Everyone's Blog Posts - UAVdrones2024-03-28T09:43:56Zhttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?xn_auth=noFEZ Cerb40 - STM32F4tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2012-10-12:5323258:BlogPost:103052012-10-12T03:44:30.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p>GHI Electronics FEZ Cerb40 - Use it as is (.NET micro framework), natively, or convert to ARDUINO!!</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/88616963?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/88616963?profile=original" width="511"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<h1>FEZ Cerb40</h1>
<p><a href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/353" rel="nofollow">http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/353</a></p>
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>168Mhz 32bit STM32F4 processor with floating point.</li>
<li>1MB FLASH and…</li>
</ul>
<p>GHI Electronics FEZ Cerb40 - Use it as is (.NET micro framework), natively, or convert to ARDUINO!!</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/88616963?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/88616963?profile=original" width="511" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<h1>FEZ Cerb40</h1>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/353">http://www.ghielectronics.com/catalog/product/353</a></p>
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>168Mhz 32bit STM32F4 processor with floating point.</li>
<li>1MB FLASH and 192KB RAM.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>The LeafLabs STM32F4 arduino port graciously provided by the infamous <strong>ALA42</strong> is available here:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://github.com/AeroQuad/AeroQuad/tree/development/Libmaple/libmaple">https://github.com/AeroQuad/AeroQuad/tree/development/Libmaple/libm...</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>An STM32F4 discovery board will burn in the open source bootloader. Aduino on Steroids!!!</p>SAM4S16C Atmel 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 120Mhz !tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2011-10-28:5323258:BlogPost:30022011-10-28T19:02:22.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p>Think of the possibility of an Arduino Due derivative with this processor..</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410642?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410642?profile=original" width="496"></img></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Atmel® SAM4S16 microcontroller builds on the high-performance, 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M4 processor. The SAM4S16 features:</p>
<ul>
<li>Maximum operating speed of 120MHz</li>
<li>1MB of Flash and 128KB of SRAM</li>
<li>1.62V to 3.6V supply</li>
<li>Power consumption…</li>
</ul>
<p>Think of the possibility of an Arduino Due derivative with this processor..</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410642?profile=original"><img class="align-center" width="496" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410642?profile=original"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Atmel® SAM4S16 microcontroller builds on the high-performance, 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M4 processor. The SAM4S16 features:</p>
<ul>
<li>Maximum operating speed of 120MHz</li>
<li>1MB of Flash and 128KB of SRAM</li>
<li>1.62V to 3.6V supply</li>
<li>Power consumption 200µA/MHz in dynamic mode at low operating frequency, 30mA at 100MHz and 3µA at 1.8V in back-up mode with the RTC running</li>
<li>External bus interface supports SRAM, PSRAM, NOR Flash, LCD module and NAND Flash</li>
<li>Extensive peripheral set for connectivity, system control and analog interfacing</li>
<li>Native support for Atmel QTouch® capacitive touch technology for implementation of buttons, sliders and wheels</li>
<li>Pin-to-pin compatible with Atmel SAM7S, SAM3N and SAM3S MCUs</li>
<li>Parallel Input/Output (IO) data capture mode</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?category_id=163&family_id=605&subfamily_id=2404&part_id=17384">http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?category_id=163&family_id=605&subfamily_id=2404&part_id=17384</a></p>Atmel ATSAM3U4E ARM-ICE Segger J-Link style Debuggertag:uavdrones.ning.com,2011-09-30:5323258:BlogPost:23012011-09-30T21:29:30.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410415?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410415?profile=original" width="150"></img></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I recently got one of these...yeah!! I will be using this with YAGARTO and MDK-ARM (free 32KB limited edition).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Atmel SAM-ICE debugger is available for all Atmel ARM targets which includes a free GDB Server license.</p>
<p>There is a good tutorial regarding its' use with the YAGARTO tool chain, …</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410415?profile=original"><img class="align-center" width="150" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410415?profile=original"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I recently got one of these...yeah!! I will be using this with YAGARTO and MDK-ARM (free 32KB limited edition).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Atmel SAM-ICE debugger is available for all Atmel ARM targets which includes a free GDB Server license.</p>
<p>There is a good tutorial regarding its' use with the YAGARTO tool chain, <a href="http://www.yagarto.de/howto/jlink/index.html">http://www.yagarto.de/howto/jlink/index.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>This provides a good way to play around with the ATSAM3U internals and get to know its peripherals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Others may opt for the J-LINK EDU edition, relatively inexpensive and designed for any ARM7 or ARM9 target as long as it is not used for commerical product development.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>ArmDuino and ArmDuino Pilot Developer Editions in Progresstag:uavdrones.ning.com,2011-09-28:5323258:BlogPost:20012011-09-28T12:13:58.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p><strong>ArmDuino</strong> is an <strong>Arduino Due</strong> variant offering a smaller form factor along with a few other niceties!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>ArmDuino Pilot</strong> design is under way!! Harnessing the computational power of Atmels ATSAM3U4E,</p>
