BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED

helping you keep an eye on things...

unmanned air ...

airframes

• Ascending Technologies Quadrotor
• The Draganflyer Stabilized Aerial Video Systems
• Quadrotors from MicroDrones

- from http://www.asctec.de/main/index.php?id=97&lang=en&cat=pro

March 18th, 2008

Success in India: The cooperation between AscTec and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Prof. Nicholas Roy) wins the international MAV08 competition (a micro air vehicle contest) as the only rotary wing aircraft together with ENAC, Martin Müller Engeneering and the University of Arizona ("Best Mission Performance Award")! The AscTec Hornet is also awarded the "Best Rotary Wing Aircraft Award" and the team wins an AMRDEC-award. The MIT/AscTec-Team showed in a 40 minute mission the fully autonomous 29 cm Hornet with a tiltable video camera controlled by a ground station team from MIT. The ground control software detected obstacles using image processing and planned flight paths autonomously. Furthermore, the AscTec Hornet looked for hostages at a guarded house at a distance of 1 km. A detailed blog can be found on the private website from Daniel Gurdan (in German only). More information about the competition can be found here.

The AscTec Hornet

With a total diameter of only 28 cm this tiny hexacopter may be the smallest fully autonomous air-vehicle there is. Equipped with the AscTec AutoPilot the Hornet is able to do autonomous waypoint navigation. It is able to carry a video camera with a 2.4 GHz link to transmit images to the operation base wirelessly in realtime. The maximum payload is about 50g. Carrying this payload the achievable flighttime is up to 12 minutes.

The Hornet was originally developed for a competition for Micro Air Vehicles "MAV08". It can be used in all applications where small dimensions and little weight are more important than long flighttimes with heavy payloads.

The AscTec Eagle

The AscTec Eagle is a 8-rotor helicopter system which can carry payloads up to 1.5 kg! In contrast to any quadrotor helicopter this system can still land safely if one of its motor/rotor combinations fails. A safety feature, which is especially important when carrying expensive payloads.

Technical data

The AscTec Eagle can optionally be equipped with a tilt compensated camera mount.

The mount compensates movements of the vehicle in pitch and roll. Consequently, the camera is always pointing formward or down in a desired angle. Of course, the desired camera orientation can be set remotely during flight. To make recording of aerial videos easier the camera control can be handed over to a dedicated cinematographer, who can see a live preview of the camera image on a preview screen or video goggles. Meanwhile, the pilot can fully concentrate on controlling the vehicle itself.

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from http://www.rctoys.com/rc-products/DF-SAVS.html

Overview

The Draganflyer r/c helicopter just got better; with the new Draganflyer Stabilized Aerial Video System (SAVS) it has never been easier or more economical to create superior, professional quality, aerial video. The SAVS takes up the slack where full size aircraft fall short, low level and close up video. For everything from real estate to surveillance or music videos the SAVS will excel with its high resolution CCD wireless video camera and anti-vibration mounting system. The complete Draganflyer SAVS comes pre-assembled with a wireless video camera system, transmitter, batteries and charger all packaged in two compact, custom built hard-shell cases. Built on the tested and proven Draganflyer V Ti platform and equipped with a high resolution CCD video camera and numerous state of the art features the Draganflyer SAVS is one of the most high-tech aerial video system in the world.

The Draganflyer SAVSs' unprecedented video quality is due to several improvements that have been added onto the SAVS. Among these upgrades are the anti-vibration camera mount and a counter balance base plate which features 45 electronic components and filters to clarify the video signal. With the anti-vibration camera mount the video camera is able to "float" in mid-air away from the vibration of the helicopter frame. Also the camera and transmitter now both feature an independent, regulated power supply which means less "noise" and distortion. The Draganflyer SAVS also comes with a ground base station to receive the video signal. Loaded in this case is a diversity receiver (which uses two sets of reception circuitry) with two patch antennas, this setup provides amazing range and increases video clarity while reducing signal loss.

Not only does the Draganflyer SAVS provide amazing video, it is also exceptionally easy to fly, so easy in fact that you do not need previous r/c experience. The SAVS is equipped with Draganfly's patented Thermal Intelligence to provide additional flight stability when flown outdoors. If you lose orientation while flying simply release the right control stick and the infrared sensors will automatically bring the Draganflyer SAVS to a level hover. Every Draganflyer SAVS also utilizes three state-of-the-art piezo gyros to maintain stable flight. A new feature on the Draganflyer SAVS is the ability to switch between two different flying modes, video and active. Video mode is designed for training and shooting video, the helicopter will be less responsive and the possibility of over controlling is lessened. The active mode is more for recreational flying where the helicopter needs to be more responsive. To get you ready to fly, the Draganflyer SAVS kit also includes flight simulator software so you can learn to fly the helicopter from the comfort of your home without the risk of damaging parts. All of the features incorporated into the Draganflyer SAVS are guaranteed to accelerate the learning curve.

