Quanser ALTAV

As part of Quanser's development of a cooperative control framework for multi-vehicle control, we have designed a new Almost Lighter Than Air Vehilcle (ALTAV). The Quanser ALTAV is an innovative aerial vehicle incorporating an 11-foot helium filled envelope with the Quanser Control Module (QCM). The ALTAV resembles a blimp with 4 motors mounted to the sides of the envelope, with each motor connected to a servo-actuated arm for additional degrees of freedom on the motors.The Quanser Control Module contains the Quanser designed and built HiQ Aero data acquisition board. The HiQ Aero features the following sensors and outputs:

• 3-axis accelerometer
• 3-axis gyro
• 3-axis magnetometer
• 10 PWM servo outputs
• 9 analog input channels
• temperature sensors
• 2 pressure sensors
• integrated with the Gumstix verdex embedded system

The most powerful feature of the QCM comes from the Gumstix embedded system which runs QuaRC, Quanser's real-time control software. MATLAB Simulink models developed on a desktop or laptop can be seamlessly downloaded and compiled (over wifi) onto the Gumstix. This allows rapid testing and development of controllers as well as wireless data streaming back to the host computer and wireless communications with other vehicles through the QuaRC communication toolset. The QCM is a powerful embedded control module, which will be seen in several Quanser vehicles currently being developed.

The following video shows an earlier version of the Quanser ALTAV in action. The innovative design of the Quanser ALTAV combined with the power of QuaRC makes the ALTAV a valuable vehicle in the Quanser fleet.

-Cameron

(Note: Quanser's ALTAV HiQ Pack is slated for release in April 2009)