Abstract: A wireless transmitter includes a pair of control sticks, circuitry coupled to control sticks, and an antenna coupled to the circuitry. The circuitry is configured to process signals produced by the control sticks to provide control inputs for the speed, direction, and other flight characteristics of the model aircraft being controlled by the transmitter. The transmitter is configured for multiple operational modes in which the pair of control sticks engage or disengage functionality, such as return-to-center functionality, vertical or horizontal position limiting functionality, or position select functionality.

Abstract: A battery charger with an internal power storage device may be used to facilitate fast charging of a battery by using a high C-rate. A battery charger with an internal power storage device may include a control circuit that receives operating mode instructions to operate in a base charging mode or a fast charging mode. In the base charging mode, the battery charger may be configured to concurrently charge a battery and an internal power storage device at a base C-rate using current supplied from an external power source. In the fast charging mode, the battery charger may be configured to charge the battery at a high C-rate, which is substantially higher than the base C-rate, by using the internal power storage device. The battery charger may include an optical reader used to identify battery-specific characteristics and enable the fast charging mode.

Abstract: A battery charger with an internal power storage device may be used to facilitate fast charging of a battery by using a high C-rate. A battery charger with an internal power storage device may include a control circuit that receives operating mode instructions to operate in a base charging mode or a fast charging mode. In the base charging mode, the battery charger may be configured to concurrently charge a battery and an internal power storage device at a base C-rate using current supplied from an external power source. In the fast charging mode, the battery charger may be configured to charge the battery at a high C-rate, which is substantially higher than the base C-rate, by using the internal power storage device.

Abstract: Example embodiments include an aerial vehicle configured to establish a geo-fence. In particular, an aerial vehicle may include an inertial measurement unit, a GPS sensor, and vehicle controller circuitry that works together to establish a geo-fence based on an initial location. In an example embodiment, the aerial vehicle may establish a rectangular geo-fence and a wind direction based on received angular data, acceleration data, and location data. The rectangular geo-fence may include a minimum fence height, a maximum fence height, a fence length, and a fence width.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving data representing a target rotational position of an output shaft of a brushless motor configured to control a rotational position of the output shaft with continuous resolution, determining a plurality of control signals via an algorithm configured for open-loop control of the rotational position of the output shaft, and providing the plurality of control signals to respective input terminals of the brushless motor to cause the brushless motor to rotate the output shaft to the target rotational position. An example system includes a brushless motor comprising an output shaft, and a control module configured to provide a plurality of control signals to respective input terminals of the brushless motor via an algorithm configured for open-loop control of a rotational position of the output shaft. The system is configured to control the rotational position of the output shaft with continuous resolution.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to an RC vehicle with a receiver and an inertial measurement unit. In particular, the RC vehicle may include vehicle controller circuitry that works together with the inertial measurement unit to instruct the receiver to enter a bind mode when the RC vehicle is rotated, oriented, or positioned in a certain way. In an example embodiment, the RC vehicle may instruct the receiver to enter a bind mode when the RC vehicle is first powered on and is rotated 180 degrees in a certain direction, such as from upright to upside-down.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes flight training systems and methods for radio-controlled (RC) airplanes that rely on inertial attitude estimates. Preferred embodiments include an RC airplane with one or more control processors configured to (i) estimate an inertial attitude of the RC airplane based on one or more measurements from an attitude sensor array and (ii) control the inertial attitude of the RC airplane based the inertial attitude estimate. In operation, controlling the attitude of the RC airplane may include both controlling the RC airplane to a specific inertial attitude and/or keeping the inertial attitude of the RC airplane within a predefined flight envelope.

Abstract: Example implementations may relate to an obstacle detection system. In particular, an example device may include a light emitter, a line-image sensor, and a controller that are mounted on a rotatable component. In an example embodiment, the line-image sensor may receive light signals emitted from the light emitter. The controller may be communicatively coupled to the light emitter and line-image sensor and configured to determine a multipath signal based on the time of flight of the light signal and the position along the line-image sensor at which the line-image sensor received the given reflected light signal.

Abstract: A three dimensional digital spectrum modulation spread spectrum technique (DSM-X) that improves channel diversity by providing multiple bands within the available portion of the frequency spectrum increasing the number of available channels. The system also improves the channel immunity through the use of at least three dimensions of pseudo-random data encoding, which adds two levels of pseudo-random frequency allocation to the pseudo-random data encoding used in prior DSM systems. The three dimensions of pseudo-random allocation may include pseudo-random data encoding, pseudo-random frequency pattern allocation among a plurality of bands defined within the assigned frequency spectrum, and pseudo-random frequency sequencing among a plurality of channels defined within each band. Additional levels of pseudo-random encoding may be implemented in direct sequence coding for header data, repeat packet timing, and packet iteration timing.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes flight training systems and methods for radio-controlled (RC) airplanes that rely on inertial attitude estimates. Preferred embodiments include an RC airplane with one or more control processors configured to (i) estimate an inertial attitude of the RC airplane based on one or more measurements from an attitude sensor array and (ii) control the inertial attitude of the RC airplane based the inertial attitude estimate. In operation, controlling the attitude of the RC airplane may include both controlling the RC airplane to a specific inertial attitude and/or keeping the inertial attitude of the RC airplane within a predefined flight envelope.

Abstract: An example vehicle includes a battery tray that is movably coupled to a front axle assembly of the vehicle. A back end of the tray is coupled to a first chassis member and a second chassis member of the vehicle via respective joints that allow rotational motion of the tray with respect to the first chassis member and the second chassis member. The vehicle's chassis includes a first rail comprising a first plurality of holes and a second rail comprising a second plurality of holes. The first rail slides within the second rail to provide an adjustable wheel-base length or width for various configurations of the vehicle. When the first plurality of holes and the second plurality of holes are aligned, one or more fasteners may be used to secure the first rail to the second rail to select a particular wheel-base length or width.