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Pixhawk + Internet

Posted by Wilhelm Matilainen on March 17, 2015 at 1:54pm

Is it possible to connect e.g. an android phone or a 3g/4g modem over usb to a pixhawk and in this way provide internet access to the pixhawk?

I would like to use this for sending pixhawk's data to my webserver. For example the gps position, data of the current mission, hardware status and so on. Also, I would like to push data back to pixhawk to upload a new mission or to control some peripherals.

I know there's the dronecell and I could buy a similar product from ebay for even less than that. But on the other hand there are used android phones, which provide 3g or even 4g connectivity and might cost even less (used phones).

I'm not really interested in a http client but more like the socket.io where I could simply push data like {location: '<gps-position-here>'}.

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Replies

Chris March 17, 2015 at 2:09pm

Why not use telemetry radios and have the ground station provide this functionality? If you really need it to be in the air why not use a companion computer (such as ODROID C1 or a arduino board? ) to do the same, just that although the pixhawk has some spare overhead let it focus on flying your plane / copter. I'm at present getting an ODROID to talk to a Pixhawk - its not too hard to do.

Otherwise I'd wait for the linux versions that they are working on at present.

Chris
- Chris > Chris March 22, 2015 at 6:06pm
  
  You misunderstood me, i understand each serial connection is independent, I was referring to on the bbb, i believe only one item can communicate on the network port with socat? So on the so single connection can you issue commands to the pixhawk from the console (over ssh) and also have it sending data across the 3g link to a gcs?
  
  If yes then you have no need for mavproxy, otherwise i think you'll be wanting it later on or writing similar.
  
  Chris
  - Wilhelm Matilainen > Chris March 22, 2015 at 6:20pm
    
    Actually I don't know that yet. If it's not possible, then it's still easy to switch to mavproxy.
- Wilhelm Matilainen > Chris March 17, 2015 at 2:27pm
  
  Arch linux running on the Pixhawk sounds great. It might as well enable using a modem.
  
  I do have a BeagleBone Black loaded with Arch linux. So, let's say I had the BBB working with a modem. How do I then pull and push data to and from the Pixhawk?
  
  I really don't like adding additional telemetry radios to create new points of failure. KISS.
  - Chris > Wilhelm Matilainen March 22, 2015 at 6:21am
    
    Hi,
    
    Realised my previous response may not have been clear as it could be, the pixhawk doesn't run linux. You'll have to use the BBB with the PXF cape.
    
    Regards,
    
    Chris
    - Wilhelm Matilainen > Chris March 22, 2015 at 6:30am
      
      I already know how to do this and it's mostly working. I still need a proper cable for the serial connection.
      
      Pixhawk ← Serial → BeagleBone Black → Cellular modem
      
      Mavproxy is not needed and I actually don't even understand what it is supposed to achieve.
      
      I can very easily make the Pixhawk serial networked. Check out my blog for more information (I just created it so not much content): http://matilai.net/blog
      - Chris > Wilhelm Matilainen March 22, 2015 at 2:45pm
        
        Hi,
        
        Correct me if I'm wrong but only one thing can connect to the serial connection, so say for example you have your ground station connected via your 3G/4G connection then you are unable to send messages to the pixhawk by another piece of software. If I'm wrong then that is even better.
        
        MavProxy is a ground station (but in this case it's in the air) that allows you to forward on to other locations (such as your ground station on the ground) and also you can SSH into the BBB and issue commands while it's in flight - nice and easy to use interface.
        
        That is my understanding. Like I said I've got this connected and assembled on the ground so far. Once my Tri is back up in the air I'll add the ODROID C1 to the mix - should be this week.
        
        Regards,
        
        Chris
        
        Wilhelm Matilainen > Chris March 22, 2015 at 2:53pm
        
        There are multiple serial capable port on the Pixhawk: Serial 4/5, GPS, Telemetry 1, Telemetry 2 and usb. These all work simultaneously.
        
        It seems that I have achieved similar functionality to the MavProxy with a tool called socat. Socat is able to create a link from serial to tcp or udp as I have demonstrated on my blog.
  - Chris > Wilhelm Matilainen March 17, 2015 at 10:57pm
    
    You can use a usb FTDI cable, that will allow you to plug into the Telemetry or Serial ports and convert it to a USB connector so you can plug it into the BBB. You'll then run mavproxy on the BBB. If you follow the steps on http://dev.ardupilot.com/wiki/companion-computers/odroid-via-mavlink/ it gives detailed steps on how to do each of the parts.
    
    I use an ODROID C1 and it works, just havent put the companion computer in the air yet. Should do so soon.
    
    The linux version runs on a BBB, just you need the PXF cape to add all the sensors and connectors. I believe they have gotten it to work in the air, so I would say in the next few months we'll see more happening.
    
    Personally I prefer two different systems so that anything I do in application land doesnt impact the flight performance.
    
    Chris

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