Opinions, custom RC board?
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 5:58 pm
After being frustrated by the potential of the ZZSE with its propo controls but with so many silly problems (poor steering, low motor duty cycle, 2 channel limit, etc), I started on a project to fix it.
At first I was just going to decode the protocol and do my own receiver using the SE transmitter, but after capturing the data off the wire and working with it a bit I decided it would make more sense to just bypass the transmitter's IC and use its RF output stage and pots with my own micro, which would be paired with a micro doing similar duty on the SE, commandeering its RF receiver. Course soldering onto the traces on the tiny board is fidgity stuff, and while I can do it, its not very robust, and most people wouldn't find it very useful.
So at this point I'm looking at doing an entirely new design, from antenna to servos. So the question becomes, is it worth doing, or has someone else already done it?
The key features would be as follows.
- 2 standard 8 bit digital proportional channels. 126 positions positive, 126 positions negative.
- 1 standard 8ish bit register for remote switches (won't be sure exactly how many output pins will be available until I get the design finished, but there will probably be at least 3 or 4 just plain switches available).
- Board layout with external mosfets in mind, in case some weirdo wants to put in his own little board with diffrent FETs
- 300 to 440Mhz operating frequency. UHF frequency, better range with smaller antennas. Software selectable channels like the SE, up to a dozen or more channels in the range. Possible drawback, interference from over-powered local UHF amature radio stations.
- Operation from single NiMH cell (as low as 0.9v input).
- Open software, if you have the hardware to do the programming, you can modify the standard sourcecode to handle any special functions you need, including more digital propo channels, no digital propo, pre-set control sequences, input from accelerometers or other sensors, etc.
I've started on the design and order parts for my own personal prototype, mostly just to see if I can do it. I'm looking for input on if I should continue polishing it up to a releasable product, or if there just isn't any demand.
Thoughts?
At first I was just going to decode the protocol and do my own receiver using the SE transmitter, but after capturing the data off the wire and working with it a bit I decided it would make more sense to just bypass the transmitter's IC and use its RF output stage and pots with my own micro, which would be paired with a micro doing similar duty on the SE, commandeering its RF receiver. Course soldering onto the traces on the tiny board is fidgity stuff, and while I can do it, its not very robust, and most people wouldn't find it very useful.
So at this point I'm looking at doing an entirely new design, from antenna to servos. So the question becomes, is it worth doing, or has someone else already done it?
The key features would be as follows.
- 2 standard 8 bit digital proportional channels. 126 positions positive, 126 positions negative.
- 1 standard 8ish bit register for remote switches (won't be sure exactly how many output pins will be available until I get the design finished, but there will probably be at least 3 or 4 just plain switches available).
- Board layout with external mosfets in mind, in case some weirdo wants to put in his own little board with diffrent FETs
- 300 to 440Mhz operating frequency. UHF frequency, better range with smaller antennas. Software selectable channels like the SE, up to a dozen or more channels in the range. Possible drawback, interference from over-powered local UHF amature radio stations.
- Operation from single NiMH cell (as low as 0.9v input).
- Open software, if you have the hardware to do the programming, you can modify the standard sourcecode to handle any special functions you need, including more digital propo channels, no digital propo, pre-set control sequences, input from accelerometers or other sensors, etc.
I've started on the design and order parts for my own personal prototype, mostly just to see if I can do it. I'm looking for input on if I should continue polishing it up to a releasable product, or if there just isn't any demand.
Thoughts?
hehe, stanley spadowski, twinkie weiner sandwich