Embedded ultra-low power driver for a 7.2g helicopter and IrDA remote control

In a previous project, a 7.2g helicopter made of carbon was designed and realized at the LAI. The goal of this project is to design and realize a tiny receiver and a remote capable of driving the helicopter from a distance of 2 to 4 meters. Challenges are here to make the receiver small and light enough to be embedded in the helicopter without disturbing the flight. Ultra-low consumption is also required. Both emitter and receiver will have to be designed and mounted by the student. The microcontroller is to be chosen in the MSP430F21x2 family. Well-known for their low-power consumption, they also possess an IrDA serial communication interface which will be used for a bi-directional communication between the helicopter and the remote. The remote will have to control 3 channels (lift, yaw and eventually pitch) and display the battery level of the helicopter.