<p>along with Arduino 32-bit software.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Developer Edition Hardware of ArmDuino Pilot is currently under way!</p>
<p>Block diagrams and hardware descriptions coming soon! </p>
<p><strong>ArmDuino</strong> is an <strong>Arduino Due</strong> variant offering a smaller form factor along with a few other niceties!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>ArmDuino Pilot</strong> design is under way!! Harnessing the computational power of Atmels ATSAM3U4E,</p>
<p>along with Arduino 32-bit software.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Developer Edition Hardware of ArmDuino Pilot is currently under way!</p>
<p>Block diagrams and hardware descriptions coming soon! </p>UAVForge Competition Coursetag:uavdrones.ning.com,2011-05-26:5323258:BlogPost:9032011-05-26T04:44:46.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410571?profile=original"><img class="align-center" width="650" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410571?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a>
<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410571?profile=original"><img class="align-center" width="650" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410571?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a>UAVForge - Crowdsourcing for UAVDRONES Innovationtag:uavdrones.ning.com,2011-05-25:5323258:BlogPost:7012011-05-25T22:30:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2uWUhk0GIr0" height="349" width="425"></iframe>
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Darpa UAV Contest - <a href="http://www.uavforge.net" target="_blank">UAVforge</a></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2uWUhk0GIr0" height="349" width="425"></iframe>
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Darpa UAV Contest - <a href="http://www.uavforge.net" target="_blank">UAVforge</a></strong></p>Kicad EDA Suite -- Everything Tastes Better When It's Freetag:uavdrones.ning.com,2011-03-07:5323258:BlogPost:6032011-03-07T05:12:14.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411963?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411963?profile=original" width="507"></img></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411963?profile=original" target="_self"></a></p>
<p>I've been playing around with Kicad lately. I stumbled upon it for the first time playing around in Ubuntu (KDE) some months ago, running on a BeagleBoard XM of all things! Since then I've loaded the Windows version as well and it works exactly the…</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411963?profile=original"><img width="507" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411963?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411963?profile=original"></a></p>
<p>I've been playing around with Kicad lately. I stumbled upon it for the first time playing around in Ubuntu (KDE) some months ago, running on a BeagleBoard XM of all things! Since then I've loaded the Windows version as well and it works exactly the same. Looking around the net, it seems that there are some open source projects that are taking advantage of the lack of limitations that other packages may have. Kicad allows for any size, and layer count, any component count schematic-pcb you could generally need. There are schematic and pcb footprint libraries included to get started and repositories of them on the web. There is also an Eagle PCB to Kicad library converter out there but I haven't tried it yet, I like making my own components...helps me sleep better at night. The 3D viewer is very cool. Kicad suggests Wings software for 3D body creation, although I'm experimenting with other "free" packages. Overall, Kicad provides a reasonably professional, no barrier to entry PCB CAD tool that can get the job done. Open source and cross platform, it provides a pretty good vehicle for deploying design files for Open Hardware compliance. Give it a whirl at:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/Main_Page">http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/Main_Page</a></p>NetDuino - Pin Compatible with Arduino, .NET debugging!tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-08-04:5323258:BlogPost:5442010-08-04T20:00:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/70857056?profile=original" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/70857056?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="float: right;" width="300"></img></a> <a href="http://www.netduino.com/">http://www.netduino.com/</a><br />
XmegaPilot may have to find a way to Squeeze this one OnBoard.<br />
Atxmega (Xmegaduino) for Servos and Sensors, AT91SAM7X512 (NetDuino) for outer loop?....Maybe :)<br />
<br />
For only $34.95...…
<a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/70857056?profile=original" target="_blank"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/70857056?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/></a><a href="http://www.netduino.com/">http://www.netduino.com/</a><br />
XmegaPilot may have to find a way to Squeeze this one OnBoard.<br />
Atxmega (Xmegaduino) for Servos and Sensors, AT91SAM7X512 (NetDuino) for outer loop?....Maybe :)<br />
<br />
For only $34.95...<a href="http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKND01">http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKND01</a><br />
<br />
Free tools, all open source code and hardware, Break points and Debugging!!<br />
<br />
<b>Code. Debug. Repeat.</b><br />
<br />
.NET Micro Framework combines the ease of high-level coding and the features of microcontrollers.<br />
Event-based programming, multi-threading, <b>line-by-line debugging</b>, breakpoints.DIY means DIYtag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-07-31:5323258:BlogPost:5402010-07-31T04:48:30.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
As August approaches and Ning switches over to a paid service...a decision must be made.<br />
<br />
Ning is worth $2.95 a month. Is keeping UAVDRONES on Ning worth 2.95 a month?<br />
<br />
XmegaPilot (and various other supporting reasearch activities) has not benefited<br />
from the open invitation for collaborative development that a social network can provide.<br />
<br />
I believe the decision is clear.
