Une caméra à haute altitude - A camera in near space

dimanche 25 mars 2012

Testing the gopro gimball in different modes

Here's a view from the balloon basket. We are testing the different modes of the gopro, in order to determine what mode is the best.

We like the "medium" angle of view best.

Test gopro gimball for space launch

We have been building the basket in the past month.

Here is a collection of pictures and video tests that we made.

We are using a gopro for the camera, that will be placed in the middle of a half sphere in plexiglass.

The gopro has the ability to move on a 180° angle in every direction of the sphere.

Here's a video of the gopro in rotation

It will be placed on a gyroscopic plateforme so that the camera is stabilized

mercredi 15 février 2012

Wiki for HAB community and people involved in the same idea

I feel like I just found the right community tonight..

There is a place at last for people trying to work on arduHAB ! It seems new, as the topic is dated January 2012.

Here are the different links I have found :

The topic on DIYDrones
Daniel Nugent 's forum : has already investigated the possibility of a glider in autopilote mode, returning home, with the gravity problems, lack of air density etc..
Cuddy has already some background about GPS lock at such high altitudes
tuckerobie seems to know about people on the forum working on the plane concept
Ken seems to know about NMEA and different configuration of GPS
Art Whaley knows how to configure ardupilot along with standard NMEA GPS
Monroe seems to be working on rocket guidance, and has been working with HAB
balloomerang project as part of the iHAB project : "a long terme effort to design and build a HAB vehicule/payload with autonomous flight capabilities".

And there youtube channel : http://www.youtube.com/user/SAIDiasMobile?feature=watch

Larry Grater also works on GPS stuffs
Another page dealing with the same kind of information (CONOPS)
http://www.ukhas.org.uk/ : A wiki page for us
A similar german project : http://vexredus.de/

lundi 13 février 2012

Two first launches configurations

After many month of search and comparison of previous projects, technology, and reading back my telco undergraduate books, here's at last the definition of the two first launch about to take place :

First launch main goals:

Send and receive telemetry data using an arduino board
Record videos from the onboard gopro on an onboard sdcard
Stabilize camera recording using an onboard gyroscopic plateform built on ardupilot
Ssend servo commands to the arduino board so that the gopro (on a pan/tilt mechanism) moves as I move my joystick on the ground
Communication distance targeted : 33km LOS
Frequency used : 868Mhz using Zigbee pro protocol (or alternative if more suitable, but at the time being, the best identifed.. there are a number of problems with this protocol.. I am aware of it.. )
Reception and live monitoring of position, angle of incidence, speed, external and internal temperature on a ground station using HK Ground Station

Second Launch main goal :

live transmission of HD video on the ground using digital COFDM modems and a gopro as video camera

You are a growing number of people reading this blog. Please don't hesitate do drop a comment.

mardi 7 février 2012

Recommandation of 900Mhz & 1.2Ghz equipment for long range flight

A page giving all kind of advice for long range video transmittion : http://www.terranova.net/~winger/RCVideoStore/DragonLink/Flying/VideoSystem/VideoSystem.htm

The writer ackwonledges that many of the transmitters on the market have a real power output much lower than that indicated by the manufacturer (125mW instead of 500mW). Also, from what he tells, transmitter can get hot because of bad impedance match between antenna & the load.

He recommends using this kind of equipment available from hobbywireless.com in the 900Mhz :

900Mhz is also a frequency where receivers are kinda old, and not very sensitive, compared to 1.2Ghz for example.

Transmitter : T905 Transmitter 900 MHz 500 mW (above)

Receiver : R900 - 900MHz High Sensitvity Receiver Standard (above)

5dbi antenna : AN905 HIGH GAIN WHIP ANTENNA 900Mhz 5dBi

1.2Ghz

http://hobbywireless.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=100&zenid=7ad59c8ec255d0d65eee7473f5daa55f

http://hobbywireless.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=102&zenid=7ad59c8ec255d0d65eee7473f5daa55f

http://www.lightinthebox.com/Brand-New-1-2GHz-Outdoor-High-Gain-Yagi-Antenna-with-15dB-Cable-15dB-Max-Gain--ES500-_p118587.html

http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=20248

lundi 6 février 2012

digital and analog video downlink provider

The best product I found :

http://www.rotoconcept.com/products/digitalrfvideotransmitters/rq3highpowernlosvideolink/

http://navtech.newcomweb.demon.com/downloads/index.htm

Technology from 2005. Probably expensive compared to today's standards.

