Awesome

Capture The Flag for drones

Alt text

// Current version: 0.8 alpha //

I would like to share something I’ve been wanting for a while so I just decided to learn Arduino and do it myself.

It’s Capture The Flag for your drones (with FPV).

See explanation video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plKc7N_GApc

If you happen to stumble here and don't know what FPV you can read about it in Wikipedia or simply visit my youtube channel www.youtube.com/SeekNDFPV

This mod was made with Tiny Whoops (check TinyWhoop.com) in mind but really you can use it with any size drone as long as it has a 5.8 Ghz video transmitter on it.

It’s fairly easy to build, costs around £9 (or $12) per flag in materials and you just need to solder a few cables 🙂

You can battle 4 drones (BLUE TEAM) vs 4 drones (RED TEAM) - (using any frequency) - in a game of Capture The Flag (as long as your VTX signals allow for that many to be flying at the same time) with as many flags as you are bothered to build! There are also several new modes you can now try out, including a SINGLE PLAYER game - read more on this below.

The code itself was built from Chorus RF Laptimer, but most of that code is gone now. Visit their repo if you are interested in knowing more about it here: https://github.com/voroshkov/Chorus-RF-Laptimer

Unlike Chorus RF Laptimer, at this moment this mod is standalone and cannot be accessed remotely but can be fully configured on the go via 1 button you can add to the unit.

You can also change the code to match your needs. I've created a special setup section right at the start of the first page of the code where you can change and adapt every possible setting to your needs.

Materials you need

1x Arduino Nano (or an uno if you have one should also work) https://www.banggood.com/ATmega328P-Arduino-Compatible-Nano-V3-Improved-Version-No-Cable-p-959231.html

1x FPV Receiver module with SPI mod (these below already have the mod but double check - google vtx spi mod or check the pictures in this repo) https://www.banggood.com/FPV-5_8G-Wireless-Audio-Video-Receiving-Module-RX5808-p-84775.html

!!!UPDATED!!! 1x WS2812 8 led strip (works even better then the previous version AND is available in more countries) https://www.banggood.com/CJMCU-8-Bit-WS2812-5050-RGB-LED-Driver-Development-Board-p-958214.html

!!!UPDATE!!! You can now configure\reconfigure the whole system without going into the code. All you need is to add a button. https://www.banggood.com/6-x-6-x-6-4-Pin-Momentary-Schalter-Tactile-Micro-Drucktaster-p-1027296.html

The ability to solder a few cables :) ( oh .. you also need a few cables :P )

How to assemble it

Start by soldering the WS2812 strip Ground cable (black) to Arduino ground, the WS2812 strip 5V cable (red) to Arduino 5V and the WS2812 strip din cable (blue) to Arduino D5
Now solder the Channel 1 pin in your VTX receiver to your Arduino D10 (SS)
Solder the Channel 2 pin in your VTX receiver to your Arduino D11 (MOSI)
Solder the Channel 3 pin in your VTX receiver to your Arduino D12 (MISO)
Solder the Ground pin in your VTX receiver to your Arduino Ground (the same ground you connected the WS2812 ground to)
Solder the 5v pin in your VTX receiver to your Arduino 5V (the same 5v you connected the WS2812 5v to)
Solder the RSSI pin in your VTX receiver to your Arduino A3
And finally, solder one leg of the micro button to D3 and the other one to Ground. You will need to use the same side tabs on the button. You can break the other side tabs off.
You can now also 3D print this AWESOME folding cover by James Cowel: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2780523 or my very crappy attempt of making one: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2766437

Picture 1 - Picture 2 - Picture 3

You can see a build video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enudy0pY3R4

What? That's it? Almost! You just need to upload the code to your Arduino via usb and you are done.

How to upload the code

Start by downloading and installing Arduino IDE (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)
Next, download THIS repository and unzip it somewhere in your desktop.
Go to the new folder you downloaded and open the file called CTF.INO
You will now be able to see a bunch of code and several files open.
Goto Tools/Board and pick Arduino Nano (if you bought an arduino nano, otherwise pick the one you have). The processor is ATMega328P.
Now to go port and pick the port your Arduino Nano is connected to. If you don't know which one it is, disconnect the nano and check what ports are available. Reconnect the nano, the new port will be the nano. If you don't get any new ports I'm afraid you will need to google how to troubleshoot it :)
You will need to download the following libraries: FASTLED / ADAFRUITSSD1306 / ADAFRUIT GFX . Goggle this if you don't know how. You can do it directly from Arduino IDE.
VERY IMPORTANT. You will need to play with the RSSITHRESHOLD value to find what works best for you. I find that most receivers work differently and that value can be between 190 to 260. Test it out with with EACH nano you build
You can also change MODES (view further down) by changing the MODE value in the code.
Also, you will need to update the INTERNALLEDS reference in the code to the number of LEDS you have.
Finally, when you are ready, goto sketch menu and select upload. If you done everything right you will see an increasing bar on the bottom right handside of the program and then a message saying Done uploading on the lower left handside.

Congratulations!

You are now the proud owner of a CTF flag!

The arduino board can be powered by connecting 5v to the 5v connection OR by connecting it to a power bank via USB.
Once you power up the arduino board it will start scanning for all RACEBAND frequencies. It takes ~6 seconds to do a complete loop.
Once it finds the first frequency it will change the LED colour depending if you are BLUE TEAM (RACEBAND 1-4) or RED TEAM (RACEBAND 5-8)
Once the flag changes colour it will only scan for the other team frequencies so the scanning takes place faster (~3 seconds for a loop)
Protect your flags anyway you can!

NEW >>> FLAG CONFIGURATION ON THE GO!!!!

You can now configure all settings for the flag on the go by using only 1 button.

Watch the explanation video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ONz2Xr1Us

Colour configuration:

Blue = Raceband
Red = Band A
Yellow = Band B
Green = Band E
Purple = Band F
Cyan = Band D

MODES

Modes available

Mode 2. Capture the flag. Your standard capture the flag where two teams battle it out to have their flag and their opponents flag captured Pre-setup values below but you can also change it with the button now

R1, R3, R5, R7 TEAM BLUE
R2, R4, R6, R8 TEAM RED

Mode 3. DOMINATION Capture the flag. Two teams will battle for domination of the flag. You must stay near the flag for it to be captured.

Mode 4. Single Player CTF. Change your frequency to the first frequency that is setup in the code (you can also change it with the button now). Turn all flags on and place them around your house. Get ready to go mental trying to get your flags not to drop to 0 leds. Good luck :)

Mode 5. Free For All Deathmatch. You are on your own and need to capture as many flags for yourself as you can.

GAME IDEA 1 (2 flags - MODE 2)

Setup both teams in each flag area. Prime your flag by putting your team's drone next to it. Try to capture the other team's flag and defend yours. Once the timer finishes the flag will show which team won by showing the team colour and how many points they got.