ArduCopter-3.0.1 released!

ArduCopter 3.0.1 has been released and is now available in the Mission Planner, firmware.diydrones.com, GitHub and the new Downloads Area.

Warning #1: Compass calibration and reducing interference is far more important than with 2.9.1b

Warning #2: GPS glitches can cause sudden and aggressive position changes while in loiter mode. You may wish to reduce the Loiter PID P to 0.5 (from 1.0) to reduce aggressiveness (see image below of where this gain can be found in mission planner).

Warning #3: optical flow is not supported but will be back in the next release (AC-3.0.2 or AC-3.1.0).

Warning #4: loiter turns does not maintain altitude. This bug will be fixed in AC-3.0.2.

Warning #5: This release has only been lightly tested on Traditional Helicopters.

Improvements over 2.9.1b include:

Inertial Navigation for Loiter and Auto meaning much more accurate control (Randy,Leonard,JonathanC)
3D navigation controller follows straight lines in all dimensions between waypoints (Leonard,Randy)

WPNAV_SPEED, WPNAV_SPEED_UP, WPNAV_SPEED_DN, WPNAV_ACCEL allows configuring speeds and acceleration during missions

"compassmot" to compensate for interference on compass from the pdb, motors, ESCs and battery. (Randy,JonathanC) (Set-up video here)
Safety improvements:
- simple Tin Can shaped Geo Fence
- pre-arm checks to ensure all calibration has been performed before arming (can be disabled by setting ARMING_CHECK to zero). (video description here)
- GPS failsafe - switches to LAND if GPS is lost for 5 seconds
- stability patch improvements to stop rapid climbs in very overpowered or overtuned copters
Circle mode improvements including "panorama" when CIRCLE_RADIUS set to zero (Randy,Leonard)
SONAR_GAIN parameter added to allow better tuning of sonar surface tracking
CH8 auxiliary switch (same features as CH7)
works on PX4 (some minor features still not available) (Tridge,PatH)

How to upgrade:

1. Make sure you are using Mission Planner 1.2.59 or newer (get it here)

2. Click on the MissionPlanner's Hardware, Install Firmware screen. The version numbers should appear as "ArduCopter-3.0.1", then click the appropriate frame icon and it should upgrade as per usual.

3. Reduce the Loiter and Alt Hold PIDs if you have modified them from the defaults. The modified PID values for the 3DR frame can be seen in the image below.

Note: Nav parameters have been combined with Loiter so do not be concerned if you can't find them.

4. Although not directly related to this release, if you purchased an APM prior to March of 2013, update your PPM encoder to the latest firmware (instructions here).

5. Try out the new version in stabilize mode first, then alt-hold, then loiter and finally RTL and Auto.

Numerous How-To videos are available:

3DR Quad Set-Up Suggestions

AC 3.0 Pre-Arm Checks

AC 3.0 Maiden Flight Checks

AC 3.0 "Live" Compass Calibration

AC 3.0 CompassMot Setup

AC 3.0 Fence

Special Thanks to Marco, DaveC and the large number of testers on the pre-release thread who put their copters at risk during the extended testing period. Some of their videos can be found here, here, here, here, here and here. Thanks also to MichaelO for the MP changes required for this release.

All feedback welcome. Please put your questions, comments (good and bad!) below.

Hi Randy,

I urgently need your brain to help me understand what's going on after radio f/s. Bare in mind I have an rx which in PPM mode doesn't behave exactly as most of the rx's. My rx doesn't switch of PPM in case the tx is lost (e.g. switched off). Instead it just outputs empty PPM frames which the APM ppm decoder interprets as 0.9ms pulse (i.e. -150% = 900 displayed in MP) on all channels. This leads to a two seconds delay (radio.pde) as there is a hard coded timeout of 2000ms in the code before switching to RTL if f/s is set.

But this is not my problem. As already mentioned in a post about the ppm encoder it is the very scary behavior after RTL is initiated by radio f/s that is bugging me. Keep in mind when radio f/s in initiated in my setup all channels including aileron, elevator and rudder are fixed at 900. As soon as RTL is truely initiated after the two seconds delay, the copter starts tumbling and yawing as you would see let's say in stabilize mode with the sticks fully deflected.

