Since last update, I have been able to download the required software for Betaflight on my personal computer. After much troubleshooting, I have been able to get any of my motors to spin, even in Betaflight's test mode. For this reason, I've decided to instead a quadcopter loaned to me by my classmate Jacob. I also was able to 3D print a holder for my IR sensor, but this is redundant as I am changing drones. With a working drone, I will now be able to focus on coding and testing my collision detection system.
Since last update, I have "completed" my drone frame, but hardware failures have required me to replace faulty components. I started by rearranging my electronics, placing the Flight Controller on top of the Power Distribution Board. I then placed my receiver on the back of the frame and soldered a power wire for it. The antenna of the receiver are required to be held at a ~90 degree angle. To remedy this, I zip-tied the antenna to the bottom of the arms. I believed my drone body done at this point, but when I plugged in my battery to test how I would need to secure it, an ESC blew up. I soldered a new ESC and replaced it. When I plugged in the battery again, another ESC began to heat up. At this point, I cut open the ESC to see what it looks like. The soldering job was poor, but when compared to another (assumed to be working) ESC, it looked the same. A classmate suggested I test the motors and ESCs, but when I went to download the required software, it was blocked on the school computers.
Since my last update, I have made major progress on my drone, mostly completing my electronics. I was unable to complete them, however, as I learned the radio receiver which came with my transmitter requires direct wiring to each of the ESCs, thus cannot be wired to a flight controller. I ordered the FPVKing Flysky FS-iA6B Receiver to remedy this. I also ordered the Pololu Carrier with Sharp GP2Y0D810Z0F Digital Distance Sensor and have begun CADing a new holder for it.
I'm still waiting on the FS-iA6B to finish constructing my drone.
This month proved fairly productive. All of my parts have arrived so I was able to construct the frame of my drone. The IR sensor has proven difficult, however. It is larger than expected and than had been advertised, so my IR sensor holder will require further work. Additionally, I learned my flight controller lacks analog inputs, so I will either have to transmit the sensor readings to the flight controller or use a digital output IR sensor, such as this.
My current plan for the next two weeks is to finish constructing my drone. From there, I will determine the best course of action for my sensor.
This month was rather productive for me. I was able to finalize which sensor type and drone I would be using. I determined an IR sensor would be best for my purposes as it would be less complex than other sensors like Time-of-Flight sensors or cameras, it wouldn't be affected by the propellers like an ultrasonic sensor, and didn't pose a risk to human vision like LiDAR. I settled on the LHI 250mm Pro drone as direct access to the flight board should allow me to avoid needing to transmit sensor readings by radio.
I was also able to produce initial CAD designs of my IR sensor holder, though these will need to be refined when the IR sensor arrives.
On a more personal note, I broke my left hand in a football game on 10/12, so construction may be difficult.