much higher for few seconds bursts).

Some testing at 140A:


We think this is a unique solution on the market today, please do tell us if this is not the case.



Please come to see more details on our site:
Bluelight Technologies

fonte:Solid State, High Current Isolation Switch - New Product - DIY Drones

For inspiration: Transport frame for the skywalker 1900 and budget antenna mast

• Posted by Jakob M. L. Hansen on June 13, 2014 at 12:05am
• View Blog

As some of you might agree on, the transportation of a foam airframe can be a pain when transporting it on the backseat or trunk with the constant fear of braking and turing too quickly I finally got enough motivation to build myself a transport crate and a "Swim & Fun" pool telescopic budget antenna mast with an integrated usb cable. I will just throw the results here for inspiration:)



The crate/frame/box is made of wooden sticks and the fittings such as handles and corners is bought from dj flightcase accessory dealers online. The soft foam holds everything in place even if the crate is shaken wildly. (no more oldie driving to the field).

The design as seen above also enables complete assembly while the drone is firmly placed. Making things alot easier.





The antenna mast consist of a "Swim & Fun" telescopic pool cleaning rod, a 5meter usb extender integrated in the tube and a wooden spike bolted to the bottom. (around 38$ worth of materials) 1,6meter when collapsed and 3,6meter when extended. It feels quite sturdy, especially at that price.







The 3dr radio module is fastened at the very top with a homemade dipole attached directly to it. the ftdi usb plug and the usb extender is placed inside the top tube (perfect fit)

I hope someone will find this post useful for inspiration when they get too stressed out when transporting and assembling their fragile drone on the field or someone who drools over the multi-grand portable antenna mast solutions on google:)

fonte:For inspiration: Transport frame for the skywalker 1900 and budget antenna mast - DIY Drones

RMotion makes posible one man film crew with Alexmos contoller

RMotion makes posible one man film crew with Alexmos contoller













The application allows to scripting control of the BaseCam controllers. Look at the video to understand how aplication works.

RMotion uses own scripting language based on the JSON syntax. The application is under development and is not a commercial.

code can be found here:



https://sites.google.com/site/rmotiongmb/

controllers & Brushless Gimbal can be found here:

http://offthegridwater.ca





fonte:RMotion makes posible one man film crew with Alexmos contoller - DIY Drones

Navio: autopilot shield for Raspberry Pi successfully funded!

 

 

Hey guys!

 

With your help we have successfully funded the Navio campaign and reached three stretch goals. Everyone who pledged for Navio or Navio Raw board on Indiegogo will additionally get:

• GPS\GLONASS antenna
• Pack of DF13 wires
• Onboard FRAM chip

 

We also plan to develop and release a special case for Navio that can be 3D printed and used to protect it.

 

Navio campaign is still active and you can get one for yourself on our Indiegogo page.

 

Navio was primarily designed to be used with Raspberry Pi, but there are a couple of alternative boards that duplicate the form-factor or Raspberry Pi and should also be compatible with Navio. These boards are:

 

Banana Pi

Created by Lemaker.org, the Banana Pi duplicates the layout and footprint of the Raspberry Pi and packs more power and connectivity. One of the downsides is that 26-pin header was moved closer to the RCA connector and to fit Navio properly you will have to desolder it. Actually, we remove RCA connector from Raspberries anyway to reduce the size.

 

SOC: Allwinner A20 Cortex-A7 Dual-Core clocked to 1GHz

GPU: ARM Mali400MP2

RAM: 1GB

Ports: 1000Ethernet, SATA, HDMI, LVDS, CSI, 2xUSB host, 3.5 audio

Features: IR-receiver, CAN, OTG connector, Microphone, Power switch

HummingBoard

Developed by Solid-Run, the creator of the CuBox product line with which the HummingBoard is similar in features. Design and layout are also the same as in Raspberry Pi, but even more powerful with quad-core processor and 2GB of memory.

 

SOC: Quad-core Cortex-A9 Freescale i.MX6 clocked to 1GHz

GPU: Vivante GC2000

RAM: 2GB

Ports: 1000Ethernet, mSATA, HDMI, LVDS, CSI, mini-PCI-E, 2xUSB host, 3.5 audio

Features: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FlexCAN, Real-time clock, IR-receiver, SPDIF out

We are awaiting arrival of these boards and will post more information as soon as we test them.

