dormant Parked · optional flight-control branch · 1 log entry

Part of ggSkyGrid · See the connected roadmap →

ggSkybit

A custom quadcopter for exploring airframe design, embedded firmware and flight control.

ggSkybit

Objective

Build a custom quadcopter to learn flight control, as a separate branch of the ggSkyGrid autonomy path.

Project Overview

A custom-built quadcopter for learning airframe design, embedded firmware and flight control hands-on. This is an optional branch of ggSkyGrid. The main autonomy path uses a Crazyflie for early physical flight, so it does not depend on this custom controller.

The name is a Tron nod: Bit is Flynn’s little hovering companion. The milestones below describe the custom build if I return to it.

Roadmap & Development Phases

Parked · 8 Development Milestones · Avionics & Swarm Track
Phase 0 Planned

Conceptualization & Architecture

Avionics layout, power distribution budgeting, and PlatformIO toolchain selection.

Phase 1 Planned

Airframe CAD & Structural Design

3D-printed and carbon-fiber frame design in SolidWorks/Onshape with optimized thrust-to-weight ratio.

Phase 1.5 Planned

Remote Controller Hardware

Custom handheld transmitter enclosure, dual-axis hall effect gimbals, and battery integration.

Phase 2 Planned

Flight Controller Bench Build

Arduino/ESP32 sensor fusion (IMU, barometer) and real-time PID attitude stabilization firmware.

Phase 2.5 Planned

Controller Firmware

Low-latency telemetry communications, channel calibration, and failsafe watchdog logic.

Phase 3 Planned

Chassis Assembly & Wiring

ESC wiring, brushless motor mounting, vibration isolation, and physical hardware assembly.

Phase 4 Planned

Hover & Flight Verification

Tethered thrust tests, dynamic PID tuning, telemetry logging, and autonomous return-to-home.

Phase 5 Stretch

Swarm Sim-to-Real Transfer

Flying certified multi-drone plans from the shared planning core, as one unit of a small swarm.

Technical Approach

  • Frame: Custom chassis designed in SolidWorks/Onshape
  • Flight Controller: Arduino/ESP32-based with PlatformIO toolchain
  • Control Software: C++ firmware for motor control, sensor fusion, and PID stabilization
  • Remote Controller: Separate custom-built controller with its own hardware and software stack

Connection to GG Swarm

The rover’s firmware, IMU and radio-link lessons carry into this custom flight-control project if I return to it. The main autonomy path instead starts physical flight with one Crazyflie. Swarm work builds on a checked planning core and repeatable single-aircraft missions.

Project Log

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