As August approaches and Ning switches over to a paid service...a decision must be made.<br />
<br />
Ning is worth $2.95 a month. Is keeping UAVDRONES on Ning worth 2.95 a month?<br />
<br />
XmegaPilot (and various other supporting reasearch activities) has not benefited<br />
from the open invitation for collaborative development that a social network can provide.<br />
<br />
I believe the decision is clear.Add Your Wishlist and Feature Requests for XmegaPilot!tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-07-09:5323258:BlogPost:5352010-07-09T06:12:36.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
Input required from you...the casual observer or die hard uav'er.<br />
<br />
Reply with your wishlist of features...now is the time for your input..hardware design is in progress<br />
and there is a window of opportunity.....<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks!
Input required from you...the casual observer or die hard uav'er.<br />
<br />
Reply with your wishlist of features...now is the time for your input..hardware design is in progress<br />
and there is a window of opportunity.....<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks!No CPLD Re-Design Considered for cost reductiontag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-06-21:5323258:BlogPost:5252010-06-21T04:27:35.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
How many servo ins and out?
How many servo ins and out?Spartan FPGAs versus CPLDstag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-06-11:5323258:BlogPost:5132010-06-11T06:03:21.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411378?profile=original" style="float: left;"></img> <img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411541?profile=original" style="float: right;"></img><br />
<br />
<b>FPGA Just Might WIN!</b><br />
Working hard on implementing the Input Capture-Multiplexer.<br />
I'm working with Xilinx Webpack 12.1 and I have a little help with Atium Designer as well :)<br />
<br />
It's starting to look like the CPLD won't have the resources I need in a sized package or price I'm looking for.<br />
There are some good options in the Spartan family in the $6 to $12 range that I'm exploring.<br />
I have 3 Xilinx development platform's I'm testing with, a regular Spartan-3, a…
<img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411378?profile=original" alt="" style="float: left;"/><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545411541?profile=original" alt="" style="float: right;"/><br />
<br />
<b>FPGA Just Might WIN!</b><br />
Working hard on implementing the Input Capture-Multiplexer.<br />
I'm working with Xilinx Webpack 12.1 and I have a little help with Atium Designer as well :)<br />
<br />
It's starting to look like the CPLD won't have the resources I need in a sized package or price I'm looking for.<br />
There are some good options in the Spartan family in the $6 to $12 range that I'm exploring.<br />
I have 3 Xilinx development platform's I'm testing with, a regular Spartan-3, a Spartan-3E and a CoolRunner2 with 9500xl.<br />
<br />
The Input Capture per channel is 12 bits with 14 channels of capture. This requires 168 Flip Flops for counters. The design is also set up to transfer the IC values as they become available into an addressable memory block 12bits wide x 14 deep, needing another 168 Flip Flops. Internal Address latching needs a nibble of flip flops as well.<br />
There is some additonal logic, maybe lots more, that will be running as well...will provide additional details as I verify going forward.<br />
<br />
The end goal will be an open source FPGA project that can be compiled and sythesized using just the freely downloadable Xilinx Webpack and burned into the programmable device using a simple cable.XmegaPilot CPLD Provides Failsafe Functionalitytag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-06-03:5323258:BlogPost:3302010-06-03T05:00:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545413942?profile=original"></img></p>
<br />
The 9500 series Xilinx CPLD is memory mapped into external address space using the atXmega's external bus interface. The CPLD provides a linear address mapping of all 14 Servo Channel Captures. Alternatively, the CPLD will detect frame ends and signal an interrupt to transfer all 14 Captures via DMA to an assigned data memory location within the atxmega. 14 PWM outputs will be sent to the CPLD from the atxmega. Failsafe routing of servo input to…
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545413942?profile=original" alt=""/></p>
<br />
