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ArduPilot Pro home page

Posted by Chris Anderson on June 23, 2008 at 4:30pm

[UPDATE Jan, 2009: The description below is our original conception of ArduPilot Pro. However, we were able to achieve all of these features with the basic ArduPilot, so we are now reconsidering what additional features to add to a future dual-core ArduPilot. Things we are considering include SD-card datalogging and on-screen displays for first-person view flying. In the meantime, the below is provided as a reference platform for a dual-core Arduino-compatible autopilot, but should not be viewed as a forthcoming product as described here.] ArduPilot Pro is a low-cost, full-function autopilot based on the open source Arduino platform. It incorporates two Atmega 168 processors (for navigation and stabilization) and one ATTiny45 processor (for the failsafe) onto one board, along with a GPS module. It has all the functionality of the basic ArduPilot, but includes its own thermopile sensors and processing so it does not require a third-party stabilization unit. The thermopile sensors are on two daughterboards, one with four sensors for X-Y axis stabilization, and the other with two sensors along the z axis for calibration and upright/inverted orientation. These are modeled after the open source Paparazzi sensors. ArduPilot Pro will eventually be available as a commercial kit. At the moment it is a development project with the aim of going into beta in mid-2009. Basics:
  • If you want to build your own, the necessary files and component lists are here.
  • Autopilot code (for the board's two main processors, Atmega168s) is in development and will be posted here.
  • Latest multiplexer code (for the board's third processor, an Attiny, which runs the failsafe system) is here. (If all you want is to load our code, rather than modify it, just use AVR Studio to burn the antifail_system.hex file in the Default folder to the Attiny chip)
The following is a chronological list of posts describing the development of the project. Unless you're very keen to get started on this before it's released as a commercial project, we do not recommend that you order these boards, since they're sure to have some bugs. But if you're interested in autopilot development and want to know more about ArduPilot features, they will give you some insight into the evolution of this project.
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Comments

  • Azeem malik September 24, 2008 at 9:46am
    Is there a better way to do the stabilization like BTA-06 or 07
    It will be a good idea to combine Ardupilot with BTA- 07
  • NorthSweden September 11, 2008 at 10:05am
    i see.

    hope it will fit.

    take care
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson September 9, 2008 at 6:40pm
    Yes, ArduPilot will fit in the Predator. Not sure about ArduPilot Pro, since we haven't finalized that board yet.
  • NorthSweden September 9, 2008 at 1:33pm
    haha i mean predator. sorry
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson September 8, 2008 at 4:20pm
    We haven't released the final PCB but it's 1.75" x 1.2".

    I don't know what a raptor is. Do you have a link?
  • NorthSweden September 8, 2008 at 4:06pm
    Hello

    How big is the PCB?

    Will it fit into the cockpit of the raptor airframe?
This reply was deleted.