Jean-Louis Naudin's Posts

Here you will find my latest updated version of the ArduPilot (v2.7.4a JLN) successfully tested in autonomous flights with a Multiplex Cularis (GPS Ublox and ArduIMU v1.6). This version runs very well with the GPS Emulator v1.1.45 and you may test it yourself at home.

More photos at : http://diydrones.com/photo/albums/ardupilot-and-arduimu-on-a

The full software can be downloaded at: http://code.google.com/p/ardupilotdev/downloads/list

Here the test procedure with the GPS Emulator:

Required material: Ardupilot with or without shield, it works also with Arduino board "Duemilanove"

1) Compile and upload the ArduPilot_2_7_4_JLN software to your ardupilot board
2) Download a flight plan with PlanifMission.exe (v 1.4.14), i.e. upload the flight plan "fieldtest4"
3) Run the GPSEmulator.exe (v 1.1.45):
a) choose the ardupilot comm port: i.e. COM10 then click 'Connect'
b) Select File/Run ArduPilot Mission
c) Selected Mission 'fieldtest4'
d) GPS Data Source 'GPS Emulator w/ArduPilot'
e) check 'Listen to Throttle'
f) Click on the 'Start' button on the main window

Enjoy,
Jean-Louis Naudin

Main JLN DIY Drones page: http://diydrones.com/profile/JeanLouisNaudin

Google code: http://code.google.com/p/ardupilotdev/

Developer

The Ardupilot FG Control for the Flight Gear Simulator

Posted by Jean-Louis Naudin on December 6, 2009 at 6:00am

The ArduFGControl is a PC application which allows you to test and tune your Ardupilot CPU board with the Flight Gear Simulator. FlightGear is a free and an open source flight simulator developped by Curtis Olson. The ArduFGControl is a gateway between the Ardupilot board through the FTDI cable (com port) with FlightGear through the network UDP ports. The FlightGear model used here is a Rascal 110So, with this application you may test at home your Ardupilot during this cold winter...The full software can be downloaded at : http://code.google.com/p/ardupilotdev/downloads/listTested on Windows Vista SP2 on Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T250 @2.00 Ghz ( perf ind: 4.8 )Have fun,Jean-Louis Naudin

Developer

The ASP XR-01 UAV with the Ardupilot v2.4.6

Posted by Jean-Louis Naudin on November 19, 2009 at 12:19am

On nov 15,2009, this was a great day, my ASP XR-01 UAV fully equiped with the ArduPilot v2.4.6 has done successfully its first series of 10 full autonomous flights under the flight plan. The ASP XR-01 is a customized version of the Sonicliner from Multiplex, my model has already done a lot of flights since 2007 but only with a FMA thermopile based Copilot. Today, I have replaced the FMA Copilot by the full ArduPilot with 6 thermopiles, the shield v2 with its pressure sensors, a GPS and a full downlink telemetry system which communicates with my handheld ground station.The weather was windy at the morning (7 m/s SW gusting 9 m/s).I have conducted various tests flights :- full autonomous tests flights with a regular pre-recorded flight plan with 3 waypoints,- the self-learning mode of the v2.4.6: the 3D waypoints have been recorded in flight and then replayed again in full autonomous mode,- the automatic RTH (Return To Home) when the R/C transmitter is switched Off...All these tests flights have been done successfully.You will find a photos album of this event at :http://diydrones.com/photo/albums/the-flight-of-asp-xr01-uavThe ArduPilot firmware has been updated to the v2.4.6. This new personnal release includes a new parameter which is the GPS_MINIMUM ( this is the parameter 8-10 added in the header file). GPS_MINIMUM is the minimum ground speed required in case of strong front wind. In this case this was 3 m/s.Below, onboard video of a full autonomous flight in windy conditions :

You will find this new firmware version at :http://code.google.com/p/ardupilotdev/downloads/listBest Regards,Jean-Louis

Developer

The handheld groundstation for the ArduPilot

Posted by Jean-Louis Naudin on November 12, 2009 at 12:30am

Hello ArduPilots,You will find somme photos of my hand held groundstation design based on the Ardustation at :http://diydrones.com/photo/albums/the-ardustation-in-actionThe groundstation uses a Xbee radiomodem for the telemetry downlink.More informations and details are published at: http://diydrones.com/profile/JeanLouisNaudinFull Ardupilot source code currently under test at : http://code.google.com/p/ardupilotdev/Best Regards,Jean-Louis Naudin

Developer

Flying with ArduPilot onboard

Posted by Jean-Louis Naudin on November 2, 2009 at 8:48am

Hello to All,The purpose of this blog is to share with you some feedbacks about my flights experiences with the ArduPilot onboard.ArduPilot on EasyGlider videos :Flight plan mode, Fail Safe and RTH mode has been tested with the ArduPilot :http://diydrones.com/video/flight-plan-mode-fail-safe-andEasyGlider flight with ArduPilot in windy conditions:http://diydrones.com/video/easyglider-flight-withPhotos Album :http://diydrones.com/photo/albums/ardupilot-flight-on-easygliderRegards,Jean-Louis NaudinEmail: JeanLouisN777@diydrones.comDIY DRONES home page : http://diydrones.com/profile/JeanLouisNaudin