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
Quick question, has the autopilot code been ported from the Atmega328 based ArduPilot? If so, is that source code available? I completely understand the beta nature of this device, just trying to get a understanding of it's current status.
Jordi: "Yes the [IMU] board will be sold via DIYDrones store."
Hmmm, so my strategy of waiting until both were available to avoid two lots of shipping/customs into the UK won't work then? I have to get the ArudPilot Mega from SparkFun and IMU shield from DIY Drones Store? Either that or wait for Cool Components to stock both :)
I got it guys...thanks...I think the directory structure in the zip file is wrong.
I had to put both files in this directory: APM_demo\PPM_Decoder_AT1280\PPM_decoding
They both start out one level up.
Then open the PPM_decoding file first. Both files with open up in the sketch. I have the FTDI cable powering the board, and the AVR programmer into the 1280 port.
Got a clean compile and upload. Looking good! Will hook a Tx/Rx up to it tomorrow.
quote: "@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"
I can't find a Timers.pde anywhere. It's not in the zip, it's not in the Ardupilot code....not sure what I'm missing.
When I open one of the .pde files in the zip, the Arduino IDE forces me to put it in a new sub-folder by itself.
Yes it will stack in the top. Exactly the same deal as ArduPilot V1
Roger, please let me if you see any problem with the hardware, the intention of this version is to find possible issues. But until now seems to be good so far!
Excellent work. have received the Ardupilot Mega board and just about to start work on it. When do you think you will the Shield with IMU etc. available? Will it be sold via the DIYDrone store?
Its OK that this a pre-production version since I want to really fully learn the new Ardupilot hardware and maybe try a few additional experiments. On the software side I am relatively OK having been a programmer for around 20 years.
Comments
By the way, I asked the same question a few days ago on another thread and Chris's answer can be found about 1/2 way down on this page:.
http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/ardupilot-25-release-candid...
Hmmm, so my strategy of waiting until both were available to avoid two lots of shipping/customs into the UK won't work then? I have to get the ArudPilot Mega from SparkFun and IMU shield from DIY Drones Store? Either that or wait for Cool Components to stock both :)
I had to put both files in this directory: APM_demo\PPM_Decoder_AT1280\PPM_decoding
They both start out one level up.
Then open the PPM_decoding file first. Both files with open up in the sketch. I have the FTDI cable powering the board, and the AVR programmer into the 1280 port.
Got a clean compile and upload. Looking good! Will hook a Tx/Rx up to it tomorrow.
Serial output @57600 baud:
Ch0:1500 Ch1:1500 Ch2:1500 Ch3:1500 Ch4:1500 Ch5:1500 Ch6:1500 Ch7:1500
Ch0:1500 Ch1:1500 Ch2:1500 Ch3:1500 Ch4:1500 Ch5:1500 Ch6:1500 Ch7:1500
Ch0:1500 Ch1:1500 Ch2:1500 Ch3:1500 Ch4:1500 Ch5:1500 Ch6:1500 Ch7:1500
Ch0:1500 Ch1:1500 Ch2:1500 Ch3:1500 Ch4:1500 Ch5:1500 Ch6:1500 Ch7:1500
Ch0:1500 Ch1:1500 Ch2:1500 Ch3:1500 Ch4:1500 Ch5:1500 Ch6:1500 Ch7:1500
Ch0:1500 Ch1:1500 Ch2:1500 Ch3:1500 Ch4:1500 Ch5:1500 Ch6:1500 Ch7:1500
Thanks!
Regards.
I can't find a Timers.pde anywhere. It's not in the zip, it's not in the Ardupilot code....not sure what I'm missing.
When I open one of the .pde files in the zip, the Arduino IDE forces me to put it in a new sub-folder by itself.
Not a big deal, just tinkering...
Yes it will stack in the top. Exactly the same deal as ArduPilot V1
Roger, please let me if you see any problem with the hardware, the intention of this version is to find possible issues. But until now seems to be good so far!
Yes the board will be sold via DIYDrones store.
Its OK that this a pre-production version since I want to really fully learn the new Ardupilot hardware and maybe try a few additional experiments. On the software side I am relatively OK having been a programmer for around 20 years.
Can I help in any way as a beta tester?
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