Quad motor control using R/C signals and remote with Arduino

Hey everyone, I'm new so if I'm at the wrong place please forgive me.

However to graduate from high school I have to conduct a research practicum aka RP.
My RP is based on controlling 4 dc motors at variable speeds ( based on R/C controller input)
with an Arduino as the motor control that receives R/C signals from a wireless joystick.

So I have never owned a Arduino before but I am purchasing one this week (yes I'm a noob).

At this moment I just need to know which Arduino I need to buy along with any shields, sensors etc.
Basically a open request for anyone to mentor me throughout the project and be acknowledged in my 100 page report.

Inbox me for email. 8)

Put more info, plz.:

  1. voltage of the motors;
  2. their power (VA) or consuming current ampers;
  3. what kind of joystick, type - model, depends on frequency
    it works (315 MHz, 430 or could be 2.4GHz) try to search
    a receiver. If you already have one put info specification,
    what output signals it produce.

Thank you for the response. I was afraid my topic would die.
But anyways to address all of your questions..

  1. 4X 6 volt DC MOTORS - Mainly the hobby style link here -> http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm/terms/16337/cartLogFrom/froogle

  2. Information for this question is answered in the link above

  3. I was thinking about using this http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=a0D&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=555&q=rc+helicopter+controlle&bav=on.1,or.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13136286476430826164&ei=AuReTaS9McWclgfU3cTqCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CHQQ8wIwAA#

or buying any RC toy and stripping the rc receiver from there and using it with my Arduino. or is there a special "shield" for RC signals?

Thanks for taking your time out to help. I'll keep you updated along the way. =)

Yes, nice helicopter.
Where in this RC system you'd like to insert arduino?
May be it's little bit early for you to start such project,
design RF interface isn't easy even for experiensed engineer.

I'm willing to learn and I never give up.
I ordered a quad motor control shield and a arduino duemilanove kit to get my future started.

Just came across:

http://www.codeproject.com/KB/system/RC_Joystick_Tx.aspx

Is it what you want to create???

Wow that's a pretty amazing find.
Thanks for the link..its pretty much is what I'm trying to do.
Do you want me to put your name in my acknowledgments?

Yes, sure.
I count on it -):

Alright so I took a few days to go shopping.
I found an RF receiver here that's nice a cheap
http://www.solarbotics.com/products/50610/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Product+Search&utm_campaign=Product+Search+(Feb11)

I can't wait for my arduino to come in.
All the projects I've seen with it are so amazing!

ThunderBob:
Alright so I took a few days to go shopping.
I found an RF receiver here that's nice a cheap
http://www.solarbotics.com/products/50610/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Product+Search&utm_campaign=Product+Search+(Feb11)

I can't wait for my arduino to come in.
All the projects I've seen with it are so amazing!

I'm pretty sure that cheap receiver module will not receive and decode a R/C transmitter signal. Or do you know something I don't?

Lefty

I definitely don't anything you don't about this kind of stuff.
Is there a module you recommend?

ThunderBob:
I definitely don't anything you don't about this kind of stuff.
Is there a module you recommend?

Well if you require both a compatible transmitter and receiver it's hard to beat this $30 price combination:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=15140

Wow! thanks a lot! Definitely adding this to the shopping cart.
I'll keep you guys posted as my project evolves.