The 9500 series Xilinx CPLD is memory mapped into external address space using the atXmega's external bus interface. The CPLD provides a linear address mapping of all 14 Servo Channel Captures. Alternatively, the CPLD will detect frame ends and signal an interrupt to transfer all 14 Captures via DMA to an assigned data memory location within the atxmega. 14 PWM outputs will be sent to the CPLD from the atxmega. Failsafe routing of servo input to servo output, or autopilot takeover etc will be handled by the CPLD as well. This approach to input capture was selected to avoid using any of the 8-Channel event system resources within the atxmega or possibly only 1 event for DMA. Input capture is jitter free, high resolution and provides negligible cpu loading.MARG Camera Stabilizationtag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-06-01:5323258:BlogPost:3252010-06-01T11:30:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p style="text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7GVXqNLLH7Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="never" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7GVXqNLLH7Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" wmode="opaque"></embed> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param></object>
<br />
SebMadgwickResearch's Camera Stabilization using…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7GVXqNLLH7Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7GVXqNLLH7Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
<br />
SebMadgwickResearch's Camera Stabilization using MARG.</p>AN177 - Kixrazor – Sparkfun’s 9DOF Razor with Bascom Basic Coded DCM (ala Mahoney/Premerlani style)tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-06-01:5323258:BlogPost:3212010-06-01T04:37:51.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
Kixrazor is a pretty cool Electronic Flight Information System as called by Natalius Kiedro its creator. Very nice write up is available at <b><a href="http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=269">http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=269</a></b>. The hardware uses a GPS feeding into a Sparkfun 9DOF "Razor" board whose output is used by the AR7212 autopilot which finally sends telemetry (NEMA and AHRS) out to a 433Mhz Modem…
Kixrazor is a pretty cool Electronic Flight Information System as called by Natalius Kiedro its creator. Very nice write up is available at <b><a href="http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=269">http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=269</a></b>. The hardware uses a GPS feeding into a Sparkfun 9DOF "Razor" board whose output is used by the AR7212 autopilot which finally sends telemetry (NEMA and AHRS) out to a 433Mhz Modem (UM96) for the ground station. AN177 can be downloaded at <b><a href="http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=229&Itemid=54">http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=229&Itemid=54</a></b>. It includes a very readable interpretation and description of the "DCM" method of gryo drift stabilization and fully commented BASCOM code. Interestingly enough, BASCOM appears to support ATXMEGA128A1 according to MCS Electronics Help/Reference File for Version1.11.9.9<br />
XmegaPilot may be programmed as an XmegaDuino <i><b>OR</b></i> BASCOM processor with a change in the bootloader.Full Featured ATMEL atXmega128A1 header dev board w/JTAG & PDItag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-05-25:5323258:BlogPost:3082010-05-25T05:18:13.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410688?profile=original" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410688?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="float: right;" width="300"></img></a> Very nice looking atXmega processor breakout board available from BraveKit on ebay at <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Xmega-ATMEL-ATxMega128A1-header-develop-board-JTAG-PDI-/350350368194">http://cgi.ebay.com/Xmega-ATMEL-ATxMega128A1-header-develop-board-JTAG-PDI-/350350368194</a>. Looks like a nicely equipped board with fully fanned out I/O's and pre-installed…
<a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410688?profile=original" target="_blank"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410688?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/></a>Very nice looking atXmega processor breakout board available from BraveKit on ebay at <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Xmega-ATMEL-ATxMega128A1-header-develop-board-JTAG-PDI-/350350368194">http://cgi.ebay.com/Xmega-ATMEL-ATxMega128A1-header-develop-board-JTAG-PDI-/350350368194</a>. Looks like a nicely equipped board with fully fanned out I/O's and pre-installed headers. Both crystals for system clock and RTC functions, switches, LEDs, JTAG and PDI debugging and programming headers and the required local capacitors. Priced at only $27.50, seems like a very good deal.XmegaPilot to use MARG AHRS algorithm by Sebastian O.H. Madgwicktag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-05-21:5323258:BlogPost:3012010-05-21T05:14:32.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
