robots.net blog for TCJ

1 Oct 2008

Wed, 1 Oct 2008 15:33:31 GMT

It's been a while since my last post... so here goes.

Our project goals have been transformed somewhat. We've shifted our initial specialized focus of controlling the flight of an RC aircraft, to a more general focus of a data collector.

New components added to the project include a Trimble GPS unit, an absolute pressure sensor used in an altimeter circuit and possible components used for a tachometer circuit.

Our goal now is to make a GPS enabled data collector, which will log GPS data, along with altimeter readings, accelerometer readings and (potentially) tachometer readings. The collector will have two modes of function:

1) Collect data and stream it LIVE to a portable laptop via a serial connection. 2) Collect data and store locally, to be downloaded to a computer at a later time.

I am currently working on a VB program to both stream and download data from the collector. I am also working on the integration of the GPS unit with the rabbit board.

9 Sep 2008

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:22:03 GMT

The project is in full swing now. Accelerometers should soon be in the mail. I have decided on a nice little package from Dimension Engineering. The Buffered ±5g accelerometer seems like it will work fine for our needs. It comes in a handy 14-pin DIP form factor... Plug & Play! The ease of through-hole components rather then surface mount makes my heart sing!

I also have a new member to the team, Dalton. He is also completing his final year of school, and is a welcome addition to the team!

We still need to interface the rabbit board with the servos and figure out how to handle the multiple inputs from the RF receiver. The next couple weeks should be devoted to that task.

-TCJ

16 Jul 2008

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:47:19 GMT

Upon further testing, I've found that the frequency of the signal generated by the RX unit is well within the operating frequency of the rabbit, and should not be a problem to duplicate. This is good news, and will save me from purchasing a new development platform.

Initial testing of the servos and RX unit

This weekend should provide time to develop PWM code to test on the rabbit.

15 Jul 2008

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:38:21 GMT

My first post of many detailing the progress of my final project for school. Have not come up with a catchy name for the project, but will work on it!

The embedded micro used for this endeavor will be the Rabbit 2000.

So far, I've connected the RX unit from the plane up to an oscilliscope and captured the control signal. I should be able to reproduce the signal using PWM from the rabbit. My only concern is that the rabbit won't be able to output at the same frequency as the RX unit.