GPS & WiFi Module Progress

I'm working on a set of modules that can be used with the GO! platform to build a quad copter controlled by a Windows Phone and/or Windows 8 tablet. I originally had hoped to have this done in time to bring to TechEd in Orlando next month but at the rate of my progress and the amout of time I've had for this, flying by then might seem doubtful. If you're heading to TechEd stop by the Windows Phone booth, I'll bring what I have and probably be able to demo at least a few of its features.

This afternoon, I got to a point where the firmware in a couple of modules was stable enough to do a little testing. So far I've been focusing on a module that can host either an XBee/XBee Pro or Roving Networks RN-VX WiFi module as well as a module based upon the Wi2Wi GPS chip.

So I was all excited to test this out in the driveway. Well the software/hardware worked great. The GPS sent an IRQ to the main board and then the main board pulled the latest GPS data from the module. Then it displayed it on the GO! Touch Screen and sent it over to the WiFi module to send back to my desktop computer. I've attached some pictures.

Only one slight problem to dampen success...the GPS chip couldn't find any satellites. I think my board design isn't correct to host the chip antenna. Hope to report some success this weekend on a new board.

The other modules I have in various states of completion are a sensor board with a gyro, accelerometer, magnetometer and pressure gauge. I also have a fairly simple real time clock and a GPIO board with PWM, ADC and other fun stuff like that.

Thought I'd just share some of the success and fun I'm having with the GO! platform. The more I play with it, the more I really like the direction it's heading!

Kevin...

This is quite impressive. I can't wait to see your next update on this project...

Fantastic ! What's the board that you had "RN-VX WiFi" on top? What type Socket Type/Protocol does it use to talk to Go? Thanks

Also, does RN-VX WiFi let you have a WEP/... encryption (user/pass)?

Also, does RN-VX WiFi let you have a WEP/... encryption (user/pass)?

The module does so.
I got it working on Netduino Go! in this thread:
http://forums.netdui...or-netduino-go/

Hello Orange -

What's the board that you had "RN-VX WiFi" on top? What type Socket Type/Protocol does it use to talk to Go?

Right now this module is sitting on top of a home-brew PCB with an STM8S103F and some custom firmware. The mainboard just ships down packets of bytes via SPI to the STM8 chip which in turn sends them thru its on-board UART to be sent out via the WiFi module. If the STM8 reads in a byte from the RN-VX via the UART it queues it up in a local buffer and when either the buffer reaches a certain capacity, or a timeout occurs the module notifies the mainboard it has some data and the mainboard clocks the data and makes it available to the NETMF app.

In the near future I’m going to add the capability that Stefen demonstrated to programmatically pick an access point and configure the security. At this time the RN-VX needs to be programmed before it’s added to the module.

In addition since the STM32F0 chips are so cheap, I might replace the STM8S103F to get a little more RAM for buffering and a faster SPI & CLCK.

Eventually I’ll order up a bunch of PCB’s from seeed and make those available as well as the HW & SW to make this stuff work.

Kevin…

Kevin, Are you by any chance working on a Blue Tooth Go Module? The reason I ask is I just got in a GPSR/GSM shield only to come to the realization that it will be difficult to use with Verizon (uses a SIM card and so far Verizon only seems to have 4G LTE cards). I purchased a AT&T Tracphone to try it but the cost of minutes will add up. Then without the use of any alcohol I started thinking why couldn't you use an old cell phone with bluetooth. Then use a Go module to control the phone. I know that truck can connect to my cell to make calls and I think text messages also so why not a Netduino? Most people have several last years model phones laying around the house so why not get another phone include on you current plan and use it instead of a GSM shield that may or may not work with you phone carrier. If you could let me know if you think it is doable, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Chuck

Hi Carb -

Very interesting you considered using Bluetooth and a cell phone. About 5 years ago I put something together that actually worked fairly decent with my NiVek JD project so I can assure you it's actually a valid approach

Are you by any chance working on a Blue Tooth Go Module?

Right now I'm not specifically working on a Bluetooth module, but Seeed offers a Bluetooth bee that could plug into the board I'm creating or you could take a look at what Stefen did to configure WiFi support and potentially get something going a little sooner. Obviously you would have to change software on the GO! side, but the hardware configuration would be similar.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

Kevin...