Reference Available Below:<br />
<b>An efficient orientation fillter for inertial and inertial/magnetic sensor arrays (Sebastian O.H. Madgwick)</b><br />
<br />
Various algorithms of varying complexity and computational requirements are available to determine the orientation of an object using 9DOF sensors. The Kalman filter was considered and not selected due to issues of simulation, complexity, computational load, and lack of knowledge and experience to take advantage of numerically well conditioned forms of…
Reference Available Below:<br />
<b>An efficient orientation fillter for inertial and inertial/magnetic sensor arrays (Sebastian O.H. Madgwick)</b><br />
<br />
Various algorithms of varying complexity and computational requirements are available to determine the orientation of an object using 9DOF sensors. The Kalman filter was considered and not selected due to issues of simulation, complexity, computational load, and lack of knowledge and experience to take advantage of numerically well conditioned forms of the filter.<br />
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Some existing autopilots are currently using a "DCM" algorithm that is computationally efficient for small microcontrollers (from Dr. Mahoney). The algorithm use gps velocity vector, accelerometers, a wind speed and direction estimator and optionally, a magnetic sensor, to null out gyroscope drift errors. The algorithm operates upon a 9-element Discrete Cosine Matrix to describe 3 unit vectors which can be used to determine the Euler Angles of a body relative to the Earth frame.<br />
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The algorithm I will use on XmegaPilot is very similar to "DCM". It also uses 3-axis gryoscopes, accelerometers and magnetometer, as a 9DOF sensor array. The MARG algorithm by Sebastian O.H. Madgwick operates upon quaternion vectors. This algorithm, also uses two inertial vectors, for the purpose of nulling out gyroscope drift errors. Other than quaternion math, a subtle difference between the two approaches exist in the method that vector error matching is tracked. The "DCM" algorithm uses a Proportional-Integral feedback loop to track the orientation vector. This MARG algorithm uses a gradient descent algorithm that follows along the vector lines of gravity and magnetic fields to arrive at the "single point" which represents orientation.<br />
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Both "MARG" and "DCM" are estimated to achieve comparable static perfomance, dynamic performance comparisons are difficult to predict and will be a source of development and refinement as the project moves forward.<br />
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Sebastian O.H. Madgwick has graciously provided research and code examples available here:<br />
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<a href="http://code.google.com/p/imumargalgorithm30042010sohm/">http://code.google.com/p/imumargalgorithm30042010sohm/</a>LPC1102 cool tiny 2 x 2-mm 32-bit microtag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-05-17:5323258:BlogPost:2142010-05-17T15:30:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<img width="202" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410276?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/><br />
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Cortex-M0 32K Flash, Uart, SPI and more....very cool!!
<img width="202" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410276?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/><br />
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Cortex-M0 32K Flash, Uart, SPI and more....very cool!!MTK3329 Size - Compare to Atmel Xplain and an Ardupilottag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-05-11:5323258:BlogPost:2122010-05-11T01:31:04.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545409781?profile=original" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545409781?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="float: right;" width="300"></img></a> The MTK3329's arrived and they are amazingly small. The picture shows an Atmel Xplain development board next to a DIYDrones Ardupilot. Below from left to right, is the amazingly small Gmm-U1, the FGPMMOPA6B with integral LNA and 16mm tuned patch antenna followed by a Sarantel helical SL1203A passive antenna. I have an old Rockwell Jupiter GPS module that…
