Replies to This Discussion

3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on July 4, 2011 at 3:14pm

In general MAVLink connect issues mean that your IMU isn't booting up, which is usually due to a hardware issue. If you got to the Mission Planner Help tab and click the box to enable the console, and then close and restart, you can see the bootup messages. This is the normal text that precedes a successful MAVlink connection.

 

Permalink Reply by paul hubner on July 4, 2011 at 5:30pm

Chris - Yes I have tried this and never got past the repeating timeout CRC errors.  I've gone and run the componenet level tests from within the Arduino IDE and have the following results:

• AP_ADC_test     - successful (provided the same ADC results as running in the terminal with AC2.0.33)
• AP_Compass_test    - successful and accurate
• APM_BMP085_test - FAIL  This appears that the pressure sensor is not responding.  Results are consistently:
  "Pressure:0 Temperature: 0.00 and Altitude"44330.00"

I'm reading code now to determine if I can see if it hangs here.

 

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Permalink Reply by Doug Lacher on July 5, 2011 at 11:05am

Sorry if this is a stupid question (and feel free to throw a link at me if I need to rtfm), but how do I run the component level tests? I downloaded AC 2.0.33 and grepped it for

Permalink Reply by paul hubner on July 5, 2011 at 11:14am

Doug,

Great minds think alike eh? I was PMing you when you posted here.  You should load the Arduino IDE if you haven't already Its pretty straighforward.

Next download AC2 latest version to disk manually so you know where it is, then run the Arduino IDE. and then Load the software:  File > Examples > APM_BPM085 > APM_BPM085_test.

 

You need to compile it (press CTRL+R). This takes a few seconds. Then click the load icon at the top of the window.

 

Finally, when it is loaded, press the terminal button to open a terminal to the USB connected 'copter. (set to 37800 baud).  The results will show in that window.

 

Clear as mud !

Paul

 

Permalink Reply by Doug Lacher on July 5, 2011 at 8:09pm

Thanks Paul!  I ran various component tests, all with passing results.  Or at least I got sane data out of them.

 

ArduPilot Mega BMP085 library test

Pressure:0 Temperature:0.00 Altitude:44330.00

Pressure:101000 Temperature:26.50 Altitude:27.09

Pressure:100999 Temperature:26.50 Altitude:27.18

...

 

ArduPilot Mega ADC library test

1690,1791,1693,1476,2031,2018,2489,

1690,1789,1694,1476,2031,2018,2490,

1690,1789,1694,1476,2030,2018,2490,

...

 

Compass library test (HMC5843 and HMC5883L)

Heading:-3.33  (103,6,-311)  offsets(-51.50,-3.00,155.50)

Heading:-2.86  (100,5,-312)  offsets(-51.50,-3.00,156.00)

Heading:0.00  (112,0,-320)  offsets(-56.00,-3.00,160.00)

...

 

Range Finder Test v1.0

dist:20 raw:0

dist:53 raw:53

dist:53 raw:53

...

 

GPS AUTO library test

G MTK1.6 OK

No fix

[a few min later]

Lat: 37.5 Lon: -122 Alt: 14.46m GSP: 0.21m/s CoG: 149 SAT: 8 TIM: 10413250

Lat: 37.5 Lon: -122 Alt: 14.03m GSP: 0.19m/s CoG: 149 SAT: 8 TIM: 10413500

Lat: 37.5 Lon: -122 Alt: 13.40m GSP: 0.10m/s CoG: 149 SAT: 7 TIM: 10413750

...

DeveloperPermalink Reply by jasonshort on June 30, 2011 at 3:18pm

When the A light blinks you can arm your motor. Auto-calibration for the GPS can delay things by 30 seconds if you don't have a GPS installed. I'm sure not having a PWM signal going to the board can prevent the main loop from starting too.

 

Jason

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DistributorPermalink Reply by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on July 5, 2011 at 12:16am

@ Tim,

Thank you for your email and link to this information! Sorry to hear that you and a few others are experiencing issues with the boards, I have replied to the email you sent to me, and look forward to hearing from you.

