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RC Flight Data Recorder Help — Parallax Forums

RC Flight Data Recorder Help

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-12-02 21:43 in General Discussion
I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have had
quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what happened.
Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:

1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download to
PC and analyze later on

2. Record Radio glitches

3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.

It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc. Is
this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting started?

Thanks,
Matt Johnson

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-01 12:08
    Yes it's doable. But the problem is spikes in voltage (glitches) happen so
    suddenly and for so short a duration, that the stamp chip would likely miss
    it. Next, would be memory requirements as to how many samples per second you
    want to store, and then how much memory you need to hold that data. Then you
    would multiply that by the number of channels for the things you want to
    monitor. That would give you an idea as to how much memory you need.
    The problem is EEprom or Flash RAM may be too slow to receive this much data
    as you do need it to be non volatile as well?
    In RC, the transmitter sends a series of pulses, one for each channel in
    sequence, pauses for a tiny bit and repeats the process. The width of the
    pulse tells the server how much to move left or right. Usually 1.5 ms pulse
    is center and 1 ms is full right and 2 ms is full left or vice versa. The
    Receiver simply uses a simple circuit to decode the pulses and send them to
    their appropriate servo channels. You would need to tap into this main
    signal going to the decoder and monitor it. But then what are you wanting to
    monitor and how much RAM do you need to do it.
    From my calcs, you'd probably need something like 2 to 6 gigabytes of
    datastorage to hold several minutes of information, if you want detailed
    coverage, so maybe a 2.5 inch HD might work, or lots of flash ram, maybe
    using the one wire large capacity chips in series would do. But at the
    sampling rates you may still miss glitches, so the microntroller would need
    to be really fast, maybe a BS2sx, but probsbly something faster even.
    From what you stated in your message, it sounds like radio interference
    from some other source. First you need to eliminate the other potential
    sources, such as other flyer's turning on their radios on the same
    frequency. Switch to FM (for rc choppers you should not be using AM at all).
    Get a scanner for RC frequencies, and monitor all the channels your
    interested in to see which ones have signals on them (eg, construction site
    cranes being operated by radio control, warehouse overhead lift operated by
    radio). If you find some, avoid those channels. You may find that someone is
    running RC cars or boats down the street on the same channels you are
    (instead of car's on one set, and planes on another).
    Lockouts usually mean someone turned on their radio on the same channel
    someone else is using jamming out the signal in the receiver with
    contradicting pulses. I would get a scanner or build a scanner to monitor
    the channels I am interested in. Now this would be a better use for a Stamp.
    You could maybe get a receiver, and several crystals for the channles your
    interested in, setup a crystal switchin circuit, so you can change channels
    programatically, and hook into the decode input circuit to monitor the pulse
    trains and/or RF signal strength. Then display and or print that out. Using
    a printout saves RAm as you don't have to store the info in precious memory
    (Stamps don't have a lot of this).

    Anyway, that's my two bits worth.
    Good luck
    Earl

    Original Message
    From: Matt Johnson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=iHgXUxakd4C7MhwpSYmu_9dtvLkFovmO2EinXnND-K0OpL50ZaX_RuHGGtXRWxgsp8z9kqUqXA]matt@m...[/url
    Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:22 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help




    I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have had
    quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what happened.
    Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:

    1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download to
    PC and analyze later on

    2. Record Radio glitches

    3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.

    It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc. Is
    this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting started?

    Thanks,
    Matt Johnson








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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-01 14:16
    It would be easy to change my fly-by-wire system . . . But you would
    generate a huge amount of data. probably the better way to do it would be to
    analyze every pulse received by the radio and if a problem is found then log
    the data that is bad and maybe when that bad stream of data began.

    http://www.inetport.com/~davisele/fc.html
    Richard


    Original Message
    From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:21 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help


    >
    >
    > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have had
    > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what happened.
    > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    >
    > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download to
    > PC and analyze later on
    >
    > 2. Record Radio glitches
    >
    > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    >
    > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc. Is
    > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting started?
    >
    > Thanks,
    > Matt Johnson
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-01 16:59
    Thanks Earl, that really helps. I didnt realize that logging would take so
    much HD space. We are flying PCM by the way, not FM or AM. We have had
    these lockouts at different fields with no people flying, so I am not sure
    about interference. Common lockouts for RC Heli's is metal on metal
    vibrating or other airframe type problems. I was thinking of trying to
    trap those. We have also thought that maybe it was a battery suddenly
    dying or a switch short circuiting because the heli that locked out this
    last time had failsafe set to put throttle to idle and when it locked out
    it didnt go to idle making us think that maybe it didnt loose frequency
    since it didnt go to failsafe... Would it be more possible instead of
    logging to just record 'glitches' and show the time of the last glitch or
    something like that?

