stick Stick

In this section, the stick configuration on 1x PDI Builder is explained.

This menu allows the user to set up to four transmitters and one virtual stick. The autopilot’s capabilities allows it to receive information from four different transmitters at the same time plus transforming some values into a virtual stick.

The content presented in the next menus covers:

  • Setting of the transmitter’s parameters.

  • Definition of exponential response-curves for the desired channels.

  • Trimming of the channels’ neutral position.

  • Setting of the data receiving port on the autopilot.

  • Definition of a virtual stick.

Transmitter (1-4)

The wired connected transmitters are configured through the following panels.

PPM

This panel provides the options to configure a Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) radio controller to control the platform fitted with the autopilot.

../../_images/stick_ppm.png

PPM panel

  • Brand, Model and Channels: 1x PDI Builder has been configured to provide the user with the expected parameters to configure different transmitters models.

    Brand

    Models

    Channels

    Futaba

    8J/10J/12K/14SG

    8 (for 8J and 10J)

    12 (for 12K and 14SG)

    T18SZ

    8

    Jeti

    DC 16/DC 24

    16

    FrSky

    Taranis X9D

    8

    Horus X12S

    8

    TBS

    Crossfire

    8

    Embention

    Stick Expander

    16

    Custom

    -

    -

    • Custom: If the user’s transmitter is not among those mentioned above, choose this option and replace the parameter values with the appropriate ones.

  • Pulse polarity: Indicates the pulse polarity:

    • Positive: Default signal is low and goes up to high.

    • Negative: Default signal is high and goes down to low.

  • Sync time: Minimum time on the PPM output till the next frame. It tells the receiver to reset its channel counter.

  • Minimum/Maximum pulse: Pulse length, it depends on the system and it is a constant value (usually 0.2-0.5 ms).

  • Position

    • Minimum/Maximum accepted: Pulse length accepted for each channel. Standard for R/C servos uses a pulse of 1 ms for the maximum position at one end, 1.5 ms for the midpoint and 2 ms for the maximum position at the opposite end.

    • Minimum/Maximum encoded: If there is noise and the signal is varying around the minimum/maximum values accepted, Autopilot 1x will encode those values to the ones set here. For instance, a pulse length between 0.8-0.9 ms will be considered as one of 0.9 ms.

    • Channels: Sets the number of channels accepted. Besides, it is possible to Disable/Enable/Filter each channel individually.

  • Non linear low pass filter

    • Minimum/Maximum delta: Default parameters are recommended.

    • Minimum/Maximum delta alpha: Default parameters are recommended.

The figure below shows the PPM signal that arrives to Veronte Autopilot 1x:

../../_images/ppm_explanation.png

PPM signal

Exponential

The second panel allows the user to define an exponential stick response for every channel.

The allowed inputs range from 0 to 1 and there is a graph showing the generated response curve, as can be seen in the figure below.

../../_images/stick_exponential.png

Exponential panel

The X axis of the graph corresponds to the stick input and the Y axis is the result of applying the exponential function to that stick input.

Trim

By enabling the Avanced option, the user can set the expected trim values manually. The user should have a deep knowledge on its transmitter if this option is selected.

Finally, on the right hand side, the Reset button puts every parameter back to 0.

../../_images/stick_trim.png

Trim panel

Output

In this panel the user sets the receiving port and process the incoming commands. Once the stick has been configured, the commands that arrive at the ground autopilot have to be sent to the air unit.

../../_images/stick_output_gnd.png

Output panel

In this menu, the following parameters can be configured:

  • Enable.

  • Initial Channel at destination: The user indicates to which channel of the air autopilot will be sent the first channel received in the ground unit. The channels arrive at the platform in order and without spaces between them.

    For example, if at the GND channels 6,7,8,9 and 10 are enabled, the AIR will receive channels 1,2,3,4 and 5. Therefore channel 6 of the stick will be channel 1 in the AIR configuration.

  • Port: If more than one transmitter is configured, each transmitter must be configured on a different port. This has to match the port set on the air unit.

  • Remote: It has to be enabled if the user wants to allow the delivery of the commands to the platform.

    • UAV: The address of the UAV that receive the commands has to be indicated. The following options are available:

      • App 2: Veronte applications address.

      • Broadcast: The commands are sent to all units on the network. We recommend this option.

      • Veronte v4.X XXXX: The address of a specific air unit.

    • Min period: As the period is the inverse of the frequency, this is the maximum frequency. Therefore, to give the pilot more control, this is the frequency that is set when the stick is commanding. We recommend 0.02s.

    • Max period: As the period is the inverse of the frequency, this is the minimum frequency. Thus, to free up bandwidth, this is the frequency that is set when the stick is idle. We recommend 0.2s.

    • Delta: This parameter determines whether the frequency is set to the minimum or maximum period set above.

      If Autopilot 1x detects a change above the delta value, the frequency goes to the maximum frequency (minimum period). While if the changes are less than this value, it switches to the minimum frequency (maximum period). We recommend 10.

Note

An example of the Stick integration can be found in the Integration examples section of this manual.

Virtual Stick

In this panel a virtual stick can be defined. It can be useful when:

  • Testing the autopilot configuration (not flight tests).

  • Using a USB stick. Please find more information about this in the USB joystick - Integration examples section of this manual.

  • The information of a stick is received through a different channel than PPM, so that the virtual stick will process that information and input it into the system.

../../_images/virtual_stick.png

Virtual Stick - Input Variable panel

In this panel the user can configure:

  • Enable Virtual Stick

  • Input variable: Place here the variables containing the stick information. It is not necessary when using a USB joystick or simply virtual stick.

  • Update period: Configure the period required. We recommend 0.02 s.

In addition, a virtual stick widget must be configured in Veronte Ops. Please find more information in the Stick - Inputs widgets section of the Veronte Ops manual.

The panels Trim, Exponential and Output are the same as the Transmitter ones, so refer to the Transmitter section for more information.

Note

An example of the Virtual stick integration can be found in the Integration examples section of this manual.