 

More:

Navio on Indiegogo

Emlid blog

Banana Pi

HummingBoard

fonte:Navio: autopilot shield for Raspberry Pi successfully funded! - DIY Drones

My setup to use droidplanner

I am designing this TX mod to use Droidplanner with big phones or tablets. I am planning to use for photogrametry with multicopters and planes.



I use mavlink telemetry through gitsly/openLRSng (https://github.com/gitsly/openLRSng)

I think it is a great solution because it is only one antenna for controls and telemetry, very simple and clean solution.



Telemetry stream through openLRSng is slow (19200bps maximum) than I've tried it works perfectly except because droidplanner failed to load the parameter list probably due a timeout, All the rest seems to work perfectly.

I connect my Note with 20cm OTG cable, i have build a custom module cover to fit into a FTDI adapter:





Droidplanner seems well made software, very quick, very intuitive.

My sincere congratulations to droidplanner team





Hope you like!!!

jlcortex

quaternium.es/

fonteMy setup to use droidplanner - DIY Drones

Quanum DIY FPV Goggle Set with Monitor (KIT) - DIY Drones

Quanum DIY FPV Goggle Set with Monitor (KIT)










 think a nice goggle set for beginners, the Quanum DIY FPV goggle set with monitor. Not with dual glasses, but a single display that shows the live feed from your video/transmitter set (not included). The resolution is 480p (640x480 pixels) and you can use it with one of the 3 lenses it comes it, whichever fits you best. The goggles can be switched between 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios. The molded housing is made from EPP foam allowing you to carve and adjust the fit just right to your face and finishing it off with foam strips for a light tight seal.







Specifications:

Monitor screen: NON-Blue screen custom TFT LCD

Screen size: 4.3in (6:9 or 4:3 switchable)

Format: PAL/NTSC supported

Supply voltage: 7~13V

Resolution: 480p

Fresnel lens: 3X and 4X included

Size: 140x95x120mm

Weight: 195g



Please note that a battery to power the goggles is not included and you have to use your own video transmitter/receiver set.



Available for US$ 29.99, available from Hobbyking here: http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5370...





fonte:Quanum DIY FPV Goggle Set with Monitor (KIT) - DIY Drones

ROTM: How drones took off!

 

Interesting news item on the The Guardian UK newspaper

Unmanned aircraft, or 'drones' have attracted controversy for their military use, but they are now taking off everywhere. The mass adoption of this new technology is gathering pace – and it raises big questions around their use, potential misuse, privacy, and the safety of our skies and streets. Charles Arthur investigates ... and attempts to pilot one himself

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/video/2014/jun/05/drones-unma...

fonte:ROTM: How drones took off! - DIY Drones

FAA Approves First Commercial Flight Over Land

 

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration today announced that it has given approval for the first commercial drone flights over land. Energy corporation BP and unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer AeroVironment will now be able to legally fly a drone for aerial surveys over BP’s Prudhoe Bay oil field on Alaska’s North Slope.



Here is the rest of the news: http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/10/faa-approves-first-commercial-dron...

fonte:FAA Approves First Commercial Flight Over Land - DIY Drones

Mumbai eatery delivers pizza using a drone; cops concerned

 

Usually when you hear about drones being used to deliver dinner, it ends up being too good to be true (Tacocopter or Burrito Bomber, anyone?). But an Italian restaurant in Mumbai isn’t kidding when it says it’s delivered pizza via drone, and it has video to prove it.

Francesco’s Pizzeria flew a pizza from it’s Lower Parel location to a customer hanging out on the roof of a skyscraper about a mile away.

A video shows the pizza being made and attached to a tiny drone with four propellers, which then carries it above some kids playing cricket, along the Arabian Sea front and through skyscrapers to the rooftop.

video

Telegraph uk

Mumbai eatery delivers pizza using a drone; cops concerned

BBC

fonte:Mumbai eatery delivers pizza using a drone; cops concerned - DIY Drones

IDEO-designed quadcopter with 3G wireless on Kickstarter - DIY Drones

IDEO-designed quadcopter with 3G wireless on Kickstarter







https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/projects/964338/video-394111-h264_high.mp4






The Verge reports:

Fatdoor's plan is to allow neighbors with drones to synchronize their flight paths and even set landing locations outside their homes, making deliveries easy. Those deliveries will have to stay fairly light though: the Skyteboard will only hold around a pound of cargo, but that should at least let you borrow a cup of sugar. Fatdoor also recommends mounting a GoPro camera onto the Skyteboard. The drone already has one camera built in, and Fatdoor thinks that a two-camera system will make it perfect for neighbors who want to record their kids' soccer games with drones flying overhead — however strange a sight that might be.

