Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by criro1999 on August 6, 2012 at 9:07am

Hi Paul, I do have a similar issue as described by you on 1.2.2 mav1. First of all, when I am trying to run the simulation on APM2 and X-Plane, I can not see the plane red symbol on the map, for the scenario created. The red symbol is displayed on the actual position, but I was expected to see the red symbol on runway, on simulation (using an existent airport from X-Plane) , but the symbol is still on actual position. This is strange for me. Should I go to a previous AM version? You did mention 1.1.92 or 1.1.99 were good for simulation. Should I go back to an old one? Which one do you suggest to me. I did not try yet a real flight, since I am not yet confident on the simulation.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Marsh on August 6, 2012 at 7:05pm

Hi criro1999,

From your description, it sounds like you might not have loaded the simulation firmware.  In my case with MP 1.2.1, I don't get the red airplane icon at all.  I had to go to a previous version of MP to get the red icon to appear.  In your case it sounds like the red icon is appearing where your APM2 autopiloit is actually located and not at the simulated airport.  Make sure that you have loaded the simulation firmware and then try again.  In Mission Planner, click on the word "Plane" as seen in the image below to load the firmware.  If you did have the simulation firmware loaded, please give me a little more detail and I'll try to help if I can.  Also, if you run the sim firmware and then do not get the red airplane icon to appear, try going to a previous version of Mission Planner at that point.  For me, the problem only occurred in the latest version.

Paul

 

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Michael Oborne on August 6, 2012 at 7:40pm

Paul, i think ive tracked down the missing wp problem. so will fix in next release

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Michael Oborne on August 6, 2012 at 7:46pm

as a work around. in xplanes change the udp data rate down from 50hz to say 40 or 30 hz.

data in/out tab, bottom right

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Permalink Reply by Paul Marsh on August 7, 2012 at 9:43am

Thanks for the update, Michael.  I'll give the workaround a try.

Paul

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Permalink Reply by criro1999 on August 7, 2012 at 12:05pm

Hi Paul, please see more details below:

Still not able to run simulation with X-Plane

• I am using MP 1.2.3 mav1, X-Plane 9.21 rc2
• On X-Plane I did try different rates (50, 40, 30) as Michel did suggest.
• First of all, I was confused about loading a HIL configuration (click on PLANE button - bottom) vs. loading the ArduPlane (click on Plane symbol – top-left)
  • I did believe you need to load them only once, but not toggle between loading only one them, based on what you are planning to do: simulation or real flight. Is that correct?

 

Details:

• When I load the ArduPlane (not HIL Plane), the APM is arming and become sensitive to moving all 3 axes. I can see the GPS locked. All the transmitter sticks acting on normal order, also the flight mode are reacting from transmitter: manual, stabilize, auto, rtl, etc. Both “Flight Data” and “Flight Planner” displays the map and GPS is located to the actual (real position). I can see on the map the GPS trail (blue color) - this seems to be OK
• When load the HIL Plane configuration (not ArduPlane), and X-Plane and then Simulation TAB, “Sim Link Start”, I can see the values from “Plane GPS” (Lat, Lon, Alt) as from airport loaded in scenario, I can see the “Plane IMU” values moving and I can see the “ArduPilot Output”. Moving the transmitter stick, it change the “Ardupilot Output”.
  • On Simulation TAB, “Plane GPS” (lat/lon/alt) is identical with X-Plane.
  • Autopilot Status: displays “WDist” value, but this value never change, even I fly the plan on X-Plane, using the transmitter. Is that normal?
  • “WP”: displays always 1, even passing the next wavepoint. Is that normal?
  • Flight Mode: is changing correct based on my flight mode selected from transmitter.
  • On “Flight Planner” map I can see the mission loaded and Home symbol waypoint is located on the airport location (not actual real GPS). But I can not see any track or symbol moving when I fly the plane. Is that normal?

Some more comments/questions about simulation:

• It seems for me the AP is not interpreting the GPS coordinates from X-Plane (even those coordinates are displays OK on Simulation TAB), but nothing move on the maps.
• Do I need to play with “Actions” buttons on the bottom-left page? What is the purpose of this, since I can use the transmitter to do those actions?
• When load the HIL Plane or ArduPlane, the connection is disconnected during the load process. Is that normal?
• When load HIL Plane or ArduPlane always I need an Internet connection. Is that correct? I was thinking the firmware are stored on the computer after first load.

