APM 2.0 to Pixhawk upgrade - parts needed? - ArduCopter User Group

I've preordered a Pixhawk and my plan is to replace my APM 2.0 with the Pixhawk. I've looked around the 3DR site some and haven't really seen enough information on the Pixhawk to understand what I will really need regarding parts to do the upgrade. I would like to order any parts needed so I'll be ready to go with the Pixhawk controller arrives.

My current configuration is Tricopter with APM 2.0. Features I'm using now are:

UBlox GPS module - appears this will connect directly to Pixhawk

900Mhz 3DR telemetry - a different cable is needed

Spark Fun Autopilot current/voltage sensor - not sure how this will connect to Pixhawk. Is a 3DR current sensor provided with Pixhawk? Is the 3DR current sensor compatible with Pixhawk?

Motors and Yaw servo I assume is the same as before. I'll need to convert my radio receiver to the PPM/SBUS output configuration.

I'm also using the Copter LEDs feature to control external LEDs - arm status, low voltage, GPS status. Not sure how this feature maps over to Pixhawk.

I'm also curious if my tuning parameters will translate from APM to Pixhawk directly or will I have to start over with tuning?

I know plenty of information will be available in the next few weeks. Perhaps I simply haven't found the correct webpage that covers this information.

Any information would be welcome.

UBlox GPS module - appears this will connect directly to Pixhawk

Yes, same connector.

900Mhz 3DR telemetry - a different cable is needed

Yes, a different cable is needed.

Spark Fun Autopilot current/voltage sensor - not sure how this will connect to Pixhawk. Is a 3DR current sensor provided with Pixhawk? Is the 3DR current sensor compatible with Pixhawk?

Pixhawk comes with it's own built-in power supply/converter, so it can be connected straight to the battery. I'm fairly sure the power supply includes a voltage and current sensor.

Motors and Yaw servo I assume is the same as before. I'll need to convert my radio receiver to the PPM/SBUS output configuration.

Yes, you will need a PPM/SBUS receiver, or a converter board for PWM receivers.

I'm also using the Copter LEDs feature to control external LEDs - arm status, low voltage, GPS status. Not sure how this feature maps over to Pixhawk.

The Pixhawk has it's own LED (and buzzer) for doing this.

I'm also curious if my tuning parameters will translate from APM to Pixhawk directly or will I have to start over with tuning?

Yes, they will translate over as the Pixhawk is running very similar code to the APM.

Replies

Stephen Dade October 18, 2013 at 5:03am

UBlox GPS module - appears this will connect directly to Pixhawk

Yes, same connector.

900Mhz 3DR telemetry - a different cable is needed

Yes, a different cable is needed.

Spark Fun Autopilot current/voltage sensor - not sure how this will connect to Pixhawk. Is a 3DR current sensor provided with Pixhawk? Is the 3DR current sensor compatible with Pixhawk?

Pixhawk comes with it's own built-in power supply/converter, so it can be connected straight to the battery. I'm fairly sure the power supply includes a voltage and current sensor.

Motors and Yaw servo I assume is the same as before. I'll need to convert my radio receiver to the PPM/SBUS output configuration.

Yes, you will need a PPM/SBUS receiver, or a converter board for PWM receivers.

I'm also using the Copter LEDs feature to control external LEDs - arm status, low voltage, GPS status. Not sure how this feature maps over to Pixhawk.

The Pixhawk has it's own LED (and buzzer) for doing this.

I'm also curious if my tuning parameters will translate from APM to Pixhawk directly or will I have to start over with tuning?

Yes, they will translate over as the Pixhawk is running very similar code to the APM.

This reply was deleted.