Hello Community,
it´s christmas time and so it is time for wishes ;-).
I found the ArduPilot Mega 1 and I was impressed about the possibilities I have with this boards.
I think the 2.5 board with the ATMEGA32U-2 and the MPU6000 is a brilliant board with a good sensor. But the Sensor is fixed on the board!
The development of sensors is very fast and I don´t like to change the main board to test a new sensor. So my wish for the ArduPilot 3.0 is a seperate sensorboard with the MPU9150.
So what is your christmas wish ;-)
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Replies
I wish for built in vibration dampening in a small package (like the Naza). I dislike the Naza, but they did some things right.
@Luke
I very much agree, the idea of having an all-in-one IMU like the one on the current APM is very appealing and I hope they stay with that. Does anyone have any idea when the APM 3.0 will be released? I remember seeing something about Q1 2013, but I don't remember where. I do hope it comes out soon and is indeed ARM-based, as I'm anxious to get my quad off the ground :)
Jordi
The first generation APM had the "oilpan" which was basically a shield with all of the sensors that could be replaced while keeping the same processor (and vice versa). The assembly required a lot of solder joints which were from what I understand frequently messed up so the idea of two boards were abandoned to improve the reliability of the platform. Compared to when the first generation APM was released the entire APM now with all of the sensors and the processor is less expensive than the "oilpan" was by itself, let alone the GPS, processor board, magnetometer, etc.
I see what you're saying but the benefits of being able to swap the sensors come with a lot of baggage and extra cost. I'd rather be able to get a new APM with better sensors and a better processor for as cheap as possible. I think eventually the hardware will be cheap enough it won't be a significant barrier to upgrade (like a $50 APM without GPS and accessories) or the hardware will be good enough it won't matter anymore for the given purpose. For example pocket calculators used to be a hundred bucks or more and now they are not only cheap but the hardware from the last few decades is "good enough" for the task so you don't worry about upgrading to the latest and greatest pocket calculator.
What I'd like to see on the next APM or whatever board ends up getting used (like the PX4) is a power supply that doesn't suck. Well, suck is a harsh word. I'd like a fool proof power supply, for example 2S to 6S direct LiPo input. The BEC on most ESC is sufficient can sometimes supply unreliable power to the APM which has been a headache for a number of users. The recently released external current and voltage sensor is a step in the right direction! That's my two cents.