Features include:
- Return to Launch with a flick of your RC toggle switch or a mouse click in the graphical Ground Station
- Unlimited 3D GPS waypoints
- Built-in camera control
- Fully-scriptable missions
- One-click software load, and easy point-and-click configuration in the powerful Mission Planner. NO programming required!
- Replay recorded missions and analyze all the data with a graphing interface
- Supports two-way telemetry with Xbee wireless modules.
- Point-and-click waypoint entry or real-time mission commands while the UAV is in the air
- Fly with a joystick or gamepad via your PC--no need for RC control!
- Built-in failsafe will bring your aircraft home in the case of radio loss
All instructions and software are here.
APM 2 is an open source, Arduino-compatible, pro-quality autopilot. It is the most advanced IMU-based open source autopilot available today, and provides an entire UAV control system with scriptable missions with 3D waypoints, in-flight uploading of commands and powerful ground station software.
APM 2 supports any kind of of vehicle with a one-click change of code. Available code include ArduPlane (fixed wing), ArduCopter (rotary wing), ArduRover (ground vehicles) and more.
Everything you need to create an ArduPlane UAV:
* APM 2.5 autopilot with GPS ($179)
* [Optional] Telemetry kit ($75).
You'll also need a at least a five-channel RC radio setup, a soldering iron, a mini USB cable and of course something that flies! (We're partial to the SkyFun delta wing (right) and
Bixlee 2 powered glider (left) or its equivalents ourselves).
Resources:
Manual
Source code/firmware
Note: ArduPilot Mega requires no programming, but it's open source and you're welcome to modify it if you'd like. If you are going to play with the code, you can use the free Arduino IDE to edit and upload the code to the ArduPilot board.
Comments
I attached my ArduPilot Mega to my IMU Mega and applied +5v to the OUT3 Servo connector, on the center pin, and both blue LEDs on the two boards lighted up as they should.
There should be a blob of solder where the SJ1 legend is in the upper left hand corner of the board by the rc receiver connectors. The solder jumper connects +5v to +5v!. If you go down the left hand edge of the board, same edge that SJ1 is near, you should see a black rectangular component with an "F" on the top. That is the PTC thermal fuse. If it is not there, +5v will not be connected to VCC.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
TCIII
I don't know what the Solder Jumper 1 should look like. I see two solder like bars about 1/16 of an inch long that are parallel to the edge of the end of the board where the servos are connected.
Like
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
!---------------------------------------------!
! = SJ1
!
!
etc
I don't see any +5 on the servo connections. If I need to, how do I bridge it and why would it be different from other people's boards? Also, I can't find PTC to check it. Note that everything seems fine as far as basic power (not to the servos) when I use the FDTI cable (all LEDs are bright).
Thanks so VERY much
Dave
OK, latest testing - If I separate the boards and power from an ESC, I get a dim PWR red light but the servos move as if in MANUAL mode.
If I connect my older FDTI cable (and remove the ESC power), all the lights seem bright red/blue and I can download the test program but I see no printout change whatsoever if I change Chan5 or Chan6 and the servos don't move even though I have left the receiver hooked up.
If I connect the shield back on and use the miniUSB, I get lights and can program but can't power via the ESC and the servos don't move.
Is something "busted"?
Thanks for any help!
Dave
Thanks for the help. I separated the boards and the ESC power into the ArduPilotMega (not the shield) works fine. The servos move (not sure about the demo program and the different outputs yet). But when I add on the shield - nothing.
Dave
There is a solder pad jumper, SJ1, that connects the board +5v to the servo/rc connectors 5v!. Make sure that there is a solder jumper on SJ1. Also make sure that the PTC (fuse) that connects +5v to VCC is not open or missing.
Regards,
TCIII
I have my boards together and soldering went OK. I plug in the miniusb and it lights up (red and yellow solid, blue solid then blinking on the bottom, on top, blue solid, white blinking for a while (I plugged in my EM406) - it loads the ardupilotmega_demo program fine (prints out Ch0:1500 etc on Serial Monitor). BUT when I try to power it from an ESC into out2 or out3 (which still works fine with my Ardupilot board), nothing lights up at all. What is wrong?
Thanks for the help!
Dave
I just went through the same process.
ArduPilot Mega
Mega IMU ( the $150 ver that comes with the correct pin headers)
3x8 Right Angle Pin Headers(qty 2)
Ublox, Ublox adapter, Adapter cable
Servo extensions( to connect the mega to your RC receiver)
Air Speed Senor Kit MPXV5004DP
I think that should be everything you need to get going
For airspeed sensor, you will need the breakout board and sensor.
(thats if the code used supports it)
Eveything is slowly coming together, it takes time, there might be a slight change in the code that changes everything, so right now it hard to say what you will need and what you should order till it goes a little further.
The ArduPilot Mega cannot be purchased from the DIY Drones Store.
You can purchase it here: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9710
Regards,
TCIII
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