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Altitude Hold Module - 6/28/2007 9:00:49 PM   
Old Man Mike


 

Posts: 267
Joined: 4/21/2007
From: Huntertown, IN, USA
Status: offline 		One of the problems I have with taking high altitude video with the DF is keeping it at a fixed altitude. I'm thinking it should be possible to add a module to keep the DF at at fixed altitude and the following looks like a candidate:

Altitude Hold Module

Here is the basic info:

Very small size
Very low weight
Plug-n-Fly: no software setup, no calibration
Easy hookup: interface to industry standard RC receivers and servos
2 versions: ALT-E (elevator control) or ALT-T (throttle control)
Non-volatile program storage: allows embedded programs to be updated in the field *
Pitch attitude control: uses a SMT barometric sensor for vertical speed control
Altitude hold: uses a SMT barometric sensor for altitude sample and hold +/-1 ft accuracy
Electronic mode switching: manual and auto modes ( via RC aux. channel )
Manual ALT over-ride: climb or descend during altitude-hold mode
Gain adjustment POT
Specifications

PCB Size: 2.0"L x 1.0"W x 0.55"H
PCB Weight: 0.3oz ( 0.6oz with RC connectors )
Max. Altitude: 15,000 ft MSL
Altitude Hold: +/- 20 ft ( level flight )
Power: 5.5v - 7.0v @ 50ma ( idle )

Although they don't recommend it for helicopters because "rotor turbulence interferes with sensor", I wonder if this might not be a problem with the special DF design. I will be calling the company to explore the possibility.

Anyone else have ideas on this subject?

Mike
       Post #: 1

RE: Altitude Hold Module - 6/28/2007 9:45:51 PM   
BB_DF



Posts: 273
Joined: 4/19/2007
From: Eagle, ID, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Mike,
Always looking for gizmos like this - thanks for the link!

The rotor turbulence should be a non-issue with the DF. There's also an aux channel available, so that should solve that problem. However, I wonder about the control resolution. Note that its service ceiling is 15,000', which is typical for a small fixed-wing UAV (also illegal). Since that's the case, altitude control is spec'd at +/- 20', or a 40' range tolerance. For the full usable altitude that's pretty reasonable - only a 0.3% error, but for our more typical 200' altitude, it's a 20% error! Of course it might do a much better job holding the altitude than that, but I figure if I can't hold a 40' altitude range I'll just have to blame the schnaps! I also believe that with the accumulation of flight hours, you'd be more accurate at judging altitude and position than the gizmo would at those fairly low altitudes.

Cheers,
Bruce

(in reply to Old Man Mike)
       Post #: 2

RE: Altitude Hold Module - 6/28/2007 10:43:44 PM   
Old Man Mike


 

Posts: 267
Joined: 4/21/2007
From: Huntertown, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Bruce,

I just got off the phone with the company and did not get much encouragement from the guy I talked with. He seemed in a bad mood and just wanted to make the point that they added the disclaimer after receiving complaints from helicopter guys. Not very helpful at all. But since it is only $200, I might give it a try anyway. I also looked at the resolution which appears to be typical for the cheaper sensors. +/- 20' would not be that bad at 500 feet. I know I can always use more flight hours but at that height, it is REALLY hard to see vertical movement. After seeing the 500' video from my last flight at that height, I would like to do more (without the crash ending) and this could make it much easier.

I appreciate your feedback. I see some other people working on similar designs in some of the R/C forums but nothing that is as off the shelf as this product. Still might be other options out there with better accuracy. Here is another possibility:

Another Hold Module



Mike



(in reply to BB_DF)
       Post #: 3

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