Research and Select New Altimeter

[kylehl]

Prerequisite Issues: None Followup Issues: TBD Related Issues: TBD

Summary

Research and select a new altimeter for the quadcopter. This will allow us to accurately measure the quadcopter's altitude, which will be critical in our implementation for an automatic takeoff algorithm. Provide 2-3 options to your team leads for consideration.

Terminal Objective

• Purchase a new sensor for the quadcopter

  Enabling Objectives

• Research available sensors that can be purchased
• Select the best sensor within the project budget
• I will submit a purchase request for the sensor

[kylehl]

Barbara, here are a couple websites you can start your search at. Try and make a couple comments in terms of pros/cons for each prospective one you find. If you are not sure whether a certain aspect is a pro/con, just make some short notes (power consumption, sensing distance, method of sensing, weight, size, etc).

http://www.robotshop.com/ https://acroname.com/ https://www.sparkfun.com/ https://www.adafruit.com/

[kylehl]

We want to find a sensor that can sense altitudes of up to 200 feet (60 meters), so keep that in mind while you're searching.

[barbarm]

SF30-B High Speed Laser Rangefinder - 50 m or 100 m

• $449 or $599
• Accuracy: ±0.1 m (70% reflective target @ 20°C)
• Voltage requirements: 5.0 +/- 0.5 VDC
• Current requirements: 250 mA (maximum)
• Weight: 35 g (excluding cables)
• Not affected by surface texture, speed, wind, changes in barometric pressure, noise, ambient light, terrain, or air temperature -36633 readings per second

https://www.parallax.com/product/28057 https://www.parallax.com/product/28058

SF02 Laser Rangefinder – 50 m

• $349
• Accuracy: ±( 0.1 + 1%) m
• Power supply voltage: 6.5 V to 9.0 V or 5.0 V ± 0.5 V DC
• Power supply current :150 mA (maximum)
• Weight: 2.43 oz (69 g)
• 50m range is for units using Rev 3+ firmware only. Earlier firmware versions-maximum range is 40m
• Not affected by wind, noise, ambient light, terrain, air temperature, or changes in barometric pressure
• 32 readings per second

https://www.parallax.com/product/28043

SF11-C Laser Rangefinder 120 m

• $279
• Accuracy: ±0.1 m (70% reflective target @ 20°C)
• Voltage requirements: 5.0 VDC
• Current requirements: 200 mA (maximum)
• Weight: 35 g
• Not affected by speed, wind, changes in barometric pressure, noise, ambient light, or air temperature
• 16 readings per second

https://www.parallax.com/product/28054

$249 http://www.lightware.co.za/shop/en/drone-altimeters/51-sf11c-120-m.html

[kylehl]

Closed for now - on hold because we do not have funds to purchase this quarter.