    Does anyone have schematics to build a Spectrum analyzer like you were
    talking about at the end? that would be nice to have regardless. I think
    the RC channels for helis are 75mhz...

    - Matt

    On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Earl Bollinger wrote:

    > Yes it's doable. But the problem is spikes in voltage (glitches) happen so
    > suddenly and for so short a duration, that the stamp chip would likely miss
    > it. Next, would be memory requirements as to how many samples per second you
    > want to store, and then how much memory you need to hold that data. Then you
    > would multiply that by the number of channels for the things you want to
    > monitor. That would give you an idea as to how much memory you need.
    > The problem is EEprom or Flash RAM may be too slow to receive this much data
    > as you do need it to be non volatile as well?
    > In RC, the transmitter sends a series of pulses, one for each channel in
    > sequence, pauses for a tiny bit and repeats the process. The width of the
    > pulse tells the server how much to move left or right. Usually 1.5 ms pulse
    > is center and 1 ms is full right and 2 ms is full left or vice versa. The
    > Receiver simply uses a simple circuit to decode the pulses and send them to
    > their appropriate servo channels. You would need to tap into this main
    > signal going to the decoder and monitor it. But then what are you wanting to
    > monitor and how much RAM do you need to do it.
    > From my calcs, you'd probably need something like 2 to 6 gigabytes of
    > datastorage to hold several minutes of information, if you want detailed
    > coverage, so maybe a 2.5 inch HD might work, or lots of flash ram, maybe
    > using the one wire large capacity chips in series would do. But at the
    > sampling rates you may still miss glitches, so the microntroller would need
    > to be really fast, maybe a BS2sx, but probsbly something faster even.
    > From what you stated in your message, it sounds like radio interference
    > from some other source. First you need to eliminate the other potential
    > sources, such as other flyer's turning on their radios on the same
    > frequency. Switch to FM (for rc choppers you should not be using AM at all).
    > Get a scanner for RC frequencies, and monitor all the channels your
    > interested in to see which ones have signals on them (eg, construction site
    > cranes being operated by radio control, warehouse overhead lift operated by
    > radio). If you find some, avoid those channels. You may find that someone is
    > running RC cars or boats down the street on the same channels you are
    > (instead of car's on one set, and planes on another).
    > Lockouts usually mean someone turned on their radio on the same channel
    > someone else is using jamming out the signal in the receiver with
    > contradicting pulses. I would get a scanner or build a scanner to monitor
    > the channels I am interested in. Now this would be a better use for a Stamp.
    > You could maybe get a receiver, and several crystals for the channles your
    > interested in, setup a crystal switchin circuit, so you can change channels
    > programatically, and hook into the decode input circuit to monitor the pulse
    > trains and/or RF signal strength. Then display and or print that out. Using
    > a printout saves RAm as you don't have to store the info in precious memory
    > (Stamps don't have a lot of this).
    >
    > Anyway, that's my two bits worth.
    > Good luck
    > Earl
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: Matt Johnson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=66suwgxnwCdzTWEGmJoJubEKQIBb3mPn-Rz-ihqM0Wd2gUAXBebIGjqD0r1feHpk9jucyQ]matt@m...[/url
    > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:22 AM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have had
    > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what happened.
    > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    >
    > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download to
    > PC and analyze later on
    >
    > 2. Record Radio glitches
    >
    > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    >
    > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc. Is
    > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting started?
    >
    > Thanks,
    > Matt Johnson
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
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    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-01 17:08
    Richard,

    Nice site! It is neat to see someone who is doing stamp/electronics
    projects with RC Helicopters. That night blade project has got to be the
    coolest. The link for your 'Flight Data from my on-board computer data
    logger' seems to be broken though. I would like to see that. does it do
    what I am talking about? I am sure you have already thought out the
    scenerio that I proposed.

    Also, where is the fly-by-wire project? I didnt see it in your list?

    - Matt

    On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Richard Friedrich wrote:

