Index
Symbols
3D-design software, 39
3D-Printed Mini Quadcopter, 9
3D-printed mini quadcopter, 9
3DRobotics, 226
3DR Solo app, 226
A
accessories (quadcopter), 173
cameras
choosing, 174
FPV (first-person video), 175
landing gear
choosing, 176
protective plates/domes
AC motors, 72
adapters, propeller, 74
building sets, 38
laser-cutting from wood, 40
MakerBean Airframe project, 41
printing with 3D printers, 39-40
airplanes, Brooklyn Aerodrome Flack, 31-33
Alarms.cpp, 228
Alarms.h, 228
Allen wrenches, 119
Amazon, 2
Arduino for Beginners, 59
Arduino microcontrollers
blimp drone project, 86, 99-100
Ardupilot, 112
attaching
attachment tools, 123
Audry, Sofian, 11
automatic wire strippers, 122
B
battery packs, 6
BenchPro BP-1562, 122
blimp drones
overview, 81
radio control, 81
ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), 83-84
receivers, 83
transmitters, 82
sample project
Arduino microcontroller, 86, 99-100
overview, 84
boats, 147
disadvantages, 148
Soda Bottle Boat project
overview, 154
parts, 155
waterproofing electronics, 149
CorrosionX, 153
Pelican 1000-series cases, 151
sealed tubes, 152
Brendan22, 9
Brooklyn Aerodrome Flack, 31-33
brushed motors, 71
brushless motors, 71
building sets (airframe), 38
bullet connectors
overview, 130
parts list, 130
C
calipers, 120
camera gimbal, 6
choosing, 174
first-person video cameras, 7
cases
Pelican 1000-series cases, 151
sealed tubes, 152
chassis, 193
RFID-Navigating Rover project, 199-220
Tamiya, 194
checklist, pre-flight, 229-230
choosing
batteries, 128
cameras, 174
FPV (first-person video), 175
landing gear, 176
propellers, 73
protective plates/domes, 177-178
Christou, Michael, 16
Clothesline Racer, 11
CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) mills, 125-126
CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) tools, 124
laser cutters, 124
commercial drones
Brooklyn Aerodrome Flack, 31-33
Parallax ELEV-8 Quadcopter, 21-24
Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) mills, 125-126
Computer Numerically Controlled tools. See CNC tools
Config.h, 228
configuring
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 106-109
Contour ROAM, 174
controllers, Soda Bottle Boat project, 166-168
control sketch (MultiWii), 228
CorrosionX, 153
cost of commercial drones and kits
Actobotics Nomad, 31
Brooklyn Aerodrome Flack, 33
DJI Phantom 2 Vision+, 26
OpenROV, 27
Parallax ELEV-8 Quadcopter, 23
“C” rating, 128
D
data-gathering rocket project
overview, 60
programming the payload, 65-67
DC motors, 72
Def.h, 228
definition of “drone,” 2
3D-Printed Mini Quadcopter, 9
Clothesline Racer, 11
Open RC Trike, 14
do-it-yourself drones. See DIY (do-it-yourself) drones
Doll, Steve, 15
double-sided tape, 123
dremels, 121
drills, 121
drones
defined, 2
E
EEPROM.cpp, 228
EEPROM.h, 228
electronic speed controllers (ESCs), 5
HobbyKing 6A UBEC, 106
installing, 114
programming, 107
Turnigy Brushed 30A ESC, 105
XXD HW30A, 105
ELEV-8 Quadcopter (Parallax), 21-24
eMotion, 224
energy density (batteries), 128
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 5
HobbyKing 6A UBEC, 106
installing, 114
programming, 107
Turnigy Brushed 30A ESC, 105
XXD HW30A, 105
Estes Rockets, 51
Extech 382202, 122
F
FC (flight controller)
Ardupilot, 112
installing, 114
overview, 110
fins, 53
first-person video cameras, 7
first-person video (FPV), choosing, 175
firstpersonview.co.uk, 26
Flack (Brooklyn Aerodrome), 31-33
flight control
ESCs (electronic speed controllers)
HobbyKing 6A UBEC, 106
installing, 114
