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
If I power the APM separately, can I still power the servos from the main motor battery?
Is there a way to power the servos/motor and the Ardupilot/IMU from completely separate sources?
As long as you are *careful* connecting 5V via the servo connectors, you will be fine powering APM that way.
If you have removed the solder from SJ1, you can power APM via the adjacent power connector. 12V is probably too much; try 7-8V there at most.
I have my airframe all set up, I have a test bench DC power supply (0-50v Variable) connected to debug this issue, but I'm stuck. If I have my hardware plugged into my USB port on my computer it seems like it's not getting enough power,(rebooting constantly) but when I provide 12 volts, it seems like it's getting too much, ( and still rebooting constantly, and making the servos twitch)
What is the correct way to power the APM?
Can I use the power coming from the motor controller?
Should I power them separately, if so, How?
Thanks for the help.
Steve I--
@jimmy - if you are using a USB port on a hub or keyboard, try one that's actually directly connected to your motherboard
In general though, properly implemented USB ports shut down completely when they are overloaded, so the symptoms you're seeing don't sound like current limit issues.
I'm using v1.03 alpha code but i can't find the GPS_UBLOX.pde in the folder. Do i need this GPS_UBLOX.pde so my GPS will work? I'm guessing is it the USB port do not provide enough current?
To clarify, I held a large PCB (computer motherboard) in between the ESC and the aircraft. The motherboard appeared to shield the APM from the ESC and eliminated most of the drift in the servos. Also, the drift is always in the same direction. The servos are not "twitching."
Do you have any shielding ideas that I could apply either to the ESC or the APM that might help?
I couldn't quite visualise your test setup (e.g. what you meant by "thick piece of material"); a picture might help, but in general you'll want to keep the autopilot as far away from all of your high-power circuitry as possible.
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