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Building Smart Drones with ESP8266 and Arduino
Building Smart Drones with ESP8266 and Arduino

Building Smart Drones with ESP8266 and Arduino: Build exciting drones by leveraging the capabilities of Arduino and ESP8266

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Building Smart Drones with ESP8266 and Arduino

Assembling Your Drone

In Chapter 1, Things to Know Before You Build a Drone, we were introduced to all the basic components of a drone. In this chapter, we will assemble our drone and make it ready for the next phase.

We will cover the following topics in this chapter:

  • Assembling the frame
  • Connecting the motor
  • Connecting the ESC
  • Connecting the ArduPilot
  • Configuring the drone with the ArduPilot
  • Aerodynamics needed for flying a drone
  • Knowing security protocols for flying a drone
  • Preventing the drone from crashing

To begin the process of building the quadcopter, we first need to assemble the frame. So, let's begin with our assembling.

Assembling the frame

The assembly of the drone frame requires a lot of patience and you are once again advised to follow the instruction manual when doing it for the first time. For reference, in this book, we will assemble a drone frame from HobbyKing (S500). Inside the box, you will get the items displayed in the following picture:

These items are listed here:

  • Four frame arms (two blue and two black, if you buy the blue color)
  • Four leg plates
  • Two rods for the base mount
  • One top plate
  • One bottom plate for mounting the power lines
  • And a lot of screws

Firstly, see the following figure and connect the parts as shown here:

Use a proper screwdriver to tighten the screws. Do not keep any screws untightened or tilted.

Let's connect the motors now.

Connecting the motors

...

Connecting the RC receiver and transmitter

The RC transmitter allows the drone pilot to control the drone wirelessly. It would be silly to fly a drone with a wire in the sky, so connecting the Radio Controlled (RC) transmitter is a must for a drone.

The RC transmitter sends signals and the receiver receives the signal. The RC transmitter is also known as the TX and the RC receiver is known as the RX. Before discussing about the RC receiver, let's know the transmitter first.

Basically, the transmitter is the remote controller of the drone. Before choosing a perfect transmitter, you need to consider a few things, such as the number of channels, the modes, and the frequency technology, and so on.

I would suggest you buy a good transmitter because this is the least thing that is destroyed while flying drones.

The number of channels gives you the ability to control how many individual...

Connecting the battery

We are almost finished assembling our quadcopter. Now the last part is to connect the battery. As we are using, S500 frame, it comes with a board, where you can connect the battery by soldering the connectors to the board and later just plug the battery while flying the drone. You can use zipties to lock the battery under the body of the copter, as shown in the following figure:

To summarize the connections, let's recap. The BLDC motors will be connected to the four-in-one ESC (or four individual ESCs). The ESCs will be connected to the ArduPilot's output pins (only signal cables, 5V, and ground cables). The power cables of the ESC (or ESCs) will be directly connected to the battery (in our case, we have connected on the body plate first and later used connector pins to be connected to the battery.). The radio and the RC receiver will be connected...

Binding transmitter to the receiver

Binding is really important. Without proper binding, you cannot configure the drone's actions properly. You can bind your transmitter with at least the following things. Note that the binding process differs from the RC Receiver's model to model. The steps of the most common method is as follows:

  • A binding cable
  • An ESC
  • A servo motor (or you can use a BLDC motor too, but it is too risky; I don't recommend it while binding the transmitter to the receiver)
  • A battery

Firstly, connect the binding cable to the RC receiver on the BAT pin, as follows. In some models, the BAT pins might be known as B/VCC:

Now, take an ESC and connect the signal, 5V, and ground pin to the CH1 pins.

Remember, the outer pin of a row is for the ground, the middle pin is for 5V, and the inner pin is for the signal.

Connect the battery to the ESC. The ESC...

Know the aerodynamics needed for flying a drone

Just imagine your drone produces infuriating noises. Do you know why? It is because of the BLDC motors and the propellers, right? But theoretically, drones should not make that much loud a noise. Can you imagine why? Because of the proper uses of the aerodynamics inside a drone. The physics for flying a drone is really necessary to be known by all the drone pilots because, if you cannot master the air, your drone will not fly properly. Refer to the following figure to get a rough idea on how air is effected by the propellers of the drone.

The figure is taken from the NASA website. They simulated the aerodynamics via computers:

So, basically a drone (specially quadcopters) has two pairs of propellers (two in a clockwise direction and another two in a anticlockwise direction). The speed of each motor is individually controlled to...

Saving your drone from crashing

You hardly can prevent your drone from crashing and breaking some of the propellers, or even the body. The damage will depend on the crash and the height it falls from. It will also depend on the surface your drone lands on or crashes.

The best place to fly a drone is open fields where there are no trees or any electrical wires hanging. Do not uplift the drone with high throttle at first, increase the throttle gradually. We will know about safe throttling later. For now, you can use the Stabilize mode first. Just remember, throttle is nothing but speeding up the velocity of the propellers of the drone. If you are a beginner, my suggestion is to learn how you can levitate your drone above the ground. Once you master hovering the drone, increase the throttle a little bit. Practice more with that high. Increase the height gradually. Then, start doing...

