Hello all,
After some field testing, i'm finally ready to release a copy of the Android based, bluetooth GCS for ArduCopter into the wild.
For all the details go to the site.
Its available in 3 ways:
- Install from Android Market ($5, largely to offset publishing costs/support development) Copter-GCS
- Install the APK from the download section (Free)
- Build from source, following these instuctions.
The reason for the market version is for those who would like to just install in the easiest way possible / receive automatic updates or would like to support development costs (thanks you) such as the fee required to publish on the market.
Current features:
- GPS plotting of phone and GPS, quad path rendering and logging of the track to the SD card.
- Sensor graphing
- Status display, such as current mode and GPS state
- Setup
- PID Tuning
- Accelerometer Offsets, both traditional and using the drift direction
- Transmitter Calibration
Let me know how it works for those that try :)
Bart.
Comments
Bart uses bluesmirf bluetooth module from sparkfun (64$). Anyone using cheaper alternatives like this one (20$)? Any cons?
http://www.blueskyrc.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath...
Anyone can confirm this?
My xbee is not working at the moment, so I think if it would be possible to connect the bluetooth module directly to telemetry port in APM and be able to interact with APM in the bluetooth range area (maybe 10m). Usefull at least to tune PIDS....
@Peter
I have the stubs in place for MAVLink, but the past two weeks have turned out to hectic with work, so I haven't fleshed them out yet. Fear not, I am looking to move to AC2 for my own copter as well, so it is certainly coming. I'll try to make time ASAP.
@Bart
Sorry i didn't see your post 4 above mine. :-)
Can yout tell me something about the state to integrate AC2/Mavlink?
@Bart
I really like your work, but i'm using the MeadPirate Project and the MavLink protocol.
Your act. Version doesn't support MavLink, or do i'm something wrong?
In the Source I can't see the MavLink Parser.
do you want to integrate tehe MavLink Parser?
I built one cheap Bt2Xbee bridge using some stuff from seeedstudio.
1. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/bees-shield-p-672.html
2. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/bluetooth-bee-p-598.html
3. http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/solar-charger-shield-p-594.html -- Not really necessary, but I want solar power+battery :P
And the xbee module!
I just wired TX/RX from one to other, and I already can connect with APM Planner through BT... w´ll post photos latter
Now I´m searching for one case to fit it and waiting MAVLink Support.
Very Nice work Bart!
As for the WIFI, that is also possible, but would require more work, as the background service is written with bluetooth in mind. With some effort though, it would be possible to switch to WIFI. However, I will focus on features not requiring a laptop to be present for now.
@Chris At the moment it is only older protocol, but I've written it with selectable protocol in mind. As soon as I load the AC2 code, I will add MAVLink support (likely will get started on that today, but will have to test first).
@Ken/Ethan Yes, the idea was to remove the laptop altogether. It is certainly possible to have it connect to a laptop instead, as long as it sends the same protocol/you add your own protocol. As Ethan said though, I didn't want to add any hardware on the phone or bring a laptop with me. However, the suggestion to mount it to the transmitter is good, certainly would make it easier to use, as right now I set in on a bench/pocket
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