So it looks like getting data off the SparkFun CMOS cameras may be harder than I initially thought, due to poor documentation. Also, it'll require a pretty fast processor (or an FPGA) to do the optical flow calculations. So let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Did some more digging, sounds like this servo controller will have to be a microprocessor. So I'm thinking I'll just run everything off the Arduino for now. Then all that goes on this extra board will be level shift ICs.
APCircuit's boards are cheap but shipping is stupidly expensive. So I may just get extra boards fabbed: one with a PIC servo controller with SPI to the Arduino and SCI/UART debug lines open, and with a camera and a DSP microprocessor or CPLD. Heh, and then I might as well put in micro SD capability for aerial photography...
As long as we're talking boards, maybe one for a 2-axis accelerometer? Or if I find one with a digital interface, maybe just solder straight to the pins, pot it in epoxy, and call it good.
Hey, why not do that with the level shift ICs? Bundle it into a cable: 5 sets of 3-pin plugs or sockets for the servos/ESC, 8 wires (6 signal + 2 power) into a harness for the receiver, and 13 wires (6 input + 5 output + 2 power) into a harness for the Arduino. Maybe 14 wires for the Arduino (5V in and 3.3V out). An inside the bundle will be 2 level shift ICs and some capacitors.
So no boards for now.
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