programming, 107
Turnigy Brushed 30A ESC, 105
XXD HW30A, 105
FC (flight controller), 6
Ardupilot, 112
installing, 114
overview, 110
flight control software
3DR Solo app, 226
eMotion, 224
OpenPilot, 222
quadcopters
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 114
FC (flight controller), 114
parts, 114
receivers, 116
receivers
installing, 116
overview, 109
flight controller (FC), 6
Ardupilot, 112
installing, 114
overview, 110
flight control software
3DR Solo app, 226
eMotion, 224
control sketch, 228
overview, 223
OpenPilot, 222
floating drones, 147
disadvantages, 148
Soda Bottle Boat project
overview, 154
parts, 155
waterproofing electronics, 149
CorrosionX, 153
Pelican 1000-series cases, 151
sealed tubes, 152
food storage containers, waterproofing electronics with, 150-151
FPV (first-person video), 175
Fritzing, 117
front indicators, 6
G
Game of Drones, 175
glue
hot glue, 123
super glue, 123
GoPro Hero, 174
government use of drones, 1
GPS.cpp, 228
GPS.h, 228
graph paper, 117
H
hacksaws, 121
hardware tools
automatic wire strippers, 122
calipers, 120
double-sided tape, 123
dremels, 121
drills, 121
Fritzing, 117
graph paper, 117
hacksaws, 121
hex wrenches, 119
hot glue, 123
Inkscape, 117
jeweler’s screwdrivers, 119
laser cutters, 124
measuring tape, 120
multimeters, 122
multitools, 118
needle nose pliers, 118
notebooks, 117
pens/pencils, 117
Phillips screwdrivers, 119
power supply, 122
protractors, 120
rulers, 120
SketchUp, 118
socket sets, 119
soldering equipment, 122
standard screwdrivers, 119
super glue, 123
velcro, 123
wire cutters, 122
X-Acto knives, 121
zip ties, 123
hex wrenches, 119
HitCase, 181
HobbyKing 6A UBEC, 106
Hord, Mike, 11
hot glue, 123
I
igniters, 53
IMU.cpp, 228
IMU.h, 228
IMU (inertial measurement unit), 228
inertial measurement unit (IMU), 228
Inkscape, 117
inrunner motors, 70
installing
protective plates/domes, 186-187
J-K
jeweler’s screwdrivers, 119
Kelly, Stephen, 11
kits
Brooklyn Aerodrome Flack, 31-33
Parallax ELEV-8 Quadcopter, 21-24
L
landing gear
choosing, 176
landing struts, 6
laser-cutting airframes, 40
launch lug, 53
LCD.cpp, 228
LCD.h, 228
Leviathan rocket, 52
M
mAH (Milli-amp hours), 128
MakerBean Airframe project
makershed.com, 33
Mars rovers, 1
measuring tape, 120
measuring tools, 120
Micro (Arduino), 54
microcontrollers, Arduino
blimp drone project, 86, 99-100
Milli-amp hours (mAh), 128
Mosquito rocket, 52
motors, 5
quadcopter motors
AC versus DC, 72
brushed versus brushless, 71
outrunner versus inrunner, 70
rocket motors, 53
Mueller, Roger, 14
multimeters, 122
multitools, 118
control sketch, 228
overview, 223
MultiWii.cpp, 228
MultiWii.h, 228
multiwii.ino, 228
N
NASA, Mars rovers, 1
needle nose pliers, 118
nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, 128
nose cones (rocket), 53
notebooks, 117
O
OpenBeam, 43
openbeamusa.com, 43
OpenPilot, 222
OpenPilot CopterControl, 15
Open RC Trike, 14
openrov.com, 27
Output.cpp, 228
Output.h, 228
outrunner motors, 70
P
parallax.com, 23
Parallax ELEV-8 Quadcopter, 21-24
Parrot AR.Freeflight, 224
parts lists
bullet connectors, 130
data-gathering rocket project, 60-61
MakerBean Airframe project, 43-44
quadcopter flight control project, 114
quadcopter props/motors project, 76
quadcopter wiring harness, 138
RFID-Navigating Rover project, 200
Soda Bottle Boat project, 155
Pelican 1000-series cases, 151
pencils, 117
pens, 117
Phantom 2 Vision+ (DJI), 24-26
Phillips screwdrivers, 119
photography. See cameras
pitch, 109
pliers, needle nose, 118
