Telemetry System for a Fixed-Wing Remotely-Operated Aircraft

Abstract

This paper describes a telemetry and ground station system for use with a remotely operated aircraft. The system monitors the aircraft performance in real time, and for analysis of flight characteristics post-flight. The telemetry system is modular, so it can be adapted to a range of aircraft configurations. The ground station will run mission planning software on an off-the-shelf $500 USD microcontroller system, as well as a first person view module output to a separate display. The data collected includes: airspeed, battery voltage, motor current draw, motor speed, ground speed, three-axis acceleration, and GPS position. This system supplies the data needed for design decisions to be based on actual flight data, rather than simulations and theoretical models.