    > It would be easy to change my fly-by-wire system . . . But you would
    > generate a huge amount of data. probably the better way to do it would be to
    > analyze every pulse received by the radio and if a problem is found then log
    > the data that is bad and maybe when that bad stream of data began.
    >
    > http://www.inetport.com/~davisele/fc.html
    > Richard
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:21 AM
    > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    >
    >
    > >
    > >
    > > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have had
    > > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what happened.
    > > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    > >
    > > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download to
    > > PC and analyze later on
    > >
    > > 2. Record Radio glitches
    > >
    > > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    > >
    > > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc. Is
    > > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting started?
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > > Matt Johnson
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
    of the message will be ignored.
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-01 18:28
    In my many years of RC'ing, helos were always pretty picky about RF noise,
    with all that metal to metal contact going on.
    In my experiences, I always use a new on/off switch, I check it out
    carefully before I do that even.
    The servos are new, and tested carefully as well. I build my own battery
    packs, as the store bought ones
    tend to be sloppily made as well. I run the receiver off a separate battery
    pack from the servos, I put in diodes across each cell, so I a cell
    dies/opens the batter pack will still work at reduced volatage, especially
    important if you use retracts in a airplane. If a servo stalls it doesn't
    kill the receiver. If possible the receiver should be able to operate down
    to 3 volts, important if you lose a cell in flight. Watch out for the six
    volt packs some receivers and servos act flaky at the higher voltages, but
    six volts can be a plus too.
    If you have a lock out and crash hard, chunk the flight pack, as the crystal
    or the ceramic filters may be cracked, causing intermittent operation, or a
    coil may be damaged. I am amazed at the large number of people who try and
    reuse radio equipment after a crash, it always leads to more grief. I'd
    rather replace stuff than having to replace and straighten all those little
    metal parts after a crash. It's a lot of hassle getting the rotor head and
    such all working again just right. The radio is cheaper. That leads to
    another point, the radio gear could be bad, or caused to go bad. The
    transmitter could be defective. I had a transmitter once with a bad joystick
    pot flake out if you happened
    to move to just the right spot.
    Glitch checking is a definite possiblity, but the system has to be
    readable after a crash. So you have to make it survivable. I have no scanner
    schematic, the last scanner I built, used a Airtronics receiver, and several
    crystals for the frequencies I wanted to monitor. I would use the MCU to
    swap out Xtals and check each channel for a signal.
    I put in LED's to light up if a signal was detected. I used the decoder to
    check the servo/channel pulses. Another approach would be to use several
    receivers and just check the signal for each one. Receivers are pretty
    economical nowadays. Many years ago when I was the QC guy at Proline (if
    anyone remembers them), this stuff was really expensive. Servos were
    repairable way back then, but today they are all throwaway items. The
    scanner's nice as a MCU could output data to a serial port to a lap top
    where you could run a VB program to store the data on a HD. You could even
    monitor your own transmitter signal to see what it;s doing.
    A glitch detector could be a op amp with it's threshold set slightly above
    VCC (out of the noise) and you watch for the trigger (maybe a latch to catch
    it, if it's really fast). Another op amp can be set to look for VCC going
    down as well, in case you have a bad connection or a intermittent short
    someplace.
    Original Message
    From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 10:59 AM
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help


    > Thanks Earl, that really helps. I didnt realize that logging would take so
    > much HD space. We are flying PCM by the way, not FM or AM. We have had
    > these lockouts at different fields with no people flying, so I am not sure
    > about interference. Common lockouts for RC Heli's is metal on metal
    > vibrating or other airframe type problems. I was thinking of trying to
    > trap those. We have also thought that maybe it was a battery suddenly
    > dying or a switch short circuiting because the heli that locked out this
    > last time had failsafe set to put throttle to idle and when it locked out
    > it didnt go to idle making us think that maybe it didnt loose frequency
    > since it didnt go to failsafe... Would it be more possible instead of
    > logging to just record 'glitches' and show the time of the last glitch or
    > something like that?
    >
    > Does anyone have schematics to build a Spectrum analyzer like you were
    > talking about at the end? that would be nice to have regardless. I think
    > the RC channels for helis are 75mhz...
    >
    > - Matt
    >
    > On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Earl Bollinger wrote:
    >
    > > Yes it's doable. But the problem is spikes in voltage (glitches)
    happen so
    > > suddenly and for so short a duration, that the stamp chip would likely
    miss
    > > it. Next, would be memory requirements as to how many samples per second
    you
    > > want to store, and then how much memory you need to hold that data. Then
    you
    > > would multiply that by the number of channels for the things you want to
    > > monitor. That would give you an idea as to how much memory you need.
    > > The problem is EEprom or Flash RAM may be too slow to receive this much
    data
    > > as you do need it to be non volatile as well?
    > > In RC, the transmitter sends a series of pulses, one for each channel
    in
    > > sequence, pauses for a tiny bit and repeats the process. The width of
    the
    > > pulse tells the server how much to move left or right. Usually 1.5 ms
    pulse
    > > is center and 1 ms is full right and 2 ms is full left or vice versa.
    The
    > > Receiver simply uses a simple circuit to decode the pulses and send them
    to
    > > their appropriate servo channels. You would need to tap into this main
    > > signal going to the decoder and monitor it. But then what are you
    wanting to
    > > monitor and how much RAM do you need to do it.
    > > From my calcs, you'd probably need something like 2 to 6 gigabytes of
    > > datastorage to hold several minutes of information, if you want detailed
    > > coverage, so maybe a 2.5 inch HD might work, or lots of flash ram, maybe
    > > using the one wire large capacity chips in series would do. But at the
    > > sampling rates you may still miss glitches, so the microntroller would
    need
    > > to be really fast, maybe a BS2sx, but probsbly something faster even.
    > > From what you stated in your message, it sounds like radio
    interference
    > > from some other source. First you need to eliminate the other potential
    > > sources, such as other flyer's turning on their radios on the same
    > > frequency. Switch to FM (for rc choppers you should not be using AM at
    all).
    > > Get a scanner for RC frequencies, and monitor all the channels your
    > > interested in to see which ones have signals on them (eg, construction
    site
    > > cranes being operated by radio control, warehouse overhead lift operated
    by
    > > radio). If you find some, avoid those channels. You may find that
    someone is
    > > running RC cars or boats down the street on the same channels you are
    > > (instead of car's on one set, and planes on another).
    > > Lockouts usually mean someone turned on their radio on the same channel
    > > someone else is using jamming out the signal in the receiver with
    > > contradicting pulses. I would get a scanner or build a scanner to
    monitor
    > > the channels I am interested in. Now this would be a better use for a
    Stamp.
    > > You could maybe get a receiver, and several crystals for the channles
    your
    > > interested in, setup a crystal switchin circuit, so you can change
    channels
    > > programatically, and hook into the decode input circuit to monitor the
    pulse
    > > trains and/or RF signal strength. Then display and or print that out.
    Using
    > > a printout saves RAm as you don't have to store the info in precious
    memory
    > > (Stamps don't have a lot of this).
    > >
    > > Anyway, that's my two bits worth.
    > > Good luck
    > > Earl
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: Matt Johnson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=AygBSrU4Zsckp5KLgua8LNSb-5_vXKizt7BmqgdF3fXZvZ1v2RKPm06lKukPVZp6AhAErA]matt@m...[/url
    > > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:22 AM
    > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have
    had
    > > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what
    happened.
    > > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    > >
    > > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download
    to
    > > PC and analyze later on
    > >
    > > 2. Record Radio glitches
    > >
    > > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    > >
    > > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc.
    Is
    > > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting started?
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > > Matt Johnson
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and
    > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-01 23:51
    the flight data is broken but it was not what you wanted - it was airspeed
    and altitude

