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
Keep up-to-date with what I'm working on
A lot of bits and pieces go into a UAV. In the news feeds I will keep you updated with the items that I'm researching, buying, configuring or breaking:-) Perhaps you can make suggestions or are able to contribute in some way with knowledge and skills..
NEWS DAY 1 // Project Arrow Started
Arduno UNO R3
Description : Miro controller
Use : To control servos (Motors that move cameras and rudders etc)
Platform: It works from the computer
Input: Mouse keyboard, programmes
This controller has been very successful
I intend to use it as the means to control the UAV with the internet 3G /4G.
The 3G signal in the game parks is not reliable. I will be using a long range wireless ethernet bridge as an uplink to the UAV.
NEWS FLASH 2 // The design of the flying wing
A 3 meter polystyrene shaped wing
Description: Flying Wing / Blended Wing / Horton Wing
Use: A stong compact design to carry payloads
Platform: I shaped this wing myself and put epoxy and fiberglass over it
Shaping the wing was a sucess however the thickness of the wing is about 10cm at the centre. It seems I didn't have enough information at the time of designing it.
The epoxy and fibreglass has made the wing a bit heavy. I think that this wing can be used for practice flying.
NEWS FLASH 3 // Nitro Engine
SH 18" Niro Engine
Description: 2.74cc / 1 horse power / 750watt power
Use: To power a 3 to 4 meter UAV
Platform: Mechanical / Fuel - 25% Nitro in methanol.
I've been experimenting with this engine. Fuel consumption seems to be about 0.3litre an hour. Extending the drive shaft took a while to figure out.
Engine is very loud, will be finding ways to reduce the noise.
26cc Petrol engine is now being used with a mini generator to power the UAV
August 1st, 2013
August 20th 2013
September1, 2013
NEWS FLASH 4 //
December
30th 2013
Ubuntu and Lubuntu Operating systems now running on my MK802 iv (TV Stick). They are responsive and fast. It will take some work to get processing to run and serial communication to work. I have made a video for the install so that if you are keen you can attempt to get other things to run on this setup.
The MK802iv has run into many problems, It looks like I will need convert all code into python. I've desided to use a small note book to run the onboard programs for now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kpssHMsv2U
Ka-8B Glider Arrived
January
7th 2014
NEWS FLASH 5 //
The K8B 6000 Glider arrived today :-)
Its super big will assemble it over the weekend.
Cost R13,840.00
NEWS FLASH 6 //
Radio Controller Arrived 18/1/2014
January
18th 2014
NEWS FLASH 7 //
Running the 26cc petrol engine
I don't have much information on this engine. I've attached a radiator fan to it in a tractor / push configuration.
When the engine is idling there is a fair amount of air being pushed out.
At full RMP there seems to be adequate thrust to lift the glider.
Engine noise is about 100 db. But when its idling its not loud.
Will be looking to sound proof the engine to bring the noise level down.
Still need to balance the fan with a blot weight.
Otherwise I'm very happy with this engine...no issues...I just need a reverse drilling machine to start it...which I don't have:-/
January
19th 2014
NEWS FLASH 8 //
January
20th 2014
Processing running in the Aspire ONE Note Pad in windows7.
NEWS FLASH 9 //
Engine Tests and fuel consumption.
January
25th 2014
January
26th 2014
February
1st 2014
NEWS FLASH 10 //
Another weekend and a few hours to do some more work.
Engine throttle via a high performance servo and laptop.
Works fairly well. I must make the intervals in the programme smaller.
NEWS FLASH 11 //
Haven't been doing to well these last 2 weeks. Tried to get as much done this weekend. Servos installed, throttle control working. Computer control and Radio can't work simltaniously, need to install a switch.
I've started setting up a more advanced PIC micro controller with a Gyro add on. This is to be used for 3 axis stabilization of the camera. This aspect of the project is usually over looked by FPV flyers. Its crucial to have this working correctly to get the best out of a quality camera.
February
16th 2014
NEWS FLASH 12 //
March
3rd 2014
1. Working on the camera stabilizer programme. Should be able to do tests next week
2. Ordered the YAF-80B small generator (Will take a month or two to arrive)
3. Working on the landing gear
NEWS FLASH 13 //
April
29th 2014
1. Was hoping to get a flight done over easter but technical problems. Need to repair remote controller
2. Descovering more to do but doing less. Needing help on transmitting long range wifi signal (+-50km)...This is a major project in itself. (Solution found using the M5 Bullet)
3. The auto balance project seems to be working ok i'm going to attempt rewriting all my code in python and get it working on the MK802 iv. (Using Note book instead)
4. It seems camera stabilizers are cheep and avalible on ebay. (Ordered Gibal)
5. Still need to order the small generator + pullys. (Made pulleys by turnning them on the press)
6. Lots of issues getting programs and drivers to work on Ubuntu and ARM processor, still needing a linux expert. Lots of talkers no doers.
