RE: Cell phone controlled model aircraft?
There seem to be two major problems to address:
[ul][*] Maintaining a continuous and secure data link over a 3G cellphone network. This might not be possible to the extent required for controlling UAV's, due to inherent limitations to the current packet oriented cellphone protocols such as [link=http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS]UMTS/HDSPA/HSUPA[/link]. In other words: The suggested design could prove to suffer from occasional delays and even dropouts that are too severe to be accepted in a real-time application like this one. So, is there any telecom software designer around who can assess this problem theoretically, or do you think testing the concept in practice is the only way of finding out for sure if this will work as intended? In the latter case, I'm prepared to write a couple of prototype Java programs for exchanging at least servo control data between two cell phones...
[*] Complying with regulations issued by aviation authorities. In Sweden, UAV flight is basically unregulated for the time being, but "[link=http://www.luftfartsstyrelsen.se/templates/LS_InfoSida_70_30____39929.aspx]regulations and general advice concerning unmanned aircraft activity[/link]" was referred for consideration until the 16:th of February (one week ago). The suggested regulations are quite rigorous regarding personnel and permissions for UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) of category 3 (equipped for flight and control beyond pilot view). What's the situation in your countries? Will flying model planes out of view by use of FPV systems be out of the question for ordinary hobbyists due to overly complicated regulations?
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Magnus