Fatdoor's goal is to have its network and drones facilitate interaction throughout local communities, restoring the lost communication from a more innocent time in the world. It even thinks that a squad of drones might be able to fly a banner around a neighborhood advertising an event, getting everyone up and out of their homes for a block party. Most neighbors might call that a nuisance, but Fatdoor is hoping that believers in its dream of a connected neighborhood will get together to raise $300,000 to make it happen. Drones are being offered as rewards for $1,099 a piece.

From the Kickstarter listing:

The Skyteboard 3G features onboard 3G cellular, WiFi, and a payload capacity of 1 lbs. This allows you to add a GoPro Hero 3 Camera to compliment the Skyteboard 3G’s impressive internal Full HD camera, enabling two cameras on the single quadcopter. We hope to achieve a flight time of up to 15 minutes (and extended with an extra capacity battery). In addition, attachments to the Skyteboard 3G can be made with a 3D printer of your own, so you can design a payload extension that meets your wishes.

Folded up Skyteboard is easy to transport!

Installing the Skyteboard's Full HD Camera

With foldable bottom rotors, the Skyteboard 3G is comparable in size to a skateboard, and is easily transported when not in use.  It is designed in collaboration with one of the world's best design agencies, IDEO in Palo Alto.

We have already built functional prototypes of the Skyteboard 3G. The  Skyteboard currently works via radio frequency control (RC), but we already have an iOS and Android app for the social network built (available now on iTunes and Google Play) for our social network. We also now have the Skyteboard coordinating with our mobile app over WiFi, and are about 2 weeks away from having the Skyteboard prototype communicating both its position and altitude with our backend database via 3G. We have a world class team from the world's leading institutions for aeronautics and robotics from Stanford, NASA, and U.C. Berkeley, complemented by experienced social networking software developers with a track record of creating amazing products such as Cafe Press and Trademarkia.

Hairong, Manuel, and Jose priming the Skyteboard for flight in Mountain View, Ca

With more than sixty patents pending worldwide, the Skyteboard 3G is defining a new class of socially networked aerial vehicles. The Skyteboard 3G has a whole new shape and function - one that is designed to inspire users to think differently about safe and friendly neighborhood interactions and flights in the air.  Please help us make the Skyteboard a reality by donating to our campaign today! Thank you!

fonte:IDEO-designed quadcopter with 3G wireless on Kickstarter - DIY Drones

Quadcopter Build by Jethro: Part Two...

 

Please check out part one of this blog series here!



There has been a remarkable amount of work to do between receiving all of my parts and getting to this stage of the build. However the Smart-Drone is starting to take formidable shape...



Project Overview



The goal of this project remains the same: To put into practice all of the wonderful techniques and tips that I have acquired during my tenure at DIY Drones. The goal of this build is to not only produce a functional piece of equipment but also a work of art...



The main project criteria are:

• Easy maintenance (a modular design)
• Advanced functionality (thanks to Arducopter)
• Reliable operation
• long flight times ~ 20min
• the ability to carry a nex 5/7 camera and Gimbal for aerial videography (800g-1kg)
• Stable flight even in light winds
• Low vibrations
• Low signal and magnetic interference

In terms of wiring and layout, the drone design is largely based on my infographic that I previously created for the community here: Pixhawk Infographic



Some design considerations that have since been improved upon mainly concern the radio system. The fact that I am using the FrSky D4R-II PPM sum receiver and the newer Turnigy 9XR with a DJT module and small lipo battery should reduce points of failure and simplify things.



Considering that this will be my first completely autonomous drone I am erring on the side of caution by carefully following the Arducopter wiki in a linear fashion.



The arducopter wiki is exceptionally clear and well presented so It's hard to go wrong if you follow along and pay attention (an increasingly rare commodity)!



Getting Started



My first priority was to start filling the partially assembled frame with power guts.



I decided to keep the high current components restricted to the center of the carbon fiber frame to prevent any interference. The X650 is a well thought out frame in that respect and the carbon fibers should do a decent job of shielding rogue wavicles.



