Developer

ArduCopter 3.2 Released

ArduCopter 3.2 (aka APM:Copter) has been released as the default version replacing AC3.1.5. This is the exact same version that we invited all users to test two weeks ago.  Users who wish continue using AC3.1.5 can find it under the "Pick previous firmware" version on the MP's Install Firmware screen.

The full list of changes can be found in the ReleaseNotes but here are the highlights:
Flight Mode Enhancements:

  • PosHold flight mode: similar to Loiter but with direct response to pilot input during repositioning
  • ACRO mode handling improvement EXPO (for faster rotations)
  • Drift mode uses "throttle assist" (similar to AltHold)
  • Smoother transitions between flight modes (i..e when entering Loiter or RTL from high speeds)

Mission Enhancements/Fixes:

New Sensors/Devices:

Safety Features:

  • EKF/DCM check will switch to LAND mode if heading error > 60deg for 1 second
  • Baro glitch detection
  • Pre-arm check for Gyro calibration success
  • Pre-arm check that internal & external sensors (gyros, accels and compass) are consistent (Pixhawk only)
  • Parachute support (Pixhawk only)
  • Feedback to Pilot when taking off in AltHold, Loiter, PosHold (i.e. motors spin up a little as throttle is raised)
  • EKF (new attitude and position estimate system only used for reference in this release)

Bug Fixes:

  • Pixhawk GPS driver buffer overflow that could lead to missed GPS messages
  • Pixhawk I2C bug that could lead freeze up if I2C bus is noisy


Known issues/Warnings:

  • Pixhawk users will need to recalibrate their compasses
  • PosHold won't show up as option on FlightMode screen if you have an old version of mission planner. Please select Help > Check for Updates.
  • Landing detector is more strict meaning it may take longer to disarm after RTL, AUTO.
  • Set THR_MID parameter especially if you have a very powerful copter because "Feedback to Pilot" raises throttle to 1/2 of THR_MID
  • Spline twitches slightly as it passes a waypoint especially if WPNAV_SPEED is set > 500.
  • Dropped support for NMEA and SIRF GPS on APM boards (ran out of Flash space)
  • Dropped support for sonar for MultiCopters on APM1 and TradHeli on APM1 & APM2 (ran out of Flash space)

If you hit issues, please post them in the APM Forum and include a dataflash log file if possible.

Special thanks to Marco and the Beta Testing team from the AC3.2 beta testing thread who put their copters at risk in the pursuit of a smooth, safe release. Here are links to some of their videos: Marco's DJIs900, Holger's Water Tower, Josh's Acro, Ray's TradHeli2&FPV, Raph's Hawaii, PhillS's CommandYaw, Thor's Zombie Run&FollowMe, Phanivyas's Test, Rob's TradHeli, Christian's Test1&Test2, Balloon's Spline, JimJ's FPV, Ultrojo's ROI & Spline&FollowMe1&FollowMe2, Troy's Mission

Thanks also to the code contributors to this release including Tridge, Jonathan, Leonard, RobL, Paul Riseborough, MichaelO, Julien Dubois, David Dewey, Andrew Chapman, Emile, Allyson and many more. If you want to get involved check-out our dev wiki.

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Comments

  • Did you check your vibration levels? 

  • I have an issue with althold/gps where my quad is working fine in stabilize, but altohold will shoot the quad up really fast after a few seconds. Seems like the CTUN Alt estimate is glitching badly. Also when EKF is off, the AHRS2 alt estimate glitches similarily. Baro/GPS1/GPS2 altitudes look fine. Could the AHRS-code still try to use sonar data (used it previously), even if it's disabled?

    Info:

    ArduCopter V3.2.1

    Ublox NEO-M8N and Ublox LEA-6H (glitches with both)

    First flight with EKF, second without

    Log and parameter data available from:

    https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0y1ze8fuc97ouri/AACH0vJMBgji7dM7WcwDUStR...

    3701974666?profile=original

    Dropbox - Link not found
    Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and share them easily. Never email yourself a file again!
  • Hi has the Motorsync test been removed from the CLI? I've follewed instructions in this video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=modoXFYhhN4

    but I get Invalid command message when I type motorsync in the cli

  • Fabio

    Mine has done that for some time now. It bounces up maybe a meter at the most. just for a split second. I noticed if I arm it and let it run for several seconds before taking off it doesn't do it. I was concerned at first until I noticed how consistent it is. I have EKF turned on. Not sure if that's part of the reason or not. 

  • Hi,
    I wanted to know of an oddity occurred during the last flight performed after took off as I took in share mode AltHold the drone unilaterally increased the speed of the motors for a split second, and then stabilized (as you can see in the video at 00:10).
    I checked the log and found the time when the Z-axis (log line 25649) has a sudden change down and the subsequent increase in the number of revolutions of the engine, seeing the video I have not known jolts vibrations so violent as to record that variation.
    Therefore I can imagine a problem I accelerometer, but during the flight I did not record anything abnormal even with subsequent flights, I have a firmware problem.
    I tried to find the cause by looking in the log but I missed ......
    I found looking good in the log a spike on input channels from RC1 to RC14 (log line 44717).
    If it was possible to have an explanation of what happened
    thank you
    greetings

    Video

    Log

  • APM 2.6  Firmware 3.2  450 quad

    Problem when going from Stab to Alt_Hld  quad drops like a rock .  I can keep it in the air with more Thrt.

    input (fast). Looking at log file you can see when Alt_Hld  comes on Thr out goes down as Thr in goes up.

    I can post log if need be...

  • Randy

    Yes I do have EKF on. I had a hard landing perhaps it did something to the mag on the gps. 

    You said 3.2 doesn't have fail over.....  I must misunderstand what you  said. If EKF see's it doesn't trust the external so then it uses the internal ?? isn't that failover? It's not giving up on the external and using no compass is it? Cant fly at all then... 

  • thanks Randy! :) I will try the beta soon and post my feedback to that link

  • Developer

    I've created a new discussion for the AC3.2.1-rc1 beta testing here.  Beta testing can be dangerous (mostly to the vehicle) so please don't test with your prized vehicle that would cause much heartbreak if it were damaged.  Thanks!

  • Developer

    @Richard, are you using the EKF by any chance?  If 'yes' then what you're seeing is the EKF giving up on the compass completely because it's decided that it can't be trusted.  DCM isn't smart enough to make that decision so if AHRS_USE_EKF is "0" the compass should always affect the heading but at a much slower rate than the gyros (the gyros are what's causing the fast update when you move the whole vehicle).

    We don't have failover of the compass in AC3.2 but that was a choice because a significant number of people have very bad internal compasses and we thought it could actually be more dangerous to do the failover.  AC3.3 (with EKF on by default) will have the compass failover working.

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