Take Your Drone Flying Skills to the Next Level with Spektrum DX6i Transmitter

Take Your Drone Flying Skills to the Next Level with Spektrum DX6i Transmitter

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. The AR Drone: An Overview
  3. Modifying the AR Drone
    • 3.1. Materials Needed
    • 3.2. Sync Labs Yellow Jacket
    • 3.3. FTDI Breakout Board
    • 3.4. Battery Eliminating Circuit (BeC)
    • 3.5. Transmitter and Receiver
    • 3.6. Soldering and Editing Files
  4. Programming the Yellow Jacket
  5. Configuring the Transmitter
  6. Adjusting Endpoint Values
    • 6.1. Auxilary Channel
    • 6.2. Throttle
    • 6.3. Yaw or Rudder
    • 6.4. Pitch or Elevator
    • 6.5. Role or Aileron
  7. Modifying the AR Drone
    • 7.1. Wi-Fi Configuration
    • 7.2. Connecting Yellow Jacket to AR Drone
  8. Using iOS Device and Transmitter Simultaneously
  9. Launch Sequence for AR Drone
  10. Conclusion

Modifying the AR Drone to Work with a RC Transmitter

The AR Drone is a popular quadcopter that can be controlled using Wi-Fi with an iOS device. However, using a regular RC transmitter can offer easier control and increased range. In this article, we will discuss how to modify the AR Drone to work with an RC transmitter like the DX21.

The AR Drone: An Overview

Before we dive into the modification process, let's take a quick look at the AR Drone. It is a quadcopter that can be controlled using Wi-Fi with an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad. While this method of control works, using a traditional RC transmitter offers better control and increased range.

Modifying the AR Drone

To modify the AR Drone, You will need a few materials. Here's a list of items you will need:

3.1 Materials Needed

  • Sync Labs Yellow Jacket: This is the heart of the modification. It sends Wi-Fi commands to the AR Drone and can be purchased for around $60.
  • FTDI Breakout Board: This board is used to program the Yellow Jacket. It is connected to your computer via a USB cable.
  • Battery Eliminating Circuit (BEC): This circuit is needed to power the Yellow Jacket and receiver with the onboard battery from the AR Drone.
  • Transmitter and Receiver: You can use any programmable transmitter, preferably with 2.4 GHz frequency and at least 5 channels.
  • Soldering Tools: This modification will involve soldering, so you will need soldering iron and related tools.
  • Files and Software: You will need to download Arduino application, sketch/program for the Yellow Jacket, and Y Shield libraries.

3.2 Sync Labs Yellow Jacket

The Yellow Jacket is a Wi-Fi device that replaces the iOS device in controlling the AR Drone. It comes with a receiver that receives signals from the transmitter. This is the most important component of the modification process.

3.3 FTDI Breakout Board

The FTDI breakout board is used to program the Yellow Jacket. You will connect this board to your computer and use the Arduino application to upload the program to the Yellow Jacket. Once programmed, you won't need the breakout board anymore.

3.4 Battery Eliminating Circuit (BEC)

The BEC is required to power the Yellow Jacket and receiver using the onboard battery of the AR Drone. It converts the 11.1-volt battery voltage down to 5 volts, which is the required voltage for the Yellow Jacket and receiver. Make sure to select a BEC that has a 5-volt option.

3.5 Transmitter and Receiver

You will need a transmitter and receiver for this modification. The transmitter should be programmable, preferably with 2.4 GHz frequency and at least 5 channels. The receiver should be compatible with the transmitter and have inputs for pitch, yaw, throttle, and auxiliary channels.

3.6 Soldering and Editing Files

This modification requires some soldering work. You will need to solder leads from the Yellow Jacket to the receiver using standard JR extension cables. It is essential to ensure proper soldering for the connections to work correctly. Additionally, you will need to edit files from the command line to modify the AR Drone's Wi-Fi configuration.

In the next section, we will Delve into programming the Yellow Jacket and configuring the transmitter.

Continue reading the article to learn how to modify the AR Drone step by step, including adjusting endpoint values, modifying Wi-Fi configuration, and launching the drone with an RC transmitter.

Programming the Yellow Jacket

To control the AR Drone using an RC transmitter, you need to program the Yellow Jacket. This involves uploading a sketch or program that instructs the Yellow Jacket on how to communicate with the AR Drone.

To program the Yellow Jacket:

  1. Connect the Yellow Jacket to your computer using the FTDI breakout board.
  2. Open the Arduino application and select the appropriate board (Arduino Pro or Pro Mini 5V/16MHz with ATmega328).
  3. In the serial port menu, select the port corresponding to the FTDI breakout board.
  4. Open the sketch or program for the Yellow Jacket that you downloaded.
  5. Click the "Upload" button in the Arduino application to upload the sketch to the Yellow Jacket.

Once the Yellow Jacket is programmed, it is ready to communicate with the AR Drone. Now, let's move on to configuring the transmitter.

Configuring the Transmitter

To control the AR Drone using an RC transmitter, you need to configure the transmitter correctly. This involves adjusting the endpoint values and reversing channels if necessary.

Follow these steps to configure the transmitter:

  1. Set up the transmitter as a non-CCPM helicopter with no mixing.
  2. Make sure the transmitter has at least 5 channels and operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency.
  3. Center all the sticks on the transmitter, especially the throttle stick.
  4. Verify that each channel on the receiver corresponds to the correct control (yaw, pitch, Roll, throttle, landing, and takeoff).
  5. Adjust the endpoint values or travel adjustments on the transmitter to ensure the range of motion aligns with the Yellow Jacket's requirements.
  6. Check the reversing settings for each channel and reverse if necessary.

By configuring the transmitter correctly, you will ensure that the AR Drone responds accurately to your commands. In the next sections, we will discuss adjusting the endpoint values for each channel.

Adjusting Endpoint Values

To achieve precise control over the AR Drone, it is crucial to adjust the endpoint values for each control channel. This ensures that the AR Drone responds correctly to your movements.

6.1 Auxilary Channel

The auxilary channel is responsible for takeoff and landing. It is usually controlled by a switch on the transmitter, such as the gyro switch. The value for the auxilary channel should be around 950 in the low position and around 2000 in the high position. Adjust the endpoint values or reverse the channel on the transmitter if necessary.

6.2 Throttle

The throttle channel controls the vertical movement of the AR Drone. When the throttle stick is at the lowest position, the value should be around 1000. At the highest position, the value should be around 1900. Make adjustments to the endpoint values or reverse the channel if necessary.

6.3 Yaw or Rudder

The yaw or rudder channel controls the rotation of the AR Drone. When the rudder stick is moved all the way to the right, the value should be around 1900. Adjust the endpoints or reverse the channel as needed.

6.4 Pitch or Elevator

The pitch or elevator channel controls the forward and backward movement of the AR Drone. When the pitch stick is at the lowest position, the value should be around 1900. At the highest position, the value should be around 1000. Make necessary adjustments to the endpoints or reverse the channel.

6.5 Role or Aileron

The role or aileron channel controls the side-to-side movement of the AR Drone. When the stick is moved all the way to the right, the value should be around 1900. When moved all the way to the left, the value should be around 1000. Adjust the endpoints or reverse the channel if needed.

By adjusting the endpoint values for each control channel, you can ensure precise and accurate control over the AR Drone. In the next section, we will discuss modifying the AR Drone to work with the Yellow Jacket.

Continue reading the article to learn how to modify the AR Drone's Wi-Fi configuration and connect it to the Yellow Jacket.

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