Quadcopter based on AeroQuad Open Source project

Good day!
I would like to tell you a little about the AeroQuad Open Source project and about my experience building a quadrocopter.

The AeroQuad project supports:
1. In the future, the ability to connect gps, flight to waypoints, which can be downloaded via AeroQuad Configurator.
2. Stabilization of the camera. To compensate for quadcopter movements, you can use 3 servo drives.
3. On-screen-display. Overlay graphics on video stream.
4. In addition to connecting the gyro accelerometer and magnetometer, it is possible to connect other sensors, such as an ultrasonic range finder and a barometer.
')

It all started with the purchase of the Arduino Mega 2560 and when I just got tired of flashing the LEDs I decided to build a quadrocopter. I wanted to make a good toy with my hands. The process itself is very interesting and fascinating. A great option for exploring microcontrollers.
If you devote time to about 2 hours. a day, after 2-3 weeks you can test your quadcopter in the air.

Assembly process:

1. AeroQuad Shield v2.1 significantly reduces the number of wires and simplifies the assembly process. You can buy here for $ 30 + shipping. I bought ready, but delivery took about 6 months. For the first time made such.



Sources here



2. Logic Level Converter. It costs about $ 2.
(8 10K resistors and 2-channel n-channel MOS transistor. Total: 8 rubles.)

A little crooked, but it works.


3. Arduino Mega 2560



3. 9DOF. The site AeroQuad costs $ 99. There is $ 24. (ITG3205 gyroscope)



includes: ITG-3200 gyroscope (ITG3205), ADXL 345 accelerometer, HMC5883L magnetometer.
When soldering you need to be extremely careful, my gyroscope deteriorated from static electricity, I had to re-solder. New chip cost 700r.

4. Barometer BMP085 ($ 20)



Assembly should be like this:



5. Ultrasonic sensor. LV-MAXSONAR-EZx (from 1500 rub. For piece) I used a little another.



6. GPS.



7. RU. Folk equipment RU Turnigy 9x. 60 $



8. Engines. NTM Prop Drive 50-50 580Kv / 2000W ($ 37 for 1pc.) + NTM Prop Drive 50 Series Accessory Pack ($ 2 for 1pc.)





With engines of course bust. NTM Prop Drive 28-36 1200KV / 530W would be enough.

9. Controllers. HobbyKing 100A ESC 4A UBEC ($ 40 for 1pc.)



10. Batteries:
Turnigy nano-tech 4000mah 3S 25 ~ 50C Lipo for FPV ($ 28.51 $)
Turnigy nano-tech 1600mah 3S 25 ~ 50C Lipo for RU ($ 14.92)
Turnigy nano-tech A-SPEC 5000mah 6S 65 ~ 130C Lipo ($ 145)



11. Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 6A Balancer / Charger



12. FPF

On the question of which kit to choose FPV, there is no definite answer.
Regarding frequencies:
900Mhz-range with good penetrating power, but the equipment does not allow to fly long distances.
1.2 / 1.3 GHZ - a good frequency with a long transmission distance. Large selection of kits from different manufacturers at different prices and quality.
2.4 GHZ - the distance and penetrating power is slightly lower, but it is possible to transmit video of better quality.
5.8 GHZ - short range and penetrating power. The plus of this frequency is free, pure air.
For myself chose: 1.2GHz, 1W.



Frame

You can find all sorts of options from home-made to ready-made solutions. For myself, decided to make an aluminum profile.

The first option was not very successful.


The second time turned out a little stronger.









To protect the board a little pokolhozil. But cheap, reliable and practical.



Painted and ready for the first tests.



The setup process is very simple:
1. Install the Arduino IDE .
2. Compile AeroQuad_v3.2 .
3. In the AeroQuad Configurator program, you must follow the instructions to calibrate all the sensors one by one.



In general, all the detailed assembly instructions are here .
One tip: better to buy propellers with a margin.

The video is now spreading only the first test flights, before calibrating the sensors, taken in a room with a quadrocopter attached to the floor.

The rest of the video only after replacing the broken propellers, waiting for the parcel.