RC India

Is it possible to control a rc receiver using wifi on a laptop.

Im planning on something that could control a rc plane from a laptop wifi. some kind of program to get the inputs and send the signal over wifi and the other end is a rx of any brand which receives the signal and in turn control a servo.

my expected setup initially.

C-program-->wifi-->air-->flysky rx->servo

there definitely has to be some way to do this which i am not sure. when a wifi booster is used to improve rc range and wifi signal disturbs rc link, why cant the same wifi signal be copied and sent from a laptop to control the rx.

have anyone tried this or has anyone seen any link to such article.

At first I read "RC control over wife using laptop"   ;D ;D :giggle:

@v2

That is totally possible and has been done before.

But, you've missed a few things in between.

1. The receiver expects an encoded signal and not a WiFi signal.
2. The receiver binds only to a system that it recognizes.

Here are some suggestions:

1] Laptop program -> wifi + booster -> arduino + wifi -> servo/ ESC

2] Laptop program -> arduino -> RC Transmitter-> RC receiver -> servo/ ESC

3] Laptop program -> internet -> raspberry-pi + data card -> servo/ ESC



Now, wouldn't that be just awesome!  :giggle: :rofl:

Like, Sitting in home before a laptop looking like working on it while controlling a gasser in the field miles away without wife knowing about it?(a good must have idea indeed)

that thing is on the line. ;D ;D ;D

For now, im planning on a diy radio using arduino and mini itx desktop with inbuilt apm planner, video viewer and recorder and flight simulator.

the general sketch would be

gimbals and switches-->arduino-->radio module
                                     |
              Video receiver-Mini PC--Display with touch.

I have all the items in row(haven't bought anything yet) and im trying to eliminate the radio module with the wifi module built in the pc.

2] Laptop program -> arduino -> RC Transmitter-> RC receiver -> servo/ ESC

is my original original plan. however im trying to eliminate the RC Transmitter part.

I am working on a similar setup.

RasPi mini PC + video rx -> 433MHz long range modem  (Tx) - - - 433MHz long range modem (Rx) -> APM/ PixHawk

I'll add a 3G system for redundancy if possible. 

i thought of rapi earlier but the cost of the same is close to a mini itx pc but no support of windows and no ability to play video.

also in my setup the arduino and radio module works independently and the pc acts as a interface than a controller thus enabling trouble free use as we do not want our plane to crash while windows hangs.

if i still couldnt find any solution i go with my setup here

gimbals and switches-->arduino-->radio module--------------rx-->servo
                                     |
              Video receiver-Mini PC--Display with touch.

my motherboard:

http://www.ebay.in/itm/zotac-mini-itx-motherboard-d2550-itx-wifi-hdmi-for-thin-client-pos-mini-pc-/231778597200?hash=item35f714b950:g:pR8AAOSw5ZBWNMPY

7 inch HDMI display with touch compatible with windows

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/INNOLUX-7-inch-Raspberry-Pi-LCD-Touch-Screen-Display-TFT-Monitor-AT070TN90-with-Touchscreen-Kit-HDMI/32458555524.html

will remove unwanted connectors from motherboard and is powered by 90W 12V DC plug (will be replaced by lipo) and im sure the processor will not draw not more than half of the watts with windows 7 lite.

cooler will be replaced by peltier cooler or a laptop cooling fan( i have them both in hand)

Your setup is certainly better! I had a couple of RasPis lying around and I thought they would take much less space.

I'm using a twin remote setup as well. The 'in-flight' RasPi will automatically switch to my Futaba Rx if the primary link fails. However, my main remote has sticks with much higher resolution and accuracy and the radio link has a longer range and better signal encoding.

got some progress: DIY Flysky TX module has been already done:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1921870
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1626362

so the block diagram would now be

gimbals-->arduino-->TX module------------RX--> servo
                   |
                 PC

I believe my dream is coming true. the rcg thread says that someone has flown a quad with control from pc browser directly using arduino and rf module.

Ashok.P