ArduPilot 2.1 released + setup utility and ground station

A big code release tonight--this is the full setup that won the Sparkfun autonomous vehicle competition. Along with general improvements to the code, this is the entire package of autopilot, setup utility and ground station code. It's a full Unmanned Aerial System, not just a UAV! ArduPilot 2.1

All the features of ArduPilot 2.0 plus...
Supports XY sensor in diagonal postion
Requires Z sensor [UPDATE: FMA is no longer carrying those. While we sort out alternative sources, you can buy them from Dean Goedde for $40 (scroll down for price list)
Controls throttle if airspeed sensor is attached via the ArduPilot expansion board.
Supports desktop setup utility for waypoints and autopilot settings. (Waypoints are no longer manually entered in the code. They can only be entered with this utility.)
Last version of the code to support the original ATMega168-based board. Future versions will require the new ATMega328-based board.
Field setup procedures are here
Get it here

If you are using the expansion board and airspeed sensor, to control the throttle you must solder a wire from digital pin 8 to "MUX IN 3" Desktop setup utility

Add waypoints manually; utility displays them on Google Maps
Set max altitude, speed, circle radius
Set elevator, aileron/rudder trim
More features coming
Get it here ("ArduPilotConfigUtility")

When using this utility for the first time with ArduPilot, click Write before anything else in order to format the EEPROM. Also, ensure that the "Set RTS on close" box is checked in your serial port's advanced properties (control panel/device manager), as described in our Arduino debugging tips) Ground station

Requires free Labview runtime engine and serial drivers (install both. Note: if you've already installed Lego's Mindstorms NXT software you may find you've got a driver conflict, because it's based on LabView, too. Uninstall the Mindstorms software first.)
Works with Xbee wireless modules
Displays real-time attitude, speed, altitude, current waypoint, heading, distance to next waypoint, etc
Displays real time position on Google Earth
Get it here
Source code is here

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Comments

Saiful Azuwan October 14, 2009 at 9:55am

In the Groundstation there is blue arrow on airspeed meter. What is for? Thanks
Henry Alex Fiorentini August 3, 2009 at 2:50pm

Well I'm certainly getting lots of Chinese, which is more than I've been getting all day. I cycled through all the baud rates on my Port 4, I'll try the others. Thanks a ton man, you've been more helpful than Google and Arduino's own website combined.
Henry Alex Fiorentini August 3, 2009 at 12:20pm

Okay, I see how all this would work, but I'm a complete beginner when it comes to terminals/ports and baud numbers. I have a program called Realterminal and I'm not sure what I'm looking at or what I need to tell the program to look at. I have the Arduino hooked up via USB with the GPS plugged in, but I don't seem to be getting any data from it in Groundstation or Realterminal.
Henry Alex Fiorentini August 3, 2009 at 11:46am

I'm trying to get GPS and airspeed telemetry from the Ardupilot through groundstation, but my values all show up as zeroes and in Google Earth it thinks the plane is in the Atlantic Ocean. I'm not using Xbees, I just need to see what values the Ardupilot sees in the GPS and airspeed sensor in real time on my desk.
Henry Alex Fiorentini August 3, 2009 at 11:26am

I'm actually not using Xbees, I don't have any at the moment. I guess my question is, is there ANY way to get real-time telemetry from Ardupilot to my computer from the GPS and airspeed sensors?
Henry Alex Fiorentini August 3, 2009 at 11:12am

I've got the latest Ardu pilot and I'm trying to get telemetry through ground station from both the GPS and airspeed sensors. So far all my measurement are coming up as zeroes and it says I'm in the Atlantic Ocean, any suggestions?
Developer

Jordi Muñoz July 24, 2009 at 5:26pm

Peter,
You mean @$$? Because you said @#$. I will check the fly by wire. Is horrible the fact of not have input captures availables..
Bryan Cuervo July 24, 2009 at 4:48pm

Graham,
I've noticed this issue with fly-by-wire with the last few code revisions. Haven't found a solution but, for me, it's never been a big deal and have never found a need to use it.
Good looking GCS Peter!
Moderator

Graham Dyer July 24, 2009 at 11:40am

Reto: Sorry I'm using v2.1 and posted here as this is the only v2.1 release blog there is.

um...I can't reverse the aileron channel as then I wouldn't be able to control the plane... this is something that will have to be done in the code.
Peter Meister July 24, 2009 at 10:23am

Last night quite late :) I modified the heck out of it with Labview 8.6.1 Pro Edition to fit in the size and ratio of a netbook resolution (800x570). I will post pictures today....thanks jordi for opening the code for this...

of 15

This reply was deleted.