    the fly by wire is part of the uav project
    http://www.inetport.com/~davisele/uav.html

    have you checked out the bc-6 glitch counter?


    richard



    Original Message
    From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 11:08 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help


    > Richard,
    >
    > Nice site! It is neat to see someone who is doing stamp/electronics
    > projects with RC Helicopters. That night blade project has got to be the
    > coolest. The link for your 'Flight Data from my on-board computer data
    > logger' seems to be broken though. I would like to see that. does it do
    > what I am talking about? I am sure you have already thought out the
    > scenerio that I proposed.
    >
    > Also, where is the fly-by-wire project? I didnt see it in your list?
    >
    > - Matt
    >
    > On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Richard Friedrich wrote:
    >
    > > It would be easy to change my fly-by-wire system . . . But you would
    > > generate a huge amount of data. probably the better way to do it would
    be to
    > > analyze every pulse received by the radio and if a problem is found then
    log
    > > the data that is bad and maybe when that bad stream of data began.
    > >
    > > http://www.inetport.com/~davisele/fc.html
    > > Richard
    > >
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:21 AM
    > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    > >
    > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have
    had
    > > > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what
    happened.
    > > > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    > > >
    > > > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download
    to
    > > > PC and analyze later on
    > > >
    > > > 2. Record Radio glitches
    > > >
    > > > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    > > >
    > > > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > > > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc.
    Is
    > > > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting
    started?
    > > >
    > > > Thanks,
    > > > Matt Johnson
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and
    > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
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    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-02 00:22
    I actually am getting a BC-6 to do a review on it. I run
    www.rchelicopters.org which has a reviews area. I will check it out.

    - Matt

    On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Richard Friedrich wrote:

