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Browsing by Author "Allen, Tim"
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Item Design of Radio Communication Control System for Robotic Applications(Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2014-04-11) Allen, TimThe goal of this project is to successfully design, incorporate, and test a radio communication control system for a model radio controlled truck. As robotics technology advances, there is an increased need to develop wireless communication capabilities. This project makes use of two Peripheral Interface Controllers (PICs) intercommunicated using the ZigBee mesh protocol via Xbee modules. The final radio communication system allows the control of the truck’s accelerator, break, and steering with the use of three potentiometers. The potentiometers are connected to the first PIC, which converts analog values to digital values and sends them to the first Xbee module. The Xbee module transmits the information to the second Xbee module, which process and transmit the information to the second PIC. The second PIC then takes that information and controls the electric motor and servo on the car according to what the user request. The final radio controlled system is tested on a truck in close environments and open terrains, where the truck can reach velocities of up to 40 miles per hour. This radio communication system is effective and simple to implement in other mechatronic devices, such as robotic football players and unmanned aerial vehicles.Item The Development of a Wireless Control System for Integration on Drones(Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2015-04-17) Allen, Tim; Tovar, AndrésThe use of remotely controlled drones has proven to assists humans in day to day life. Whether it be by keeping our military personnel safe, defusing bombs, or exploring parts of space humans have not yet reached. The purpose of this project was to develop a control system that can be used on a drone. The control system allows a user to control a radio controlled vehicle up to 300 yards away. It contains a wireless video feedback system so that the user can still control the vehicle even when it is out of the user’s line of sight. The user controls the vehicle with a custom made software package that includes a graphical user interface. The software takes commands from the user and transmits them through the serial port to an xBee module. The xBee module on the vehicle receives the information and transmits it to the microcontroller on the vehicle. The microcontroller then executes necessary commands and sends any feedback required. The software package includes controls for the steering, throttle, and camera control. The outcome of this project is a control system that can be incorporated in to future drone projects. The software is fully documented to make customizing it to individual projects simple. The circuitry on the receiving end of the control system contains serial ports to make it possible to integrate any other peripheral technology in to the existing control system. The end result of this project is a working prototype that will allow future students to build off of. This will expedite further research of drones at IUPUI. Mentor: Andres Tovar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology