Using STorM32 with ArduPilot: Difference between revisions
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''The information on this page refers to firmware v2. | ''The information on this page refers to firmware v2.64e, and higher.'' | ||
The STorM32 gimbal controller can communicate with an [http://ardupilot.org/ardupilot/index.html ArduPilot] flight controller via a serial UART data link. The serial communication allows for a much richer data transmission and accordingly richer set of features than possible with the traditional connections such as PWM, PPM, SBUS, and alike. | The STorM32 gimbal controller can communicate with an [http://ardupilot.org/ardupilot/index.html ArduPilot] flight controller via a serial UART data link. The serial communication allows for a much richer data transmission and accordingly richer set of features than possible with the traditional connections such as PWM, PPM, SBUS, CRSF, and alike. | ||
If you only need the range of functionality possible with the conventional tilt & pan control, then you may not need anything of the | If you only need the range of functionality possible with the conventional tilt & pan control, then you may not need anything of the following. Some of the basic features can also be accomplished in traditional ways. Decide yourself which approach fits your needs best. :) | ||
If you want to make best use of your STorM32 gimbal and want 2020-ish capabilities, then you may want to chose [https://github.com/olliw42/BetaPilot BetaPilot] (BetaCopter/BetaPlane), | If you want to make best use of your STorM32 gimbal and want 2020-ish capabilities, then you may want to chose [https://github.com/olliw42/BetaPilot BetaPilot] (BetaCopter/BetaPlane). This fork of ArduPilot is specifically designed for the STorM32 gimbal controller, and provides the best range of functions. For details see [[Using STorM32 with BetaPilot]]. | ||
<div class="toclimit-3">__TOC__</div> | <div class="toclimit-3">__TOC__</div> | ||
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== STorM32 - ArduPilot Support == | == STorM32 - ArduPilot Support == | ||
'''''ArduPilot''''' offers | '''''ArduPilot''''' offers three mount types, which can in principle be used with the STorM32 controller: | ||
* '''''SToRM32 MAVLink''''': | * '''''SToRM32 MAVLink''''': MNTx_TYPE = 4 | ||
* '''''SToRM32 Serial''''': | * '''''SToRM32 Serial''''': MNTx_TYPE = 5 | ||
* '''''Greemsy''''': MNTx_TYPE = 6 | |||
For further details and instructions on how to use | For further details on the first two mounts, and instructions on how to use them, please visit [http://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-storm32-gimbal.html#common-storm32-gimbal| ArduPilot Docs > Copter > Optional Hardware > Camera&Gimbals > SToRM32 Gimbal Controller]. | ||
The ''SToRM32 Serial'' mount (MNTx_TYPE = 5) does not work with v2.xx firmwares, and should not be considered except for legacy I2C setups running v0.9x firmware. | |||
The ''''' | The ''Greemsy'' mount (MNTx_TYPE = 6) is MAVLink based, and thus can in principle be used with STorM32. This mount in fact exploits the 'new' gimbal messages of the [https://mavlink.io/en/services/gimbal_v2.html gimbal protocol v2], and would offer some real benefits. However, it unfortuntaley violates and breaks the MAVLink standard in various respects, and interoperability with STorM32 is thus mixed. | ||
The ''SToRM32 MAVLink'' mount (MNTx_TYPE = 4) currently appears to work best with STorM32 in the sense that it produces the least issues, but it is quite limited in its functionality. | |||
For both the ''SToRM32 MAVLink'' (MNTx_TYPE = 4) and ''Greemsy'' (MNTx_TYPE = 6) mounts, it is not fully clear what works and what does not work at the time of writing, but the ''SToRM32 MAVLink'' mount (MNTx_TYPE = 4) should work fine with respect to controlling a STorM32 gimbal. | |||
'''''Disclaimer''': ArduPilot's gimbal support is a constant source of issues, in terms of incompatibilities with the official MAVLink standard and/or flaws, and the details can quite vary with the ArduPilot firmware version. Also the ArduPilot documentation can be out-of-date. Please note that STorM32 can't do anything about this, it's ArduPilot, and please also note that the STorM32 firmware author is neither responsible for the implementation of ArduPilot's mount types nor for ArduPilot's documentation.'' | |||
== Virtual Channel Configuration == | |||
ArduPilot does not emit the RC_CHANNELS MAVLink message by default, which could be desired for taking advantage of the STorM32's virtual channel feature. | |||
It can be activated in the flight controller by setting the SRx_RC_CHAN parameter to a non-zero value, where 'x' refers to the stream associated to the serial port which is used for the MAVLink communication with the STorM32 controller. | |||
For more details on the feature see [[Using_STorM32_with_BetaPilot#Virtual_Channel_Configuration|Virtual Channel Configuration]]. | |||
<!-- | |||
== Feature Matrix == | == Feature Matrix == | ||
(to the best of the authors knowledge) | (for ArduPilot 4.2)(the status for ArduPilot 4.3 is presently unclear)(all to the best of the authors knowledge) | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||
!Feature | !Feature | ||
| Line 49: | Line 58: | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | Solo Smart Shots || style="background-color: #d2f8d2;"| x <sup>(3)|| - || - || style="background-color: #d2f8d2;"| x <sup>(3)</sup> | | style="text-align:left;" | Solo Smart Shots || style="background-color: #d2f8d2;"| x <sup>(3)|| - || - || style="background-color: #d2f8d2;"| x <sup>(3)</sup> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | Camera Manager in QGC || - || style="background-color: | | style="text-align:left;" | Camera Manager in QGC || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Parameters || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Parameters || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
