A computer system for model helicopter flight control: technical memo Nr. 1: the hardware core

This memorandum is the first in a series giving an account of the design and structure of the on−board computer system for controlling a model helicopter. The aircraft itself is designed by a research group of the Institut für Mess− und Regeltechnik of ETH Zürich. The computer is to stabilize the helicopter and to execute commands for flight movements. It receives inputs from various sensors and drives the necessary servos. The computer is built around an ARM processor and an FPGA