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3D Robotics

APM 2.22 released + lots of cool new Mission Planner features

Posted by Chris Anderson on August 15, 2011 at 10:30pm

3689420157?profile=originalWe've released APM 2.22, which has a bunch of bug fixes and improvements. MAVLink startup is now much faster and will work even if the hardware fails the calibration test. A bug in the driver for the new 5883 magnetometer is fixed. Various (mostly minor) navigation bugs fixed. MAVLink comms are also improved.

 

It's now available for download via the Mission Planner. Remember to go through the setup process again after loading (always a good idea after loading new code).

 

For those who need the source code, it's here. The next version of the code, 2.23, will have full camera control (both autonomous stabilization and point-of-interest following and a full suite of MAVLink commands) implemented.

 

Meanwhile, the Mission Planner continues to improve in leaps and bounds, thanks to the tireless work of Michael Oborne (subject of the next Meet the Developers post). New features that have been introduced in recent versions include:

  • MAVLink logging is now on by default. Every MAVLink connection you make will be logged
  • You can record your video! Just right click on the HUD as shown in the image above.
  • Quadcopter hardware-in-the-loop simulation now works on both Xplane and FlightGear, just like the plane HIL sim
  • Almost all APM and AC2 setup can be done via MAVLink. No need for the CLI switch or DIP switches!
  • Lots of other performance and useability enhancements.

 

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Comments

  • dusl August 21, 2011 at 5:33am
    beautiful
  • Gustav Kuhn August 21, 2011 at 2:43am

    Hi Chris,

    I normally forget to clear the old log files, so was caught out yesterday. 

    Not really an issue :-)

    Regards,

    Gustav

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson August 20, 2011 at 12:23pm
    Blake: yes, when we branch to 2560-only for further development, there will continue to be a stable 1280 version available. It won't get any new features, but we'll try to fix any bugs that are found.
  • Blake Krone August 20, 2011 at 12:11pm

    Chris can you respond regarding my previous comment that others are curious as to as well regarding whether or not there will be a 2.x "maintenance" type release that will support the older APM's while having a different release train that will be features and enhancements for the new APM's?

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson August 20, 2011 at 12:05pm
    Gustov: I'm still not following, I'm afraid. Nothing's changed: we just don't make you press "start" on the MAVlink recording. Everything else is just as it has always been.
  • Gustav Kuhn August 20, 2011 at 11:33am

    I'm referring to the one downloaded via MavLink, but now I have to connect using a USB, or use the logs file on the hard drive.

    The MavLink file is just so much easier to use/access.

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson August 20, 2011 at 10:01am
    Gustov: Are you referring to the onboard datalogged file, or the one recorded on the ground via MAVLink? The onboard file can still be downloaded and saved to any directory (the commands are in the Terminal tab's datalogging section). The one recorded on the ground is now automatically saved to your logs directory.
  • Gustav Kuhn August 20, 2011 at 9:55am

    Hi Chris,

    About two issues back, there was a tab that enabled you to save the flying mission to a directory of your choice.

    Made it a lot easier to save and convert to .kmz "on the fly", so to speak.

    I found the auto download file of my task today, I had neglected to delete previous missions, and the name/timestamp automatically assigned was a bit confusing.

    In the end, I had to remove the wing and connect usb into the board, to get the data.

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson August 20, 2011 at 9:04am
    Thanks, Christopher! Reliability and ease-of-use has been our top priority lately. You'll see the next wave of new products and revisions take that even further. We're going for "plug, play and forget" eventually. Full autonomy should be no harder than turning on cruise-control in your car.
  • Todd Hill August 20, 2011 at 8:57am

    When I first started with the APM It was routine for me to have to manipulate the software to get it to work as desired.  I haven't had to do that for some time now.  Impressive work.  "Props" to the developers, pun intended:)

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