7. Instaling landing gear.
8. Still looking for team...I've approched over 100 people
1. My mini generator arrived today. Its bigger than I expected. Need to attach a pully and secure it to the UAV.
2. My Remote has been repaired. It also arrived today. Thanks to Aerial Concepts for repairing it for free :-)
3. Made first attempt to setup the wireless ethernet bridge for IP controls. Still figuring it out.
4. Researching digital cameras with optical stabilizers and 20x Zoom. Will probably get the Canon SX280 HS
& I will probably order the gimbal soon. (Cannon SX280HS can not send real time images to a PC)
5. The design concept is due for the Wild Life UAV challenge and I don't have anything to show
NEWS FLASH 14 //
June
26th 2014
New Item >>
NEWS FLASH 15 //
Will be making video clips
1. Camera arrived SX280HS. But I don't recomend this camera for the UAV...its missing key fetures that were not carried over from the SX100....doesn't have remote shooting and battry only lasts for 15min. Putting it down to many of the costly things bought which were obtained with the wrong infomation or lack of information. Still don't have time to tripple check things.
2. Today I was making and testing proto type pulleys
Desided to try turn the pulleys out of harder wood.
NEWS FLASH 16 // Engine & Generator working
July
20th 2014
Engine and generator assembled and working. Set the RPM slightly higher and it now idles perfectly when powering lights. Unfortunatly my multimeter is broken so I'm unable to deturmine voltage and current.(New multimeter shows voltages of 100volts LOL)
July
26th 2014
July
27th 2014
Testing the Voltages
Voltage Solution
August
3rd 2014
August 9th 2014
Note Book with New SSD
Inverter Working
I'm now using Yawcam to transmit video at higher FPS.
Yawcam also allows other users to simply type the IP address of the webcam into their web browser to get the video feed.
In the future I will post the webcam IP address for any one who wishes to veiw the onboard cameras in real time from their computer
NEWS FLASH 17 // Engine Muffler & Stabilizing Voltages
August
17th 2014
Muffler added to engine. Works quit well reduces engine power slightly.
Still having issues with voltage drop. Will try adding a capasitor across DC leads so as to prevent a sharp drop in voltage with initial current pull.
Using a 2 Farad Capacitor to stabilize the Voltage.
Some what sucessful
Able to charge the Notebook and swich a light on and off without dropping the voltage. Will need to put a 12volt regulator to stop voltage climbing at higher rpm
Found a nice project to manually regulate the voltage on the power supply. This will help keep the 12volts stable when the input voltage from the generator is fluctuating.
Eventually I will add a micro controller and digital voltage feed back device. Stabilizing the voltage automatically.
I've reached a few conclusions this week.
While the single ATX power supply upgrade looks great. Unfortunately the people who have done it can't give coherent instructions as to how they did it.
I've checked the voltages on the yellow and black wires on the PC power supply while being feed with the mini generator. I can get between 6volts and 12volts on the 18amp rails.
I'm going to Daisy chain two ATX PC power supplies effectively doubling their voltages. When they are linked I will get between 12volts and 24volts on the black and yellow wires. This will be the ideal range for making adjustments with an add on regulator.
The regulator I've ordered a 12volt 3amp with a potentiometer. This will limit the voltage from the 2 ATX power supplies to 12volts.
I'm then going to take it a step further and add an Arduino controller to automatically adjust the voltage to 12volts.
Seems complicated but it will work.
NEWS FLASH 18 // Stabilizing Voltages with add on board and arduino
NEWS FLASH 19 // Stabilizing Voltages
Current pull seems to be too much. It could be because the blue wire from the powersupply is a low amp rail. Or it could be because I have too many parts to my voltage regulation.
The new manual voltage regulator is working nicely.
I'm thinking that I could use a larger manual regulator to replace the powerspply, inverter, manybe even the capacitor and even the 19volt adapter for the laptop.
Transformer and voltage regulator
Update 28/9/2014 Replaced with voltage regulator
Update 28/9/2014 Replaced with voltage regulator
Update 28/9/2014
Found some components off an old back up powersupply. Put this regulator together this afternoon. 28/9/2014.
Its not very efficient. It will convert 19 volts to 12 volts. I will order a prototyping board and solder the components down sometime next week.
I'm wanting to make this a 10amp 12volt regulator.
I should be able to reduce voltage drop to > 1 volt.
10amp 12volt Regulator built
Title. Double click me.
NEWS FLASH 20 //
Wheels and function check
Controller Code
Operational
Code is running over the internet. Except for two bugs its working great.
Hope to do a long range test soon.
NEWS FLASH 21 //
Controller Code is Running over 3G
I wasted a lot of time on trying to build this regulator. Unfortunately I didn't know better, didn't have guidance and wasn't able to find the relevant information to know that their was such a thing as a 10 Amp voltage regulator circuit.
(I looked, I inquired and asked but no one seemed to know)
LTC3780 Automatic Pressure Lifting Power/constant Voltage Constant Current.