<a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545409781?profile=original" target="_blank"><img width="300" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545409781?profile=RESIZE_320x320" alt="" style="float: right;"/></a>The MTK3329's arrived and they are amazingly small. The picture shows an Atmel Xplain development board next to a DIYDrones Ardupilot. Below from left to right, is the amazingly small Gmm-U1, the FGPMMOPA6B with integral LNA and 16mm tuned patch antenna followed by a Sarantel helical SL1203A passive antenna. I have an old Rockwell Jupiter GPS module that eclipses the size of the Ardupilot board, progess is amazing. I have some lea5's and neo5's laying around (hope to get some 6's soon) to do some performance comparisons. Lot's of new hardware laying around lately...just need 30 hours in a day!JM-XD200-USB an excellent atXmega128a1 development boardtag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-04-30:5323258:BlogPost:2072010-04-30T11:30:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p style="text-align: center;"><a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410218?profile=original" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410218?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="400"></img></a></p>
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The recently updated ATxmega128A1 development board, JM-XD200-USB<br />
, by Justin Mattair at <a href="http://xmega.mattair.net/">http://xmega.mattair.net/</a> is a very nice atxmega platform. He has thoughtfully included an onboard ATmega32U2 as a PDI programmer, LUFA style (ala…
<p style="text-align: center;"><a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410218?profile=original" target="_blank"><img width="400" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545410218?profile=RESIZE_480x480" alt=""/></a></p>
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The recently updated ATxmega128A1 development board, JM-XD200-USB<br />
, by Justin Mattair at <a href="http://xmega.mattair.net/">http://xmega.mattair.net/</a> is a very nice atxmega platform. He has thoughtfully included an onboard ATmega32U2 as a PDI programmer, LUFA style (ala <a href="http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php">http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/LUFA.php</a> by Dean Camera - well known on avrfreaks.com).<br />
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Lots of features at a good price:<br />
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Atmel XMEGA 128A1 (chip rev. H), 128KB flash, 8KB RAM<br />
Atmel ATmega32U2 USB uC, 32KB flash, 1KB RAM<br />
Onboard USB PDI programmer (no external programmer needed)<br />
Open source (MIT) code installed on the ATmega32U2<br />
XMEGA programmable using AVR Studio or AVRdude<br />
ATmega32U2 programmable using FLIP or dfu-programmer<br />
Full access to flash, EEPROM, fuses, lockbits, etc.<br />
USB to SPI bridge (can use USB in your XMEGA application)<br />
76 XMEGA GPIO pins routed to headers<br />
Version with peripherals adds:<br />
SD Card slot<br />
Audio amplifier<br />
32KB SRAM (SPI)<br />
General purpose N-FET<br />
Temperature sensor<br />
4 LEDs<br />
Optional thumbstick (4-direction + center)<br />
Solder jumpers to disconnect peripherals<br />
USB or external power, 3.3V 1A ULDO linear regulator<br />
Two 16MHz crystals installed (HC49-US PTH)<br />
Nonstandard PDI header (program external XMEGAs?, untested)<br />
PCB is 10cm x 5cm, Ind. temp. (crystals are -20C to 70C)XmegaPilot - What features would you like to see?tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-04-26:5323258:BlogPost:1222010-04-26T04:00:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
Processor is: Atmel atXmega128A1<br />
Gyro is: Invensense ITG-3200<br />
Acceleromter is: STmicro LIS331DLH<br />
Voltage Ref is: National LM4040-2.5<br />
Pressure Sense: Bosch BMP085<br />
Diff Pressure: Freescale MPV5004G<br />
Data Flash: AT45DB041<br />
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8 R/C input ppm encoder similar to design by Hendrix and Moa for paparazzi<br />
<a href="http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Other_Hardware#PPM_Encoder_Board">http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Other_Hardware#PPM_Encoder_Board</a><br />
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Servo Outputs. high resolution 16-bit pwm...How many are needed?
