Quadcopter Drone Project

[1998golfer]

Hello,

To start, I have little experience with the raspberry pi and rasbian linux in general, but I have used linux (debian, favorite is crunchbang) in the past for many things, so I am not a 100% beginner. I have been learning python, so I will hopefully be able to control it using that..

Here is the deal:
For my class (Aerospace Tech), we are required to build a drone, our group was assigned vertical takeoff. So, I was thinking, at first, to have the onboard controller be a raspberry pi. Great, so I did some research. I'd need motor controllers too, and to run 4x motors I would need either 2 dual motor controllers, or 4 single motor controllers. I was looking at the Dual motor controller, the L298N (http://www.ebay.com/itm/110953019447). I've seen many diagrams of how to hook it up to the pi, and using python to control the motors on/off. How would I use PWM to vary the speed of the motors, through python? Would I need a different motor controller??

I was thinking, at first, to use bluetooth and connect it to a laptop to control it... But then I wanted it to have a higher range that 30ft at best... So my mind went to wifi. For a long range connection, I was thinking this wifi adapter( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YHYIT0 ). Our school's wifi is locked, and we cannot use it, so would we need to purchase a router to run by the laptop, to connect both the laptop and wifi adapter onboard the drone to connect to? What cheap router would do the job to control it, say, 150 feet away? The onboard wifi adapter can handle that range, would the router have to also?

Next is batteries.. We'd have to power 4x 9-12v motors running at high RPMs, a rpi 5v @ 1a, and the wifi adapter also 5v @ 1a. We were thinking to use portable battery packs for the rpi, which would power the adapter thru 2x usb ports. Maybe for that, this 10 amp hour battery pack: www.amazon.com/dp/B00JM59JPG it has a 2.1a port which should power the pi and adapter just fine. It weights a hefty 12oz (shipped weight, so probably around 10oz alone), so that is a challenge.. Not even the batteries to power the motors yet! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036W8JZ2 is a bit pricey, but would it work?

For the motors themselves, we have some large (1/2lb+) motors, that were used for robots. They seem too heavy to use, and probably can't lift their own weight when on a helicopter. Maybe motors like these? http://www.goodluckbuy.com/emax-mt2213- ... hrust.html They can lift 850g at 18Amp, can the battery and motor controller handle that?


I have lots of questions, and would really appreciate the help!

Thanks.

[fruitoftheloom]

http://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewt ... 37&t=89796

http://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewt ... 41&t=87185

[joan]

Visit a quadcopter site. A Pi is not a natural choice for a quadcopter because of its weight and power requirements. You will need specialised motor drivers (ESCs).

[BMS Doug]

A word of warning about WIFI control, from recent personal experience:

I recently demonstrated my WIFI controlled robot at a convention, the latency was awful due to the large number of WIFI networks in close proximity. From successful tests at home I hadn't expected the control Lag issues I experienced in the more crowded area.