Paparazi UAV
This is a old page done in 2009 , It still gets a lot of hits ...so for now it stays ....(05/2013)
WHAT is this page about ..... ?? Well I recently decided to try my hand at UAV flying , SAMAA is sponsoring someone to do it (read here) ... so maybe I can try on a smaller scale ...... This here is my attempt on documenting it .... PLEASE NOTE , THESE PAGES ARE NOT BEING UPDATED ANYMORE .
PAPARAZZI UAV
http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Main_Page
Something I Always though would be too expensive even to consider ... Well after reading alot ( and I mean ALOT) I actually discover ....IT's do able for FAIRLY cheap ....... I suppose it depends on the the depth of your pockets...
At this time there are really just two relatively cheap Solutions , They are Arduino(ArduPilot) and Paparazzi ..... and then the guys who is really in it to make money , the Commercial products ...... (See Cropcam in Interesting Stuff page)
After more reading I Settled down for the Paparazzi system .... I liked the GCS system ..... That's the Ground Control System , more on this later ...
A lot of reading and even now still some confusion ... First of , they have a Excellent WiKi , but oh my .... no Do this then Do this ... utterly frustrating and I loved it ! .....None the less , read you must ....
I downloaded the CD that contains the Ubuntu install with Paparazzi all ready to work with ....Now maybe I should touch on requirements.These are not set in stone but it would help ....Want to Learn more about Linux --- Check out SCLUG --- South Coast Linux User Group
Linux , Electronics ,Programing and RC flying ...Don't stop reading ...it's all do able .. I think ...
What is Ubuntu Linux ? It's the opposite of Windows XP (etc) , thus ..FREE and once you understand it , will make you a Linux convert ... It is in one word "amazing" ... Did I find it amazing ? Well no , It is too easy to work with Ubuntu , I want difficult ! . Coming from a Gentoo background where we really delve into Linux, Ubuntu for me felt like Windows ....mmmm , Can a novice work with it , YES , but ...you will need to read ....ALOT ...
The Paparazzi Wiki helps a lot (Using the CD) and yes you should be able to do it ...Linux experience would help you , but with out ....do able ...
What I did : After working on it (CD version) I decided to repartition my laptop, I removed Sabayon Gentoo and installed the Jakalope (Ubuntu 9) , not the CD anymore but newest version of Ubuntu, went through the motion and installed Paparazzi , following their install guide (easy) , I recommend the "svn" route , that way you get the newest --- with all airframes , radio etc conf files you might need , the "bin" install got less .... trust me , I looked ( You need the paparazzi-dev and probably the arm7 also) Use Synaptic or apt-get to install after you updated the repositories , Then play with it , give yourself time , make sure you understand it ...I hope I do ;-) .....read you must ....
YOU LOST , RIGHT !!! well if you are and a lot of the stuff I said above you do not understand ..leave it ... yeah leave it ! Go buy the Commercial product ...or read you must ....
Still with me ......?
Good read you will ;)
After playing around with the GCS for about 3 weeks I started looking at the Hardware , They say one of your requirements with Paparazzi is some electronic knowledge , which I have , In hindsight do you need it ? ... not really , most people, if they buy the full kit will not need it ..., I bought the full kit from CheBuzz in Europa, "Items came from Britain. How is this !!! Shipping from USA cost $75 !!!! and from CheBuzz to South Africa $5 which seems more fair , so no brainer who I choose ...
Dealing with CheBuzz (Her and His name) was surprisingly good with him showing a large amount of patience with novice like me ...thanks for that David !
None the less , The all in one Twog kit is NOT everything you need , Chat to him and make sure ... I still needed the XBEE adapter , bought from Ardafruit ....and I still have a feeling I will need more .....
Here is my TWOG with Ardafruit board , No XBEE's yet
GPS , HSensor, Vsensor,USB,TWOG.PPM Convertor,XBEE Board,FTDI
What will you get here on these pages ? Well Some more reading ! hee hee and I hope a break down with time on how I do and hopefully eventually fly !
Current Problems:
Setting up a Airframe file to be for a secondhand Wing I bought. Also to make sure Makefile will be for TWOG or Tiny 2.1+
This same Wing now needs a New Motor , Will probably get E-Flite Six Series which now would require a new ESC :~( (Update - Bought wrong ESC Saturday , needed three pole for E-Flite Six series , got new one , 40A -- expensive ! )
There you go, Six Mounted and new ESC
Wing Need Digital servos,eventually , When in Auto2 I understand Servos are 100% of the time working , so possibility of blown servos , thus digital .....
MAYBE I SHOULD USE MY BREEZE II Glider ... ?
My Radio JR2610 does not have 3Position/Way switch , so I need new radio , and no , you can not add 3 way switch to this radio , Thus looking at new 2,4 Gh , I want the new Hitec one, the Aurora 9 , this looks like it could be a nice to have radio , they moved the launch date to after August , that suit me currently because I do not have the cash for it ....Just something else when trying to find out about 3 way switch for JR ..... I have a issue with bad service , Would probably at some time get these complaints on this website in more detail ... , but shortly , RCRC - Dave Armitage - No reply from him after E-mail , Bossie ? Futile effort in trying him to find out if do able but some effort from him none the less , Bob Skinner - surprisingly friendly )
I'm in no hurry with this really , and is just enjoying the challenge at the moment ...
________________________________________
DATE 26/06.2009
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