    > the flight data is broken but it was not what you wanted - it was airspeed
    > and altitude
    >
    > the fly by wire is part of the uav project
    > http://www.inetport.com/~davisele/uav.html
    >
    > have you checked out the bc-6 glitch counter?
    >
    >
    > richard
    >
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 11:08 AM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    >
    >
    > > Richard,
    > >
    > > Nice site! It is neat to see someone who is doing stamp/electronics
    > > projects with RC Helicopters. That night blade project has got to be the
    > > coolest. The link for your 'Flight Data from my on-board computer data
    > > logger' seems to be broken though. I would like to see that. does it do
    > > what I am talking about? I am sure you have already thought out the
    > > scenerio that I proposed.
    > >
    > > Also, where is the fly-by-wire project? I didnt see it in your list?
    > >
    > > - Matt
    > >
    > > On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Richard Friedrich wrote:
    > >
    > > > It would be easy to change my fly-by-wire system . . . But you would
    > > > generate a huge amount of data. probably the better way to do it would
    > be to
    > > > analyze every pulse received by the radio and if a problem is found then
    > log
    > > > the data that is bad and maybe when that bad stream of data began.
    > > >
    > > > http://www.inetport.com/~davisele/fc.html
    > > > Richard
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    > > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:21 AM
    > > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have
    > had
    > > > > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what
    > happened.
    > > > > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    > > > >
    > > > > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download
    > to
    > > > > PC and analyze later on
    > > > >
    > > > > 2. Record Radio glitches
    > > > >
    > > > > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    > > > >
    > > > > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > > > > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc.
    > Is
    > > > > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting
    > started?
    > > > >
    > > > > Thanks,
    > > > > Matt Johnson
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and
    > > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and Body
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    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-02 06:34
    Earl,
    I am curious how you put a diode across each cell in the battery pack such
    that if a cell dies the battery pack continues to operate at a reduced
    voltage. If the diode you use is forward biased it will drain current from
    the battery cell. If it is reversed biased it will not be conducting any
    current. open ckt. Please explain, tnx Steve.
    Original Message
    From: "Earl Bollinger" <earlwb@w...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 10:28 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help


