I have continued my research for a way to compress and convert a video stream on the plane. I remembered reading about something called a Gumstix computer and I decided to research further. I have found that they have an amazing processing ability and one could easily handle controlling the entire plane. In order to keep in the spirit of the project, I will only use the Gumstix computer to handle the video. Wish me luck!

First Post in a While. A Lot has Happened.

In the past month, I have finalized my main hardware and their schematics. Now that the planning is done, I can start working on designing the PCB. I will upload my "schematics" and other drawings and things I have later this week. For now I'm in Georgia visiting my grandmother.

My current interest(s) are a diy smd solderer such as a hot plate, toaster oven, or electric griddle. I already have a temperature sensor that I could use for a PID loop temperature controller [if anybody has one of the aforementioned heating objects, I would pay for shipping on a donation].

The other thing I have been looking into is a netbook. It would be much easier to use outside for data logging, video feedback, etc., compared to trying to haul out my normal laptop that is a 'family' computer; in other words, if I have this computer tied up, my mom is left hanging. If I got a netbook, it would be a computer I could dedicate to using for the Guiding Propeller and for long term computer projects. Since many netbooks are $500<, it would also be less of an expense if it was KIA.

It Has All Arrived!

All my new toys have now arrived, and I'm gonna go play with them!

Parts have been ordered! and sampled.

In this bad picture, you may be able to see that I have ordered my firsts parts.

I bought:

• a 555 timer, not for this project, for an old kit I have
• a 7.5dc power adapter for my dev board
• an IR transmitter kit to play with the programming on the propeller
• and the Propeller Professional Development board

All this stuff is supposed to arrive on Monday the 24. I also requested a sample of a temperature sensor, the same one that's $6 on the Parallax site, directly from the manufacturer. I saved $6. I'm not sure when it will arrive.

GPS Board Modifications

I've done more work on the LEA-5H module pcb. I was looking into what parts will be need for the board, specifically for the Open Circuit Detection circuitry. Many of the parts need are extremely small (some around 1mm sq.), so I have decided to opt out of have the OCD. The benefits it would bring are not worth the effort it would take and the risk it would bring to soldering the board.

!!! I forgot to make a blog post when I finished my ADC break out board. It is now completed and you can find it here. Enjoy, and let me know if I need to change anything.

Intenational Viewers! And gps woes

I just checked out the Google Analytics report and not only do I have views from America (the main source), but also from West Vancouver, Canada, and Perth, Australia! I'm going global! ;)

Aside from my global popularity, I have run into a 5 foot tall speed bump. I'm working on making my pcb for the LEA-5H gps module from U-Blox, and when reading the hardware integration manual, the difficulty of this step hit me. Everything is so specific and sensitive, making this board is going to be a pain.

I'm currently wanting to have the Open circuit detection and short circuit detection circuitry on the board, as well as a SMA port for this antenna to plug into, and a usb port, and then the I/O to the main Propeller board.

If anybody already has something like this, or wouldn't mind helping in the construction, it would be greatly appreciated if you'd let me know.

P.S: What's the point of all the "holes" on the PCB as seen here, I have seen them on a number of boards and am baffled by them.

**Edit (8/4)**I contacted Peter Miller, over at Petermillerphotos.com, and he told me that the holes are to improve the ground plane of the antenna. He also gave me a few tips on the microstrip and its resistance, he suggests that in order to get the correct 50 ohm resistance, I should use a 4 layer pcb.

?Internship? and Autopilot Parts

I have decided to look into getting an internship in an MIT lab next summer, and seeing what it would take to make it happen. I have found a scientist that may be able to help me network on campus.

My first parts for the autopilot came this week. They were free samples (hooray) of the exact part I need. They're from tyco electronics and are 7 position ffc sockets. .1" pitch.