ArduPilot
Ardupilot is the predecessor of ArduPilot Mega. This is a smaller autopilot that is still based on the Arduino platform. Ardupilot is designed for simpler fixed wing aircraft(3 channels). Supporting autonomous stabilisation, way-point navigation, and one way telemetry with Xbee modules allows for a cost effective UAV autopilot. This board supports 4 RC channels in, and 3 out with one serial port. For stabilisation, Ardupilot supports both thermopiles or an IMU.
The development of the open source control software has slowed down since the introduction of the Ardupilot Mega UAV controller, there are still occasional updates to the stable and well tested software.
The development of the open source control software has slowed down since the introduction of the Ardupilot Mega UAV controller, there are still occasional updates to the stable and well tested software.
ArduPilot Features
- Can be used for an autonomous aircraft, car or boat.
- Built-in hardware failsafe that uses a separate circuit (multiplexer chip and ATTiny processor) to transfer control from the RC system to the autopilot and back again. Includes ability to reboot the main processor in mid-flight.
- Multiple 3D waypoints (limited only by memory)
- Altitude controlled with the elevator and throttle
- Comes with a 6-pin GPS connector for the 4Hz uBlox5 or 1hz EM406 GPS modules.
- Has six spare analog inputs (with ADC on each) and six spare digital input/outputs to add additional sensors
- Supports addition of wireless modules for real-time telemetry
- Based on a 16MhZ Atmega328 processor. Total onboard processing power aprox 24 MIPS.
- Very small: 30mm x 47mm
- Can be powered by either the RC receiver or a separate battery
- Four RC-in channels (plus the autopilot on/off channel) can be processed by the autopilot. Autopilot can also control four channels out.
- LEDs for power, failsafe (on/off), status and GPS (satellite lock).