My new APM2.5 with the uBlox LEA-6H GPS, connected to Spektrum AR8000 and loaded with
Ardupilot v2.67 Simulation firmware for HIL testing or Flying firmware to actually fly my plane
doesn't work properly.
First issue:
The APM2.5 doesn't see the output of the R/C radio receiver with the simulation firmware loaded.
The receiver is properly bind to the transmitter and its output channels were disconnected from
APM2.5 and connected to servos to verify that the receiver was working properly. Firmware v2.66
behave the same way, but v2.65 and older worked properly and allow me to test the system in HIL
mode with X-Plane 10 which performed well in all the flight modes and was able to follow programmed
way points in Auto mode.
Second issue:
After the successful HIL test I proceeded to load the version v2.65 of the flying firmware
in preparation for a flight test of the plane. To my surprise after loading that firmware
into the APM2.5, I was no longer able to connect to it using the USB interface or the
3DR radio link. The command line interface via USB still worked and I was able to
test the uBlox LEA-6H GPS which had already acquired a fix and was working properly. I
have the Mission Planner software installed in three different computers, two Windows 7
and another Windows XP Pro, and used them to try to connect with each one with the
same failed resut. I tried firmware v2.64, v2.63, v2.62, v2.50 and all behaved the
same way. The connection attempt stalls anywhere from 10% to 90% completion depending
on what version of the firmware is loaded in the unit. When observing the traffic on
the console the reason it stalls is because it starts to see too many packet errors and can't recover.
I tried the connection with different USB cables but it didn't make any difference,
resulting in a failed connection every time. Replacing the operational firmware with
the simulation firmware restored the ability to connect via the USB interface.
I even compiled different versions of source code using Arduino 1.0.2 and loaded the
resulting firmware with the same result. Different ground control software like HK
Lite v1.3.37 or QGroundControl v1.0.1 could not connect with the unit either.
An older APM2.0 worked well with firmare v2.62 both in HIL mode or with the "flying
version" of it. That unit was accidentally damaged by a failed BEC and no longer
works, and the APM2.5 that is giving me problems was purchased as a replacement.
I can see in other discussions that others have similar issues with the ArduPilotMega 2.5,
but don't know if that problem has been solved. I am waiting for a reply from technical support
about this issue.
Replies
Hi Raul..i have the same problem i think,after ESC calibration the apm2.5 cannot connect to computer via USB i don't know why!!! i tried enter the board in dfu programmig mode but no hope the usb only supply voltage to chip, no tx or rx occur, i purchased Atmel AVR isp programmer and i tried to program via the six pins i succeded to download the bootloader firmware on Atmega 32u2 i tried many versions of boatloders v2.65 v2.66 v2.67 v2.68 v3.00 v3.1 v3.12 but no hope the board still can't connect to computer via usb , i tried to erase the program at Atmega2560 and i successfully did, but without any change the board still don't work ,, but Atmega32u2 and Atmega2560 is well and did't damaged or burned cuz i can program them via atmel AVR isp programmer as i mentioned, but the usb drives me crazy it don't work so ican't use mission planner if you get a solution please tell me :)
Raul: There is an issue with the HIL version of 2.67. We're on it. The regular 2.67 code should work fine, however. Just load it straight from the MP.