Paparazzi Project
Open-source autopilot system for inexpensive autonomous aircraft.
Paparazzi is an open-source autopilot system designed for low-cost autonomous aircraft. Its affordability and accessibility make it popular among hobbyists flying small remotely piloted planes. Launched in 2003, the project continues to be developed and used at the French civil aeronautics academy, École nationale de l'aviation civile (ENAC). Several companies now produce Paparazzi autopilots and related accessories.
The autopilot enables a remotely piloted aircraft to operate beyond visual line of sight. All hardware and software are open-source and freely available under the GNU license. This flexibility allows users to tailor the autopilot to specific needs, such as monitoring forest fires. Collaborators share ideas and information using the same MediaWiki software that powers Wikipedia.
Paparazzi processes commands and sensor data to adjust flight controls. For instance, a command to climb at a specific rate causes the system to modify power and control surfaces. As of 2010, the system lacked a reliable speed-hold function because it did not incorporate airspeed sensor readings into its controller.
The hardware supports multiple designs, including STM32 and LPC2100 series microcontrollers, and several CAD files have been released. A minimal sensor set includes infrared thermopiles for attitude estimation, a standard GPS receiver for position and altitude, and optional gyroscopes for roll rate, inertial sensors for acceleration, and magnetic sensors for direction.
The open-source software suite is described as containing everything needed to make an airborne system fly reliably. In 2013, Delft University of Technology released its Lisa/S chip project, which is based on Paparazzi.
- Start year
- 2003
- Developer institution
- École nationale de l'aviation civile (ENAC)
- Country
- France
- License
- GNU General Public License
- Supported microcontrollers
- STM32 and LPC2100 series
- Minimum flight sensors
- infrared thermopiles, GPS receiver
- Optional sensors
- gyroscope, inertial sensors, magnetic sensors
Lore & Background
The Paparazzi project began in 2003 and is being further developed and used at ENAC, a French civil aeronautics academy. All hardware and software is open-source and freely available under the GNU licensing agreement. Collaborators share ideas and information using the same MediaWiki software used by Wikipedia. Paparazzi accepts commands and sensor data, and adjusts flight controls accordingly; for example, a command to climb at a certain rate causes Paparazzi to adjust power and/or control surfaces. As of 2010, Paparazzi did not have a good speed hold and changing function because no airspeed sensor reading is considered by the controller. The Delft University of Technology released its Lisa/S chip project in 2013, which is based on Paparazzi.
Reader's Guide
Paparazzi is notable as an open-source autopilot system that lowers the barrier to entry for hobbyists and researchers, enabling autonomous flight of small remotely piloted aircraft out of sight. Its open-source nature under the GNU license allows users to easily modify the autopilot for special requirements such as forest fire evaluation. The project's development at ENAC and its support for multiple hardware designs, including STM32 and LPC2100 series microcontrollers, demonstrate its flexibility. The release of CAD files and the availability of several vendors producing Paparazzi autopilots and accessories indicate a growing ecosystem. The project's influence is further shown by the Delft University of Technology's Lisa/S chip project, which is based on Paparazzi. However, as of 2010, the system lacked a good speed hold function due to the absence of airspeed sensor input, highlighting an area for future improvement.
Did You Know?
- Paparazzi began in 2003 and is developed at the French civil aeronautics academy ENAC.
- The autopilot uses infrared thermopiles for attitude estimation and a GPS receiver for position and altitude.
More in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced