Posted by Jordi Muñoz on January 22, 2010 at 2:30pm
I know some of you want to help and also for those that can't wait to put their hand's on the ArduPilotMega board here is your opportunity: You can be a Beta tester!The final version of the board will almost the same, just some small corrections like an extra set of resistors pads i added just in case that will be removed in the final version, right now are just bypassed.The requirements for being a beta tester are:-Have and know how to use an AVR ISCP Programmer (i recommend the AVRISP MKII), to upload new HEX's just in case we decide to change the PPM encoder firmware.-Windows XP/Vista/7.-Have a FTDI cable programmer.-Know how to use Arduino Environment and some basic programming skills.-Have a clue what digital electronics means (If you are a regular user or a certified noob, i don't recommend this board to you right now).-Willing to share your experience!-Have $38.90 dlls $44.90, i'm giving the board almost to the production cost (for low quantity's). The final version may cost up to $65 dlls!If you are ok with all this, you are welcome to get one board right now:http://store.diydrones.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BR-ArduPilotMega-01The boards come with firmware (for AT328) and bootloader (for AT1280).I will be posting news&updates on the comments.I have a basic firmware that reads and decodes the PPM signal and display the 8ch PWM's into the terminal:APM_demo.zipThe folder "PPM_Decoder_AT1280" is located the code for Arduino IDE. On the folder "PPM_Enconder_AT328" is the firmware for the PPM enconder, if you have Windows and the AVRISP MKII just double click on the .bat file and press any key and it will upload the hex to the board, make sure to connect your programmer on the "AT328 port".PPM Encoder configuration:-MUX is controlled by input CH5.-Throttle FailSafe is input CH3 (Futaba).The Eagle Files of the Board are here:ArduPilotMega_v10.brdArduPilotMega_v10.sch
@John_C: Use Arduino IDE to compile PPM_decoding.pde and Timers.pde (both in same folder) and make sure you have selected Tools>Board>Arduino Mega (for the ATmega1280).....note do not mix in any of the ap_apm_ files...they are for the atmega328. Make sure your programming cable is in the ATmega1280 programming port to upload the new "sketch"
Jordi,
It looks like you are already out of boards (QTY=0 on the Store webpage) but I wondered what we can do without the IMU shield anyway. Also, is the airspeed pressure sensor on the shield as well?
I'm sorely tempted by this as I've been putting off buying into the existing kit. Can you detail more about what will eventually be required to get up in the air? I assume this is the basic board (much like the original ArduPilot) and will need a GPS and IMU adding? I'm tempted to wait until I can get the whole lot in one go to save on shipping and import costs - the courier's customs handling fees importing into the UK really stuff doing it any other way.
We don't want the average user to touch the At328. As a failsafe, it should be a black box, so that no matter how much you mess up the code for the main CPU, you'll still be able to regain control. Power users who really know what they're doing will be able to program it with and AVR programmer, but those with just a FTDI cable won't be tempted to fiddle with it.
Comments
Thanks for the guidance Michael, I'll give it a whirl.
Having a hard time compiling the APM demo.
In function 'void Init_PPM_PWM4()':
error: 'TCCR4A' was not declared in this scope In function 'void TIMER4_CAPT_vect()':
In function 'void loop()':
Great looking board though!
Thanks for the open-beta, though
It looks like you are already out of boards (QTY=0 on the Store webpage) but I wondered what we can do without the IMU shield anyway. Also, is the airspeed pressure sensor on the shield as well?
We don't want the average user to touch the At328. As a failsafe, it should be a black box, so that no matter how much you mess up the code for the main CPU, you'll still be able to regain control. Power users who really know what they're doing will be able to program it with and AVR programmer, but those with just a FTDI cable won't be tempted to fiddle with it.
In short, it's a very intentional safety measure.
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