Unmanned aerial systems: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 14:58, 31 March 2007

Introduction

This is the "Autonomous Modular Wireless Aerial Devices" (AMWADS) project.

News

December 18, 2006 - Project started.

Collaborators

Remi0o 09:56, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

Goals

Scope of this project

This project will attempt to assess whether or not the state of the art is currently conducive to this sort of technology, and if it is, how best to implement the technology.

Specific questions that will be explored:

Can systems be made that can remain airborne a long period of time?
- Are solar cells currently advanced enough to allow this?
- Do other technologies exist that could allow this?
- Can this be done relatively inexpensively?
Can software be developed to allow:
- Communication between these devices
- The devices to remain autonomous and safe
- Communication between the ground
- The devices to remain autonomous for long periods
Can this be done to look attractive and sleek?
- Can a twin blade design keep a vehicle aloft in an enclosure or in some hidden manner or other configuration?
Is the technology marketable and useful?

What are AMWADS?

AMWADS are just what the name implies. They are devices that fly around, know what function they are supposed to perform, and then perform it. Possible uses for this technology include: wireless mesh network clouds, speaker systems, lighting systems, video monitoring systems, cleaning and sanitation, shipping, reconnaissance aerial photography systems. Many other uses could probably be thought up.

This technology is different than other technologies such as "smart dust" because AMWADS are comparably HUGE. AMWADS have an estimated size of about 6cm to several meters.

This devices are unique to other autonomous aerial technologies because they are low cost and meant for more general and practical uses.

Other unique properties of AMWADS include that they run much longer than conventional aerial vehicles. Technologies such as light weight solar cells are integrated into the system so that are able to run independently for long periods.

Anecdotally it seems that many of todays devices achieve commercial success because: they are highly functional and useful, fun, and sexy. AMWADS if they are viable, should be all these things.

Specifications

AMWADS always include:

An on board computer with:
- With memory
- Wireless communication capabilities
- A GPS unit
Brushless motor
Thin solar cells
Twin rotors
Lipo batteries
Requisite wiring

AMWADS might include:

Accelerometers (if needed)
Video cameras
Microphones
Speakers
Cameras
Payload storage
Para-shoot
Lights
Robotic components (e.g. arms/manipulators/tools)

AMWADS should be:

Lightweight
Sleek & Attractive
Functional
Useful
Easy to use

External links

Wikipedia articles

Wikibooks

Robotics Design Software

Components

Accelerometers

Carbon fiber

Gyros

Gyros

Computers

Wireless

Solar Cells

Blades

6x4 Heli Props

Motors

GPS

Cameras

Micro Cameras

Other sites of interest

Software

CUWiN Community Wireless Network - Mesh networks for everyone.
Integrating Vision Toolkit
Cognitive Vision
reacTIVision
Java Vision Toolkit - Java toolkit to process 2D and 3D Images]
STL like OpenCV wrapper - Computer vision and machine learning]
PovClipse
The VXL Project - C++ Libs for computer vision and understanding.]
High Speed Vision System - Uses FPGA chips.
Yet Another Robot Platform
EStereo - C++ Computer vision.
Gandalf vision and numerical library
Servo-Trim
LMH Rechner
ACS USB servo controller device driver
RC-servo driver
OpenSource RC Flight Simulator
MRSuite - Modular robotics simulator.
SAM (Servo Actuation Manipulator) - Controls servo motors via serial port.

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 === Components ===
-Accelerometers:
+====Accelerometers====
 * [http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,2877,ADXL202,00.html An Accelerometer]
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php?cPath=23_80 Accelerometers]
-Carbon fiber:
+====Carbon fiber====
 * [http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid5720.htm?source=froogle .125" 24" Tube]
 * [http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid5704.htm?source=froogle .060" 24" Rod]
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 * [http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2011293&TID=100&TID=100&productId=2011293&catalogId=10101 Carbon Fiber Sheet 24" x 8"]
-Gyros:
+====Gyros====
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php?cPath=23_85 Gyros]
-Computers:
+====Computers====
 * [http://www.gumstix.org Gumstixs]
 ** [http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=155 Mother Board]
@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 * [http://www.picotux.com/techdatae.html picotux]
-Wireless:
+====Wireless====
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=148 Bluetooth Chip]
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=150 Bluetooth USB]
-Solar Cells
+====Solar Cells====
 * [http://www.solar-world.com/PowerFilm.htm Powerfilm]
+* [http://www.flexcell.com/oem-integrated-solution.php?langue=en Flexcell]
-Blades
+====Blades====
 * [http://www.readytoflyfun.com/hepropeller.html 6x4 Heli Props]
-Motors
+====Motors====
 * [http://www.tedani.com/tower-pro-bm241009-1100kv-outrunner-brushless-motor-p-556.html?osCsid=b2ba72e8f71da324617fec3ba5696333 55g Brushless]
 * [http://www.nitroplanes.com/24oubrmo.html Another 55g Brushless]
 * [http://www.aero-fever.com/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_id=48 62g Brushless]
-GPS
+====GPS====
 * [http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/18/epson-cranks-out-worlds-smallest-gps-module/ World's Smallest GPS Module]
 * [http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=157 GPS Gumstix]
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=7951 Chip]
-Cameras
+====Cameras====
 * [http://www.spygadgets.com/spy-cameras/micro-cameras.html Micro Cameras]
-Other sites of interest:
+====Other sites of interest====
 * [http://cswww.essex.ac.uk/staff/owen/research.htm#The%20Flying%20Gridswarm,%20and%20the%20UltraSwarm Microheli Gumstix Swarms]
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=7906# Cellphone Camera]
 * [http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorial/BlueTooth/bluetooth_primer.htm Bluetooth Primer]
-Software:
+====Software====
 * [http://sourceforge.net/projects/wireless/ CUWiN Community Wireless Network] - Mesh networks for everyone.
 * [http://sourceforge.net/projects/ivt/ Integrating Vision Toolkit]

wikademia>Remi0o