Designing a parachute system/device

[Panic Attack]

I am trying to build a system to activate a servo at a unspecified point in time when a machine and remote looses their signal between another. When the signal is lost between the two, the new system must activate a servo. We are using radio transmitters, but I can't figure out how to tackle this problem. Any assistance would be LOVED!

The biggest problem I am having is how to link these three things together. I was thinking about using a sensor that monitors the 2-way signal between machine and remote with a LED, then the LED turns on or maybe stops the LED when the signal is lost, then activates the actuator... i don't know...

can i build a sensor that does this?

Should I buy transmiter and put it on the plane and connect the reciever to a circuit that activates the servo? I am trying to make this happen without me doing it manually. Does this make any sense? This project uses mechanical and electrical engineering components.

 

[Topher925]

What kind of radio system are you using? Most modern 2.4Ghz systems (I have one on my helicopter) have a fail safe mode built in. When the 2-way link between the transmitter and receiver are broken, the receiver goes into a fail safe mode where all servos go to a pre-specified position. I would simply just connect your servo that is activating the parachute into one of your spare channels and use the fail-safe function to set its desired positions.

 

[Panic Attack]

What kind of radio system are you using? Most modern 2.4Ghz systems (I have one on my helicopter) have a fail safe mode built in. When the 2-way link between the transmitter and receiver are broken, the receiver goes into a fail safe mode where all servos go to a pre-specified position. I would simply just connect your servo that is activating the parachute into one of your spare channels and use the fail-safe function to set its desired positions.

Its just a regular transmiter that communicates with remote. Your fail safe system sounds like what I am trying to make. But I have to "design" it for our platform. Its for school. the fail-safe function sounds perfect... i ll do a google search on "fail-safe systems" and see how to design one from assorted components. THANK YOU!