v0.08 firmware

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/drone/firmware/minla_v0.08_firmware.dfu

Experimental firmware this is why it's not yet published on www.minlarc.com.

What's new:

- new GPS sensor selection procedure: put jumper on pin number 5 and 6 to use Naza GPS. If no jumper is set - external Ublox GPS sensor supposed to be used.

Drone for experiments

Many people ask what components I used to build my drone for experimenting with Minla and that was used in videos on my youtube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/geezchannel/videos

Here is a complete list of parts I used (links are just for reference, you may want to check similar offers with better prices):

Frame: http://www.ebay.com/itm/REPTILE-500-Alien-Multi-copter-500mm-Quadcopter-Frame-W-450-550-/141588872969

Motors: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-Sunnysky-V2216-11-900KV-210W-Brushless-Motor-for-DJI-F450-F550-Multirotor-DIY-/161385669398

ESC: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-Hobbywing-Skywalker-20A-Electronic-Brushless-Motor-Speed-Controller-ESC-New-/190652692988

Flight controller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-NAZA-M-V2-Multirotpr-Flight-Controller-GPS-V2-PMU-LED-Full-Combo-Set-/171172138619

Battery: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOP-Power-11-1V-5000mAh-3S1P-30C-Lipo-Battery-T-Plug-For-RC-Helicopter-Airplane-/191675942512

Connectors (3mm): http://www.ebay.com/itm/40x-2mm-3mm-5mm-5-5mm-6mm-Bullet-Banana-Plug-Connector-fr-RC-Battery-Gold-Plated-/281658470336

Power wire: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-pcs-Deans-Style-T-Plug-Male-Connector-Silicone-Wire-With-11-5CM-14awg-F02105-/281566013253

Propellers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pair-11x4-7-1147-Carbon-Fiber-CW-CCW-Propeller-Props-for-Quad-Multi-Copter-/271733468609

Wires (Naza-Minla): http://www.ebay.com/itm/40cm-2-54mm-5-Pin-Female-to-Female-F-F-Jumper-Wire-Cable-Connector-5-Pcs-/311008570511

Wires: http://www.ebay.com/itm/40PCS-Dupont-Wire-Color-Jumper-Cable-2-54mm-1P-1P-Female-to-Female-20cm-FE-/331426413352

Web site

New official web-site for MINLA project is at: www.minlarc.com
This blog will continue to be main information source on project progress.

v0.07 firmware

New firmware and control panel is available at http://minlarc.com/support.html
Control panel works on devices with touch screen olny (tablets, smartphones, etc.)

A lot of work has been put in redesign of control panel as well as improvements in stability and firmware for MINLA 3G/4G receiver.

This is the timestamp video below describing how to connect and use 3G/4G mobile network receiver for quadcopter (v0.063 firmware version used).

v0.063 firmware

Minla LTE receiver firmware v0.063: minla_v0.063_firmware.dfu
Firmware upgrade tool: DfuSe.zip
Firmware upgrade manual: minla_firmware_upgrade_v0.1_EN.pdf
Pinout description and NAZA connection manual: pinout_naza_v0.2_EN.pdf

What's new:
- improved video frame rate: about 10-12 fps on LTE link
- support for new control panel "cp_v0.06.html" that designed for use both on tablet and smartphone
- USB modem support: Huawei E3272, E1550, E3370
- 4 general purpose PWM channels (CH6 CH7 CH8 CH9) to control servo/gimbal etc
- open API to control from custom HTML/Javascript code

v0.04 firmware

Minla LTE receiver firmware v0.04:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/DRONE/v0.04/minla_v0.04_firmware.dfu

Firmware upgrade tool:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/DRONE/DfuSe.zip

Firmware upgrade manual:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/drone/manuals/minla_firmware_upgrade_v0.1_EN.pdf

Pinout description and NAZA connection manual:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/drone/manuals/pinout_naza_v0.1_EN.pdf

Source files of control panel and server part can be found here:

https://github.com/gshmakov/cellcopter

v 0.04

Finally, I finished new v 0.04 board design and sent it to production. Another month to wait for delivery (and another vacation to spend, this time in Greece).
Meanwhile I have a plenty of time to design a plastic case and hopefully find a reasonable offer to make it injection moulded.
So it's getting closer to the final product in the way it should be.

Specification

3G/4G receiver board

Microprocessor:

• STM32F417 32-bit 168MHz

Sensors:

• 2 megapixel camera 
• GPS/Glonass sensor with antenna (external)

Interfaces:

• 1x USB type A port for USB modem connection
• 1x mini USB port for MCU firmware upgrade
• 4-pin GPS sensor connector
• 5-pin flight controller connector
• 3-pin servo/GPIO connector
• 2-pin LiPo 3S/4S voltage sensing ADC connector
• 1x I2C

Power:

• +5V DC from flight controller BEC or ESC BEC
• 650 mA max current with connected USB modem

Weight and dimensions:

• Weight: 30g
• Width x Length x Thickness: 50x50x13 mm

Operating parameters (with current software release):

• FPV video: color, 6-15 fps, 0.3-0.7 sec end-to-end latency *
• FPV video resolution: 160x120, 320x240 (default), 352x288
• USB modem support: Huawei E3272, E1550, E3370

* FPS and latency depends on 3G/4G mobile network quality and video resolution

Control panel

Features:

• Control panel is developed in form of web app
• Can be opened in any modern browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox etc.)
• Supported platforms: iOS, Android with touch screen and 1024x768 min screen resolution
• Pitch, roll, yaw, throttle and 3 position switch control with 0.5 sec update period
• On-fly FPV video resolution change

Control panel provide following information to user:

• FPV video stream from camera
• Current drone position on the map
• Distance from  start point to current position in meters
• Current altitude above sea level
• Current ground speed
• Current 3S/4S battery voltage