Quote from: anwar on June 07, 2011, 09:46:05 PM
One idea which I have had for a while after seeing someone start RC flying (first ever attempt) with a Gaui 330XS was to tweak the code to provide somewhat of a fully stabilized mode. Basically, something like a FlyMentor, where the beginner lets go of the sticks, and the quad stabilizes into a hover. 

Put in other ways, instead of getting a 450 size heli as a learning platform, get a quad that is less dangerous. And if done right with some kind of "cage" design (or even prop savers), so that damage is minimal.

dear Anwar,
as rajesh said, in MWC autolelevel when enabled (accelerometer), the copter levels itself when stick input is removed.
the following video demonstrates that. These are not videos with my board. but will be similar. (if not better!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC_ZMO_0Q8g&feature=related
Here is a nice video showing how mgnetometer works.

And here is one how all workss incl the barometer.
http://vimeo.com/23541587.
best regards
ashta

Ashta Sir ,
Hats off  !    Spending 150 hours of your time to help this community even though you are not benefiting much from this.This is going to be the best answer for the many " I want to build a quadcopter" requests we get here ! 
The open source capability of this board will sure attract many engineering students like me looking at Quad platform .I am interested in the full version with GPS . I see in pdf that there is going to be a future board with gps capability . Does the current full version board have ports to support gps with some tweaking ?
PS: A suggestion i would like to make is that the reach of this board will be more if you list it on E-bay or through anyone of the RC shops in this country

Quote from: Ashta on June 08, 2011, 02:04:25 PM
These are not videos with my board. but will be similar. (if not better!!!)

We are getting there   Now if we can find a video with tilt control also... my feature list would be complete.

Then there should be some videos of training an absolute newbie with one of these.  I guess if the code is good, we would need only gyro + accel, no need for magnetometer (as yaw drift can be ignored for this training use).

Quote from: amulu10 on June 08, 2011, 02:43:17 PM
Hats off  !    Spending 150 hours of your time to help this community even though you are not benefiting much from this.This is going to be the best answer for the many " I want to build a quadcopter" requests we get here ! 
The open source capability of this board will sure attract many engineering students like me looking at Quad platform .I am interested in the full version with GPS . I see in pdf that there is going to be a future board with gps capability . Does the current full version board have ports to support gps with some tweaking ?
PS: A suggestion i would like to make is that the reach of this board will be more if you list it on E-bay or through anyone of the RC shops in this country

sorry amulu, spending my 150 hours was not primarily to help this community. it was rather due to my personal interest in the subject. but now that i gathered some information and that i have access to a good set of  facilities like cadding, SMD mfg, component sourcing etc.  thru Peninsula, i am trying to see if this can be useful to all of us. Thanks for the support.
This board currently does not support GPS.
best regards
ashta

here is one video with the proto board of mine. pl note that this is with GYRO only. Auto level is OFF.

Ashta bhai -  Please do post some pictures, unless it is too "protoptype-ish"

Hope the next video is one with the accelometers, and the TX is just held out in one hand with no stick controls !

ok Anwar. here is the proto board. u can see the accelerometer and the gyro.

I will post the video at the next opportunity

Hats off for your hard work!! You are inspiring me to build a quad...

thanks izmile

some more progress on this project.
i just received the Bare boards, Pl see the pictures attached.

pl see the PCB carefully. Pl see the Pad for Gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer and the Magnetometer. Pl notice the Legend and comp references well dispalyed. U will not need any other reference to interconnect. Also the direction is legended.

I now have to get all the components, Populate them and do the testing. I will post the progress in the coming days.

best regards
ashta

hello,
just recieved the Components for 15 sets. Quickly loaded couple of boards. Will have to test them.

here is the picture
pl see the various comps
Gyro
Accelerometer
Barometer
Magnetometer. (not loaded)
Sedperate regulator for 5v and 3,3V
Very well legended pcb so as to have easy installation of cables.,

ashta

 
Hail Ashta Sir!!! This reveals your sudden absence from the newly laid flying field in Hoskote!

Your board looks much much better than limited capability/downscale KKMicrocopter board sold by HobbyKing. The PCB is just aweesome .... has BBT done, even great. How did you populate the components ? Hand/Wave soldering ? automated SMT placement devices ? You both being highly accomplished to do it by hand, and on the same time highly resourceful to use automated machine quizzes me.

After Uttam's BL Motors sold by HK, should we expect your board making way to HK or more reputed stores in the West ?

