Comments

• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III September 16, 2013 at 7:09am

  Hi All,

  Tridge and I have been testing the latest ArduRover2 L1 code and we are nearing a beta release. Tridge has been improving the steering function PID controller code and has made the D term multiplication value a function of rover speed. We believe that this will greatly improve the steering function at both high and low speeds and allow the use of a NAV_PERIOD value that is suitable for both straights and chicanes.

  During my recent testing I found that I had to shutdown and power up my APM after each change in a rover parameter when using the MP with the 3DR telemetry radio link. An investigation by Tridge determined that there was a bug in the GCS Fail Safe section of the ArduRover2 code which Tridge quickly corrected. He also found a minor problem in the MP that causes the MP to reduce the number of heartbeat packets during a parameter upload and can put the APM into the HOLD mode if it is initially in the MANUAL mode. He has alerted Michael Oborne to this issue for correction in a future update of the MP.

  Regards,

  TCIII ArduRover2 Developer
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III September 10, 2013 at 5:57pm

  Hi All,

  During this last Sunday's ArduRover2 code hacking hangout Tridge added a PID steering function to the L1 code that allows the steering to be self correcting/adjusting. This will allow for automatic correction of the steering servo output for rovers that have substantial amounts of play in the steering linkage. This new function negates the need to determine the TURNING_CIRCLE parameter.

  The L1 code development is still a work in progress. I believe that we can foresee a time when a vehicle's operational parameters can be automatically tuned by driving the vehicle around a specified course.

  Regards,

  TCIII ArduRover2 Developer  
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III August 19, 2013 at 5:33am

  Hi All,

  During this last Sunday's ArduRover2 code hacking hangout Tridge discovered that the vehicle cruise speed was being doubled in the steering mode code. So a slight code correction was generated to correct this issue.

  The L1 code development is still in progress. Tridge has corrected a distance measurement accuracy error in the L1 code and we are now evaluating its affect on vehicle performance in chicane types of waypoints. This change should allow for a larger L1_PERIOD value which will reduce dithering on long straight aways, but give accurate steering in the chicanes.

  Also, Tridge is developing a way of accurately determining a vehicle's TURING_CIRCLE parameter which is very critical in maximizing a vehicle's speed and accuracy in a commanded turn. Tridge hopes to automate this parameter calculation process in the future. I believe that we can foresee a time when a vehicle's operational parameters can be automatically tuned by driving the vehicle around a specified course.

  Regards,

  TCIII ArduRover2 Developer  
• jraulj August 12, 2013 at 6:51pm

  thank you.

  I will try changing this settings
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III August 11, 2013 at 5:30am

  @jraulj,

  Here is a list of the ArduRover2 parameters and their descriptions: http://rover.ardupilot.com/wiki/advanced_parameter_list/

  The parameters that affect the rover speed are CRUISE_THROTTLE and CRUISE_SPEED. You can use those two parameters to adjust the speed of your rover in the Auto Mode. They have no affect on the rover velocity in the Manual Mode. Your transmitter elevator joystick controls the rover speed in the manual mode.

  Regards,

  TCIII
• Robert Scheer August 10, 2013 at 8:29pm

  I'm new to the group and don't yet have a working vehicle but it seems obvious how to reduce the speed.  Perhaps you could share a bit more info if you expect people to spend time trying to help.
• jraulj August 10, 2013 at 7:26pm

  Can some one  please tell me how to slowdown  the speed of the rover significantly.(very slow) on the new mission planner . I keep bumping into cars and alarms are going off, in my neighborhood
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III July 14, 2013 at 5:52pm

  Hi All,

  Tridge has updated and enabled the camera gimbal stabilization code for the APM2.x in the latest 2.43 beta2 release that can be found here: https://github.com/diydrones/ardupilot .

  Any member who wishes to use a stabilized camera gimbal on a rover is encouraged to try out this beta2 release and report back your experience with this new functionality.

  Regards,

  TCIII ArduRover2 Developer
• 

  MVeloso July 12, 2013 at 8:59am

  @ Thomas.

  Done!

  Solar ArduRover on:

  http://diydrones.com/group/ardurover-user-group/forum/topics/solar-...

   

  Regards.

   

  Manuel Veloso
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III July 12, 2013 at 4:01am

  @MVeloso,

  Good idea. A discussion thread concerning your unique rover will allow you to greatly expand the documentation of your project.

  Regards,

  TCIII