Still interesting to see how digital downlink is achieved.. here, it seems they are using COFDM modulation and they provide receiver and transmitter. But I beleive it must be very heavy....

Other provider of COFDM receiver/transmitter :
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/uav-transmitter.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/513686401/Cute_Mini_COFDM_Transmitter_and_Receiver.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/261883052/MV2025TTSE_Mini_Wireless_COFDM_Transmitter.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/379850065/COFDM_Wireless_Digital_Transmitter_for_UAV.html

Great provider all in one and compact :

http://www.discover-cctv.com.sg/professional-cctv/digital-wireless-transmission

Specifications:

Model Number	DIS-W1100/PN5	DIS-W1100/CN5	DIS-W1100/AN5
CPU	Atheros MIPS 24KC, 400MHz
EMS memory	32MB		64MB
Flash memory	8MB
Working frequency	5.470GHz~5.825GHz (IEEE802.11a/n)	5.150GHz~5.825GHz (IEEE802.11a/n)	5.470GHz~5.825GHz (IEEE802.11a/n)
Antenna connector	N type, Male (connect to the antenna directly)	-	2 x RP-SMA
Transmitting power output	Max. 400mW	Max. 500mW	Max. 500mW
Transmitting distance (LOS)	>50km	>15km	>50km
Transmitting speed	Max. 100Mbps TCP/IP	Max. 150Mbps TCP/IP
Channel bandwidth	40MHz, 20MHz, 10MHz & 5MHz (adjustable by PC program)
Network connector	1 x 10/100M Ethernet (RJ-45)	2 x 10/100M Ethernet (RJ-45)	1 x 10/100M Ethernet (RJ-45)
Appearance	Industrial grade outdoors type UV
Antenna	External	Integrated 2x2 MIMO dual-polarized intelligent antenna	External
Shell structure	Anti-corrosive, waterproof & sun-proof
Shell strength	ETSI300-019-1.4
Power	24V, Power-over-Internet (PoE)	15V, Power-over-Internet (PoE)	24V, Power-over-Internet (PoE)
Power consumption	6W	8W	6W
Working temperature	-40°C ~ 80°C	-30°C ~ 80°C
Working humidity	5% ~ 95% (non-condensing)
Dimension	15.2 x 3.1 x 3.7cm	29.4 x 8 x 3cm	16 x 8 x 3cm
Weight	0.18kg	0.4kg	0.5kg
Standard Certification	FCC Part 15.247, IC RS210, CE
RoHS	Compliant

Ordering Information:

Please refers to above Specifications' Model Number

Autre solution :

http://wirelessvideocameras.com/my-cart.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=7&category_id=53

5.8GHz 1 Watt Airborne Video Downlink (No Camera)

Includes:

5.8Ghz 1 Watt Transmitter with 12VDC to 24VDC input

5.8Ghz Receiver with 9VDC to 12VDC input

1 "rubber duck type" Omni-Directional Antenna for TX

1 Patch Directional Antenna for TX

1 9dBi High Gain Omni-Directional Antenna for TX for extended range and signal strength

1 High Gain 23dBi Directional Antenna Enclosure with Integrated 5.8Ghz Receiver & 30ft. cables

AC/12VDC power supply for RX and Instructions

Features:

Transmitter Weight only 4 ounces (113 grams)

Plug & Play system just add any composite video camera for TX and any TV for RX
High Quality Real-Time Wireless Video up to 25mile Clear-Line-of-Sight Range
Great for all types of Airborne RC & UAV applications, Airplanes, Helicopters, Blimps & more

5.8Ghz will not interfere with 2.4Ghz RC radio-control units

SMA connectors for TX & RX for use of Omni-Directional or Directional Antennas

23dBi High Gain Directional Antenna Enclosure with Integrated 5.8ghz Receiver & 30ft. Video, Audio & Power cables

11 degree Horizontal and 11 degree Verticle Antenna Signal Beamwidth for the Receiver Anetnna

Pole Mount bracket for Receiver Antenna Enclosure to raise off the ground for increased range

One-Year Warranty

Life-Time Free Technical Support to original purchasing customer

Solutions en COFDM

WVC-SD Digital COFDM Mini Transmitter System

COFDM Digital Wireless Video Mini Transmitter with True Diversity Receiver - Excellent choice for UAV and Body Worn applications - Credit Card sized Mini COFDM Transmitter
[Product Details...]

