ArduPilot

By Chris Anderson [ http://www.diydrones.com/profile/zlitezlite ]

The ArduPilot Project

The ArduPilot project is a family of open source autopilots based on the Arduino open source computing platform. It consists of a choice of ArduPilot Mega (APM) electronics and a range of free software versions for different vehicles.

ArduPilot Mega [ http://store.diydrones.com/ArduPilot_Mega_kit_p/kt-apm-01.htm ] is a pro-quality IMU autopilot based on the Arduino Mega platform, which can turn any RC vehicle into a fully autonomous Unmanned Aerial (or Ground) Vehicle. Depending on which software you choose, it can fly fixed-wing aircraft [ http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/home?tm=6 ], multicopters l http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/ArduCopter?tm=6 ], helicopters [ http://code.google.com/p/arducopter/wiki/ArduCopter_TradHeli ], and control ground rovers and boats [ https://github.com/arktools/ardupilotone/wiki/ArduRover ]. It handles both autonomous stabilization and GPS navigation and allows fully scripted waypoint missions and camera control. It supports 8 RC channels, has four serial ports and features an all-in design.

It consists of a main processor board (the red board above) and an IMU shield (the blue board) that fits on it--the two are shown mounted together at top. It's available as a kit [ http://store.diydrones.com/ArduPilot_Mega_kit_p/kt-apm-01.htm ] for $250 at the DIY Drones store.

Everything you need for ArduPilot Mega:

APM kit ($250) [ http://store.diydrones.com/ArduPilot_Mega_kit_p/kt-apm-01.htm ]
[Optional] Telemetry kit ($150) [ http://store.diydrones.com/Xbee_Telemetry_kit_p/kt-telemetry-xbee.htm ]

It's also available in a pre-soldered ready-to-use form ($299) here [ http://www.udrones.com/product_p/expck1.htm ]

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Features include:

Free open source firmware supports planes, multicopters (quads, hex, oct, etc), helicopters and ground rovers!
Simple setup process and firmware loading via a point-and-click utility. No programming required! (But if you do want to fiddle with the code, you can with the easiest embedded programming toolkit available: Arduino)
Full mission scripting with point-and-click desktop utilities
Can support hundreds of 3D waypoints
Two-way telemetry and in-flight command using the powerful MAVLink protocol
Choice of free Ground Stations, including the state-of-the-art HK GCS, which includes mission planning, in-air parameter setting, on-board video display, voice synthesis, and full datalogging with replay.
Autonomous takeoff, landing and special action commands such as video and camera controls
Supports full "hardware-in-the-loop" simulation with Xplane and Flight Gear

Hardware includes the following:

3-axis gyros
3-axis accelerometers
Barometric pressure sensor for altitude
10Hz GPS module
Voltage sensors for battery status
16Mb of onboard datalogging memory. Missions are automatically datalogged and can be exported to KML
Built-in hardware failsafe processor, can return-to-launch on radio loss.
Include relay can trigger any device, can be controlled by mission scripts.
(Optional) 3-axis magnetometer
(Optional) Airspeed sensor
(Optional) Current sensor

Last updated by Chris Anderson [ http://www.diydrones.com/profile/zlitezlite ] January 4 2012.