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Best open source autopilots v.s. commercial autopilots for conventional fixed wing unmanned aircraft usage

Posted by Anna Tian on January 4, 2015 at 7:53pm

Hi,

Open source autopilots are widely used in the RC toys. I tried 3DR's pixhawk. It seems to be quite okay. There are also other open source autopilots.

The commercial autopilots are always used in commercial unmanned aircraft. They are somehow much more expensive than open source. I’m wondering what are commercial autopilots’ typical advantages compared with the best open source autopilots for conventional fixed wing usage. Could anyone give any hint on that?

Best,

Anna

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pixhawk, autopilots, commerical, vs

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Replies

Forest Mapper January 28, 2015 at 11:23am

screen capture
Forest Mapper January 28, 2015 at 11:11am

Screen capture from Google Earth of the FX61 flight path to create the point cloud
- Forest Mapper > Forest Mapper January 29, 2015 at 1:37pm
- Forest Mapper > Forest Mapper January 29, 2015 at 1:21pm
  
  Okay, trying to add images again
Forest Mapper January 28, 2015 at 11:09am

The KMZ flight path files failed to load on this forum so I created a screen capture of the flight-path the intrepid FX61 used to create the point cloud. Take note how I glide into the waypoints to minimize motor vibration.
- Forest Mapper > Forest Mapper January 29, 2015 at 1:55pm
  
  Structure From Motion Algorithm Renders LiDAR Technology Obsolete
- Forest Mapper > Forest Mapper January 29, 2015 at 1:49pm
  - Troy Mestler > Forest Mapper January 29, 2015 at 1:53pm
    
    So awesome.
Forest Mapper January 28, 2015 at 10:19am

Cala,

A few more things. I don't use the built in camera trigger to trigger the photo-bursting but I do use it to test the position of the servo arm vs. PWM value the APM sees. What I do is change "set camera trigger" in the configuration screen of MP and write it to the APM board while servo is hooked up with a 5V power source. I hook up the trigger to output channel 7 (or whatever channel trigger is set for)As soon as I write the new parameter, the trigger changes state. I then write and save the parameter value to other positions with different values for finding the sweet spot for triggering, focus etc. After testing I disconnect the camera trigger and manual activate it with the sequence described prior. You must use opto-isolated outputs 5,6,7 or 8. 1-4 are reserved for output control to the UAV. The APM digital outputs do not have enough power to driver the servo and may cause a reboot to the APM I you try it.
- Cala > Forest Mapper January 28, 2015 at 3:15pm
  
  Thank's Forest, my Lumix doesn't have a retract lens and focus very fast it's a sport camera but the time lapse is very slow so I'm going to try like you explain, thank's for so detailed explanation.

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