Our Price: Call for Pricing

WVC-SD Digital COFDM Wireless Video System

COFDM Digital Wireless Video Transmitter & True Diversity Receiver - Available for Long Range Line-of-Sight and Urban Non-Line-of-Sight applications
[Product Details...]

Our Price: Call for Pricing

High altitude broadband communication (Google Book)

Wiring arduino and standard RC equipment

Those schematics are provided by this url :

http://labs.blackcatsec.net/projects/fpv-uav/wiki/ArduPilot_Equipment

Other architectures are possible, such as the Paparazzi project :

GOPRO Gimball : http://www.shapeways.com/model/207257/3_axis_camera_gimbal_for_gopro__back_cage_.html?gid=ug5911

http://www.pololu.com/docs/0J41

http://www.flashrc.com/droidworx/6779-nacelle_tilt_roll_pro_mount_mini_550d_av130.html

How to overcome/hack zigbee 10% duty cycle limitation

An autopilot project that implements the workaround for 10% duty cycle of zigbee pro 868 :

Web site : http://gluonpilot.com/wiki/Main_Page
Forum : http://gluonpilot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=125

The lead on the diydrone forum :

http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/xbee-868-revived

For support, manual of the zigbee pro 868mhz :

http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/90001020_a.pdf

The paparazzi Project from Enac

http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/Get_Hardware

The Paparazzi Project

Paparazzi is a free and open-source hardware and software project intended to create an exceptionally powerful and versatile autopilot system for fixedwing aircrafts as well as multicopters by allowing and encouraging input from the community. The project includes not only the airborne hardware and software, from voltage regulators and GPS receivers to Kalman filteringcode, but also a powerful and ever-expanding array of ground hardware and software including modems, antennas, and a highly evolved user-friendly ground control software interface.

dimanche 5 février 2012

Achat des ballons et toutes sortes d'informations

Afin de réaliser des ascensions, il faut s'équiper de ballons météorologiques.

D'après différents projets parcourus sur le web, voici les principales références de sites web en vendant :

Kaymont in the US (KCI 1200 sounding balloon)

Steve Randall from Randomsolutions.co.uk

http://www.scientificsales.com/8245-H-Hwoyee-Weather-Balloon-1600-Grams-Natural-p/8245-h.htm

Data about balloons :

http://ukhas.org.uk/guides:balloon_data
Balloon Calculator

Retour aux Patch antennas

Inverted Y antenna

DIY antenna tracker - The ultimate FPV accessory

SWR meter - Tune your own antennas with this quick DIY project.

The Cloverleaf CP antenna - The best TX antenna I have ever designed!

The fast patch antenna tutorial - The easiest patch antenna you can make for your FPV project.

DIY diversity controller - Need I say more?

Low Pass filter

http://www.minicircuits.com/homepage/homepage.html

Recommandation for choosing FPV downlink radio :

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1028300

Base de donnée de profils d'ailes pour avions :

http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html#U

Bluebeam antenna

http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16677&cat=0&page=1

Great electronic radiocontrol gadget provider

http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/home.php?

Stabilizer

The FY-30A Pro is an advanced R/C Aircraft Flight Stabilization System for R/C hobby model airplanes. It can be used with fixed wing R/C model aircraft or two axis camera gimbals. It utilizes sophisticated gyro and accelerometer sensors to help control the model's movement in three-dimensional space. It's small size (16×27×47 mm, 15 grams) allows it to be installed in a variety of models .

http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16667&cat=277&page=1

Helium

http://www.supersoiree.com/fr/w16366/location-helium.html

TX/RX FM sur 869Mhz

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