AR Drone

AR Drone is a quadcopter and is controlled primarily by an Apple iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad units. An open API allows for development of applications.

The control system is based on an ARM prosessor and Linux operating system. Control signals go through a 802.11b/g/n wireless IP connection. Two cameras provide a live video stream to the display on the remote. The AR.FreeFlight app can be downloaded from the App Store.

• AR Drone User Guide - pdf

My setup

2010-10-23

• AR Drone - purchased end of September 2010
  • AR Drone hw v11.0 - Firmware v1.1.3
  • Inertial hw v6.0 - Firmware v4.55
  • Motors 1-4 type: 1.1 - hw v3.0 - firmware 1.7
• iPhone 3GS 32GB
  • AR.FreeFlight v1.1.3 - remote control software v1.4

2011-01-13 - New motherboard

After a small (quite huge) crash, I had to get a new mainboard.

• Now comes with epoxy/resin around the ARM processor and DDR memory
  • AR Drone hw v11.0 - Firmware v1.3.3

Settings

2010-10-23

Here is my current favorite indoor settings.

• iPhone
  • Control level: Beginner
  • iPhone tilt: 12.43°
• AR Drone
  • SSID: ardrone_ivc
  • Altitude limited: On
  • Outdoor shell: Off
  • Outdoor flight: Off
  • Yaw speed: 125.35mm/°
  • Vertical speed: 608.37mm/s
  • Tilt: 17.06°
  • Trim select: Auto

Tips

• Use medium viscosity silicone oil to grease the blades shaft and gear, and low viscosity Tri-flow oil on the bushings, disassemble entirely to apply
• Replace the Tamiya power connector with Deans to improve the contact surface area and longevity
• To fix erratic and wobbly flight while using the indoor hull, pad the front neck to get a firm fit between base and hull

References

• AR Drone technologies