Processor is: Atmel atXmega128A1<br />
Gyro is: Invensense ITG-3200<br />
Acceleromter is: STmicro LIS331DLH<br />
Voltage Ref is: National LM4040-2.5<br />
Pressure Sense: Bosch BMP085<br />
Diff Pressure: Freescale MPV5004G<br />
Data Flash: AT45DB041<br />
<br />
8 R/C input ppm encoder similar to design by Hendrix and Moa for paparazzi<br />
<a href="http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Other_Hardware#PPM_Encoder_Board">http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Other_Hardware#PPM_Encoder_Board</a><br />
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Servo Outputs. high resolution 16-bit pwm...How many are needed?nice pictag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-04-20:5323258:BlogPost:1162010-04-20T12:10:31.000Zaditya vshttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/adityavs
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545409046?profile=original" alt=""/></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545409046?profile=original" alt=""/></p>The next gen uav prototypetag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-04-19:5323258:BlogPost:1102010-04-19T06:56:06.000Zaditya vshttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/adityavs
hey guyzzzz!<br />
here is da place to discuss ur wierdst ideas...al those mixin shakin ideas!!<br />
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did any1 think of a uav which has the features of both quadrocopter(4 rotor uav) and a normal airplane....<br />
i mean in design...may be it can work towards saving power during locomotion...<br />
<br />
share it here...<br />
tc
hey guyzzzz!<br />
here is da place to discuss ur wierdst ideas...al those mixin shakin ideas!!<br />
<br />
did any1 think of a uav which has the features of both quadrocopter(4 rotor uav) and a normal airplane....<br />
i mean in design...may be it can work towards saving power during locomotion...<br />
<br />
share it here...<br />
tcPotential Airframes for XmegaPilot development and testingtag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-04-18:5323258:BlogPost:1072010-04-18T02:24:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545408871?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="FLOAT: right" width="300"></img></p>
<p>The venerable <strong>EPO Multiplex Easystar</strong>:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=FR">http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=FR</a></p>
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<p>Wingspan: 54" (1370mm)</p>
<p>Length: 34" (870mm)<br></br></p>
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<p>or, as brought to my attention by the famous " Hooks ":</p>
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<p><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545408976?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="FLOAT: left" width="300"></img> The new…</p>
<p><img width="300" style="FLOAT: right" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545408871?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/></p>
<p>The venerable <strong>EPO Multiplex Easystar</strong>:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=FR">http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=FR</a></p>
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<p>Wingspan: 54" (1370mm)</p>
<p>Length: 34" (870mm)<br/></p>
<p></p>
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<hr id="null"/><p></p>
<p>or, as brought to my attention by the famous " Hooks ":</p>
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<p><img width="300" style="FLOAT: left" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545408976?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/>The new <strong>Skywalker EPO</strong> foam platform:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.fpvflying.com/products/Skywalker-EPO-foam-platform-for-UAV-FPV.html">http://www.fpvflying.com/products/Skywalker-EPO-foam-platform-for-UAV-FPV.html</a></p>
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<p>Wingspan: 66" (1680mm)</p>
<p>Length: 45" (1150mm)</p>
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<p></p>The low cost ATAVRXPLAIN demonstration kit for ATxmega128A1tag:uavdrones.ning.com,2010-04-15:5323258:BlogPost:1022010-04-15T13:00:00.000ZMichael Zaffutohttp://uavdrones.ning.com/profile/MichaelZaffuto
<p><a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545412023?profile=original" target="_blank"><font size="2"><img alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545412023?profile=RESIZE_320x320" style="FLOAT: right" width="250"></img></font></a> <font size="2">This low cost development board can be used to introduce yourself to the great new features of Atmel's ATxmega processors.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font size="2">The <strong>ATxmega128A1</strong> processor is the main processor that will be used in the XmegaPilot prototype development board.…</font></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><a class="noborder" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545412023?profile=original" target="_blank"><font size="2"><img width="250" style="FLOAT: right" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2545412023?profile=RESIZE_320x320"/></font></a><font size="2">This low cost development board can be used to introduce yourself to the great new features of Atmel's ATxmega processors.</font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font size="2">The <strong>ATxmega128A1</strong> processor is the main processor that will be used in the XmegaPilot prototype development board.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2"><strong>XmegaPilot</strong> variants may include the ATxmega128A3 or -D3.</font></p>
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<p><font size="2">The <strong>ATAVRXPLAIN</strong> can be programmed using <strong>XmegaDuino</strong>,</font></p>
<p><font size="2">an AVR atxmega Arduino variant ported to this board</font></p>
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<p><font size="2">The ATAVRXPLAIN can be purchased here:</font></p>
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<p><a href="http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?WT.z_header=search_go&lang=en&site=us&keywords=ATAVRXPLAIN-ND&x=11&y=21"><font size="2">http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?WT.z_header=search_go&lang=en&site=us&keywords=ATAVRXPLAIN-ND&x=11&y=21</font></a></p>
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<p><font size="2"><strong>XmegaDuino</strong> is in very early development, <strong>XmegaPilot</strong> features will grow along with it, available here:</font></p>
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<p><a href="http://code.google.com/p/xmegaduino/"><font size="2">http://code.google.com/p/xmegaduino/</font></a></p>
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<p><font size="2"><strong>XmegaPilot</strong> code development will be here:</font></p>
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<p><a href="http://code.google.com/p/xmegapilot/"><font size="2">http://code.google.com/p/xmegapilot/</font></a></p>
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