ArduIMU

Tiny13 w/IMU

TWOG w/IMU

This page describes how to integrate an ArduIMU+ V2 (flat) into an existing Airframe/Paparazzi-Code.

1. The ArduIMU communicates over i2c with the Paparazzi-AP. The wiring is pretty easy to do. Connect SDA, SCL, ground and supply the IMU with 5V. Do not connect 3.3V from the Paparazzi-AP to the ArduIMU as it internally generates it's own stable 3.3v supply.
2. Integration into the Paparazzi software is realized as a module. This is an easy way to connect and test the software.
3. This description shows how to use the ArduIMU without a separate GPS-Receiver and without a Compass/Magnetometer. The GPS-Data is sent by the Paparazzi-AP over i2c to the ArduIMU.
4. There is an other airframe/main-AP we wrote which uses a magnetometer for yaw-drift compensation. We haven't written an installation guide for this configuration yet. But we will try to do this as soon as possible.

The Code has been integrated into the Paparazzi build system.

Airframe Adjustments

First, remove the infrared configuration and substitute the IMU configuration (which uses I2C) as follows :

In your airframe file (found usually in conf/airframes with a name like "MyAirframe.xml")

• (1) Insert the software module :

<modules>
  <load name="ins_arduimu.xml"/>
</modules>

• (2) Activate the "i2c" subsystem / peripheral :

<target name="ap"    board="...">
          ...
  <define name="USE_I2C0"/>
</target>
<subsystem name="i2c"/> 

• (3) Insert INS neutrals :

<section name="INS" prefix="INS_">
  <define name="ROLL_NEUTRAL_DEFAULT" value="0" unit="deg"/>
  <define name="PITCH_NEUTRAL_DEFAULT" value="0" unit="deg"/>
</section>

• (4) Remove the infrared estimation :

remove the line that looks like the following:
<subsystem name="attitude"         type="infrared"/>

TODO: link to sample working airframe in git

Aircraft Settings

• (5) Use this Settings file: settings/tuning_basic_ins.xml

Magnetometer (Ignore for now)

TODO: post Magnetometer integration guide

Flash the ArduIMU

(6) Programming the ArduIMU for use with the Tiny includes using :

1. Adapted software in sw/airborne/firmwares/non_ap/arduimu_Firmware_WithGps.
2. Standard USB FTDI cable plugged into the header that comes with the arduimu (Match the wire colors with those written on the arduimu silkscreen GRN=Green BLK=Black)

Steps:

• Plug in USB FTDI Cable to PC and ArduIMU (this also provides power)

• On ubuntu 10.04 installation of the arduino software is as simple as :

 $ sudo apt-get install arduino

• Now launch the arduino IDE :

 $ arduino

(TODO: Using the graphical interface is probably not necessary as the flashing seems to use avrdude command line utility)

• open project/sketch (File->open , point to paparazzi/sw/airborne/firmwares/non_ap/arduimu_Firmware_WithGps/arduimu/arduime.pde)

• clicking "verify" button compiles

• clicking "upload" button flashes (may need to select your com port in menu Tools->Serial Port)

For more information concerning flashing of the ArduIMU, read: http://code.google.com/p/ardu-imu/wiki/Code

Do we still need this or is everything in git now?

You can find the original ZHAW code here.

Install and test the ArduIMU

• The current firmware does not implement a full rotation matrix calculation and instead assumes that the arduimu's "x" axis is aligned with the fuselage. When installing the device in your aircraft be sure to respect this constraint.

• Clean and build your aircraft target in paparazzi center and flash your Tiny as usual

• With your GCS session running, you should see attitudes messages including the new messages "xxx" and " xxx"

File:Arduimu gcs messages.png

Hardware Considerations

So far, this setup has been successfully flown in the Maja and EasyStar aircraft. For faster more agile aircraft such as the Merlin or Funjet, the polling rate needs to be changed from 15 Hz to 40 Hz in the /conf/modules/ins_arduimu.xml file.

Here's the diff showing where to change the rate value :

--- a/conf/modules/ins_arduimu.xml
+++ b/conf/modules/ins_arduimu.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     <file name="ins_arduimu.h"/>
   </header>
   <init fun="ArduIMU_init()"/>
-  <periodic fun="ArduIMU_periodic()" freq="15" autorun="TRUE"/>                <!-- 15 ist soll -->
+  <periodic fun="ArduIMU_periodic()" freq="60" autorun="TRUE"/>                <!-- 15 ist soll -->
   <periodic fun="ArduIMU_periodicGPS()" freq="8" autorun="TRUE"/>       <!--  8 ist soll -->
   <makefile target="ap">
     <file name="ins_arduimu.c"/>

The ArduIMU is sensitive to vibrations. Mount it on a thick piece of foam to dampen the vibrations.

Have Fun !

Analysis and Results

TODO: Compare IR and arduimu estimations for various flight conditions TODO: Fuse the two estimates together for robustness?

Please Post Results Here... Issues?