Folks, this is going to be a matter of pride for fellow flyer on other western forums. Legends like Sharma brought pride to us with thier engines.
Hope Ashta sir's board makes us proud yet again!

Awesome  

Would love to try one by the end of the month !  Certainly one with accelerometers.  Would need the cables needed for software uploads too.

Quote from: anwar on July 12, 2011, 08:06:35 PM
Awesome  

Would love to try one by the end of the month !  Certainly one with accelerometers.  Would need the cables needed for software uploads too.

If you noticed the board has pad for barometer as well. ThiS would be great for altitude hold. Ashta sir. Any scope for ultra sonic sensors

Thanks Ujjwaana.
As you know, this is not my original design. I am using Allex code written for the Wii. This design is a collection of almost all info found in almost 1200 posts in RCGROUPS.
This board is completely assembled by SMT machines. Peninsula electronics, where i work has a complet SMT set up to do even much more complicated jobs. The reason i went ahead with this project is due to my access to this organisation.

I have  imported comps for 15 boards. I did not make this to make profit. I will be happy if i break even covering the basic costs.
i will let you know when i test it fully.
best regards
ashta

Quote from: ujjwaana on July 12, 2011, 06:45:02 PM

Hail Ashta Sir!!! This reveals your sudden absence from the newly laid flying field in Hoskote!

Your board looks much much better than limited capability/downscale KKMicrocopter board sold by HobbyKing. The PCB is just aweesome .... has BBT done, even great. How did you populate the components ? Hand/Wave soldering ? automated SMT placement devices ? You both being highly accomplished to do it by hand, and on the same time highly resourceful to use automated machine quizzes me.

After Uttam's BL Motors sold by HK, should we expect your board making way to HK or more reputed stores in the West ?

Folks, this is going to be a matter of pride for fellow flyer on other western forums. Legends like Sharma brought pride to us with thier engines.
Hope Ashta sir's board makes us proud yet again!

sure Anwarji,
i will let u know when i test this board completely.

Quote from: anwar on July 12, 2011, 08:06:35 PM
Awesome  

Would love to try one by the end of the month !  Certainly one with accelerometers.  Would need the cables needed for software uploads too.

Awesome is the word Ashta sir,   

Really looking forward to the test results and an opportunity to use this board.

thank you very much Sundaram velar.

Quote from: sundaramvelar on July 13, 2011, 12:31:53 PM
Awesome is the word Ashta sir,   

Really looking forward to the test results and an opportunity to use this board.

When can I pick up one ? Can help with testing if needed. It is not too far for me if I need to get it back to your office.

dear rajesh,
I am yet to get the magnetometer.
I have already tested the Gyro and the accelerometer. Now i have to mount it on to a frame and test.

best regards
ashta

Ok, I definitely need the magnetometer. Thought you already had them and it was just a matter of soldering it onto the board.

Magnetometer was out of stock, when i ordered initially.  Now it is in stock again and is ordered.
mean time here is a small video of my testing it. poor quality video though..

Quote from: RotorZone on July 14, 2011, 04:00:41 PM
Ok, I definitely need the magnetometer. Thought you already had them and it was just a matter of soldering it onto the board.

I am also looking for a fully loaded one

hello friends,
i have completed the testing of the Gyro and the Accelerometer of this new controller board...
The result  is simply amazing. The kind of stability that i am getting is marvelous.
I had put all my care and experience in routing the board for
- The sensitve I2C signals. 
- Power supply and single point grounding
- Seperate 5V thru Low Drop out Low noise regulator
- Seperate 3.3V thru Low Drop out Low noise regulator
- Separate Power ground and signal ground.

I think that this has helped and the out come is a silk smooth flight.

pl see the video.

Till half time in the video, i have only acro mode with only gyro enabled.
After this i have enabled the  Accelerometer.

later i will edit to show this on video clearly.

That leaves only Barometer and magnetometer testing on this board.
thanks for watching.


best regards
ashta

Friends,

I have now completeed testing of this board and every thing is working as expected including the accelerometer and the barometer. That leaves only mgnetometer which is expected to arrive by month end.

Mean time here are some pictures of a frame that i made to test this board.
This frame is made of aluminium. The arms are the standard glass case Hard ware available in any Hardware shop.

Fora a stable flight you need only the Gyro version. All othres are incremental add ons.

Pl see how simple the board is. No complicared wiring too.
pl comment