Welcome! You raise some good points. Right now we solve the single serial port problem with one-way telemetry. The GPS gets the RX pin and the Xbee sending telemetry to the ground (on the FTDI port) gets the TX pin.
The way Arduino works is that you can create "software serial" ports on other digital pins. There's a significant performance penalty, but it can work if you're not sending data often. That might work for the return path for ground communications.
Hi, I'm just entering this discussion after following for some time. I have been working with an auotopilot with a design very similar to the ArduPilot but because lacking knowledge in PCB design all my implementations have been to unreliable to fly with. Therefore the news of ArduPilot came as a great christmas present. I have ordered one and i hope i will be able to contribute to the code development. Actually i came quite a long way in accomplish both stabilization (copilot sensors) and navigation on a single AVR Mega 168.
My biggest concern with the Mega 168 was the lack of a second serial port. Having both a serial GPS and to way telemetry was really hard to implement. At least for me. Have you had any thoughts on that? another question is how you are implementing the cpu to cpu communication on the ArduPilot Pro board. That board will have to UARTS, but they are spread over two chips.
I have really been waiting for the AttoPilot to become available, but this project really got me going again.
Things i could contribute with if there is an interest in is a ground station communication protocol that i am quite happy with. It is text based but more condensed than sending complete NMEA sentences.
ArduPilot doesn't handle stability. The FMA system might be able to handle a heli, but you should check with them. Our navigation systems only work with forward motion, so a heli would be a poor choice.
@ Chris: Once again well done to you and Jordi great work! I been searching the post and recall you had a interview with Curt Olson on Flight Gear and how to do basic simulation using flight gear's nmea. output.
Jordi was briliant in setting up his arm board with X-plane and Labview witch you guy's used for development.
What would you recomend the avarage DIYer should use to test and tweak his newly purchased Ardupilot before putting the valuble goods in the air?
Flight gear is a free download after all but as you stated a bit complicated for those starting out. Personly I think it is workable with a helping hand.
Comments
Welcome! You raise some good points. Right now we solve the single serial port problem with one-way telemetry. The GPS gets the RX pin and the Xbee sending telemetry to the ground (on the FTDI port) gets the TX pin.
The way Arduino works is that you can create "software serial" ports on other digital pins. There's a significant performance penalty, but it can work if you're not sending data often. That might work for the return path for ground communications.
My biggest concern with the Mega 168 was the lack of a second serial port. Having both a serial GPS and to way telemetry was really hard to implement. At least for me. Have you had any thoughts on that? another question is how you are implementing the cpu to cpu communication on the ArduPilot Pro board. That board will have to UARTS, but they are spread over two chips.
I have really been waiting for the AttoPilot to become available, but this project really got me going again.
Things i could contribute with if there is an interest in is a ground station communication protocol that i am quite happy with. It is text based but more condensed than sending complete NMEA sentences.
Good luck with the tests!
Magnus
Stockholm, Sweden
You and Jordi (and Sparkfun) have done such a marvelous job getting this project to distribution!
Now I see a flood of questions for you to keep up with.
I am sure you could use a break right about now!
Ardupilot or Permarlani autopilot has altitude hold?
regards
vijay sulakhe
Jordi was briliant in setting up his arm board with X-plane and Labview witch you guy's used for development.
What would you recomend the avarage DIYer should use to test and tweak his newly purchased Ardupilot before putting the valuble goods in the air?
Flight gear is a free download after all but as you stated a bit complicated for those starting out. Personly I think it is workable with a helping hand.
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