power supply, 122
power systems, 127
batteries
choosing, 128
NiMH batteries, 128
bullet connectors
overview, 130
parts list, 130
wiring harness assembly, 137
parts list, 138
3D-printed mini quadcopter, 9
programming
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 107
RFID-Navigating Rover project, 217-220
Soda Bottle Boat project, 170-171
projects
blimp drone
Arduino microcontroller, 86, 99-100
overview, 84
data-gathering rocket project
overview, 60
programming the payload, 65-67
MakerBean Airframe
quadcopter accessory installation
quadcopter bullet connectors
overview, 130
parts list, 130
quadcopter flight control
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 114
FC (flight controller), 114
parts, 114
receivers, 116
quadcopter props/motors, 75
parts, 76
quadcopter wiring harness assembly, 137
parts list, 138
RFID-Navigating Rover
overview, 199
parts, 200
Soda Bottle Boat
overview, 154
parts, 155
propellers, 5
choosing, 73
prop adapters, 74
prop guards, choosing, 178-179
sample project, 75
parts, 76
prop guards, choosing, 178-179
protective plates/domes
Protocol.cpp, 228
Protocol.h, 228
protractors, 120
PVC piping, 152
Q
quadcopter flight control project
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 114
FC (flight controller), 114
parts, 114
receivers, 116
quadcopter props/motors project, 75
parts, 76
quadcopters, 5
3D-Printed Mini Quadcopter, 9
accessories, 173
FPV (first-person video), 175
protective plates/domes, 177-178, 186-187
airframes, 6
building sets, 38
laser-cutting from wood, 40
MakerBean Airframe project, 41-50
printing with 3D printers, 39-40
battery packs, 6
camera gimbal, 6
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 5
HobbyKing 6A UBEC, 106
installing, 114
programming, 107
Turnigy Brushed 30A ESC, 105
XXD HW30A, 105
FC (flight controller), 6
Ardupilot, 112
installing, 114
overview, 110
first-person video cameras, 7
flight control software
3DR Solo app, 226
eMotion, 224
OpenPilot, 222
front indicators, 6
landing struts, 6
motors, 5
AC versus DC, 72
brushed versus brushless, 71
outrunner versus inrunner, 70
Parallax ELEV-8 Quadcopter, 21-24
power systems, 127
battery selection, 128
wiring harness assembly, 137-142
propellers, 5
choosing, 73
prop adapters, 74
quadcopter flight control project
ESCs (electronic speed controllers), 114
FC (flight controller), 114
parts, 114
receivers, 116
receivers, 7
installing, 116
overview, 109
battery selection, 128
R
racers, Clothesline Racer, 11
radio control of blimp drones
ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), 83-84
receivers, 83
transmitters, 82
radio frequency identification (RFID) tags
RFID-Navigating Rover project
overview, 199
parts, 200
RC (radio control) of blimp drones, 81
ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), 83-84
receivers, 83
transmitters, 82
receivers, 7
blimp drones, 83
quadcopter receivers
installing, 116
overview, 109
recovery wadding, 53
remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)
defined, 4
RFID-Navigating Nomad, 191
RFID-Navigating Rover project
overview, 199
parts, 200
RFID (radio frequency identification) tags
RFID-Navigating Rover project
overview, 199
parts, 200
rocket drones
Arduino microcontroller, 54-58
data-gathering rocket project
overview, 60
programming the payload, 65-67
roll, 109
rovers
advantages, 192
chassis
Tamiya, 194
disadvantages, 192
Mars rovers, 1
Open RC Trike, 14
overview, 191
RFID-Navigating Nomad, 191
RFID-Navigating Rover project
