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Century 1 Autopilot Musings

 
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pmather



Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:16 am    Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings Reply with quote

The Century 1 autopilot is a competent wing leveller but has very basic
tracking capability - however, upgrading to a higher spec aoutopilot is too
expensive to contemplate. Basically all the Century 1 sees is the course
deviation output from a GPS or Nav set. It has no knowledge of course, track
etc. This is easily demonstrated by engaging tracking when well off course
with, for example, the deviation at full scale left. The autopilot correctly
turns towards the course but if the deviation stays full scale the aircraft
then circles endlessly.

It seems to me that a simple microprocessor program could read in the NMEA
output of a GPS and artificially create a course deviation output. So for
example if you are well left of track it could create a full left deviation
until the aircraft has turned onto a 30degree intersection course at which
point it could send a centered signal. Then when approaching the desired
track it could send a right deviation to turn the aircraft onto the track.

Has anyone tried playing with such an idea or can anyone point me at any
algorithms that might provide a starting point?

Thanks

Peter


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gregmchugh



Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Posts: 42

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:12 am    Post subject: Re: Century 1 Autopilot Musings Reply with quote

Peter,

As a starting point I would take a look at the ArduPilot software to
see if there is an option to simplify it down to what you need. The
complete autopilot functionality is there but I don't know how
modular the software architecture is and if it would be difficult
to simplify the functionality down to what you need. The ArduPilot
hardware would be more than you need but you could configure
a stripped down hardware version using Arduino boards for
the reduced functionality.

If you want to leave room for adding more functions you could go
with the $199 full hardware configuration and add more autopilot
functions in the future. In any case the software is freely available for
you to take a look at the algorithms needed for your application.
Somewhere in there is an algorithm for course following.
I have not looked at the software and documentation so I don't
know how hard it would be to do what I am suggesting. Here is
a starting point that will lead you to more info.

http://www.diydrones.com/notes/ArduPilot

Greg McHugh


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pmather



Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:05 am    Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings Reply with quote

Greg

Thanks for the link - I'll study it and see where it gets me.I've home built
Arduino based circuits before so this looks a good start

Best Regards

Peter
---


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millner(at)me.com
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:08 am    Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings Reply with quote

Porcine Associates, principal Jim Ham, makes JUST such a device!

Paul

On 6/4/2012 1:14 AM, Peter Mather wrote:
Quote:

<peter(at)mather.com>

The Century 1 autopilot is a competent wing leveller but has very
basic tracking capability - however, upgrading to a higher spec
aoutopilot is too expensive to contemplate. Basically all the Century
1 sees is the course deviation output from a GPS or Nav set. It has no
knowledge of course, track etc. This is easily demonstrated by
engaging tracking when well off course with, for example, the
deviation at full scale left. The autopilot correctly turns towards
the course but if the deviation stays full scale the aircraft then
circles endlessly.

It seems to me that a simple microprocessor program could read in the
NMEA output of a GPS and artificially create a course deviation
output. So for example if you are well left of track it could create a
full left deviation until the aircraft has turned onto a 30degree
intersection course at which point it could send a centered signal.
Then when approaching the desired track it could send a right
deviation to turn the aircraft onto the track.

Has anyone tried playing with such an idea or can anyone point me at
any algorithms that might provide a starting point?

Thanks

Peter



--
Please note my new email address!
millner(at)me.com


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pmather



Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 33

PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:33 am    Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings Reply with quote

Perfect - thanks!

--


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