Jan.01
OrbTX the Natural controller for multirotor platforms
The OrbTX, an idea to adapt an older PC gaming technology for use with modern RC transmitters. To begin with the OrbTX is based on three modules, the SpaceOrb360 handheld serial gaming controller, an Arduino Pro Mini or Tiny32 microcontroller and an FrSky Taranis OpenSource RC transmitter. The idea began about four years ago during the development of my undergraduate research project: ducted fan quadrotor platform and control system.
SpaceTech IMC’s 6-DOF SpaceOrb 360 Controller
The unit is wired up to an Arduino ProMini microcontroller via a MAX232 RS232-TTL serial converter IC to ensure that the serial data is in the right voltage range (5Vdc rather than around ~>20Vdc). The UC is used to convert the serial data output from the 360 to PPM with a little magic in the middle to handle the throttle positioning as all control channels from the 360 are center sprung, returning to a neutral position once force is removed. The UC is then connected to the Taranis TX via the trainer port, this should ensure that the TX can not only recieve control commands from the 360 but also allows for the use of the existing switches and potentiometers on the Taranis, allowing control of landing gear, lights, flight modes, grippers, sirens, taco droppers, etc…
More to come once the thesis has been submitted =)
27/12/2015 Update
New Orbotron 9k SMD has arrived, time to put in some hard hours of coding and get this project heading in the right direction.
About Luke Nyhof
Previously employed in the Telecommunications industry as a Technical Manager supporting innovative geospatial data exploration and visualisation tools enabling strategic network planning. His role at the company as Integration Data Interlock Engineer gave light to his work on predictive maintenance systems, machine learning and network operations & geospatial analytics.
Luke's post-graduate career path began at the Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR, now named The Institute for Intelligent Systems Research & Innovation, IISRI), where he was an active and published academic who's engineering research projects included robust adaptive signal processing for biomedical applications, robotic systems, autonomous ground vehicles and advanced robotic motion simulators.
Before joining the Centre he completed his bachelor's degree in engineering, majoring in Mechatronics and Robotics graduating with 1st Class Honours. During this time he was also employed by Robert Bosch Australia. Based at the Australian Automotive Research Complex in Anglesea, the role gave him the opportunity to work as part of a highly competent team of engineers developing chassis control systems for development vehicles. He truly passionate about his work and always eager to connect with other researchers for collaboration.
While Luke have been involved in both collaborative and independent work, his favorite part of project work has been in developing unique solutions for intriguing problems.