Replies to This Discussion

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Dr Mike Black on June 4, 2010 at 12:14pm

Thats great news Chris, HK is a clever old bugger

And thanks for the effore put in

We will wait in anticipation. congrats

Regards,

Mike.

Oh ironically, after fixing y ublox, the new ones arrived today from SF..

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Permalink Reply by Jim on June 4, 2010 at 3:31pm

Hi Mike, Chris and Doug.

I know that this thread is now pretty much closed considering HappyKillmore's work on the NMEA, but as a discussion it's super relevant to me because I have exactly the same hardware set-up as Dr Mike, including the same GPS. (Locosys 200031). The only difference here is that I'm an absolute total newb with ardupilot and Mike has a raft of experience with flying previous versions.

As I mentioned, I have exactly the same kit, IMU v2, Shield V2, LS200031, and AP, but I've never flown it yet. I'm currently trying to work out how I'm going to fit it into my airframe (a Kyosho Cessna180ep with ailerons). I also have to setup a simulation environmet, perhaps even with hardware in the loop. I'm also reading through the code to get familiar.with it (fortunately I am quite comfortable with programming in processing and with Arduinos).

With this in mind, I'd like to offer my services to help test or double check anything with mike's setup as I can duplicate it exactly (on the ground). I also have a couple of questions related to things mentioned in this thread.

Chris, you mentioned that your supplier of Locosys gps units was working on implementing a super efficient binary protocol. Do you know if this will be in the form of a firmware that can be flashed to existing units, or just a new revision of the whole package? I ask because when i bought my LS200031, I was going to to get the 10hz model, but the retailer advised me that although it was hardware identical to the 5hz model, the 10hz firmware was a bit flakey and unsupported. This always led me to believe that these GPS units were firmware upgradable, possible at the consumer end.

Mike, you suggested you had a large number of uBlox coming in (now arrived) with the intention of selling them in the UK. Can you send me details of your store? I only know of one ardupilot stockist in the UK and some competion could only be a good thing :)

Jim

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on June 4, 2010 at 4:01pm

Jim, we don't use the Locosys GPS units. We use these units, based on a different Mediatek chipset.

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Dr Mike Black on June 5, 2010 at 9:08am

HI Guys,

Jim...

Yes they finally came in yesterday.....along with ardupilot boards, Megas on order..

now finally got time to finish populating the rest of the sections.....

I have not mentioned it yet, but our store is, if ordering from UK or Europe http://www.easyuav.com

Will be ordering the Mediatek Units shortly also, there will be a wait in delivery.

Also in ref to the previous comment....the more i try to use the Locosys GPS..the more i dislike it...alt hold it awful, and if you transpose the Lat/Long the drift when stationary is up to 100m..even out doors...

So even though it outputs at 5hz..what good is that if its highly inaccurate!, so you get the error 5 times a second instead of once! :~) I wish now i hadnt bought them....it will get you flying...but IMHO you wont get good results on tracking or alt. might be fine in a boat or car though....

The ublox is superb....been testing again this afternoon.....3 flights for success..(sorting gains) with a nailed together crashed ublox!

Chris, where would i advertise the proper opening of our site, so as not to upset anyone?

regards,

Mike.

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Dr Mike Black on June 5, 2010 at 9:29am

Oh i nearly forgot....thought i would give you guys a laugh!

As one Arnold J Rimmer once said...'Needs must as the devil drives! (whilst cowering behind a bunch of boxes)' (Uk people will know who Rimmer is!)

Its amazing what you can do with bit of frustration, a lolly pop stick, a drop of hotglue, and a bit of maths!

works like new! (Oddly!)

regards,

Mike.

Attachments:

• ubloxknacked (1).jpg, 26 KB
• ubloxknacked (2).jpg, 26 KB

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on June 5, 2010 at 11:17am

Mike, you're an active and contributing member of the community, so any posting here on your work and company would be very welcome. Feel free to create a blog post telling us about the opening. It ain't spam if it comes from someone who has participated as enthusiastically and positively as you.

(And that goes for anyone else here--the more you participate, the more you should feel free to promote your own efforts. Once you've earned the respect of the community, that karma is like a bank account that you can draw on. The moderators, since they know who you are, will approve the posts and people will tend to respond positively. Social capital works!)

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Dr Mike Black on June 6, 2010 at 9:31am

A sincere thanks for that Chris.

I will compose a blog in the not too distant, and post.

Just a note of joy....

4 flights today.....hit all waypoints first time.....everytime....in a grubby foggy sky....that would never happen with thermos...

Superb work has been done here by all!

Many thanks.

regards,

Mike.

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