New gluonpilot hardware

[Tom]

I'm about to do a slight redesign of the gluonpilot module:
- Dataflash shortage: instead I would use http://www.sst.com/dotAsset/40373.pdf
- Gyroscope. The yaw gyro from analog devices is very good, but needs 5V and is 4 times as expensive as other gyroscopes. Maybe changing it to the IDG-500? Or ISZ-1215 (max yaw rate = 67°/s = too limited for quads?)

Any other ideas?

[lukasz]

The idea to change current yaw gyro is due to the cost or there are some limitation with currently used one?

[Tom]

Both cost and availability... Only digikey seems to have them in a larger quantity in stock. Lead times (again) up to 5 months.
This is the only 5V component used. Eliminating this would make the entire board 3V3.

[lukasz]

I see.
Does this mean that after you change the yaw gyro all current users will now longer be able to use latest firmware releases or you will release firmware for both?

[Tom]

Oh no, IF I make the change, I'll make sure it can auto-detect the type of gyro that is installed!

[lukasz]

Thanks tom for clarification!

[lukasz]

Tom, when discussing "New Hardware". Following things come to my mind:
- Buzzer - sound alerts
- Power information for logging (Pack Volts, Amperage, RX Volts,)
- On-Screen Display? An option to attach OSD that could be used for FPV flying? We already have GPS, readings from Gyroscopes + Barometric sensor, why not add an video in/out connections?

[Mitch]

I think keeping cost down is paramount unless performance is compromised!

It would be nice to have a few extra analog inputs for sensors. I just started playing with a 2.4 ghz Frsky Tx Module and receiver which has full two way communication and telemetry built right in (very low bandwidth to the ground). I think it will be the new thing - similiar to spektrum DX8 except open source and inexpensive.

[Rico21]

Hi all,
For the future what do you think with a tcp/ip connection The idea behind this is to be able to transfer the datas in each way by Internet with 3G technology, so the distance of the flight from the home position is only a question of autonomy of the UAS with the condition to fly over GSM transmitter from time to time.

[Tom]

Something extra:
Some people have issues with the 3v3 PWM signals. Servos are not a problem, but some ESC's can't handle these low voltages. To overcome this problem, I might add a 4-channel level translator from 3V3 to 5V:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... EEUD%2B-ND