My only explanation is that during RTL pilot control is still possible. And it looks for the APM as if the sticks are fully deflected in my case APM does what it is commanded to. Full roll/pitch and yaw.

Please have a look at the attached log. After a 3 min.flight I landed and made the worst beginners mistake. I switched off the tx with obviously the APM still armed. No blame on the APM here. It did what it had to do. Sequence of events:

- after landing and throttle to zero I switched off the tx (most likely still armed)

- about two seconds later the copter took off on it's on and climbed rapidly to about 50ft (I guess my set RTL altitude).

- Then it started yawing at full rate while tumbling as if roll/pitch controls at maximum.

- I tried to regain control by switching on the tx again and flipping my mode switch between stabilize and loiter.

- Regained control in loiter then stabilize, copter was immediately leveling and stopped yawing

- Landed scared but safely

Is my assumption true that pilot control is still enabled in RTL true? In radio initiated f/s?

Thanks for your help

Michael

Atlanta glitch 2013-11-07 19-16 32.log

Replies

Andy Newman November 10, 2013 at 4:31am

Hi all.

I had a crash yesterday after flying in loiter simple mode. I was doing pirouettes whilst flying in a large circle. I noticed that the copter started banking quite a lot so I stopped the pirouettes and the copter became unresponsive and crashed twice. Here is a link to the on-board video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwLTbjDAzsg I did not have telemetry running but have got the onboard log that I will attach.

I don't know why it would not respond to radio and I tried all modes before it crashed. It could be pilot error but it seemed like the apm got bogged down and would either not respond or was running very slowly.

I would appreciate if someone could have a look at the log and see if there is anything obvious in it.

Andy.

2013-11-09 16-04 2.log
ArchillesElbow November 10, 2013 at 3:51am

hi guys..

so i solved my pulsing and wobbling problem... turns out it was an esc that was going bad.. after replacement all is fine..

i then loaded rc-5 and ran auto tune... everything is actually working great..

loiter, rtl etc..

I have a few concerns tho...

1) The tuned values work well when there is no wind.. in the wind it gets blown around like a sail...

2) Alt hold drops alt as I am moving forward...

3) i cant seem to yaw in place in stab or in loiter mode.. using the default PIDs it yaws in place fine in stab but NOT in loiter...

Can anyone give me some input on what PIDs and other params to check for 1,2,3..

here is a screen shot of my current PIDs after auto tune..

PiDs_autotune_RC5_09_11.jpg
David Ardis November 10, 2013 at 3:33am

I have built a new quad and tuning is going well apart from a small problem with throttle in alt hold. When the quad is in alt hold mode you can see it move up and down a small amount very quickly and a fast rpm change on the motors. How can i tune this out have tried tuning all the throttle and alt PIDs with no luck.

Throttle.png
Jay Galleno November 10, 2013 at 2:05am

Hi Randy and Leonard,

Attached herewith my log on AC3.1-RC5. So far I have no complain, fly so well even though I have a motor issue. :)

By the way can you check if I have an acceptable vibration on board?

thanks.

2013-11-10 18-51 3.log

2013-11-10 18-51 3.log.gpx

https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3692876835?profile=original
Jay Galleno November 10, 2013 at 1:46am

Hi Randy & Leonar
Giuseppe D'Angelo November 9, 2013 at 2:26pm

Today first flight on my new Okto frame (MK square type) with Kit APM 2.6 + uBlox with Compass, T-Motors MT2216-900Kv, Graupner eprop 11x5, Esc's HK F40 SimonK, battery 4s.

Problem:
With total weight 3.7 Kg, On stabilize Okto fly smooth, very fine, Hovering throttle is on 450, the weight is right.
When I switch on Althold the motors pulsating and OKTO doesn't keep the altitude.
On Stabilize the motors are OK.

If I remove weight (800gr) and leave only the batteries, now total weight is 2.9Kg
Now when I switch in AltHold the motors runs smootly, okto keep altitude and it flies well.

Here graphs Throttle_IN and Throttle_Out (you can see first flight with high weight - 3.7Kg, land, second flight with only battery - 2.9Kg, land, another flight with High weight etc.)

