Ardunio or PIC - Action Priority Matrix

I remembered this:

I don't want the tool to be a major project, unless it needs to be. Arduino's looking good!

Arduino or PIC?

A dilemma: what should I use? Should I buy into the ready-made hardware, tons of examples and accessories of the Arduino or do I stick with the more powerful/flexible PIC, which I've used before, which has a rich selection of peripherals and can make a smaller, neater end solution, but needs a lot more effort to get going?

The trouble is it's been a while since I did any serious PIC work and I'm attracted to the quick and easy Arduino. But I'm also not sure the Arduino will be up to scratch, with respect to I/O, peripherals and physical size (I could get a Nano?) and I'd have to learn a new platform.

So if I go for an Arduino, will I have to re-do everything in a PIC solution later? Should I go straight for a PIC solution, but with the extra time and effort?

I don't know. The Arduino does look like a quick solution...

Arduino website
Microchip PIC website

How many times?

I've fabbed two vertical pieces for the front L/G pair from 6mm polycarbonate and in the process; realised that I could have done it better, sooner, given more thought. But it'll do. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Rear pair will be slightly shorter.

I gave one a light coat of paint so it would show up in the photos and give me an idea of what it might look like when done.

I had a small can of "Pewter".

Just resting in place.

I'll add some detail later.

Comparison. I'll have to stop re-designing the gear soon!

Like the caption says, I want to finalise the gear design so I can move on (I've said that before too). I've been thinking about the next step; how to get the desired results without unnecessary work, but that's another post...

New site; UAVpilot.org gives me a mention!

I had an email from Thomas of UAVpilot.org;

Just wanted to say, I stumbled across your site earlier tonight and was really impressed with your do-it-yourself UAV project!

I've recently made a website, it's about...two days old now...but I hope you don't mind my doing a very small article on your project and providing a link, for anyone who might stumble upon me.

So I'm returning the favour with a link in the sidebar, looks like it could be a good resource... go take a look: UAVpilot.org

Landing gear almost done

All four retracts now have arms and swinging brackets that the vertical "foot" mounts to, complete with pivots and end stops. I think I might ditch the slider mechanism after all; save the added complexity for little gain. The polycarbonate arms provide a little spring anyway and I'm hoping to get soft controlled landings. Fixed vertical sections (the "feet" or "shins"?) are next, then the servos/mechs.

Keeping at it

No Worldcup for me, but I did spend a couple of hours tinkering in the garage. I discovered a minor issue with the gear retracts, but think I've got around it. I've worked on the second leg and cut some parts for the rear pair.

I've also been looking at PIC24Fs and will probably look at getting a couple of samples from Microchip. I'm also going to see if it's possible to home etch a PCB for a 100 pin TQFP with a 0.4mm pitch. I'm a bit rusty with PCB layout and C, but I'm sure it'll come back to me.

Longer legs and a blue ball

I've re-made the main arm of the L/G, making it longer and better positioned when stowed. I'm also half way through assembling the second leg (rear pair will probably have to be a different size). I'm having second thoughts about the sprung slider mech too; it adds complexity, weight and it won't even work too well because of the angle. Should I scrap it and go for a fixed lower leg? Would anyone notice? Would anybody care?

Notice the ball in the nose? That'll be the location of the pan/tilt camera and LED "searchlight".

Different angle of the longer leg, deployed.

The stowed position is much better and the wider footprint will improve stability.

Also, I was originally going to have the cargo ramp on the bottom, opening forward, but the L/G isn't going to give much room so I'll have to go for the traditional rear ramp under the tail.