Project Arrow
Anti Poaching UAV South Africa
June 2016 :Controller program working over internet on the Raspberry Pi 3 :-)
October 2017 : Controller program working over 3G
Frequently Asked Questions
I will try answer your questions below.
Q1. Why do we need a big UAV in the sky. Surely a small UAV with a short flight time would be enough?
A1. A small UAV has limited range. They are suitable for scouting and pursuing a target. But, they are not able to do patrols over a large area for many hours with heavy equipment. Searching and surveillance efforts can only be carried out by a large scale UAV.
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KA-8b 6000 Sail Plane
A very stable solid glider. The glider is able to carry a payload of an additionl 4kg. But with the power pod I should be able to carry 5 - 6 kg of additional weight. The payload will become lighter as the fuel is used up.
Power Pod - Engine
ELECTRIC
Many UAV's are using electric motors. They are powered by lipo battery packs. The range for electric UAV's will have a range of about an hour. For long filght times more batteries are needed with more weight. The batteries are are not cheep and and they will deteriorate over time and charges.
NITRO
A small efficient engine could be as much as 10 times more efficient compared to the electric motors and batteries. At the moment I have been experimenting with the Sh18" nitro engine 2,74cc. Consumption 0.3litres an hour. Unfortunately this engine is very loud.
DIESEL
I am looking for a small diesel engine to run at a lower rpm with less noise.
Raspberry PI3 Mini Pc
The Raspberry Pi3 small arm x64 computer,with 1Gb of ram. Its a low power consumption PC that can run Raspbian (an adaption of Linux). It can be purchased for about R700. The operating system for the Pi3 can run many programmed including Processing programming language. It also has the ability to run x86 applications with ExaGear. Such things as Skpye and Teamviewer are helpful.
Micro Controller ?
The micro controller being used is an Arduno UNO R3 micro controller. Code written in processing, controls all its functions. The processing code runs on the faster Mk802 iv mini PC which also allows for inputs over the internet uplink. Such inputs can be mouse and keyboard. The UAV will be able to be flown in the same way a person would use their key boad and mouse for a flight simulator game.
I am still looking for an faster way of linking up to another PC to assume control of the micro controller. A link up test with full controls has be done, using windows remote desktop connection. However, these graphical connections are quite slow. I'm still looking for a responsive, less intense uplink where video feed it transmitted separately to control inputs. Other than that, the processing code works perfectly. Will post a demonstration showing its ease of use.
Operating System and Programmes
1. The radio control system has a range of 2km
2. The uplink through 3G modem (+- Dependent on signal, range 100 - 200 km)
3. Ham Radio up-link (100km in remote areas)
4. Auto Pilot GPS satellite navigation (Range infinite)
The operating system which I will be using on the Pi3 is an adapted version of linux. It will have the ability to run other programmes, as well as link all devices to the 3G modem.
Devices on USB will be:
* Cameras (Day time flight cam / A Zoom camera / Night vision - Thermal cam)
* Auto Pilot with GPS. The Auto pilot will enable the UAV to fly to way points while keeping it stable and at a specific altitude. If 3G uplink signal is lost, the Auto pilot can assume control and prevent any crash.
* Micro controller, will be the link to servos on the flaps and camera functions. The micro controller combined with a program written in processing, will enable a user to log into the UAV from anywhere in the world and fly it and receive video in high resolution pictures. The main reason for this is so that many eyes on the screens will help with detecting poachers.