====== Drone Hardware ======

I was am going to use both Raspberry Pi, and [[http://diydrones.com/|DIYdrones]] for this.

Initially it will all be the DIYdrones hardware.

This hardware does almost everything.  Autonomous flight, GPS navigation, RC control hybrid.

I've gone with the [[https://store.diydrones.com/APM_2_5_Kit_p/br-ardupilotmega-05.htm|APM 2.5 system]].  I went with the uBlox LEA-6H GPS upgrade.\\
{{:projects:canadawest:apm25.jpg|}}
It has the following challenges:
- Ground based management
- programmed to stay within range of your remote control (1km or so)
- Unsure how it will work on a glider

I want to get this and do some testing with the [[http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/CLI|CLI]].

If I can get this to accept commands from a PC, then I can put all of them into one glider and have a completely programmable brain.

{{:projects:canadawest:robostix.jpg|}}{{:projects:canadawest:frames_input_plane.jpg|}}

You'll notice that the connectors to the ARM2 are compatible with the robostix outputs.\\
In this way I will chain the devices:\\
RC 5CH reciever -> robostix brain -> APM 2.5

This way, when the unit is within range of the remote control, I can send signals to the robostix.  It, in turn, can decide if it should pass them on to the APM chip.

I may even [[https://www.gumstix.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=203|buy this package]] when the time comes.

====== DIYdrone Hardware Aquired ======

It arrived in the mail via FedEx today.\\
{{:projects:canadawest:ubloxanddiydrone.jpg?300|DIYdrone and uBlox-6H GPS}}

I connected it to my Linux box and was able to talk to it over the COM port.\\
Then I went into Windows and flashed the thing with the ArduPilot firmware.

I really should look into the code of ArduPilot.  It seems like I can write my own waypoint manager if I put the thing into the correct mode.

I played with the features and then went back into Linux.\\
The COM is spitting out binary data now.  I'll look into that later.

For now, I know that I can use it out-of-the-box to put into an RC plane to program it to perform the actions I want it to do.\\
That's good enough for now.

I'm going to get some connectors tomorrow to wire it up to my RC controls properly.  It connects with a simulator, so that will be useful for\\
trying out a few things.  I'm actually curious if the simulator data will be fed into the chip, and if I can read what it's reading.  I doubt it though.\\
Putting it in Simulator mode will probably make it so I can't read the COM port.  In the end, my drone override won't need to do anything too fancy.\\
It will just be another component in the chain.  Now to buy a Raspberry Pi!

====== Hardware Update ======
I did acquire a Raspberry Pi.  I do like it, although it's been given the job of acting as a server for the time being.

I also have used the ArduPilot in the air, and the air sensor is giving me issues.\\
It seems like a common problem though.  I'll have to stop using it for now.