User:Soccercisco
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Comments about this page (or anything in particular): zabala.f[at]gmail[dot]com
About Me
Hello my fellow Paparazzi-ers! Here's a bit of info of who I am.
- Name: Francisco Zabala
- Nick: Cisco (used to play soccer a lot so sometimes soccercisco)
- Career: Electrical Engineer (Bachelor's degree Dec '06), emphasis in Control Systems and Robotics
- Career Goals: mainly academic, pursue a doctoral degree in Control, Robotics & Biosystems. Then, become a full-time Professor and Researcher.
- Current Projects: www.ecs.fullerton.edu/~zabala (I'm moving all this info into a wiki, so soon it will be updated)
- Paparazzi-status: "As newb as I can get" (Purchasing board)
- Paparazzi Goals: to become an active contributor to the project, and help on it's further development (as I gain the trust of fellow members).
- Abilities: Hardware design, PCB design and layout, soldering, basic Programming tasks (getting better everyday :-) ), Licensed RC Pilot (doesn't mean I'm a Pro :-) ).
Getting Started
Objective
The objective of this section is to document the basic steps for newcomers to the project. Being a newcomer myself, I can explain as I go along the do's and dont's from a newbie perspective. I believe I would help quite a lot with several aspects of the project, especially, having newcomers feel 'unwelcomed' or having to deal with questions frequently asked. I know what you are thinking, and the answer is yes! I will also develop---as I grow more accustomed to the project---a Frequently Asked Questions page, where I will collect the most common mistakes (based on my own experience) that are bound to happen in the development of the project. Additionally, I will keep a close overview of the mailing-list so I can monitor FAQs other than the ones I consider.
Walkthrough (Rough Draft)
- Purchase an aircraft and learn to fly it!
This step is self explanatory, you need to have something where to mount your autopilot. Additionally, you need to be comfortable enough to take control if something goes wrong in the air (like you forgot to charge the battery).
The following are models we have tried with positive results and a convenient price (free sponsorship):
- Microjet [ [ link + pics here ] ]
- Twinject [ [ link + pics here ] ]
- ...
- Purchase/Construct an autopilot Printed-Circuit Board from the available options.
While learning how-to-fly you could get started with the hardware (talk about multitasking!) by following one of the following options:
Pre-assembled PCB
No reason to not take this route (we are not doing to become millionaires, but because we like it). We will offer you, literally, the best possible deal that you could get (taken under consideration labor put into the boards, shipping, etc.). We want you to get started! If you are desiring a quick start then this is the option for you (remember that once you are comfortable with the project there will be no reason for you not to build your own boards! you have the schematics and PCB layout, and you would also have this board as a reference :-) )
PCB-only (only for recommended for advanced users)
If you have experience with soldering 0402, SOIC, etc. sized components get this option. Be aware that the components add up to '$300' [TBD]. Please refer to the hardware list TBD. Keep in mind that this is a free open source project, thus, most of us do something else to pay the bills; so support at this point at time is handled through the IRC and the FAQs.
DIY (only recommended for super-advanced users)
The "there-is-no-stopping-you-now" option, you have everything you need to get started with the hardware (schematics, layouts, block diagrams, etc.). If you are a self-motivated individual, with tons of spare time on your hands (and no girl- and/or boy-friend), then a) You need to find your "better-half," and b) this is the option for you!
Cameras
http://www.futurehobbies.com/items.asp?id=14 http://www.boostervision.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I get started?
A. Refer to the [ [ link here ] ] section