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Century 1 Autopilot Musings

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pmather

Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 33

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:16 am Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings

The Century 1 autopilot is a competent wing leveller but has very basic 

tracking capability - however, upgrading to a higher spec aoutopilot is too 

expensive to contemplate.  Basically all the Century 1 sees is the course 

deviation output from a GPS or Nav set. It has no knowledge of course, track 

etc. This is easily demonstrated by engaging tracking when well off course 

with, for example, the deviation at full scale left. The autopilot correctly 

turns towards the course but if the deviation stays full scale the aircraft 

then circles endlessly.



It seems to me that a simple microprocessor program could read in the NMEA 

output of a GPS and artificially create a course deviation output. So for 

example if you are well left of track it could create a full left deviation 

until the aircraft has turned onto a 30degree intersection course at which 

point it could send a centered signal. Then when approaching the desired 

track it could send a right deviation to turn the aircraft onto the track.



Has anyone tried playing with such an idea or can anyone point me at any 

algorithms that might provide a starting point?



Thanks



Peter

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gregmchugh

Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Posts: 42

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Century 1 Autopilot Musings

Peter,



As a starting point I would take a look at the ArduPilot software to

see if there is an option to simplify it down to what you need. The

complete autopilot functionality is there but I don't know how

modular the software architecture is and if it would be difficult

to simplify the functionality down to what you need. The ArduPilot

hardware would be more than you need but you could configure

a stripped down hardware version using Arduino boards for

the reduced functionality.



If you want to leave room for adding more functions you could go

with the $199 full hardware configuration and add more autopilot

functions in the future. In any case the software is freely available for

you to take a look at the algorithms needed for your application.

Somewhere in there is an algorithm for course following.

I have not looked at the software and documentation so I don't

know how hard it would be to do what I am suggesting. Here is

a starting point that will lead you to more info.



http://www.diydrones.com/notes/ArduPilot



Greg McHugh

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pmather

Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 33

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 5:05 am Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings

Greg



Thanks for the link - I'll study it and see where it gets me.I've home built 

Arduino based circuits before so this looks a good start



Best Regards



Peter

---

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millner(at)me.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:08 am Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings

Porcine Associates, principal Jim Ham, makes JUST such a device!



Paul



On 6/4/2012 1:14 AM, Peter Mather wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <peter(at)mather.com>



 The Century 1 autopilot is a competent wing leveller but has very 

 basic tracking capability - however, upgrading to a higher spec 

 aoutopilot is too expensive to contemplate.  Basically all the Century 

 1 sees is the course deviation output from a GPS or Nav set. It has no 

 knowledge of course, track etc. This is easily demonstrated by 

 engaging tracking when well off course with, for example, the 

 deviation at full scale left. The autopilot correctly turns towards 

 the course but if the deviation stays full scale the aircraft then 

 circles endlessly.



 It seems to me that a simple microprocessor program could read in the 

 NMEA output of a GPS and artificially create a course deviation 

 output. So for example if you are well left of track it could create a 

 full left deviation until the aircraft has turned onto a 30degree 

 intersection course at which point it could send a centered signal. 

 Then when approaching the desired track it could send a right 

 deviation to turn the aircraft onto the track.



 Has anyone tried playing with such an idea or can anyone point me at 

 any algorithms that might provide a starting point?



 Thanks



 Peter






	


-- 

Please note my new email address!

millner(at)me.com

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pmather

Joined: 17 Sep 2009
Posts: 33

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:33 am Post subject: Century 1 Autopilot Musings

Perfect - thanks!



--

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