Thread: I've been a bit too enthusiastic

Hello,

My name is Pim and I am a 17 year old Dutch grammar school student.
In the Netherlands we have to pick a subject related to one of our subjects which we'll then have to spend 80 hours on to finish it.

The project I choose was a bit too ambitious at first, but I slowly stripped it down to the bare basics over time to what it is now: kind of pathetic ( ).

What I first had in mind, was to control the plane with my phone using the gyrometer for the wings / tail etc, and the touch screen for the camera hanging underneath it.

Quite some time later I dumped my phone as well as a camera out of the plan, and what is left is that I want to control my plane from my computer via the remote which would be connected to my laptop with a 3.5mm cable (fits in the remote, that's not a problem).
I had found this article about that: secure .ws /2010/03/09/control-rc-aircrafts-from-your-computer-for-0/

So all that is left of my original idea is to be able to press a button to turn on the motor, for example.
I want the motor to be controlled with the numbers 0 - 5, with 0 being off and 5 being maxed out.
Due to being limited on spare time, I don't really need to get more to work, but if I could all servo's to work (2x tail + 1x motor) before I have to finish it.

So, what is the reason for posting this here?
Well, I have spent a lot of time learning Java (TheNewBoston), but I am not quite sure where to start programming, or how to output the PPM signal over my sound card, and I am looking for someone who could possibly help me a bit to get this done.

You can view my progress at github (username: Pim16aap2, Project: Up-up-and-away). I am sorry I cannot give you a useful link, but I am not allowed to do so -_-

I don't have personal experience, but I've seen these kind of projects discussed. There's usually a kit involved or programmable parts/controllers/interface boards that have been purchased from hobby RC or robotics supply companies. I just did a search using 'java servo control' and turned up a few of the robotics companies. You might look at what they have for ideas or improve the search to find the type of components or ideas that are a bitter fit for your project. Any of those companies may have forums or areas where their customers can exchange ideas, software, etc. I think the info to get you going is out there, but I can't point you right at it.

Good luck!

Thank you for your reply.

I've been searching a lot, and I've come across many different options such as Arduino and way more.
The problem is that I do not have very much time left, and that, for example Arduino, isn't shipped to where I live (well, at least the parts I need are excluded).

All that led to more searching, which brought me to http://www.secure.ws/2010/03/09/cont...omputer-for-0/, which told me I could control it simply with my sound card, a 3.5mm cable and a remote (with a 3.5mm input). And, since I've got all three of those, and since the remote does respond to being plugged into my computer via the 3.5mm cable, I got some hope back.

What gave me more hope, is that the PPM signal seems rather easy, but as I have no idea how to program stuff for my sound card in Java (with specific amplitudes etc), I came here, hoping that someone with that knowledge could possibly help me out.

If anyone would be able to provide me with a better solution, I'll be more than happy, but I really am short on time.