Check things before flying

There are a few things you must check before flying a drone. Here is a checklist for flying a drone safely:

  • Check all the connections
  • Check transmitter and receiver bindings
  • Check the battery charge and voltage
  • Check whether all the propellers are attached tightly
  • Check all the motor mountings
  • Check all the screws
  • Check the balance of the drone to see if any side is heavier than the other
  • Always unplug the battery after flying; only attach the battery few a seconds before flying
  • Check any obstacles outside
  • Keep children away from the flying area
  • Keep a distance from the drone while you first throttle it
  • Turn on autopilot and return to the home/launch feature if they are available
  • Do not fly a drone with unbalanced propellers or broken propellers
  • Always wear safety glasses
  • Maintain security protocols

Check the security protocols for flying a drone outside

There are some rules by the government of the country where you fly things in the sky, specially the drone. Always check the security protocols. A few common rules are as follows:

  • You cannot fly a drone within 5 miles of an airport
  • You must keep the drone within your eyesight
  • You are not allowed to go higher than 400 feet (around 0.12 km)
  • You cannot fly a drone in busy traffic areas
  • You must register your drone if you use it for business purposes or professionally; you must have a license
  • Always know the local rules before flying a drone

Summary

In this chapter, we have learned how we can assemble a basic drone or quadcopter. We have also learned about the aerodynamics of flying drones, some rules of not crashing drones, and the security protocols of flying drones.

In Chapter 3, Preparing Your Drone for Flying, we will learn how we can configure and tweak our quadcopter with proper modules and software to make it ready to fly, and then fly our first drone. I hope that will be really exciting for you. Let's start building and flying the quadcopter in Chapter 3, Preparing Your Drone for Flying.

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Key benefits

  • Learn to create a fully functional Drone with Arduino and ESP8266 and their modified versions of hardware.
  • Enhance your drone's functionalities by implementing smart features.
  • A project-based guide that will get you developing next-level drones to help you monitor a particular area with mobile-like devices.

Description

With the use of drones, DIY projects have taken off. Programmers are rapidly moving from traditional application programming to developing exciting multi-utility projects. This book will teach you to build industry-level drones with Arduino and ESP8266 and their modified versions of hardware. With this book, you will explore techniques for leveraging the tiny WiFi chip to enhance your drone and control it over a mobile phone. This book will start with teaching you how to solve problems while building your own WiFi controlled Arduino based drone. You will also learn how to build a Quadcopter and a mission critical drone. Moving on you will learn how to build a prototype drone that will be given a mission to complete which it will do it itself. You will also learn to build various exciting projects such as gliding and racing drones. By the end of this book you will learn how to maintain and troubleshoot your drone. By the end of this book, you will have learned to build drones using ESP8266 and Arduino and leverage their functionalities to the fullest.

Who is this book for?

If you are a programmer or a DIY enthusiast and keen to create a fully functional drone with Arduino and ESP8266, then this book is for you. Basic skills in electronics and programming would be beneficial. This book is not for the beginners as it includes lots of ideas not detailed how you can do that. If you are a beginner, then you might get lost here. The prerequisites of the book include a good knowledge of Arduino, electronics, programming in C or C++ and lots of interest in creating things out of nothing.

What you will learn

  • Includes a number of projects that utilize different ESP8266 and Arduino capabilities, while interfacing with external hardware
  • Covers electrical engineering and programming concepts, interfacing with the World through analog and digital sensors, communicating with a computer and other devices, and internet connectivity
  • Control and fly your quadcopter, taking into account weather conditions
  • Build a drone that can follow the user wherever he/she goes
  • Build a mission-control drone and learn how to use it effectively
  • Maintain your vehicle as much as possible and repair it whenever required
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Publication date : Feb 27, 2018
Length: 212 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781788477512
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Table of Contents

10 Chapters
Things to Know Before You Build a Drone Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Assembling Your Drone Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Preparing Your Drone for Flying Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building a Follow Me Drone Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building a Mission Control Drone Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building a Drone to Take Selfies and Record Videos Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building Prototype Drones – Gliding Drones Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Building Prototype Drones – Racing Drones Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Drone Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.1
(8 Ratings)
5 star 62.5%
4 star 12.5%
3 star 12.5%
2 star 0%
1 star 12.5%
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Martin J. Jul 28, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Great book for DIY smart drones. The books provide a lot of information and advices that could perfectly fit with different projects, even if it focus in on way to make it.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Jinu Jogy May 15, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
It's really worth what I spent. It gives the basic ideas about what a drone is and to how to build a drone. Even beginners can easily understand the contents in the book. I would suggest people interested in drones to purchase this book
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Towaha Apr 09, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
What I like in that book is learning new technologies and using it for future projects. It can be for drones or anything. But the thing is you can't make a project successful unless you know what technology you should use for that. The book is full of new things and grew my interest building a custom drone. I would definitely test all the projects and make a drone.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Timmy Nov 25, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Book is a helpful guide.
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Arslan Mar 20, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
well written and easy to understand
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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