Test Bench For QuadCopter

As mentioned in my previous post, I managed to free up some time on a weekend and started to progress this project. My first task was to build a test bench so that I can test out various modules/functions of a QuadCopter, such as the motors. See below for the final product.

QuadCopter Test Bench - Final

The test bench is made up of the following:

• Wood Stand
• Plywood Rectangle, 2"x3"
• Zybo FPGA development board
• Power Distribution Board with 5V/12V
• 5V@3A BEC Board
• HX711 24-bit ADC with 1 kg Load Cell
• Power Meter, DC, 6.5-100V, 0-100A, LCD
• High Precision Servo/ESC Tester
• Cobra 30A FPV Multirotor ESC
• Cobra CM-2208/20 Multirotor Motor, Kv=2000
• LiPo Battery, 1.8 Ahr, 3S, 20C
• 9 inch Battery Strap
• Power Switch (capable of > 16A DC)
• XT60 Connectors
• Cobra C-22mm Motor Radial Mount Set
• Bullet Connector Set, 4mm
• Cable Clips
• Screws, Washers, Standoffs, and Nuts
• Metal L-Bracket
• 7x4.5, 5x4.5, 6x4.5 props (various sources, see propeller datasheet for Cobra CM-2208/20 motor)

New Project "Ascension"

From my last post on Zynq development board comparisons, to which I chose the Zybo, I have taken my first step towards a new project, finally.

The new project will be called "Ascension" and I will start adding posts about it and opening up a GIT spot in the coming weeks.

The new project is to design and build a custom quadcopter drone, hence "Ascension". I know I know, it's been done many times before, but I have a few ideas on some improvements and a couple of ideas I want to try out, plus it will be fun. I will post more about the project as I get a chance to work on it.

I am in the early days of the project and I have some research and tech development to do before I can start the main design. Now that I have a platform, Zybo, I can really start "doing" work along side more research. I actually built a test bench for drone motors and the Zybo last weekend and I will post about that soon, here's a pic until then.

Home built drone motor test stand

Zynq Development Boards

One of the first things I need to do is find a suitable development board so that I can test some of my ideas and have a sandbox to play in.

I already decided to use the Xilinx Zynq SoC. I have used them before and to be honest, they have best of both worlds, which is a uC and FPGA. Also the Xilinx tool-chain is easy to use and well supported (and free). The question now is which development board should I use.

Introduction

Xilinx Zynq is an SoC with a hardcore uC built in, specifically a dual-core A9 ARM processor.

Xilinx Zynq Overview

For the Zynq development boards I will be comparing, they are usually one of two versions of the Zynq SoC (low end). See below for a comparison of the Xilinx Zynq SoC for the Z-7010 and Z-7020.

Low End Zynq SoC Comparison

Update Sept 2016

Slightly over two years since my last post, how time flies.

Now what happened... Well, shortly after starting this blog two years ago I took a new position at a tech startup. If you're reading this blog and have worked at a startup tech company before then you will understand why I disappeared for the last two years. Startups will consume all of your time and mental energy. But at the same time they are super fun and challenging, I love it!

I have mostly gone through all the very difficult stuff like creating a product from whiteboard to production in 6 months, with no resources, no money and daily requirements changes. The picture below pretty much sums it up.

With all that aside, I wanted to get back to my blog and home projects. During the last two years I have actually still been thinking of projects I want to work on and the occasional research here and there. It was hard to actually get into it since so much of my time was dedicated to work and personal life.

My first goal to get my hands on a development board so that I can brush up on some skills and jump back into my long term goal of designing an autonomous drone, see about page for more info.

Stay tuned...