3D Robotics

ArduPlane home page

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Convert any RC airplane into a fully-autonomous UAV!
Just add the APM 2 autopilot to any RC aircraft and it becomes a fully-programmable flying robot with a powerful ground station and Mission Planner.  

 

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.

 

 


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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).

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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!3689354440?profile=original (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.

 

 

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Comments

  • Developer
    @Chris: I did the configuration of my XBees last week but I didn't see this line: "The Xbee modules ship with a default of 9600bps, which you must change to match the APM's serial speed of 115200bps; set your Xbee modules to match this speed."
  • Developer
    OK. Sorry by the mistake. :/
  • 3D Robotics
    Sandro, actually the current code defaults all ports but the GPS to 115200:

    #define SERIAL0_BAUD 38400 // this is the main USB out 38400 57600 115200
    #define SERIAL1_BAUD 115200
    #define SERIAL2_BAUD 115200
    #define SERIAL3_BAUD 115200
  • Developer
    Xbee and GPS are in other ports at 38400.
    The speed 115200 is used only at the USB/FTDI port.

    Xbee you will attach on TelemPort (IMU Shield/Oilpan)
    Please, more infos here: http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Wireless

    GPS on APM GPS Port

    More info here:
    UBLOX: http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot/wiki/ublox
    MediaTek: http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot/wiki/MediaTek

    ;)
  • [QUOTE]The Xbee modules ship with a default of 9600bps, which you must change to match the APM's serial speed of 38400bps; set your Xbee modules to match this speed. [/QUOTE]

    In current download of ArduPilotMega?_1_0_1 and in all revisions since that I can see. the file APM_Config.h is setting the baud rate of Serial1 and 3 to 115200.

    But according to the docs its saying to use X-CTU to set it to 38400... Also according to the Ublox docs has been 38400 as well.

    So should we be setting ublox and xbee's to use 115200 or change config to 38400 for Serial 1 and 3?

    my config is an APM Beta w/oilpan, ublox, mag, airspeed, and xbee pro (900)
  • Sorry if I double posted. Can the APM support GAS powered speed adjustments?
  • Developer
    flying toh, check out the system connection diagram here:

    http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/RC

    APM wants to see the throttle channel, and control motor speed, so you should connect the ESC to APM.
  • Will the config tool work with this board? or should we change some programming?
  • Hi, I would like to ask is my connection below correct? I could not use my 6 channels RC to control it. so the ESC should plug on to the receiver or the APM?

    Thanks 
  • OK If you say I am not crazy I believe you. However, my wife does not :) I can wait I will find a way. If I can contribute in documentation let me know.
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