    > In my many years of RC'ing, helos were always pretty picky about RF noise,
    > with all that metal to metal contact going on.
    > In my experiences, I always use a new on/off switch, I check it out
    > carefully before I do that even.
    > The servos are new, and tested carefully as well. I build my own battery
    > packs, as the store bought ones
    > tend to be sloppily made as well. I run the receiver off a separate
    battery
    > pack from the servos, I put in diodes across each cell, so I a cell
    > dies/opens the batter pack will still work at reduced volatage, especially
    > important if you use retracts in a airplane. If a servo stalls it doesn't
    > kill the receiver. If possible the receiver should be able to operate down
    > to 3 volts, important if you lose a cell in flight. Watch out for the six
    > volt packs some receivers and servos act flaky at the higher voltages, but
    > six volts can be a plus too.
    > If you have a lock out and crash hard, chunk the flight pack, as the
    crystal
    > or the ceramic filters may be cracked, causing intermittent operation, or
    a
    > coil may be damaged. I am amazed at the large number of people who try and
    > reuse radio equipment after a crash, it always leads to more grief. I'd
    > rather replace stuff than having to replace and straighten all those
    little
    > metal parts after a crash. It's a lot of hassle getting the rotor head and
    > such all working again just right. The radio is cheaper. That leads to
    > another point, the radio gear could be bad, or caused to go bad. The
    > transmitter could be defective. I had a transmitter once with a bad
    joystick
    > pot flake out if you happened
    > to move to just the right spot.
    > Glitch checking is a definite possiblity, but the system has to be
    > readable after a crash. So you have to make it survivable. I have no
    scanner
    > schematic, the last scanner I built, used a Airtronics receiver, and
    several
    > crystals for the frequencies I wanted to monitor. I would use the MCU to
    > swap out Xtals and check each channel for a signal.
    > I put in LED's to light up if a signal was detected. I used the decoder to
    > check the servo/channel pulses. Another approach would be to use several
    > receivers and just check the signal for each one. Receivers are pretty
    > economical nowadays. Many years ago when I was the QC guy at Proline (if
    > anyone remembers them), this stuff was really expensive. Servos were
    > repairable way back then, but today they are all throwaway items. The
    > scanner's nice as a MCU could output data to a serial port to a lap top
    > where you could run a VB program to store the data on a HD. You could even
    > monitor your own transmitter signal to see what it;s doing.
    > A glitch detector could be a op amp with it's threshold set slightly
    above
    > VCC (out of the noise) and you watch for the trigger (maybe a latch to
    catch
    > it, if it's really fast). Another op amp can be set to look for VCC going
    > down as well, in case you have a bad connection or a intermittent short
    > someplace.
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 10:59 AM
    > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    >
    >
    > > Thanks Earl, that really helps. I didnt realize that logging would take
    so
    > > much HD space. We are flying PCM by the way, not FM or AM. We have had
    > > these lockouts at different fields with no people flying, so I am not
    sure
    > > about interference. Common lockouts for RC Heli's is metal on metal
    > > vibrating or other airframe type problems. I was thinking of trying to
    > > trap those. We have also thought that maybe it was a battery suddenly
    > > dying or a switch short circuiting because the heli that locked out this
    > > last time had failsafe set to put throttle to idle and when it locked
    out
    > > it didnt go to idle making us think that maybe it didnt loose frequency
    > > since it didnt go to failsafe... Would it be more possible instead of
    > > logging to just record 'glitches' and show the time of the last glitch
    or
    > > something like that?
    > >
    > > Does anyone have schematics to build a Spectrum analyzer like you were
    > > talking about at the end? that would be nice to have regardless. I think
    > > the RC channels for helis are 75mhz...
    > >
    > > - Matt
    > >
    > > On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Earl Bollinger wrote:
    > >
    > > > Yes it's doable. But the problem is spikes in voltage (glitches)
    > happen so
    > > > suddenly and for so short a duration, that the stamp chip would likely
    > miss
    > > > it. Next, would be memory requirements as to how many samples per
    second
    > you
    > > > want to store, and then how much memory you need to hold that data.
    Then
    > you
    > > > would multiply that by the number of channels for the things you want
    to
    > > > monitor. That would give you an idea as to how much memory you need.
    > > > The problem is EEprom or Flash RAM may be too slow to receive this
    much
    > data
    > > > as you do need it to be non volatile as well?
    > > > In RC, the transmitter sends a series of pulses, one for each
    channel
    > in
    > > > sequence, pauses for a tiny bit and repeats the process. The width of
    > the
    > > > pulse tells the server how much to move left or right. Usually 1.5 ms
    > pulse
    > > > is center and 1 ms is full right and 2 ms is full left or vice versa.
    > The
    > > > Receiver simply uses a simple circuit to decode the pulses and send
    them
    > to
    > > > their appropriate servo channels. You would need to tap into this main
    > > > signal going to the decoder and monitor it. But then what are you
    > wanting to
    > > > monitor and how much RAM do you need to do it.
    > > > From my calcs, you'd probably need something like 2 to 6 gigabytes
    of
    > > > datastorage to hold several minutes of information, if you want
    detailed
    > > > coverage, so maybe a 2.5 inch HD might work, or lots of flash ram,
    maybe
    > > > using the one wire large capacity chips in series would do. But at the
    > > > sampling rates you may still miss glitches, so the microntroller would
    > need
    > > > to be really fast, maybe a BS2sx, but probsbly something faster even.
    > > > From what you stated in your message, it sounds like radio
    > interference
    > > > from some other source. First you need to eliminate the other
    potential
    > > > sources, such as other flyer's turning on their radios on the same
    > > > frequency. Switch to FM (for rc choppers you should not be using AM at
    > all).
    > > > Get a scanner for RC frequencies, and monitor all the channels your
    > > > interested in to see which ones have signals on them (eg, construction
    > site
    > > > cranes being operated by radio control, warehouse overhead lift
    operated
    > by
    > > > radio). If you find some, avoid those channels. You may find that
    > someone is
    > > > running RC cars or boats down the street on the same channels you are
    > > > (instead of car's on one set, and planes on another).
    > > > Lockouts usually mean someone turned on their radio on the same
    channel
    > > > someone else is using jamming out the signal in the receiver with
    > > > contradicting pulses. I would get a scanner or build a scanner to
    > monitor
    > > > the channels I am interested in. Now this would be a better use for a
    > Stamp.
    > > > You could maybe get a receiver, and several crystals for the channles
    > your
    > > > interested in, setup a crystal switchin circuit, so you can change
    > channels
    > > > programatically, and hook into the decode input circuit to monitor the
    > pulse
    > > > trains and/or RF signal strength. Then display and or print that out.
    > Using
    > > > a printout saves RAm as you don't have to store the info in precious
    > memory
    > > > (Stamps don't have a lot of this).
    > > >
    > > > Anyway, that's my two bits worth.
    > > > Good luck
    > > > Earl
    > > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: Matt Johnson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=aqTXPrMPTBjHvE9AChjXnDuY-wTf1Ez0bSbGI1Y1_UYmrNmpySyyDjfMLa5y-KmL-A6c0A]matt@m...[/url
    > > > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:22 AM
    > > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We have
    > had
    > > > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what
    > happened.
    > > > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    > > >
    > > > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to download
    > to
    > > > PC and analyze later on
    > > >
    > > > 2. Record Radio glitches
    > > >
    > > > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    > > >
    > > > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > > > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch, etc.
    > Is
    > > > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting
    started?
    > > >
    > > > Thanks,
    > > > Matt Johnson
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and
    > > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    > and Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
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    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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    > >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
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    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-02 20:22
    I guess I didn't get enough coffee when I was explaining it.
    The Basic circuit has a diode in series with the cell, and another diode
    across the cell to the end of the diode.
    Sort of like this:

    *
    *
    **********
    * *
    Cell Diode
    * *
    diode *
    **********
    *
    *
    Thus the series diode blocks the flow back into the cell, and if a cell
    opens the outer diode allows
    power to still flow through the pack. If a cell shorts, it could block the
    flow if it reverses, or still let current through.

    Sorry, for taking so long, I had to open up a pack to see the circuit again.
    I forgot about the other diode.
    Anyway, I hope the asterisks line up vertically.