If you would like me to look at the boards first hand I would be happy to do so for you, and I would be happy to work with you and the others here resolving this issue!

Regards

Martin

www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk

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DistributorPermalink Reply by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on July 5, 2011 at 11:54am

I would like to add a little info to this posting:

 

I have just got finished testing an oilpan / APM which was returned with a fault which I believe is the same as a few people have reported here, I have tested the AP in the mission planner with both the ACM and APM codes and the result is the same, I get the time out issue with the MAV link and in the terminal window I only get this message:

 

NOTE: You must disconnect and move the slider switch when done to use other tabs

Opened com port

Init ArduPilotMega 2.2.1

Free RAM: 2179

load_all took 1952us

using 2465 bytes of memory

 

The code will not progress beyond this point.

 

The loading of the code in mission planner & verification seems to work just fine on both codes tested.  

 

I have also loaded the code 2.12 from the IDE and had the same issue but have seen this message:

 

Init ArduPilotMega 2.0

 

Free RAM: 2614

 

 

EEPROM blank - all parameters are reset to default values.

 

Switch was in the “servo” position throughout both trials listed above.

 

 

I know we don’t all have a few test APM’s, however I do have a few here, and have found using another two known working Oilpan the fault will disappear and the code loads without issue.

 

 

I have also been speaking with Tim on the phone today about the issue he has logged with me and posted about a few comments back, it sounds as if he has the same fault as the boards I have been testing for another customer, I’m waiting on Tim to confirm that he has the same message in the “terminal” of the mission planner, I will have his boards here in the next few days and will run the same tests, I think I will find the same as with those tested already today.

 

I will update this information as and when I have more information.

 

Regards

 

Martin

 

www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk

 

 

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Permalink Reply by T Shaw on July 5, 2011 at 3:46pm

Guys,

 

I just tried the latest AC2 code via the latest APM mission planner and now the mavlink connects OK. Until I tried this combination of software firmware, I was getting the standard timout commands in the console.

Now, the artificial horizon acts as it should in the flight data tab with the exception of the compass which I haven't set up yet. I'll be setting this up tomorrow night and will let you know how it goes.

 

Try giving this a go and let me know how you get on.

 

Also a massive thanks to Martint for the excellent customer service.

 

Best Regards,

Tim

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Permalink Reply by Doug Lacher on July 5, 2011 at 8:18pm

Glad to hear that worked for you, Tim!  I'm curious what version numbers you have for Mission Planner and AC2.  I just updated this morning with MP 1.0.24 (build 1.0.4201.29409) and AC 2.0.33 Beta.  However, MAVlink still times out, and the "A" LED never lights.

 

Just curious, does the sequence of motor/esc chirps mean anything?  Or are the chips just reminders that the system is energized?

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Permalink Reply by T Shaw on July 7, 2011 at 12:52pm

Doug,

 

Sorry about the late reply, had to work late last night and didn't get a chance to work on the copter.

 

I'm using 2.0.33beta for the firmware and for the APM Mission planner its 1.0.26 build 1.04.4203.31490.

 

What is interesting is that I couldn't connect again this evening again, I restarted both the laptop and the APM board (unplugged battery as well) and now everything seem ok again. This may be due to a bad solder joint somewhere(!). I'm going to get the iron out this weekend and go over everything again to see if I can connect consistently.

 

About the beeps, em, I have to declare I'm not too sure. There's an awful lot to read in this arducopter business, so I took the easy way out and purchased an ESC programming card off ebay for about 8 UK pounds (about $12). I have to say it was totally worth as I know there's no messing about with calibrating them and they seem to work perfectly so far.

 

If you want to find out what all the beeps mean, I would suggest a quick bit of googling for the ESC programming card manual for you particular flavour of ESC. I'm using Turnigy Plushes and the link to it is here: http://www.hobbywing.com/upload/manual/ESC_e.pdf

 

I'll let the forum know how I get on after some more tests this weekend.

 

Best Regards

Tim

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DistributorPermalink Reply by Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk on July 7, 2011 at 10:06am

Hello Tim,

 

Great to see you are back on track, if you have any other issues please do let me know!

 

Regards

 

Martin

 

www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk

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