MAKE Terry Kilby - User Manual

This manual describes the Make: Getting Started with Drones book, authored by Terry Kilby and Belinda Kilby, which serves as a guide for building and customizing quadcopters and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The book aims to provide readers with a working knowledge of aerial robotics, covering various aspects from basic flight principles to advanced autonomous flight features.

Function Description

The book functions as a comprehensive instructional guide for individuals interested in building, customizing, and safely operating drones. It provides step-by-step instructions for constructing a "Little Dipper 300-class autonomous quadcopter" as a primary example, while also delving into the theoretical underpinnings of drone technology. The content is structured to cater to both newcomers and those already familiar with drones, offering valuable insights into aerodynamics, electronics, programming, and flight safety.

Important Technical Specifications

The book covers the following technical specifications and concepts related to drones:

• Airframe Types: Discusses various airframe designs, including Tricopter, Quadcopter, Hexacopter, Octocopter, Y6, and X8. It highlights that most multirotors use both clockwise and counterclockwise propellers for stability and movement through "thrust vectoring."
• Materials: Explores common materials used for drone frames such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, plastic, and metal. The "Little Dipper" example primarily uses G-10 fiberglass, balancing weight, strength, and cost.
• Power Train Components:
  • Propellers: Details propeller direction (pusher/tractor), size (e.g., 5- to 6-inch for Little Dipper, up to 29 inches for larger drones), and pitch. It explains how pitch affects thrust and efficiency, noting that higher pitch increases thrust but reduces efficiency.
  • Motors: Focuses on brushless motors, identified by width and height (e.g., 2216 motor is 22mm wide, 16mm tall). The kV rating is explained as RPM per volt under zero load, influencing motor speed based on battery voltage.
  • Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs): Describes ESCs as electronic circuits that control motor speed and direction. Key specs include amperage and voltage ratings. The book mentions "SimonK firmware" as an open-source upgrade for faster motor response and improved stability.
  • Flight Battery: Emphasizes Lithium-Polymer (Li-Po) batteries due to their high capacity-to-weight ratio. It explains battery classification by capacity (amp-hour, Ah, or milli-amp-hour, mAh) and voltage (e.g., a three-cell battery is 11.1 volts nominal, 12.6 volts fully charged).
• Flight Controller (APM - ArduPilot Mega): Described as the "brain" of the drone, managing micro-adjustments for stability.
  • Sensors: Integrates an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) containing an accelerometer (measures acceleration and rotation rate), gyroscope (measures rotation rates), and pressure sensor (calculates altitude). Additional sensors like GPS receivers, magnetometers (digital compass), optical flow sensors, and airspeed sensors are also discussed for advanced functionality.
  • Inputs/Outputs (I/Os): Includes ports for radio receiver (Inputs 1–8), GPS sensor, I2C (for external compass), PM (power module), JP1 (jumper port), Outputs 1–8 (for ESCs/servos), and Telem (telemetry radio).
• GPS and Compass: Explains the role of GPS for autonomous flight modes (loiter, return to home, waypoint navigation, follow me) and the compass (magnetometer) for maintaining heading. It differentiates between APM 2.5 (internal compass) and APM 2.6 (external compass).
• Transmitter (Remote Control): Covers standard six-channel remote controls, including joysticks for throttle, yaw/rudder, pitch/elevator, and roll/aileron. It discusses frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz) and communication protocols (PWM vs. PPM).
• Telemetry Radios: Describes two-way radios for software monitoring and control, allowing data exchange between the aircraft and ground station. It mentions frequency bands (915 MHz in US, 433 MHz in Europe).
• Camera and FPV Equipment: Discusses popular drone cameras (e.g., Mobius ActionCam, 808 keychain camera, Micro Four Thirds cameras) and FPV (First-Person View) systems for live video streaming. Key camera features include weight, size, remote trigger, live stream capability, resolution, and cost.

Usage Features

The book provides practical usage features through its step-by-step build instructions and theoretical explanations:

• DIY Build Guide: Guides users through assembling a quadcopter, including installing standoffs, booms, and various electronic components.
• Component Selection: Offers advice on choosing appropriate components based on desired flight characteristics, payload capacity, and budget.
• Software Configuration: Details how to use "Mission Planner" software for APM setup, including firmware updates, accelerometer calibration, compass setup, radio calibration, and flight mode assignment (Loiter, Stabilize, Auto, RTH).
• Flight Modes: Explains autonomous flight modes like "Loiter" (position and altitude hold), "Return to Home (RTH)" failsafe, "Waypoint Navigation," and "Follow Me" mode.
• Safety Guidelines: Emphasizes safe and responsible flight practices, including flying below 400 feet, maintaining line of sight, avoiding no-fly zones (airports, stadiums, national parks), preflight checklists, and proper battery handling.
• Real-World Applications: Explores beneficial uses of drones in aerial photography, mapping and surveying, precision agriculture, search and rescue, and infrastructure inspection.
• Performance Alteration: Provides suggestions for increasing drone speed (reducing weight, experimenting with prop size and pitch, increasing battery voltage) and flight times (longer props with lower pitch, reducing weight).
• Troubleshooting: Encourages engagement with the online drone community for problem-solving and offers resources like DIY Drones and MultiRotorForums.com.

Maintenance Features

The manual highlights several maintenance-related aspects:

• Regular Inspections: Stresses the importance of always inspecting equipment before every flight to ensure proper working order.
• Flight and Maintenance Logs: Recommends keeping detailed logs of flights and maintenance activities to track performance, identify patterns, and document repairs or alterations.
• Propeller Balancing: Describes the delicate procedure of balancing propellers to reduce vibration and ensure smooth operation at high RPMs.
• Battery Care: Provides guidelines for handling Li-Po batteries, including replacing damaged ones, using fireproof bags during charging, avoiding over-discharge (never below 3.2 volts per cell), and proper storage (not at full charge).
• Component Durability: Mentions that using quality components (e.g., metal vs. plastic) can increase durability and reduce repair time.
• Wiring Management: Advises using cable ties and identifying tabs on servo leads to keep wiring neat and organized, making future maintenance easier.
• Firmware Updates: Guides users on how to keep their APM flight controller firmware updated to the most current version.
• Community Support: Points to online forums and communities as valuable resources for troubleshooting and learning from experienced builders and pilots.