Make: Getting Started with Drones

Copyright
Table of Contents
Preface
	The First Book of Its Kind
	The Book’s Goal
	Conventions Used in This Book
	Safari® Books Online
	How to Contact Us
Chapter 1. Introduction
	Some Definitions
	Who Is This Book For?
	The Drone User Community
	Brief History of Autonomous Flight
		RC Model Airplane
		The Advent of Microchips
		The Technology of Drones
		The Launch of GPS
		Internet
		The Smartphone
		Small Autopilot Flight Controller
	Principles of Flight
		Weight/Gravity
		Lift
		Drag
		Thrust
	Flight Maneuvers: Aircraft Movement with Stick Mapping
		Throttle
		Yaw/Rudder
		Pitch
		Roll
Chapter 2. Airframes
	What Is an Airframe?
		Thrust Vectoring
		Aircraft Designs
		Materials
		Keeping It Balanced
	Building the Little Dipper Airframe
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Install the Standoffs
		Step 2: Complete the Dirty Frame Assembly
		Step 3: Assemble the Clean Frame
		Step 4: Attach the Two Subframes Together
Chapter 3. Power Train
	Propellers
		Direction
		Size and Pitch
		Balancing Props
	Motors
		Sizes
		kV Rating
		Pairing with the Right Props
	Total Lift
		Electronic Speed Controllers
		Flight Battery
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Mount the Power Distribution Board (PDB)
		Step 2: Solder on the Bullet Connectors
		Step 3: Mount the Speed Controllers
		Step 4: Solder up the Power Supply
		Step 5: Mount Brushless Motors
		Step 6: Connect Brushless Motors
		Step 7: Clean Up
	Wrapping Up
Chapter 4. Flight Controller
	What Is a Flight Controller?
		Open Source Versus Closed Source
		Sensors
		Flight Characteristics
		Software Assistant
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Mount the Flight Controller
		Step 2: Wire up the Flight Controller Outputs
		Step 3: Attach the Two Subframes to Each Other
	Wrapping Up
Chapter 5. GPS, Compass, and Battery Monitor
	GPS
		Flight Modes
	Compass
	Battery Monitor
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Mount the GPS Puck
		Step 2: Connect GPS and Compass to the APM
		Step 3: Install the Battery Monitor
	Wrapping Up
Chapter 6. Transmitter
	What Is a Transmitter?
	Most Common Frequency Bands
	Different Modes Around the World
	PWM Versus PPM
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Identify What You Need
		Step 2: Mount the Receiver
		Step 3: Plug in the Receiver
Chapter 7. Telemetry Radios
	Software Monitoring and Control
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Mount the Ground Station Radio
		Step 2: Prep the Aircraft Radio for Mounting
		Step 3: Plug in the Radio
		Step 4: Mount the Aircraft Radio
Chapter 8. Camera and FPV Equipment
	Popular Drone Cameras
		Micro Four Thirds Cameras
		The Mobius ActionCam
	FPV for a Live Stream
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Fasten the Camera Mount
		Step 2: Attach the Vibration Isolation Plate
		Step 3: Place the Camera in the Quick-Release Mount
Chapter 9. ArduPilot Mega (APM) Setup
	Step-by-Step Build Instructions
		Step 1: Update Firmware
		Step 2: Connect and Complete Mandatory Setup
		Step 3: Optional Hardware
	Let’s Explore the Rest of Mission Planner
		Flight Modes
		Geo Fence
		Basic Tuning
		Extended Tuning
		Standard Params
		Flight Data
		Flight Plan
	Preparing for Your Maiden Flight
Chapter 10. Safe and Responsible Flight
	Above All Is Safety
	Training and Education
	Resources
	Important Links
	Key Flight Safety Rules
	First-Person View
	Where and When to Fly
	Preflight Checklist and Flight Log Information
	Aircraft Inspection
	Flight and Maintenance Logs
	Laws and Regulations
Chapter 11. Real-World Applications
	Beneficial Drones
	Aerial Photography
	Mapping and Surveying
	Precision Agriculture
	Search and Rescue
	Infrastructure Inspection
	Conservation
Chapter 12. Expanding Your Drone’s Abilities
	Add a Camera and First-Person View
	Collect More Data with Other Sensors
	Altering Speed: Ready, Set, Race!
	Increasing Flight Times
		Troubleshooting in the Drone Community
	Thank You!
Index