overview, 199
parts, 200
ROVs (remotely operated vehicles)
defined, 4
Rubbermaid containers, 150
rulers, 120
RX.cpp, 228
RX.h, 228
S
sandwich containers, waterproofing electronics with, 150-151
Scotch tape, 123
Scratch, 194
screwdrivers
jeweler’s screwdrivers, 119
Phillips screwdrivers, 119
standard screwdrivers, 119
sealed tubes, waterproofing electronics with, 152
SenseFly eMotion, 224
Sensors.cpp, 228
Sensors.h, 228
Serial.cpp, 228
Serial.h, 228
servocity.com, 31
shock cords, 53
sketchup.com, 39
Skycat Recovery Launchers, 177
socket sets, 119
Soda Bottle Boat project
overview, 154
parts, 155
software
flight control software
3DR Solo app, 226
eMotion, 224
OpenPilot, 222
Fritzing, 117
Inkscape, 117
SketchUp, 118
soldering equipment, 122
sparkfun.com, 31
standard screwdrivers, 119
St. Aubin, Samuel, 11
super glue, 123
T
Tamiya, 194
tape
double-sided tape, 123
Scotch tape, 123
Tinkercad, 39
tinkercad.com, 39
tools
automatic wire strippers, 122
calipers, 120
double-sided tape, 123
dremels, 121
drills, 121
Fritzing, 117
graph paper, 117
hacksaws, 121
hex wrenches, 119
hot glue, 123
Inkscape, 117
jeweler’s screwdrivers, 119
laser cutters, 124
measuring tape, 120
multimeters, 122
multitools, 118
needle nose pliers, 118
notebooks, 117
pens/pencils, 117
Phillips screwdrivers, 119
power supply, 122
protractors, 120
rulers, 120
SketchUp, 118
socket sets, 119
soldering equipment, 122
standard screwdrivers, 119
super glue, 123
velcro, 123
wire cutters, 122
X-Acto knives, 121
zip ties, 123
transmitters (blimp drones), 82
Turnigy Brushed 30A ESC, 105
Types library, 228
U
UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), 1-4
UBEC (universal battery eliminator circuit), 106
universal battery eliminator circuit (UBEC), 106
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 1-4
V
velcro, 123
Vice Grip wire cutter/stripper, 122
video cameras, 7
voltage ratings, 128
W
waterborne drones, 147
disadvantages, 148
Soda Bottle Boat project
overview, 154
parts, 155
waterproofing electronics, 149
CorrosionX, 153
Pelican 1000-series cases, 151
sealed tubes, 152
waterproofing electronics, 149
CorrosionX, 153
Pelican 1000-series cases, 151
sealed tubes, 152
water-repelling enamel, 153
websites
3DRobotics, 226
APM Planner 2.0, 224
Ardupilot, 112
brooklynaerodrome.com, 33
firstpersonview.co.uk, 26
Game of Drones, 175
Hoverfly, 112
makershed.com, 33
mBot, 194
MultiWii, 223
openbeamusa.com, 43
OpenPilot, 222
openrov.com, 27
parallax.com, 23
Parrot, 224
Scratch, 194
SenseFly, 224
servocity.com, 31
sketchup.com, 39
Skycat Recovery Launchers, 177
sparkfun.com, 31
tinkercad.com, 39
Vessels project, 11
wire cutters, 122
wire strippers, 122
assembling, 137
parts list, 138
battery selection, 128
battery types
NiMH batteries, 128
bullet connectors
overview, 130
wood airframes, laser-cutting, 40
workbench tools
automatic wire strippers, 122
calipers, 120
double-sided tape, 123
dremels, 121
drills, 121
Fritzing, 117
graph paper, 117
hacksaws, 121
hex wrenches, 119
hot glue, 123
Inkscape, 117
jeweler’s screwdrivers, 119
laser cutters, 124
measuring tape, 120
multimeters, 122
multitools, 118
needle nose pliers, 118
notebooks, 117
pens/pencils, 117
Phillips screwdrivers, 119
power supply, 122
protractors, 120
rulers, 120
SketchUp, 118
socket sets, 119
soldering equipment, 122
standard screwdrivers, 119
super glue, 123
velcro, 123
wire cutters, 122
X-Acto knives, 121
zip ties, 123
wrenches, hex, 119
X-Y-Z
X-Acto knives, 121
XXD HW30A, 105
yaw, 109
zip ties, 123