Phase I - Initial Configuration (August - December, 1998)
- develop project goals
- perform feasibility study
- develop initial configuration
- acquire airframe kit, motor, gearbox, motor controller
Phase II - Construction and Development (December, 1998 - May, 1999)
- build airplane kit
- acquire R/C system
- test-fly in R/C mode
- select/acquire computers
- build MSCC11 board
- acquire PC/104 board
- acquire hard drive
- select/acquire sensor components
- ADXL202 for tilt sensor
- ASB210 for altitude and airspeed
- HMR3000 for compass
- select/acquire batteries
Phase III - Integration and Data Collection (May - Oct?, 1999)
- develop sensors
- tilt sensor
- compass
- airspeed indicator
- altimeter
- integrate sensors and computers
- develop PWM multiplexing board
- build RS232 and power interfaces
- write HC11 code to interface sensors and servos
- integrate electronics into airframe
- write 386 code to collect, interpret, and store serial data
- flight-test data collection systems
Phase IV - Stage One Autonomy (Aug - ?Jan?)
Goals: learn to turn left, turn right, maintain heading.
Implement steering-wheel type control using learned behaviors.
- flying/data collection
- implement neural network
- train and verify
- flight test
- implement steering wheel control scheme
Phase V - Stage Two Autonomy (??)
Goals: learn to take off
Work towards landing.
- acquire additional components: camera, sonar
- integrate additional components
- develop takeoff behavior
- experiment with vision, develop plan for landing behavior
Phase VI - Project Extensions
- implement landing behavior
- acquire additional components: GPS, INS
- implement navigation, surveying