Signature Q1 2009 - (Page 20) By Colleen Marble & Kyungwon Kim | Q1 ’09 Bluetooth Technology @SCHOOL There’s nothing like the thrill of international competition to motivate innovation. That’s exactly what lead to the creation of Sky Walker, a Bluetooth enabled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by students at Cheong Shim International Academy in Gapyoung, South Korea. Led by Sejong University Associate Professor Hong Sung Kyung and funded by the Korea Research Bluetooth technology took to the skies in Foundation, the 12-student team developed the Sky Walker project, which was one of six entries – the South Korea as a critical component of Sky Walker, only one by a non-U.S. team – to receive a Meritorious an award-winning autonomous robot project. Achievement Award at the 2008 Internet Science and Technology Fair, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Although Sky Walker looks like an ordinary remote-controlled model airplane, it’s actually a sophisticated autonomous robot. “This project is designed to promote high school students to be engaged in aerospace engineering by simplifying the UAV algorithm based on their relevant experiences, such as a model airplane,” explains Hong. Over a 10-month period, the students created a flight control computer (FCC) and ground control system. To keep the plane’s weight down, the combined solution operates in a laptop on the ground. Onboard, the UAV carries a MediaTek MT3 GPS receiver and a Parani-ESD100 Bluetooth wireless serial adaptor from Sena, Inc. To extend the range of the Bluetooth wireless signal to the required 600 to 700 meters, the team added a Parani dipole antenna. Using the Bluetooth wireless link, the UAV transmits GPS waypoint data to the laptop. The FCC automatically calculates the shortest route to other predetermined waypoints and sends control commands (elevator, aileron, rudder and throttle) back to the airplane via a commercial RC transceiver. “Currently the GPS can transmit data at 1 Hz. To improve the data rate and accuracy, the next project will use a microelectromechanical system and GPS inertial navigation system,” says Hong. “Using MEMS/GPS INS, the data rate will be 100 Hz. Of course, Bluetooth will be used for the wireless portion of it.” Use the Force 20 | SIGnature | Bluetooth.org http://www.bluetooth.org
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