Initial tests of the FW550+APM+Video downlink were run to understand both manual control, and rudimentary auto flight. Here's the handheld controller I used in these early tests, along with an attached video down link system I developed:
After early flight tests, it was time for more sophisticated automated flight tests, including guided (aka semi-autonomous) and fully autonomous modes.
I developed v1.0 of my portable Ground Control Station (GCS) to facilitate these tests. With integration of a bunch of peripherals via internal power buses, video and USB, this GCS enabled in-flight control of all aspects of UAV operation. It provided real-time mapping of vehicle location (using Google Earth Maps), access to real-time telemetry data, video feed, flight plan programing, vehicle mode control, etc, etc.
Over the course of several weeks, I was able to gradually expand the mission envelope to include both semi autonomous, and fully autonomous (i.e. autonmous execution of multiple waypoint flight plans) operation of the R&D copter.
Some early video from field tests of the end-to-end platform....
No comments:
Post a Comment