ver0776
Active Member
There are many levels to this project, some are feasable and some are out there, but you have to start somewhere.
The problem: No matter how many cameras I have, I miss things and would like to be able to send a camera for close-up investigation when something happens.
Proposed solution: Using an RC vehicle (Like my 1/16th scale tank) and a wireless camera, I could drive around my property and direct the camera for up-close monitoring (PTz provided by turret control- well, not the Z part).
Later, I would like an FM speaker on the tank so I could send TTS and stream voice out of the Tank's speaker.
Later still, an interface to send the RF signals to the RC vehicle should be available from the PC to allow internet control and observation.
Last stages I would like to use my bluetooth GPS and PDA w/WiFi on the tank to update its speed, location and heading back on the PC. This data would be used for autonomous functions, or linking it to the HA system.
I will try to list the obsticles in the order of importance and feasability of overcoming.
1. Vehicle charging itself. You should be able to drive the tank back to the charging station and using trolley car type contacts, or something similar, to connect to power.
2. Camera battery life. A 9-volt wireless camera will only last a couple hours at best. Need to design a relay or something that can cut camera power when not used. Or the dock in #1 should also recharge the camera's 9-volt battery. I have seen some adapters to use more than one battery for longer life. Can a 9.6volt RC battery be used to run a 9-volt camera?
3. Camera range (*HELP*) I am running 2.4g wireless with a $60 antennea upgrade, but the range is still crappy (been forever, but I think it is 20db total). Is there something that can truely provide 150' in any direction? Even through a wall or something. My phone goes to the end of the street, I want my cameras too also. (Don't proposed $2,000 solutions, I like everything on the cheap =) Perhaps the wireless camera transmitter is the problem and I sould use a wired one with a seperate transmitter? Recommendations?
4. FM tansmitters are a joke here, FCC issues I guess. Anyone have a link to a 1000' FM kit or something that is like $200 or less?
5. There needs to be something like the USB-UIRT for RF frequencies that covers the 27-49Mhz ranges (at least) or someone that makes an RC RF controller that has a serial port or something. I do not want to have to use servos to control the sticks on the RC controller! hehe
I am thinking about tethering the thing during initial development, but that does not solve much and would be as limited in range, I just would not have to recharge it. The recharger is about the only thing I think I can make anyways, so no point in skipping it...
Is there any projects already existing that could provide some knowledge in these areas? I would love some links...
Vaughn
The problem: No matter how many cameras I have, I miss things and would like to be able to send a camera for close-up investigation when something happens.
Proposed solution: Using an RC vehicle (Like my 1/16th scale tank) and a wireless camera, I could drive around my property and direct the camera for up-close monitoring (PTz provided by turret control- well, not the Z part).
Later, I would like an FM speaker on the tank so I could send TTS and stream voice out of the Tank's speaker.
Later still, an interface to send the RF signals to the RC vehicle should be available from the PC to allow internet control and observation.
Last stages I would like to use my bluetooth GPS and PDA w/WiFi on the tank to update its speed, location and heading back on the PC. This data would be used for autonomous functions, or linking it to the HA system.
I will try to list the obsticles in the order of importance and feasability of overcoming.
1. Vehicle charging itself. You should be able to drive the tank back to the charging station and using trolley car type contacts, or something similar, to connect to power.
2. Camera battery life. A 9-volt wireless camera will only last a couple hours at best. Need to design a relay or something that can cut camera power when not used. Or the dock in #1 should also recharge the camera's 9-volt battery. I have seen some adapters to use more than one battery for longer life. Can a 9.6volt RC battery be used to run a 9-volt camera?
3. Camera range (*HELP*) I am running 2.4g wireless with a $60 antennea upgrade, but the range is still crappy (been forever, but I think it is 20db total). Is there something that can truely provide 150' in any direction? Even through a wall or something. My phone goes to the end of the street, I want my cameras too also. (Don't proposed $2,000 solutions, I like everything on the cheap =) Perhaps the wireless camera transmitter is the problem and I sould use a wired one with a seperate transmitter? Recommendations?
4. FM tansmitters are a joke here, FCC issues I guess. Anyone have a link to a 1000' FM kit or something that is like $200 or less?
5. There needs to be something like the USB-UIRT for RF frequencies that covers the 27-49Mhz ranges (at least) or someone that makes an RC RF controller that has a serial port or something. I do not want to have to use servos to control the sticks on the RC controller! hehe
I am thinking about tethering the thing during initial development, but that does not solve much and would be as limited in range, I just would not have to recharge it. The recharger is about the only thing I think I can make anyways, so no point in skipping it...
Is there any projects already existing that could provide some knowledge in these areas? I would love some links...
Vaughn