Building a DIY Arduino FPV Drone

Introduction

• A project to build a small Arduino-based FPV (First Person View) drone.
• Utilizes Arduino for both drone and controller.
• Offers a DIY learning experience and thrilling FPV racing.
• Materials: Popsicle sticks or 3D printed frame.
• Uses low-budget, Arduino-compatible modules.

Materials Needed

• Brushed coreless motors with propellers.
• Custom motor driver board parts.
• Flight controller and receiver modules.
• 3G FPV camera.
• LiPo cell with connectors.
• Frame materials: Popsicle sticks for wood frame or PLA filament for 3D printed frame.
• Product links available in the video description.

Building the Frame

Popsicle Stick Frame

• Print blueprint sheet for wood and rubber cutouts.
• Cut and glue wood pieces onto popsicle sticks using PVC glue stick.
• Sand down pieces for weight reduction.
• Assemble the frame ensuring it resembles a larger FPV drone.
• Add a wood piece for the camera’s upward angle.
• Use bicycle wheel tube rubber for bumper guards.
• Coat vulnerable areas of the frame with superglue.

3D Printed Frame

• Available as a purchase option.

Motor Driver Board Assembly

• Components can be found in old electronics.
• Use electrostatic discharge precautions when handling sensitive components.
• Solder MOSFETs, Schottky diodes, and resistors on a perforated board.
• Reduce board size and weight by clipping and sanding.

Drone Assembly

• Utilize DFrobot components for quality.
• Install coreless motors and secure them with superglue.
• Wire motors correctly to the motor driver.
• Create power lines from transistors.
• Add additional components: Buzzer, Six-axis sensor, etc.

Installing Modules

• Use nRF24 radio transceiver with modified pin headers.
• Use Arduino Pro Mini and MPU6050 gyro for flight control.
• Secure components with glue and tape for stability.

Programming the Drone

• Use an FTDI converter for connection to the computer.
• Employ MultiWii software for code setup and tuning.
• Use oscilloscope to ensure PWM outputs are in sync.

Troubleshooting Issues

• Initially weak motors and wrong configurations led to issues.
• Upgraded motors for better thrust.
• Eliminated electrical noise by repositioning gyro sensor and adding EMF shielding.
• Resolved PWM frequency issues.

Adding FPV Camera

• Install 3G FPV camera with transmitter in the drone.
• Use FPV goggles for live feed.

Final Adjustments

• Secure battery with a rubber band.
• Mount propellers ensuring correct orientation.
• Balance drone by adjusting battery position.

Flight and Tuning

• Perform initial calibration and arm the drone.
• Conduct PID tuning using MultiWii software to stabilize flight.
• Conduct flight tests in different environments to ensure functionality.

Resources and Final Thoughts

• Tutorial available in written format on Elektor Labs.
• Celebrate reaching 100,000 YouTube subscribers.
• Encouragement to explore further FPV and drone building projects.

Additional Resources

• Links for products, designs, and code available in the video description.
• Mention of related projects and further tutorials.