Thanks Kevin, I ordered a bluetooth shield from elecfreak. Chuck

I've been working on an idea for a slightly different type of Quad Copter still using the GO. Curious as to what Quad Copter hardware you are using. I've done some research and there are many out there and many different types of frames from Carbon Fiber to Aluminum to Simple Tube Frame. Curious what you went with and why. -Dave-

Hi Dave -

Curious as to what Quad Copter hardware you are using. I've done some research and there are many out there and many different types of frames from Carbon Fiber to Aluminum to Simple Tube Frame. Curious what you went with and why.

-Dave-

I've attached a picture of what hardware will probably be used for my maiden flight, however I'm fairly certain I'll end up with a different platform. It's made out of laser cut plywood and is pretty light but the quality just isn't there. Seems like it will break pretty easy and some of the alignments on the arms is a bit off. I'll probably end up doing something custom...I'm thinking a stealthy, "black-helicopter" carbon fiber theme.

It's using some brushless motors and ESC's. All this stuff I got at Hobby King. Once I get it all put together I'll do a blog post on the pro's and con's of the approach.


Kevin...

Kevin,

I have been anxiously waiting on some progress updates and thought I'd check in to see how things were going. You have some amazing projects "on the Go!" and I'm excited to see what other things you have cooking up.

5 or 6 years ago I stumbled across your NiVek project when I was looking at building a Wimo Bot. It was the WiMo platform that really got me interested in robotics as something attainable to a mere mortal, but unfortunately my lack of knowledge and money prevented me from doing that much. Thankfully it didn't stifle my desire, but just postponed it. A little while back I discovered the Netduino and it finally provided me a platform that I could grasp and it removed many of the previous barriers that I had. In any case, I was pleasantly surprised to see yourself join the Netduino community and instantly knew there were going to be some innovative projects coming from your workbench.

With all that said, I wish you a belated welcome to the community and big thank you for your inspirations and enthusiasm. Keep up the fantastic work!

Cheers,
Steve

Hi Steve -

I have been anxiously waiting on some progress updates and thought I'd check in to see how things were going. You have some amazing projects "on the Go!" and I'm excited to see what other things you have cooking up.

Unfortunately this projects priority got moved down a bit. With the upcoming launch of Windows 8, a very intersting and what I believe once in a life time opportunity came a long that has been sucking up all my free time .

Saying that however, I did spend a little time on this yesterday and I'm really not that far away. the NiVek GO! copter consists of four boards:
- Sensor Board: ITG3200 3 Axis Gyro, LSM303 Accelerometer & Magnometer, BMP085 Pressure Gauge and a 32K Data logger. I've combined the Gyro and Accelerometer into something that gives very stable Pitch/Yaw and sends that back to the GO! main board. I need write the code to read the pressure (to determine altitude) as well as figure what I'm going to want to log to EEPROM.

- GPIO Board: A standard 5 channel remote control will be used to fly the copter (originally looked at just using WiFi but there was too much latency). This board currenly monitors the pulse width coming in from the RC receiver, it also has four outputs that send PWM signals to the ESC (electronic speed controls) that control the brushless motors. Final task here is to build the PID controller that combines the output from the sensor board and RC inputs to control the motors to produce stable flight.

-GPS Board: Just used to track location, this is pretty much done, my board design/ground plane was incorrect for the PCB antenna, but I got that sorted out.

-WIFI Board: Used to send telemetry from the GO! copter to a Windows Phone/Win8 (see pix of initial WP7 app) flight controller app. Also will be used to do in-flight calibration of the PID algorithm and sensor calibration. This is working but I'd like to get a little better through-put on it.

I've also ordered and received a bunch of manufactured boards from OSH Park to replace my home made ones that will be a little more reliable. Also note in the pictures, the board between the GO! mainboard and my WiFi board, it lets me connect my logic analyzer and ST-Link to help with development.

Once I get all this figured out I'll probably just create one larger board that has all the modules in place.

Anyway - thanks for asking about the status, I was seriously hoping to be flying by now, but oh-well. I have a code camp talk scheduled in September to do a demo so I have a hard deadline.

Finally once I get a little further on in the process I'll make all my "stuff" available to include the source code and Eagle files.

-twb

Thanks for the update, ByteMaster. This is looking really good; I can't wait to see the finished boards! Also, congrats on the new opportunity! Chris

I was able to sneak in a little time into this project yesterday and took a couple of _kewl_ pictures. I think the module concept works really well when prototyping the hardware and writing the software, but the final product turns out to be fairly large. In a final version I can see creating one board with multiple processors. -twb