    Original Message
    From: "Stephen H Chapman" <chapman@t...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Sunday, December 02, 2001 12:34 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help


    > Earl,
    > I am curious how you put a diode across each cell in the battery pack such
    > that if a cell dies the battery pack continues to operate at a reduced
    > voltage. If the diode you use is forward biased it will drain current from
    > the battery cell. If it is reversed biased it will not be conducting any
    > current. open ckt. Please explain, tnx Steve.
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Earl Bollinger" <earlwb@w...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 10:28 AM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    >
    >
    > > In my many years of RC'ing, helos were always pretty picky about RF
    noise,
    > > with all that metal to metal contact going on.
    > > In my experiences, I always use a new on/off switch, I check it out
    > > carefully before I do that even.
    > > The servos are new, and tested carefully as well. I build my own battery
    > > packs, as the store bought ones
    > > tend to be sloppily made as well. I run the receiver off a separate
    > battery
    > > pack from the servos, I put in diodes across each cell, so I a cell
    > > dies/opens the batter pack will still work at reduced volatage,
    especially
    > > important if you use retracts in a airplane. If a servo stalls it
    doesn't
    > > kill the receiver. If possible the receiver should be able to operate
    down
    > > to 3 volts, important if you lose a cell in flight. Watch out for the
    six
    > > volt packs some receivers and servos act flaky at the higher voltages,
    but
    > > six volts can be a plus too.
    > > If you have a lock out and crash hard, chunk the flight pack, as the
    > crystal
    > > or the ceramic filters may be cracked, causing intermittent operation,
    or
    > a
    > > coil may be damaged. I am amazed at the large number of people who try
    and
    > > reuse radio equipment after a crash, it always leads to more grief. I'd
    > > rather replace stuff than having to replace and straighten all those
    > little
    > > metal parts after a crash. It's a lot of hassle getting the rotor head
    and
    > > such all working again just right. The radio is cheaper. That leads to
    > > another point, the radio gear could be bad, or caused to go bad. The
    > > transmitter could be defective. I had a transmitter once with a bad
    > joystick
    > > pot flake out if you happened
    > > to move to just the right spot.
    > > Glitch checking is a definite possiblity, but the system has to be
    > > readable after a crash. So you have to make it survivable. I have no
    > scanner
    > > schematic, the last scanner I built, used a Airtronics receiver, and
    > several
    > > crystals for the frequencies I wanted to monitor. I would use the MCU to
    > > swap out Xtals and check each channel for a signal.
    > > I put in LED's to light up if a signal was detected. I used the decoder
    to
    > > check the servo/channel pulses. Another approach would be to use several
    > > receivers and just check the signal for each one. Receivers are pretty
    > > economical nowadays. Many years ago when I was the QC guy at Proline (if
    > > anyone remembers them), this stuff was really expensive. Servos were
    > > repairable way back then, but today they are all throwaway items. The
    > > scanner's nice as a MCU could output data to a serial port to a lap top
    > > where you could run a VB program to store the data on a HD. You could
    even
    > > monitor your own transmitter signal to see what it;s doing.
    > > A glitch detector could be a op amp with it's threshold set slightly
    > above
    > > VCC (out of the noise) and you watch for the trigger (maybe a latch to
    > catch
    > > it, if it's really fast). Another op amp can be set to look for VCC
    going
    > > down as well, in case you have a bad connection or a intermittent short
    > > someplace.
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "Matt Johnson" <matt@m...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 10:59 AM
    > > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    > >
    > >
    > > > Thanks Earl, that really helps. I didnt realize that logging would
    take
    > so
    > > > much HD space. We are flying PCM by the way, not FM or AM. We have had
    > > > these lockouts at different fields with no people flying, so I am not
    > sure
    > > > about interference. Common lockouts for RC Heli's is metal on metal
    > > > vibrating or other airframe type problems. I was thinking of trying to
    > > > trap those. We have also thought that maybe it was a battery suddenly
    > > > dying or a switch short circuiting because the heli that locked out
    this
    > > > last time had failsafe set to put throttle to idle and when it locked
    > out
    > > > it didnt go to idle making us think that maybe it didnt loose
    frequency
    > > > since it didnt go to failsafe... Would it be more possible instead of
    > > > logging to just record 'glitches' and show the time of the last glitch
    > or
    > > > something like that?
    > > >
    > > > Does anyone have schematics to build a Spectrum analyzer like you were
    > > > talking about at the end? that would be nice to have regardless. I
    think
    > > > the RC channels for helis are 75mhz...
    > > >
    > > > - Matt
    > > >
    > > > On Sat, 1 Dec 2001, Earl Bollinger wrote:
    > > >
    > > > > Yes it's doable. But the problem is spikes in voltage (glitches)
    > > happen so
