Hi,I'm a beginner. I'm wondering how powerful an autopilot can be? is it a processor that can process other stuff:For example, I want my drone to emit an infrared beam when it reaches a point in the air ( altitude and latitude, longitude). Can I program the autopilot to do so?cheers.Tommy.
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Tks Quadzimodo,
That's very informative.
I didn't make myself clear that I want to understand the general capabilities, not just that example.
After reading pixhawk specs:
Processor
32-bit ARM Cortex M4 core with FPU
168 Mhz/256 KB RAM/2 MB Flash
32-bit failsafe co-processor
I think most of heavy tasks like automatic visual flying (avoiding object by computer vision), formation flying must be done by ground stations. Aren't they?
Ardupilot can be programmed to fly an autonomous mission with specific waypoints (alt, lon, lat). The APM/Pixhawk also has outputs for driving external LED lights (using Darlington array) that can be configured via the firmware to a small degree. Among the options available is an ability to program the lights to flash as the craft passes through each of the programmed waypoints of a mission - providing the pilot on the ground with a visual confirmation that each waypoint is reached. NOTE - the lights are otherwise active constantly during the flight.
It would be possible to substitute the coloured LED(s) with IR LED(s), and these could be easily programmed to flash at each waypoint (the relevant parameter is set by inputting a simple 3 digit number), however (as outlined above) the IR LED(s) would otherwise be lit when flying between waypoints (which may Or may not be acceptable for your application).
Perhaps custom changes could be made to the code to allow you to program the external outputs to behave exactly the way you want them to (only be lit when passing through each waypoint), but that is not something I can assist you with.
Replies
That's very informative.
I didn't make myself clear that I want to understand the general capabilities, not just that example.
After reading pixhawk specs:
Processor
32-bit ARM Cortex M4 core with FPU
168 Mhz/256 KB RAM/2 MB Flash
32-bit failsafe co-processor
I think most of heavy tasks like automatic visual flying (avoiding object by computer vision), formation flying must be done by ground stations. Aren't they?
Ardupilot can be programmed to fly an autonomous mission with specific waypoints (alt, lon, lat). The APM/Pixhawk also has outputs for driving external LED lights (using Darlington array) that can be configured via the firmware to a small degree. Among the options available is an ability to program the lights to flash as the craft passes through each of the programmed waypoints of a mission - providing the pilot on the ground with a visual confirmation that each waypoint is reached. NOTE - the lights are otherwise active constantly during the flight.
It would be possible to substitute the coloured LED(s) with IR LED(s), and these could be easily programmed to flash at each waypoint (the relevant parameter is set by inputting a simple 3 digit number), however (as outlined above) the IR LED(s) would otherwise be lit when flying between waypoints (which may Or may not be acceptable for your application).
Perhaps custom changes could be made to the code to allow you to program the external outputs to behave exactly the way you want them to (only be lit when passing through each waypoint), but that is not something I can assist you with.