At just 30 inches in diameter and weighing in at 19 ounces the Draganflyer SAVS is small and light enough that it can safely be flown indoors and near large crowds. Despite the Draganflyer SAVSs' integrated flight stability systems crashes can and do occur once in a while, fortunately the SAVS is extremely durable and easy to repair. Its carbon fiber and high impact nylon frame construction make the Draganflyer SAVS virtually indestructible. The SAVS also features newly designed rotor blades that are much more efficient and more durable than the rotors previously used on the Draganflyer V Ti. In the event of a crash the lightweight airframe and semi-flexible rotor blades reduce damage to surrounding items and more importantly minimize the potential for human injury, which is a common fear with larger and heavier helicopters.

Armed with all of its high-tech features, straightforward use and superior video quality, the Draganflyer Stabilized Aerial Video System (SAVS) is designed for success. Whether you need high quality aerial video for a sporting event, advertising, or any other purpose you will get it done efficiently and professionally with the Draganflyer SAVS.

Please Note: When using this 72MHz product outside of North America please check local bylaws or regulations regarding the use of radio frequencies.

Technical information

from http://www.rctoys.com/rc-products/DF-SAVS.html

Draganflyer SAVS R/C Helicopter includes:

• Draganflyer Flight Simulator with USB interface cable for windows operating system
• Extremely durable, assembled Draganflyer frame with extra frame bracing
• High quality 6 channel computerized FM transmitter at 72 MHz, with a flexible, high gain detachable antenna
• One CPU seven-sensor control system with built-in dual conversion 72 MHz FM receiver and Thermal Intelligence
• Two sets (eight) of newly designed damage resistant injection molded nylon rotor blades
• Four high speed electric motors with installed pinion gears and capacitors
• Four drive gears with 2 precision ball bearing each
• One 3 cell 11.1 volt 1320 mAh Lithium Polymer high discharge battery with protection circuitry
• AC digital peak detection charger for Lithium Polymer battery and transmitter
• Custom built hard shell transportation case
• Printed instruction manuals and instructional DVD
• Draganflyer SAVS wireless video camera system
• Draganfly SAVS wireless video ground station
• Draganflyer SAVS crash kit bundle

• High resolution 480 line 1/3" CCD micro video camera with white balance switch
• Powerful, 2.4 GHz 50 mW video transmitter
• SAVS vibration free camera mount
• Video enhancing circuitry with regulated camera power supplies, video filters and high gain video transmitter antenna

• Custom built hard shell transportation case
• Draganfly 2.4 GHz Diversity video receiver with adjustable positions
• Two, circular polarized, 8 dbi patch antennas
• 3 cell 11.1 volt 1320 mAh Lithium Polymer battery withprotection circuitry
• 9 volt power regulator
• Audio/video connection cable (standard RCA video connector)

• 2 - Folding rotors sets - virtually indestructable nylon injected rotor blades.
• 6 - High impact nylon motor mounts
• 12 - Nylon rotor thumbscrews
• 4 - Carbon fiber frame tubes
• 2 - Carbon fiber frame bracing tubes
• 6 - Vertical risers
• 1 - Draganflyer high strength canopy
• 1 - Frame bracing nylon mounting bracket

• Size: 30" (76 cm) in diameter
• Weight: 19 ounces (540 g)
• Maximum Speed: approx 20 mph (34 kph)
• Flight Time: 12-15 minutes

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- from http://www.microdrones.com/md4-200.html

The MD4-200 is a VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) MAV (Micro Aerial Vehicle). For lowest weight and highest robustness we have designed the drone completely in carbon fiber reinforced plastics. This carbon mono frame is also a perfect shield against electromagnetic interferences. Our outstanding AAHRS (Altitude and Attitude and Heading Reference System) uses the following sensor types: Accelerometers, Gyroscopes, Magnetometer, Airpressure, Humidity, Temperature. By means of our synchronized, brushless direct drives (transmissionless) the noise level is very low (rpm < 2000, noise < 63dBA @3m). These propulsions recover from stall and overload conditions even at flight time.

The optional GPS provides position hold and autonomous waypoint navigation. Our onboard flight recorder (microSD card) permits a post-flight analysis in real-time. With our downlink decoder we provide all important data at the base station (battery state, altitude, attitude, position, flighttime...). For best pilot support we have implemented a talking audio response system (no need to look at a display). Security features prevent from crashing - autonomous landing on low battery or missing radio signal.

Depending on payload, temperature and wind the vehicle achieves up to 20 minutes of flight time. By means of our software tools we provide a worldwide accessible service consisting of remote diagnostics and firmware updates.

M1.0 microdrone set, Ready-To-Fly

• 1x md4-200 High endurance 4-rotor VTOL, Complete carbon design, Flight controller, Navigation controller, Gearless brushless motors, Dual conversion FM-receiver, Landing gear, Antenna, Attitude / Altitude control, Flight duration approx. 20 min, 200g Payload, Diameter < 1m, Security features, Low noise (< 63dBA @3m), Water-protected with IO-controller, 5V/1A supply, 2x Standard servo, 2x Switch channel 5V/16V, 1A load, RS-232 extension for zoom camera and other special equipment
• 1x Afmtx13 FM-synthesizer transmitter 13-channel, 35/40/41MHz
• 3x Acb370ccw Carbon fibre blade, 370mm (front and rear motor)
• 3x Acb370cw Carbon fibre blade, 370mm (left and right motor)
• 2x Abat4s2.3 LIPO battery 4s, 14.8V, 2300mAh
• 1x Peli case, Dimensions 800 x 581 x 479mm

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