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KiteSimulators

Meta-package, providing "Julia Kite Power Tools", consisting of the following packages:

KiteApps for non-programmers

This package provides two GUI applications that can be used by non-programmers:

  • autopilot
  • joystick

The first app can be used to run one of the provided demo-simulations, but you can also run your own simulation by copying and modifying the configuration files.

The second app can be used to learn how to steer a kite and how to operate the winch manually using a joystick.

Hardware requirements

A fast computer helps to reduce the installation time, otherwise it works well even on dual core computers with 4G RAM, even 2G RAM might be sufficient. OpenGL is a hard requirement. A dedicated graphics card is useful, but not always required. If you have a Windows laptop please enable the dedicated graphics card in the settings.

The program was tested with a Logitech Extreme 3D pro Joystick, but most likely any Joystick will do. If not, please create an issue on Github. The installation was tested on Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04, 22.04 and 24.04, but should also work on Mac.

Installation

If you do not have Julia installed yet, please read Installation.

For the installation of this package, please read Installation of KiteSimulators

Copy and run an example

From the Julia prompt execute:

using KiteSimulators
cp_examples()

If you have a Joystick connected, you can run the simulator with joystick control

./bin/run_julia or bin\run_julia

using KiteSimulators
include("examples/joystick.jl")  # Linux
include("examples\\joystick.jl") # Windows

You should now see the kite attached to the tether:

To view and modify the example, you can use the command:

edit("examples/joystick.jl")  # Linux
edit("examples\\joystick.jl") # Windows

The x axis of the Joystick controls steering. By pressing the joystick forward you can depower the kite.

Button 3 starts the reel-out, button 4 the reelin, and button 5 switches to parking mode. With button one you can start the simulation, with button two you can stop it.

If you don't have a Joystick, try the following example:

./bin/run_julia or bin\run_julia

using KiteSimulators
include("examples/autopilot.jl")  # Linux
include("examples\\autopilot.jl") # Windows

You should see that the autopilot starts at 10s and that it is controlling the full power cycle, kite and winch.

Documentation

Most of the packages have their own documentation. See for example:

and the README files of the other packages, listed below.

Licence

This project is licensed under the MIT License. Please see the below WAIVER in association with the license.

WAIVER

Technische Universiteit Delft hereby disclaims all copyright interest in the package “KiteSimulators.jl” (simulators for airborne wind energy systems) written by the Author(s).

Prof.dr. H.G.C. (Henri) Werij, Dean of Aerospace Engineering

Donations

If you like this software, please consider donating to https://gofund.me/508e041b .

See also