aquiring data from the flight simulator - how can i get data and control plane with a microcontroller

[alternacho]

does anybody know how can i aquire data from the fms simulator so that i can control the plane using a microcontroller. I need it so that in the future i can mount hardware in a model airplane as an automatic pilot. thanks for any help.

[johnhlong]

What type of data do you wish to capture?

How would the simulator help you control a remote airplane.

I've done some simulators for the Army and the first thing I would think you would need is sensors on the airplane. Autopilots work on what the plan is actually doing, not what you expect it to do. Example: Your plane is flying streight and level. It goes through a patch of disturbed up currents. You need to correct for the height and possible heading changes to keep the plane in track.

When you get down to it, it is a completely different set of problems.

If you would like to further discuss this (I have designed this type of thing for the Army) give me a call.

John
Seattle, WA
USA

(425) 837-0802

[alternacho]

Thanks for replying my question johnlong.
First what i'm trying to build is a system capable to keep a model plane flying with a determined route. This system will start as soon as I manually take it off and get the plane stable in the air. for this purpose I've ordered some accelerometers, inclinometers an some other sensors that have to be used for data acquisition in flight. According to the info that the sensors provide, the microcontroller processes the data acquired and correct any disturb such as the currents you mentioned. I' still searching the best microcontroller to do it, because of the processing speed, someone said i should use DSP card that works at 160MHZ. I'm studying electronic engineering and this is my graduating final work. The teachers want me to build the system, but no to install in in the plane for the moment. They want me to try it with a flight simulator, that's why i need to acquire data from the simulator (such as speed, altitude, inclination) using the parallel or serial port so that the microcontroller receives the data and control the plane based on some kind of feedback loop. I've been searching for the type of control theory that should be used, and i decided to use fuzzy logic, to control the plane the micro uses PWM ( the same way the radio transmitter does it connected to the parallel port).
Thats the description of the project, if you have any further questions or you can just help me, I would be very grateful.

[alternacho]

Thanks for replying my question johnlong.
First what i'm trying to build is a system capable to keep a model plane flying with a determined route. This system will start as soon as I manually take it off and get the plane stable in the air. for this purpose I've ordered some accelerometers, inclinometers an some other sensors that have to be used for data acquisition in flight. According to the info that the sensors provide, the microcontroller processes the data acquired and correct any disturb such as the currents you mentioned. I' still searching the best microcontroller to do it, because of the processing speed, someone said i should use DSP card that works at 160MHZ. I'm studying electronic engineering and this is my graduating final work. The teachers want me to build the system, but no to install in in the plane for the moment. They want me to try it with a flight simulator, that's why i need to acquire data from the simulator (such as speed, altitude, inclination) using the parallel or serial port so that the microcontroller receives the data and control the plane based on some kind of feedback loop. I've been searching for the type of control theory that should be used, and i decided to use fuzzy logic, to control the plane the micro uses PWM ( the same way the radio transmitter does it connected to the parallel port).
Thats the description of the project, if you have any further questions or you can just help me, I would be very grateful.

[wb2osz]

Being able to acquire information about the plane's
current position, speed, heading, altitude, pitch, etc.
would have other uses as well.

This would allow others to develop various add-on
applications. For example, a control panel with an
altimeter, compass, artificial horizon, and so on.

Another possible application would be a map showing
the airplane's location.


John

[mritchie]

In order to aquire data "from" FMS, this would require software developement/re-write of the FMS source code to O/P to a port/interface, unless it is already "hidden" within the app already but I've not seen any mention of it. To my knowledge, the FMS source code is not made freely available.