MarCONI - One-Hand Controller for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Abstract

Here authors present MarCONI (Multi Channel One haNd Interface), a system born to control remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs), in particular multi-rotors, by means of new generation peripherals. Among those, used in personal computing environment, a generation of 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) advanced controllers is the SpaceMouse family by 3Dconnexion. MarCONI is a hardware-software system, acting as a bridge between the USB peripheral and the UAV's radio-controller. A shaping block has been added to the system in order to process raw data flow generated by the SpaceMouse. This step allows the user to adapt the controller feedback to the specific vehicle features and response. Shaping parameters are fully customizable by a specific Web GUI, accessible through a Wi-Fi connection, making possible the setup tuning by means of mobile devices, such as smartphones or laptops. A side benefit of this system is the possibility to pilot UAVs using one hand only, with no restriction.Published8-132IT. Laboratori sperimentali e analitici7TM. Sviluppo e Trasferimento TecnologicoN/A or not JC