Future Autopilots

Tiny 2.0 is in development

Antoine began a complete re-reouting of the Tiny autopilot on November 2, 2006. The new design is not a bug-fix as no known flaws exist with the current 0.99 and 1.1 versions, so the redesign is purely performance-oriented!

• Planned feature additions
  • Hardware flow control on the modem

    The LPC has one "full-featured" serial port and one basic serial port. Current versions have the full-featured port hard-wired to the GPS in order to leave the basic port open for initial bootloader programming. Tiny 2.0 will exchange these ports and add test points to disconnect the GPS for the one-time bootloader programming.

  • TI PTH08080WAS switching 5V/2.25A regulator

    This integrated power supply will greatly simplify manufacturing, reduce costs, and improve performance. Tiny 2.0 will have a voltage input range of 6-16V and enough 5V power for large servos and high-power modems and video systems.

  • Larger GPS ground plane and antenna

    The 13mm antenna on Tiny 1.1 proved to be an unworthy exchange of performance for weight. Crude parking-lot tests showed an approximate 3dBi loss (as expected from the data sheets), but the narrow bandwidth of the small antenna made it more sensitive to de-tuning from nearby components in the aircraft. Flight performance was acceptable but poor climb rate calculations were observed with the smaller antenna. Tiny 1.1 users are advised to fit a 20mm antenna. Tiny 2.0 will use a 20mm x 4mm or 18mm x 4mm antenna and will feature 35% more ground plane area.

  • Connector changes

    Tiny 2.0 will feature revised header layouts on all peripherals. The modem header will have CTS/RTS and both 5V and 3V supplies (3V is shared with LPC and ADC channels - use with caution and only with very low power modems like the 10mW Xbee).

    The button will be removed and it's function will be combined on the USB header along with an LED trigger so that indicator, button, and USB can be remotely mounted.

  • Separate GPS Option

    To provide more flexible airframe installation, EMI trouble resolution, and GPS hardware optimization, a second version of Tiny 2.0 will be created with no GPS receiver or antenna. This model will feature a 4-pin serial port to connect to the external GPS and will not require test points