Cellular Shield?
#1
Posted 08 September 2010 - 12:16 AM
#2
Posted 08 September 2010 - 01:03 AM
#3
Posted 08 September 2010 - 04:01 AM
If you're doing a HAB though cellular may not be your best bet - how high are you talking? Beyond about 10k AGL you're not going to be able to talk to any towers anymore depending on their location and other factors.
Thanks for the info! The cell connection is only a tertiary way of communication, i'm going to have two RF signals as well. This is all about learning and whatnot, and I want to add some cool features along the way, so I totally agree that a cell signal alone would not be a wise decision, but it's certainly fun!
#4
Posted 08 September 2010 - 04:16 AM
Thanks for the info! The cell connection is only a tertiary way of communication, i'm going to have two RF signals as well. This is all about learning and whatnot, and I want to add some cool features along the way, so I totally agree that a cell signal alone would not be a wise decision, but it's certainly fun!
I think it goes without saying that photos of the UAV would be awesome...
Welcome to the community,
Chris
#5
Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:25 AM
I will be taking lots of pictures as I build it, and then hopefully at launch! I haven't even received my netduino yet, but i've ordered lots of parts and ready to get rolling!I think it goes without saying that photos of the UAV would be awesome...
Welcome to the community,
Chris
And thanks!
#6
Posted 08 September 2010 - 12:51 PM
#7
Posted 08 September 2010 - 02:08 PM
#8
Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:29 PM
Yes, thank you I've read through that whole article and found it very informative. I hope to not lose mine!just make sure you have VERY good tracking hardware in there -- it's easy to lose your sensor package as Sparkfun found out.
I just ordered the GPS shield from SparkFun. I know it doesn't work at high-altitudes, but it's basically plug-n-play, and I plan on using it as a stand-in while I develop (and learn everything) until I find a replacement unit. However, I think I know what I want to buy:Johnny Five,
When I woke up this morning, I was certain that I'd be the first to send my netdiuno to near space but now I'm shaking in my boots.
All joking aside, I'm doing a high altitude balloon project with the netduino as well. I think I'm going with the prepaid Boost Mobile Accutracking phone for my tracking and recovery (knowing that I'm going to lose contact for most of the launch) and am going to log GPS and sensor data to an SD card.
Have you managed to find a GPS that works at high altitudes? I've heard the Copernicus does but I'm hesitant to use it because of it's interface.
http://www.u-blox.co...6-HW-09003).pdf
Specifically the NEO-6Q-0. It says it works at 50,000 meters! Also, it has an UART and USB interface. I've just never soldered/connected raw connections like that before, so I have lots of learning.
My real issue has been that I want include a RF module to implement APRS, however the one module that (seems) perfect that I can find is the eXtend shield, and i'm not sure it's what I want to use, however I can't find any other transmitters that are as long range!
I have a gdocs spreadsheet i'm constantly updating with information on what i've already ordered, and what i'm thinking of ordering, for this project. I'd be willing to give you view access if you wish! Just give me a gmail account in a message.
Good luck!
#9
Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:34 PM
Yes, thank you I've read through that whole article and found it very informative. I hope to not lose mine!
I just ordered the GPS shield from SparkFun. I know it doesn't work at high-altitudes, but it's basically plug-n-play, and I plan on using it as a stand-in while I develop (and learn everything) until I find a replacement unit. However, I think I know what I want to buy:
http://www.u-blox.co...6-HW-09003).pdf
Specifically the NEO-6Q-0. It says it works at 50,000 meters! Also, it has an UART and USB interface. I've just never soldered/connected raw connections like that before, so I have lots of learning.
My real issue has been that I want include a RF module to implement APRS, however the one module that (seems) perfect that I can find is the eXtend shield, and i'm not sure it's what I want to use, however I can't find any other transmitters that are as long range!
I have a gdocs spreadsheet i'm constantly updating with information on what i've already ordered, and what i'm thinking of ordering, for this project. I'd be willing to give you view access if you wish! Just give me a gmail account in a message.
Good luck!
