HoverFLY Open, on Quadcopter, can be used without receiver&transmitter?
arlind223
Posts: 3
Hello everyone, I have bought the ELEV-8 V2 Quadcopter Kit and I am working on it. I would like to know if I can use the microcontroller just for some little experiments without having a Controler?
I have used Assembly Giude to build it, but then in step 22 i realised that i need Spektrum DX7 Transmitter & Receiver. If I dont have it, can i still build my quadcopter, even though i wont be able to fly it, but maybe it does some simple movement by reprogramming the HoverFly Open microcontroller. Can I do this, is it possible?
Thank you.
I have used Assembly Giude to build it, but then in step 22 i realised that i need Spektrum DX7 Transmitter & Receiver. If I dont have it, can i still build my quadcopter, even though i wont be able to fly it, but maybe it does some simple movement by reprogramming the HoverFly Open microcontroller. Can I do this, is it possible?
Thank you.
Comments
The Elev-8 is a Remote Control aircraft. It is meant to have a transmitter and receiver to operate. That is not to say that you need the Spectrum transmitter. Any 6-channel transmitter/receiver combo will do. They can be had inexpensively, such as this one from HobbyKing:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9041__Hobby_King_2_4Ghz_6Ch_Tx_Rx_V2_Mode_1_.html
I picked that one because you are in Europe, and most flyers there use Mode 1. (throttle on the left).
The HoverFly Open Board is "open" as in the the hardware. The software is closed, but having said that, the board can be programmed like any other Propeller board. You can alwas revert back the the HoverFly firmware when needed.
This might help you learn something about the IMU and how it keeps track of the Elev8 rotation and direction during flight. But it really is only demonstration and study code, not the package that is required to fly the Elev8.
Completely autonomous flight might be possible, but every government in the world is looking at regulating such.(How are you going to fly autonomously and avoid airplane traffic.? There is real concern about hurting other people.)
They are also regulating remote controlled flight. You might find out about local laws that might apply to you before trying autonomous flight. There are website that discuss it, but generally the topic is beyond Parallax's product support for the Elev8. The Elev8 has always been sold as a remote controlled device.
Once you connect the Hoverfly you'll need a receiver.
Loopy, You might be confusing the HoverFly Open board with the HoverFly Gimbal board we bought. The HoverFlyOpen only has a 3-axis Gyro on it, not a IMU. But I believe Jason has written software for both, and would be good to explore.
But the GIMBAL does have 9DOF -- 3 gyros, 3 accelerometers, and 3 magnetic compasses -- for X, Y, and Z axis. To me, either 6DOF, 9DOF, or even the 10DOF units are all IMU.
I DO ADMIT, Jason Dorie may or may not have provided good examples for the HoverFLY OPEN as I only have the other device. But he still is one of the best resources for understanding spin and direction control and his examples do work with the GIMBAL board.
A warning to the newcomer, the whole topic is a bit complex. If you just want start out enjoying flying, there are plenty of reasonably priced Transmitter-receiver packages for r/c controlled flight that should work with the Elev-8.
AND, if you really desire to test the whole board and motor configuration without an r/c receiver, there are servo exercisers that can do so by replicating the PWM inputs. BUT, I STRONGLY suggest that you only do such testing will all the propellers removed.
Obviously, getting the inputs working with propellers attached to motors might lead to all sorts of disasters. Safety first.
Elev-8 is basically a helicopter, and needs a pilot. HoverFly Open is a stabilizer, so it's like a pilot assist to make the aircraft stable enough to fly, but it can't fly by itself without a lot of extras.
I was thinking that if I want to make an autonomous system, i suppose there is an auto-arming process.
Someone has any idea about that? Thank you
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RadioLink-AT-9-2-4G-9CH-Transmitter-w-R9D-9CH-Receiver-for-RC-Airplane-Plane-US-/161745472691?hash=item25a8c80cb3
You can start flying in immediately.
In theory you could, in practice, absolutely not. The ELEV-8 does not have the required sensors to be autonomous. It can not tell which way is up. The gyros only serve to maintain it's orientation, as in attitude (not altitude). That means that constant fine control inputs are required to control it in flight. It also cannot tell if it is moving. It can only tell if it is rotating about one of it's three axis. It will strive to maintain whatever orientation it is in but it won't know if that orientation is correct (it almost certainly won't be) - that is up to the pilot to determine, and it is the pilot's job to make constant corrections. An autonomous quad will have the pilot on board in the form of an IMU and lots of code. The HoverFly Open does not have that stuff.
What you propose is similar to having someone fly it while blindfolded. Telling them to go up, right for five seconds, left for two, then presumably, down. That would be a disaster. At least the blindfolded pilot would be able to hear the motors, that would help - and hopefully some experience so they would have an idea how much throttle to apply, how much to roll it etc.. It would be fun to try - but not with mine. ;-)
That alone requires you to control pitch, roll, yaw and altitude. Remember that even slight breezes cause your craft to drift.
While learning, be sure to keep a supply of extra propellers. You 'will' crash from time to time.