Programming formations
A formation is a shape the drones make together. To draw it, we give every drone a coordinate: how far sideways (x), how far forwards (y) and how high (height). A shape is just a list of coordinates, one per drone.
A program has a list of shapes and the time for each one: line for 5 seconds, ring for 5 seconds, star for 5 seconds. A loop can place 12 drones in a ring with a few lines, because each drone sits at an equal angle of 360° ÷ 12 = 30° from the next.
Network coordination
The drones talk to a controller (a ground computer) over a radio network. The controller does three jobs:
- sends each drone its list of places,
- sends one start signal so all drones begin together (a shared clock),
- listens to each drone for its position and battery.
If one drone loses the link, a safe rule is built in: hover or land, so it never hits another drone.
Safety and testing
Test first on a screen (a simulation). Keep drones a safe distance apart. Fly only where the rules and the owner allow it, and keep people away from the flying area.
Try it: be a human drone show,Try it: इंसानी ड्रोन शो बनाएँ,<p>With 8 friends in a playground, give each a number card. A "controller" calls the shape (line, ring) and says "go" once. Everyone walks to the place on the shape at the same time. Predict first: will a ring need bigger steps than a line? Then try it. One child "loses the link" and stands still: what happens to the shape?</p>,<p>खेल के मैदान में 8 दोस्तों को नंबर कार्ड दें। एक "नियंत्रक" आकार (रेखा, घेरा) बोलता है और एक बार "चलो" कहता है। सब एक ही समय पर आकार की अपनी जगह पर जाते हैं। पहले अनुमान लगाएँ: क्या घेरे में रेखा से बड़े कदम चाहिए? फिर करके देखें। एक बच्चा "लिंक खोकर" खड़ा रहे: आकार का क्या होता है?</p>
undefinedKey formulas and definitions
- Position = (x, y, height)
- Angle between drones in a ring = 360° ÷ number of drones
- One shared start signal = drones move together
- Lost link → hover or land
Worked examples
1. 12 drones form a ring. What angle is between neighbours?
360° ÷ 12 = 30°.
2. A show has line (5 s), ring (8 s), star (7 s). How long is the show?
5 + 8 + 7 = 20 seconds.
3. Why does the controller send ONE start signal instead of starting drones one by one?
Starting one by one would make them move at different times and the shape would break. One signal makes them move together.
Common mistakes
- Thinking each drone is flown by a person. A program does it.
- Forgetting height. Two drones with the same x and y but different height are different places.
- Believing the network makes the shape. The numbers make the shape; the network makes the timing.
- Placing drones too close, so one small mistake makes a crash.