It has been a while since the last post. It was a challenging period trying to figure out below Arduino tasks:
- Read/write PWM signal,
- Read/write PPM signal,
- Convert PWM to PPM,
- Build IR distance sensor,
- Read IR sensor signal,
- Mix PWM & IR signals, etc…
Frying 3 Arduino boards along the way and taking it slower than I usually do didn’t help with the delays. I tested many PWM, PPM codes, IR sensor configurations. One of the hardest tasks have been getting the Arduino board communicate with the flight controller. In the end, I kinda came up with a setup that MAY work. No guarantees here, tough task for an amateur like myself.
The latest setup has a DSM2 receiver which is not PPM. So I soldered the receiver to the Arduino digital pins to get rid of the excess cables. I preferred a PWM connection because if I use a PPM connection from the receiver, then I need to decode PPM to PWM, mix it with IR signals and re-code it into PPM to feed into the Multwii board. With PWM, I don’t need to de-code any PPM, instead get the 5 channels and process them separately.
I have 6 homemade IR sensors. I tried some electronic configurations that didn’t quite work, so came up with my own design. They can sense upto 30-35cm, which should be enough for the first tests.
I am using my old flight controller but, which I feed with one PPM cable.
Almost ready to install the new equipment on one of my MonoBots and start testing the sensors and revise the code to fit the unit. I am planning to place 2 of the sensors looking up and down. This way, if successful, it will avoid obstacles in all directions.
Will keep on posting as the project progresses. Thx…