MEAM.Design - Senior Design - Team 06 (Chris, Edgar, Holt, Hughes) - Component Selection

Airtonomy II

Component Selection

To equip an RC plane with autonomous flight capabilities, we will need an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to detect the roll angle of the plane and a GPS device to measure position, direction, and heading. These components must interface with the Fiene Stamp, which is the microcontroller we will be using to run the continuous feedback loop. Listed below are links to IMUs and GPSs which are being considered for purchase.

IMU

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9431(we want to buy this)
http://www.mouser.com/stmemsgyroscopes/
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9413 (Gyro)

GPS

Vinotech A1080 http://download.vincotech.com/positioning/documents/GPS%20Receiver%20A1080%20V4.2.pdf

  • Currently in possession of this GPS device.
  • Seeking an appropriate active antenna to attach to it.
  • Familiarizing ourselves with NMEA format used to read the GPS output.

Parallax http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/gps/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/396/Default.aspx

  • TTL asynchronous serial interface; 4800 bps
  • Provides either raw NMEA0183 strings or specific data, making it easier to use on the BASIC Stamp microcontrollers.
  • Simple/raw mode selectable via I/O control.

Micro-mini http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8825

Venus http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9060

We are still seeking advice on longer lasting battery packs that could be used as well as a 3 channel remote control with a decent range.

Max3232

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=316

Description: The 'must have' IC for 3V projects. This is the RS232 converter IC that is capable of running at 3V and communicating with 3V logic. Comes in a DIP package. Requires four external capacitors. The MAX3232 can use very small 0.1uF ceramic capacitors - no more 10uF monsters! Operates from 2.7V to 6V so this DIP will work with your 5V projects or your 3V projects. (:commentboxchrono:)