 

Thanks for your support.

Christian

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Michael Oborne on August 7, 2012 at 3:53pm

i see the problem arleady

X-Plane 9.21 rc2

upgrade to 9.50+

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Permalink Reply by Paul Marsh on August 7, 2012 at 6:10pm

Hi Christian,

Like Michael, I recommend upgrading.  I'm running X-Plane 10.  Other than these recent issues, which I'm sure will be resolved, it has been working great.

I didn't have time this evening to do any experimenting, but I'll take a crack at answering some of your questions.  Maybe tomorrow I can take a closer look at what you are seeing.

First, it sounds like you're making progress.  You do need to load sim firmware when running the sim, and ArduPlane firmware for real flying, i.e. toggle back and forth as you said.  Also, I do believe you need to be connected to the internet as it will look for the latest firmware to download.  Just for testing, I would like to learn how to roll back firmware, but I haven't figured that out yet.  Finally, the Mission Planner does disconnect when you download firmware.  Actually, the Wiki tells you to do your firmware downloads before connecting, but it appears to work either way.  Before MP 1.2.1 I would get a reassuring beep-beep-beep as the download neared completion.  That went away in 1.2.1.  It might be back now, but I haven't tested yet.

Regarding the "Actions" tab, this allows you to use mission planner to send action commands whether in sim mode or real mode.  Of course, if you want to do this in real mode you need to have a radio up/down link such as the 3DR radio or Xbee.  However, you don't need to use these action buttons--you can just use your transmitter.  In sim mode I use flight simulator joysticks, mainly because I got tired of my transmitter battery running out!  I did find that you can turn off your transmitter during a sim mission if you wish and then do all of your inflight controls from the Actions tab.  That reminds me, make sure to set your transmitter or joystick throttle to zero power once you switch to "Auto" mode.

I can't comment on the other items just yet.  I'll try to get things running again tomorrow evening and look at your specific issues.

Just a few things, though.  Once you have MP and X-Plane connected, make sure to click on "Home Location" on the Flight Planner page just to lock in that data.  I don't know for sure if this is necessary, but it works for me.  Then make sure to download your waypoints before starting your mission.  You are probably doing this, but if not it might relate to your problems.  Also, I can say that when you fly around you should see the blue trail.  However, the length of the blue trail can be set on the Configuration page.  Make sure it isn't zero.

I hope some of this helps.  I think the sim is a fantastic way to learn, and it's fun, so I want to help if I can.

Thanks,
Paul

P.S. (Thank goodness for the edit time window!) --  If you do upgrade to X-Plane 10, the data settings are slightly different than shown in the Wiki.  The data choices are the same, but the line numbers are different.  Follow the graphic below:

 

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Permalink Reply by criro1999 on August 8, 2012 at 4:15am

Thanks Paul for your useful support.

I was able to make my simulation running, but only on W7 (same computer, but not in XP) and using an older version MP 1.1.92 and X-Plane 9.21 rc2. All is stable and smooth. I will try to do some update to the newer version 1.2.3 and hope to see running also on that.

Thanks again to you and Michael,

Cristian

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Permalink Reply by Paul Marsh on August 8, 2012 at 9:38am

Good news, Christian.  Glad you got things working.  Thanks for the follow-up.

Paul

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Permalink Reply by criro1999 on August 8, 2012 at 7:07pm

Hi Paul, today I did the first real flight with APM2, all was OK. Just 2 question:

-When I did switch on RTL, the plane target to home location, but the motor (electric) did stop completely. When put back to Stabilize or Auto, motor run again. I was expecting RTL to do loitering at home location.

-On Stabilize or Auto, the altitude is not old, the plane is loosing slowly altitude. Which param to adjust?

Thanks again, Christian

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on August 8, 2012 at 8:07pm

Two things to check:

1) What is your default altitude in the MP? If it's lower than the altitude you were flying at, the engine will drop until it's at the target altitude.

2) If #1 checks out, you may have your throttle reversed. Check the reverse box in the MP RC setup. 

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