ArduPilot 2.1 released + setup utility and ground station

A big code release tonight--this is the full setup that won the Sparkfun autonomous vehicle competition. Along with general improvements to the code, this is the entire package of autopilot, setup utility and ground station code. It's a full Unmanned Aerial System, not just a UAV! ArduPilot 2.1

All the features of ArduPilot 2.0 plus...
Supports XY sensor in diagonal postion
Requires Z sensor [UPDATE: FMA is no longer carrying those. While we sort out alternative sources, you can buy them from Dean Goedde for $40 (scroll down for price list)
Controls throttle if airspeed sensor is attached via the ArduPilot expansion board.
Supports desktop setup utility for waypoints and autopilot settings. (Waypoints are no longer manually entered in the code. They can only be entered with this utility.)
Last version of the code to support the original ATMega168-based board. Future versions will require the new ATMega328-based board.
Field setup procedures are here
Get it here

If you are using the expansion board and airspeed sensor, to control the throttle you must solder a wire from digital pin 8 to "MUX IN 3" Desktop setup utility

Add waypoints manually; utility displays them on Google Maps
Set max altitude, speed, circle radius
Set elevator, aileron/rudder trim
More features coming
Get it here ("ArduPilotConfigUtility")

When using this utility for the first time with ArduPilot, click Write before anything else in order to format the EEPROM. Also, ensure that the "Set RTS on close" box is checked in your serial port's advanced properties (control panel/device manager), as described in our Arduino debugging tips) Ground station

Requires free Labview runtime engine and serial drivers (install both. Note: if you've already installed Lego's Mindstorms NXT software you may find you've got a driver conflict, because it's based on LabView, too. Uninstall the Mindstorms software first.)
Works with Xbee wireless modules
Displays real-time attitude, speed, altitude, current waypoint, heading, distance to next waypoint, etc
Displays real time position on Google Earth
Get it here
Source code is here

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Comments

Matt April 28, 2009 at 7:59pm

@Saiful Azuwan: I have tried that too.
Do you have the 328 board?
Saiful Azuwan April 28, 2009 at 6:23pm

Just try unplug your gps from the board before read/write.
Matt April 28, 2009 at 6:12pm

Should I be able to read/write waypoints using the set-up utility on the 328 board?
I get the message, "Something Wrong!" when I try.
I initially selected write to format the eprom for the first time.
Developer

Jordi Muñoz April 26, 2009 at 2:51pm

@Babis Hatzis, you can use the utility on any arduino, but will not work in 2.0...
Babis HatziIoannou April 25, 2009 at 10:55pm

can i use setup utility with ardupilot 2.0 only to write waypoints???
Developer

Jordi Muñoz April 25, 2009 at 10:31am

@Peter Seddon That usually happens with some generic USB to Serial cables, or port emulators, you can try typing COM7 where you choose the ports and press ENTER...
Good luck!
Earl April 25, 2009 at 9:13am

Oh, BTW, when I send data via XBee from my Propeller AutoPilot program to the ground station, everything seems to work.
Earl April 25, 2009 at 9:11am

Mine recognizes com8 but no data into setup utility or ground station. Real Term says data is flowing at 57600 baud.
tychoc April 25, 2009 at 8:00am

[QUOTE]If someone has a Mac and LabView they can compile our source code and create an executable (no porting required; LabView is cross platform). We'd be happy to host it on our Google Code account. But we don't have Macs so we can't do it ourself.[/QUOTE]

I can do that next week if you like. I have access to a Mac and all versions of LabVIEW.

-tychoc
Peter Seddon April 25, 2009 at 7:28am

Chris,

How do I get the ground station to recognise COM7 port for the data that is coming from A/pilot? I just have a refresh message when I click on the I/O box.

Peter

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