Time Logging for a Helicopter (not RC but 1:1)

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi
I'm new to Arduino.
What I'm trying to build is a device which logs time from startup to shutdown (noise or vibration activated?), but also flight time (speed activated, GPS).
This data should be transmitted via BT or Wifi to an Ipad/Iphone.
The device should not be wired to the helicopter (GPS battery drain might be a problem)
What would the ideal hardware setup be?
I looked into:

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/seeeduino-stalker-waterproof-solar-kit-p-911.html

added by a GPS and a Bluetooth module maybe?

Thanks for any advice!

Paolo

2

Are you concerned about the weight of the GPS receiver and battery to power it? If so, you could consider whether you can detect movement via a switch that is operated by weight on the landing skids/wheels. That would reduce flight detection to a simple read of an input, and save you a lot of software and hardware cost and complexity.

You could store the start/end times in RAM as long as you know you can download them before the Arduino is switched off. If that isn't a safe assumption, you would need to store them somewhere persistent. You could store them in EEPROM, as long as you are sensible about how often you update the stored values (only update at the start and end of the session, don't keep updating them continually) because the EEPROM has a limited life.

You have a free choice about how you connect to the recorder to download the data - just about any wired or wireless option you can imagine is feasible, and that choice will probably be dictated by what you want to have at the other end of the connection receiving the data.

3

Thanks for replying. Weight is not a real issue, I forgot to mention that I'm talking about a 1:1 helicopter. XD
Wiring anything on an aircraft needs an STC (certification -> lengthy and VERY expensive)

  • hence WOW (weight on wheel) is not an option
  • cigarette lighter instead of a solar panel for recharging could be an option (assuming the GPS drains quite a lot)
  • storage should be permanent. You might forget to download right away and have a chance to do it only weeks after.
  • final data receiver would be an iPad application (I assume BT is the most straightforward solution)

What could be a smart hardware setup? There are a myriad of boards, sensors, breakouts, shields ecc out there!
I would like to start with a more or less compatible setup.

Thanks a lot in advance

Paolo