Here graphs of the same fly of vibrations accXYZ: ( vibrations are smaller in the flight without weight)

Here video of this fly. (you can see motors pulsanting on AltHold)

https://vimeo.com/78992335

I tried to edit PID Throttle_ACCEL_P Throttle_rate_P without good results;
I tied to edit Altitude_Hold_P and I noticed high frequency motors pulse at low value (0,500) and a bit low frequency motors pulse at big value (2.000).

My Question:

vibrations on the Z axis could be the cause, even if they are between -5 and -15 ?

Ciao - Giuseppe

2013-11-09 15-41 1.log

2013-11-09 15-21-20.tlog
Peter November 9, 2013 at 12:43pm

Where can i find the pixhawk release topic?
Developer

Marco Robustini November 8, 2013 at 8:33am

All with APM Copter V3.1 RC5, please watch at 1080p.
Sorry but the Youtube video encoder is a horrible thing, the quality of the original source is much higher.
90% of the shots were taken in Loiter with Simple, the filmer controls tilt/roll of the gimbal and yaw of the multirotor.
Here my "Speedvision", used to create this clip:

Bests, Marco
MHA November 7, 2013 at 5:02pm

Hi Randy,

I urgently need your brain to help me understand what's going on after radio f/s. Bare in mind I have an rx which in PPM mode doesn't behave exactly as most of the rx's. My rx doesn't switch of PPM in case the tx is lost (e.g. switched off). Instead it just outputs empty PPM frames which the APM ppm decoder interprets as 0.9ms pulse (i.e. -150% = 900 displayed in MP) on all channels. This leads to a two seconds delay (radio.pde) as there is a hard coded timeout of 2000ms in the code before switching to RTL if f/s is set.

But this is not my problem. As already mentioned in a post about the ppm encoder it is the very scary behavior after RTL is initiated by radio f/s that is bugging me. Keep in mind when radio f/s in initiated in my setup all channels including aileron, elevator and rudder are fixed at 900. As soon as RTL is truely initiated after the two seconds delay, the copter starts tumbling and yawing as you would see let's say in stabilize mode with the sticks fully deflected.

My only explanation is that during RTL pilot control is still possible. And it looks for the APM as if the sticks are fully deflected in my case APM does what it is commanded to. Full roll/pitch and yaw.

Please have a look at the attached log. After a 3 min.flight I landed and made the worst beginners mistake. I switched off the tx with obviously the APM still armed. No blame on the APM here. It did what it had to do. Sequence of events:

- after landing and throttle to zero I switched off the tx (most likely still armed)

- about two seconds later the copter took off on it's on and climbed rapidly to about 50ft (I guess my set RTL altitude).

- Then it started yawing at full rate while tumbling as if roll/pitch controls at maximum.

- I tried to regain control by switching on the tx again and flipping my mode switch between stabilize and loiter.

- Regained control in loiter then stabilize, copter was immediately leveling and stopped yawing

- Landed scared but safely

Is my assumption true that pilot control is still enabled in RTL true? In radio initiated f/s?

Thanks for your help

Michael

Atlanta glitch 2013-11-07 19-16 32.log

https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3692875350?profile=original
Glenn M November 7, 2013 at 2:31pm

I've come across an uncommanded movement while in loiter mode twice now in the last week. Running RC5 on a moderate sized (3.2kg) quad.

Most of the time loiter will work well, but the first time the other day I noticed the copter was moving quickly backwards in loiter when I had all sticks centered. I had to quickly switch into alt hold mode and bring it home. A subsequent flight after that didn't have issues with loiter that I could see.

Again today I was in loiter, looking at the fpv screen, and looked up and the copter was about 15m away from where it previously was, and accelerating sideways. Had to quickly switch back to alt hold and save it.

I'm pretty sure I have the vibrations well under control. Am running an external mag, and the gps receiver is raised up above the equipment platform.

Here are the logs - first flight - uncommanded movement around line 8000 - pitch in shows no input, but there are two sharp downwards pitch spikes: 2013-11-04 11-17 281.log

second flight - uncommanded roll movement to the left around 10:05:30: 2013-11-08 09-57-46.tlog

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