I made use of a 25 amp 4 in 1 ESC because it removes the need for a power distribution board and mitigates RF interference.



Due to my Motor and Propeller combination (12" props with 710kv 2814 motors on a 4S system) I will be running the ESC a bit on the high end. I therefore decided to mount it facing down and thermally coupled the ESC heatsink plate to the main carbon fiber frame plate.



Initially the four in one ESC motor wires were far too long and, in combination with the motor wires, added unnecessary weight. So I cut them to length and re-soldered them to the ESC board.





After mounting the ESCs I proceeded to connect the motors and check that their rotations matched the diagram on the motor setup wiki page.



To further shield any interference from reaching the Pixhawk Flight Controller I mounted a carbon fiber plate on top of the upsidedown ESC.



The Pixhawk itself is powered primarily through the Power Module (PM) however the 4 in 1 ESC provides a secondary source of power through the servo connections. This is perfectly safe because the Pixhawk has a clever power management system that selects the most healthy power source (in my case the power coming from the PM).



Then I mounted the PM next to the ESCs, close to one of the holes in the bottom frame plate so that I could attach the Lipo battery.



Finally I soldered up the XT60 connectors to the battery and 4 in1 ESC. In the image below you can see the finished power system in place.





Since then I have added a cable sheath to the power module wires so as to prevent wear and tear after repeated plugging and unplugging.



After making sure that all my motor spun in the right direction I could finally assemble the main frame using threadlock.



It is always important to check that the arms and motors are perfectly level after assembly. I did this with a bubble level and will check again later using a smart-phone app.



In addition I also balanced 8 Carbon Fiber propellers which you can read more about here.



Adding the smart stuff



Next step was to mount the Flight Controller and receiver plus pixhawk accessories.





Here you can see the Pixhawk, GPS and D4R-II reciever. In addition I added the I2C splitter in a convenient location, mounted using adhesive foam, for future upgrades.



I mounted the Pixhawk using the provided foam standoffs. Hopefully this will be enough to isolate any unwanted vibrations. This is yet to be fully tested.



I took care to ensure that the flight controller was in the center of gravity of the aircraft.



The GPS and compass module is raised up far away from any magnetic interference. I used the X650 mounting clip system to mount the GPS. I do have concerns about magnetic interference from the GPS case screws and the actual mount itself though.



I also had to extend the GPS cable for it to reach the pixhawk.



I then attached the safety arming switch to the top bug shell for easy arming/disarming and finished the external wiring with heavy duty wire braiding...





Next step was to power her up for the first time...



I set up the transmitter by first plugging in the DJT Module to the back of the transmitter. Next I plugged in the lipo and performed the binding procedure.



After power-up everything seems to be in working order!



With everything connected I can now use mission planner to begin programming the smart drone for it's first of many flights!



Part three will include more on the software side of things and detail how I have setup my parameters and fine tuned the smart-drone...



Jethro.

FONTE:Quadcopter Build by Jethro: Part Two... - DIY Drones

Low Cost Lights

These wing or rotor arm detail lights will give nice blue detail to airplane wings or multi-copter rotor arms. A good way to improve orientation when flying around the field in fading light.



Will connect directly to your LiPo balance connector (or the main connector of course), or can be connected with the help of the low cost Turnigy relay switch or the Pico switch radio controlled relay, to give on/off capability.

2) Three molded Headlights. Each lamp at 1.2W / 90 lumens each, so 270 lumens in total, to give good visibility at day-time or night-time.



Again easy connection direct to the battery, or can use the low cost Turnigy relay switch or the Pico switch radio controlled relay, to give on/off capability.



Note if connecting to the LiPo battery always use the outermost connections (as shown in the picture) so as not to unevenly drain the LiPo cells.

Please do come and see more detail at Bluelight Technologies

FONTE:Low Cost Lights - DIY Drones

Hybrid V2, making a multirotor plane hybrid with everyday Rc equipment.

So i posted about v1 a few weeks ago. this is version 2, much stronger and with better characteristics than the first.



The goal is to make a multirotor hybrid using only hardware mods, and simple ones, i am trying to avoid belt drives etc.





FONTE:Hybrid V2, making a multirotor plane hybrid with everyday Rc equipment. - DIY Drones