| Line 55: | Line 64: | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | Video Control in Missions || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | Video Control in Missions || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | 360° Gimbal with Free Look || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | 360° Gimbal with Free Look || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | STorM32 Functions || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | STorM32 Functions || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
| Line 65: | Line 74: | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | STorM32-Link: Yaw Drift Comp. || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x <sup></sup> | | style="text-align:left;" | STorM32-Link: Yaw Drift Comp. || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x <sup></sup> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Passthrough Configuration || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Passthrough Configuration || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Camera | | style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Camera Microservice || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Advanced Features || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Advanced Features || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
| Line 73: | Line 82: | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Statustext messages || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | MAVLink Statustext messages || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | STorM32 Gimbal Protocol | | style="text-align:left;" | STorM32 Gimbal Protocol || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:left;" | Prearm Checks || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | | style="text-align:left;" | Prearm Checks || - || - || - || style="background-color: lightgreen;"| x | ||
| Line 85: | Line 94: | ||
(3) Only up to ArduCopter 3.6. ArduCopter 4.0 has introduced two bugs which the STorM32 controller cannot work around. | (3) Only up to ArduCopter 3.6. ArduCopter 4.0 has introduced two bugs which the STorM32 controller cannot work around. | ||
--> | |||
== Testing the Connection == | |||
The serial MAVLink connection can be tested in several ways. Suggestions can be found in [[Using_STorM32_with_BetaPilot#Testing_the_Connection | Using STorM32 with BetaPilot: Testing the Connection]]. They may not all work with native ArduPilot, but many will. | |||
Latest revision as of 09:00, 28 January 2024
The information on this page refers to firmware v2.64e, and higher.
The STorM32 gimbal controller can communicate with an ArduPilot flight controller via a serial UART data link. The serial communication allows for a much richer data transmission and accordingly richer set of features than possible with the traditional connections such as PWM, PPM, SBUS, CRSF, and alike.
If you only need the range of functionality possible with the conventional tilt & pan control, then you may not need anything of the following. Some of the basic features can also be accomplished in traditional ways. Decide yourself which approach fits your needs best. :)
If you want to make best use of your STorM32 gimbal and want 2020-ish capabilities, then you may want to chose BetaPilot (BetaCopter/BetaPlane). This fork of ArduPilot is specifically designed for the STorM32 gimbal controller, and provides the best range of functions. For details see Using STorM32 with BetaPilot.
STorM32 - ArduPilot Support
ArduPilot offers three mount types, which can in principle be used with the STorM32 controller:
- SToRM32 MAVLink: MNTx_TYPE = 4
- SToRM32 Serial: MNTx_TYPE = 5
- Greemsy: MNTx_TYPE = 6
For further details on the first two mounts, and instructions on how to use them, please visit ArduPilot Docs > Copter > Optional Hardware > Camera&Gimbals > SToRM32 Gimbal Controller.
The SToRM32 Serial mount (MNTx_TYPE = 5) does not work with v2.xx firmwares, and should not be considered except for legacy I2C setups running v0.9x firmware.
The Greemsy mount (MNTx_TYPE = 6) is MAVLink based, and thus can in principle be used with STorM32. This mount in fact exploits the 'new' gimbal messages of the gimbal protocol v2, and would offer some real benefits. However, it unfortuntaley violates and breaks the MAVLink standard in various respects, and interoperability with STorM32 is thus mixed.
The SToRM32 MAVLink mount (MNTx_TYPE = 4) currently appears to work best with STorM32 in the sense that it produces the least issues, but it is quite limited in its functionality.
For both the SToRM32 MAVLink (MNTx_TYPE = 4) and Greemsy (MNTx_TYPE = 6) mounts, it is not fully clear what works and what does not work at the time of writing, but the SToRM32 MAVLink mount (MNTx_TYPE = 4) should work fine with respect to controlling a STorM32 gimbal.
Disclaimer: ArduPilot's gimbal support is a constant source of issues, in terms of incompatibilities with the official MAVLink standard and/or flaws, and the details can quite vary with the ArduPilot firmware version. Also the ArduPilot documentation can be out-of-date. Please note that STorM32 can't do anything about this, it's ArduPilot, and please also note that the STorM32 firmware author is neither responsible for the implementation of ArduPilot's mount types nor for ArduPilot's documentation.
Virtual Channel Configuration
ArduPilot does not emit the RC_CHANNELS MAVLink message by default, which could be desired for taking advantage of the STorM32's virtual channel feature.
It can be activated in the flight controller by setting the SRx_RC_CHAN parameter to a non-zero value, where 'x' refers to the stream associated to the serial port which is used for the MAVLink communication with the STorM32 controller.
For more details on the feature see Virtual Channel Configuration.
Testing the Connection
The serial MAVLink connection can be tested in several ways. Suggestions can be found in Using STorM32 with BetaPilot: Testing the Connection. They may not all work with native ArduPilot, but many will.