    > > > > suddenly and for so short a duration, that the stamp chip would
    likely
    > > miss
    > > > > it. Next, would be memory requirements as to how many samples per
    > second
    > > you
    > > > > want to store, and then how much memory you need to hold that data.
    > Then
    > > you
    > > > > would multiply that by the number of channels for the things you
    want
    > to
    > > > > monitor. That would give you an idea as to how much memory you need.
    > > > > The problem is EEprom or Flash RAM may be too slow to receive this
    > much
    > > data
    > > > > as you do need it to be non volatile as well?
    > > > > In RC, the transmitter sends a series of pulses, one for each
    > channel
    > > in
    > > > > sequence, pauses for a tiny bit and repeats the process. The width
    of
    > > the
    > > > > pulse tells the server how much to move left or right. Usually 1.5
    ms
    > > pulse
    > > > > is center and 1 ms is full right and 2 ms is full left or vice
    versa.
    > > The
    > > > > Receiver simply uses a simple circuit to decode the pulses and send
    > them
    > > to
    > > > > their appropriate servo channels. You would need to tap into this
    main
    > > > > signal going to the decoder and monitor it. But then what are you
    > > wanting to
    > > > > monitor and how much RAM do you need to do it.
    > > > > From my calcs, you'd probably need something like 2 to 6 gigabytes
    > of
    > > > > datastorage to hold several minutes of information, if you want
    > detailed
    > > > > coverage, so maybe a 2.5 inch HD might work, or lots of flash ram,
    > maybe
    > > > > using the one wire large capacity chips in series would do. But at
    the
    > > > > sampling rates you may still miss glitches, so the microntroller
    would
    > > need
    > > > > to be really fast, maybe a BS2sx, but probsbly something faster
    even.
    > > > > From what you stated in your message, it sounds like radio
    > > interference
    > > > > from some other source. First you need to eliminate the other
    > potential
    > > > > sources, such as other flyer's turning on their radios on the same
    > > > > frequency. Switch to FM (for rc choppers you should not be using AM
    at
    > > all).
    > > > > Get a scanner for RC frequencies, and monitor all the channels your
    > > > > interested in to see which ones have signals on them (eg,
    construction
    > > site
    > > > > cranes being operated by radio control, warehouse overhead lift
    > operated
    > > by
    > > > > radio). If you find some, avoid those channels. You may find that
    > > someone is
    > > > > running RC cars or boats down the street on the same channels you
    are
    > > > > (instead of car's on one set, and planes on another).
    > > > > Lockouts usually mean someone turned on their radio on the same
    > channel
    > > > > someone else is using jamming out the signal in the receiver with
    > > > > contradicting pulses. I would get a scanner or build a scanner to
    > > monitor
    > > > > the channels I am interested in. Now this would be a better use for
    a
    > > Stamp.
    > > > > You could maybe get a receiver, and several crystals for the
    channles
    > > your
    > > > > interested in, setup a crystal switchin circuit, so you can change
    > > channels
    > > > > programatically, and hook into the decode input circuit to monitor
    the
    > > pulse
    > > > > trains and/or RF signal strength. Then display and or print that
    out.
    > > Using
    > > > > a printout saves RAm as you don't have to store the info in precious
    > > memory
    > > > > (Stamps don't have a lot of this).
    > > > >
    > > > > Anyway, that's my two bits worth.
    > > > > Good luck
    > > > > Earl
    > > > >
    > > > >
    Original Message
    > > > > From: Matt Johnson [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=-g1cmaXPW62goPjL5NVGp9pD2qmtHEDJuetHUZPZaptixSaZv3nPgTym0NNLfi7bjlzuBFH1hTE]matt@m...[/url
    > > > > Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2001 12:22 AM
    > > > > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] RC Flight Data Recorder Help
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > I would like to make a Flight Recorder for my R/C helicopter. We
    have
    > > had
    > > > > quite a few guys crash from "lockouts" and cant figure out what
    > > happened.
    > > > > Is this possible to do? Here is what I would like it to do:
    > > > >
    > > > > 1. Record all inputs to the servos and make info available to
    download
    > > to
    > > > > PC and analyze later on
    > > > >
    > > > > 2. Record Radio glitches
    > > > >
    > > > > 3. Track battery power and show if it peaks, slumps or goes dead.
    > > > >
    > > > > It would be nice to see this information over a time line so you can
    > > > > analyze it later ans see that a spike in battery caused a glitch,
    etc.
    > > Is
    > > > > this possible, and can anyone help me with resources on getting
    > started?
    > > > >
    > > > > Thanks,
    > > > > Matt Johnson
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-12-02 21:43
    Another thought on recording the data is to record a small amount of data
    overwriting previous data and have it end upon a trigger from say an
    impact sensor. Then you would have the previous minute or so of data to
    view.

    Difficult problem to isolate as I have been on the "I don't have it" end
    of the transmitter as well.....

    Good luck,

    --


    Dale Harwood [noparse][[/noparse] N4VFF ]

    internet> dale@h...

    ax.25> n4vff@n4vff.#cha.tn.usa.noam

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