Aero Week 8 Updates

Robbie McNally

DAS & FPV

Budget

Awarded $378 for SRG which is now available on a credit card

Research Found datasheets for Duck antennas

Found alternatives for FPV and DAS

5.8GHz Cloverleaf

900MHz Mad Mushroom/Airscrew

Met with Professor Hedrick about Radio Link Budget

Have questions for SAE Rules Forum

1 Typo and 2 Claifications

Started looking into Arduino Servo Library

Soldering…

Created DC wall adapter to power FPV receiver for testing

Created charging cable for LiPo battery

Soldered stackable headers on all Arduino Shields

Solder Arduino barrel adapter to accept LiPo battery for testing

Data Acquisition System Setup Configured Xbee transmitter and receiver:

Assigned same network ID

Set destination and source fields

Transmitted sample data (incrementing loop) to test connection

Transmitted data from Arduino serial monitor to XCTU console and vice versa

Reads data from MPL3115A2 every 315ms and transmits to Xbee dongle

XCTU includes console viewer where I can read and log data

DAS Testing – Full spreadsheets on Drive

Range Testing:

Stopped receiving data at ~500ft on Seward

Possibly test tomorrow in a plane

Will need different antenna or transmitter/receiver with more power

Researching options and talking to Professor Hedrick

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Measured vs Expected Elevation

Measured Altitude )(ft)

Act

ual Ele

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ft)

Accuracy Testing up to 30 ft

FPV System Testing Receiver Power Source: 12V DC Wall adapter @ 300 mA

Transmitter Power Source: 11.1V 3S 2200mAh LiPo

Tested range on Seward Place and across Richmond Quad

1st Test: Standard 5.8GHz Duck Antenna – Came with System

2nd Test: 5.8GHz Cloverleaf Antenna – Borrowed from Blair

Only tested both antennas to 1500 ft – ran out of LoS

Cloverleaf antennas had clearer picture – less interference in analog signal

Pair only costs $10-25 worth the investment

5.8 GHz FPV Testing Results

View from 100ft (Slightly out of focus)

Webster from 1500ft

• Receiver on porch• Transmitter walked down Seward Place• LoS up to ~900ft• Quality loss when Russo was directly

between Tx/Rx

Next week…

Meet with Professor Hedrick about antennas

Go to field with Al and fly DAS if possible

Calculate battery capacity needed and decide on battery system

1 for FPV Transmitter, 1 for DAS, and 1 for Receiver at Ground Station

Move Servos wirelessly with XBees

Possibly start working on Airspeed sensors if servos go smoothly