XBee: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9411
They are out of stock but it's got a 40 mile LOS range. You might look at this instead though with a high gain antenna -- it should be sufficient for your needs. Please note that these transmitters require a lot more power (the first one is around 800mA when transmitting) so you might need a separate power source just for your transmitter.
#10
Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:46 PM
Greg, thanks, this is one of the devices i've seen already that is mentioned in the SparkFun article, but it looks like he didn't have a good experience with it. I don't know enough about RF, but I do know networking, and understand the TCP/IP vs UDP analogy that he gave. So now i'm trying to find a long range RF transmitter that uses UDP and not TCP/IP, except... in RF terms.XBee: http://www.sparkfun....roducts_id=9411
They are out of stock but it's got a 40 mile LOS range. You might look at this instead though with a high gain antenna -- it should be sufficient for your needs. Please note that these transmitters require a lot more power (the first one is around 800mA when transmitting) so you might need a separate power source just for your transmitter.
I was looking at this: http://www.radiotele... Data Sheet.pdf
Know anything about RF?
And thanks for your replies, they are greatly appreciated!
#11
Posted 08 September 2010 - 05:56 PM
Greg, thanks, this is one of the devices i've seen already that is mentioned in the SparkFun article, but it looks like he didn't have a good experience with it. I don't know enough about RF, but I do know networking, and understand the TCP/IP vs UDP analogy that he gave. So now i'm trying to find a long range RF transmitter that uses UDP and not TCP/IP, except... in RF terms.
I was looking at this: http://www.radiotele... Data Sheet.pdf
Know anything about RF?
And thanks for your replies, they are greatly appreciated!
RF is black magic voodoo. I work for AT&T Mobility (not the radio piece though) and I see all the RF engineers with chicken blood on their hands and feathers flying by their desks. I don't intrude in their rituals because I'm too scared.
However, with the XBee modules you don't need TCP/IP -- it can be a straight serial connection.
Depending on how high your HAB goes chances are you are going to lose communication with it at some point - hobby-grade electronics generally aren't built for what we do to them <grin>. However, remember you're not going to have LOS issues with a HAB (hopefully!), so it'll be more of a range thing. What altitude are you aiming for?
#12
Posted 08 September 2010 - 06:04 PM
Hah, no I didn't mean I needed TCP/IP for the module, I was using the analogy the SparkFun article was using. He said that the XBee module was transmitting in a fashion that filled the airspace and corrected mistakes it saw, meaning it took longer to send data, instead of just sending out the data and not fixing errors. I'd rather use the latter.RF is black magic voodoo. I work for AT&T Mobility (not the radio piece though) and I see all the RF engineers with chicken blood on their hands and feathers flying by their desks. I don't intrude in their rituals because I'm too scared.
However, with the XBee modules you don't need TCP/IP -- it can be a straight serial connection.
Depending on how high your HAB goes chances are you are going to lose communication with it at some point - hobby-grade electronics generally aren't built for what we do to them <grin>. However, remember you're not going to have LOS issues with a HAB (hopefully!), so it'll be more of a range thing. What altitude are you aiming for?
I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations I may just use the XBee, but i'm OCD and want things to be as best as I can make it the first time, instead of just getting it to work. I'm sure you know how it is!
#13
Posted 08 September 2010 - 06:21 PM
Hah, no I didn't mean I needed TCP/IP for the module, I was using the analogy the SparkFun article was using. He said that the XBee module was transmitting in a fashion that filled the airspace and corrected mistakes it saw, meaning it took longer to send data, instead of just sending out the data and not fixing errors. I'd rather use the latter.
I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations I may just use the XBee, but i'm OCD and want things to be as best as I can make it the first time, instead of just getting it to work. I'm sure you know how it is!
I think (don't quote me) that you can disable a lot of the error correction on the XBee. They give you a lot of control over it with the X-CTU utility.
#14
Posted 08 September 2010 - 06:24 PM
I'm hoping for an altitude of about 10 feet. Anything beyond that will be beyond my expectations
#15
Posted 09 September 2010 - 12:05 AM
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users