In order to control the brushless motors on-board the Quadrotor, it was decided to use a Pololu Serial Servo Controller (SSC). The SSC receives commands over a serial TTL line, and then outputs the appropriate waveforms to the Electronics Speed Controllers (ESC). Using the SSC will also improve performance, as it will eliminate the burden [...]

This post will describe the method I used to install the Xenomai real-time kernel on the Roboard RB-110. Before this can be done, Ubuntu 10.04 must be installed on the RB-110. Foreword One of the reasons that the Roboard RB-110 was chosen as the computing platform was that it would be suitable for running a [...]

This post will describe some of the possible techniques that can be used to install Ubuntu Linux on the Roboard RB-110 single-board computer. I have used all of these methods with varying levels of success. This process will also work on the slightly older RB-100. Introduction The RB-110 is a relatively powerful computer that was [...]

As part of my final year project, I am developing a sensor and computer system that will be used on-board a Quadrotor UAV. The Quadrotor is being developed by myself and two other students who will be responsible for the other aspects of the project. A preliminary rendering of the Quadrotor The computer system will [...]

In keeping with tradition when starting any technical endeavor, this is my Hello World introductory blog post. After much coaxing from a few people, most notably ChrisM, I have decided to start a blog to document whatever motivates me enough to write about it. I am currently a final year electrical engineering student in Johannesburg, and [...]