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Gluonpilot is an open source effort to create an affordable, easy-to-use and easy-to-adapt autopilot. It's an all-in-one IMU-based module, which means that you only need 1 PCB board!
Interesting in joining the development (or testing)? Drop me a line!
Quick links: Upgrading firmware | Overview getting started | Forum | Hardware
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Flightplan creation with the ground control station
- by Tom (talk), from Gluonpilot, 20:44, 10 February 2012, no comments.
I've made this video some weeks ago, but being buried deep into the documention almost nobody watched it. To get some more attention, here it is :-)
Any cool other stuff you'd like to see: just let me know!!!
Simulation mode
- by Tom (talk), from Gluonpilot, 21:42, 27 January 2012, one comment.
The latest development code (due in release 0.8) contains a lot of new features!
In my opinion, the simulation (hardware-in-the-loop) is the most exciting one. It allows you to test out all kinds of navigation routines without having to test them out at the field. AND it allows me to develop new navigation stuff without having to do a lot of flight testing before getting it right.
All this is very easy in the current autumn days with very little flying opportunities.
This picture explains how it all works:
Actually there aren't a lot more screen shots to show: from the Gluon Control Station it looks as if it is a real flight :-)
More documentation on the simulation page.
Funjet endurance flight
- by Tom (talk), from Gluonpilot, 09:52, 20 November 2011, 3 comments.
The auto-throttle feature makes it really easy to test the maximum flight time of you UAV.
In the upcoming new release, a "Battery alarm" feature will be available too. This will allow you to configure "warning-levels" and "panic-levels". When, the panel level is reached, the autopilot automatically jumps to a configured navigation line (landing in my case). Very safe and easy!
My old funjet managed to fly 33minutes before deciding to land. A new wing that I'm building should fly at least 45minutes! Can't wait until the build is finished :-)
A video of the automatic spot landing of yesterday's endurance flight:
GluonCS auto takeoff
- by Tom (talk), from Gluonpilot, 17:12, 31 October 2011, no comments.
Somebody asked if I could shoot a video of the gluonpilot auto takeoff and landing. As you can see, I still have a lot to learn about video tutorials. I even failed at getting a nice video of the automatic landing :-) It's hard to aim on a small plane in the air!
The result is a video of the gluonpilot taking off automatically after an awful throw. After that some basic explanations on how I prepare for auto-landing:
Release 0.7.2
- by Tom (talk), from Gluonpilot, 13:12, 23 October 2011, 2 comments.
A new release for gluonpilot!
Short overview:
1. New and prettier waypoint icons!
2. Minimum and maximum pitch angle can now be defined separately:
This has several advantages:
- We can climb faster (especially important during takeoff)
- We can descent more gentle
The recommanded settings are the one from the screenshot. This mean the new firmware has additional configuration settings. Please save your current configuration to file before upgrading to the latest firmware.
3. Improved auto landing! The auto-landing is now completely automated!
Right now you have 2 options for autolanding (see Helpers -> Add block)
- manual-land: This will give you a "Descent" and a "Flare" button. Descent will fly along the defined circle to loose altitude. When the plane is heading in the right direction, and the altitude is fine too, you can press "Flare" and the plane will fly in the direction of the Flare waypoint. Motor will be turned off
- auto-land: The autopilot will automatically glide towards the Flare waypoint when the altitude and heading is correct!
These 2 options are not recommended when you have a plane with a really good glide angle. In this case it will need a long distance to reach to ground. Experimentation is key here! There are 2 options:
- FLARE_TO: perfect for deltas and flying wings. The target altitude (e.g. 15 meter) will try to be reached without any motor running! This will result in a pancake-like landing.
- GLIDE_TO: The autopilot will try to follow the altitude line between the Descent-circle and the Flare-waypoint. Be carefull of steep descents & hard landings!
It should be noted that before or after take-off, you will need to move the Descent-circle and Flare-waypoint to make sure you will flare with head wind.
4. Wind vane
Thanks to the work of the folks at gentlenav/matrixpilot it has become possible to calculate wind without hard calculations! Now included in Gluon Control Station!
5. New settings:
- Default altitude for new waypoint
- Default circle radius for new circles
- Custom UAV name
New firmware and install file can be downloaded in the download section!
An improved tutorial
- by Tom (talk), from Gluonpilot, 18:33, 5 October 2011, no comments.
Alex from UnmannedTech has a lot more writing-skills than I do, and he has put this talent to a use to write a tutorial on the Gluonpilot kits he also sells.
The first episode is about soldering and wiring everything up, and his next eposide will cover the configuration part.
Thumbs up for Alex!
Newest files
 OSD connectors.jpg |
 Batteralarm.jpg |
 Setup simulation.jpg |
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Simulation.jpg |
 Sethome.jpg |
 Extensionboard.jpg |
 Gcs overview.png |
