Update in 3.1.13-final

• Update to official APM:Copter release 3.1 final
• Added Radio failsafe on power loss. This enables to set up failsafe if the receiver looses power or brakes in air.

Please upgrade to this release following this link.

This release is mainly an update to the official APM:Copter 3.1 release.

This release is to be considered the final 3.1 codebase.

In the next release new exciting features will be implemented as the support for external Mag and improved outputs for PPMSUM users.

If you want to contribute or test latest revisions please follow the instructions on how to build and upload the code yourself.

For any special requests or to suggest improvements, please contact me at e.castelnuovo [at] virtualrobotix.com

Have fun and fly safe!

Emile

The VirtualRobotix Team

Update in 3.1.12-rc7

• Reworked analog driver for better performance
• Reworked I2C driver to allow External Mag. External Mag can be connected to output 7 & 8 with appropriate firmware (VRBRAIN_xxx_EXT_MAG) still not released.
• Update to SPI driver to allow External IMU to be attached to SPI connector on board 4.5
• update to latest 3.1rc7 of APM:Copter

Please upgrade to this release following this link.

This release is mainly an update to the official APM:Copter 3.1rc7 release.

The main changes regarding VRBRAIN code are related to I2C and SPI drivers that will allow us in the near future to connect an External IMU (gyro, accel and mag) using the SPI connector on the 4.5 board or to connect an External Magnetometer to the secondary I2C.

These features are still not available to users as they are under testing.

If you want to contribute or test latest revisions please follow the instructions on how to build and upload the code yourself.

For any special requests or to suggest improvements, please contact me at e.castelnuovo [at] virtualrobotix.com

Have fun and fly safe!

Emile

The VirtualRobotix Team

Update in 3.1.11

• SPI BUS speed for MPU6000 increased to 8MHz
• ENHANCEMENT of MPU6000 enabled by default (MPU6000 @ 1KHz and gyro full scale @ 1000dps)
• Update to latest 3.1rc5 of arducopter code
• Corrected bug in Dataflash log download
• Yellow led on board now show Scheduler activity.

Please upgrade to this release following this link.

The Gyro and Accels now are sampled at 1KHz instead of 200Hz and main loop averages 10 samples every main loop.

This has imprved flight performance, but it is still in test, so use accordingly. With this version you can try to rise the INS_FILTER partameter to 42Hz or 98Hz, but you must have vibration under control.

Have fun and fly safe!

The VirtualRobotix Team

This is an important release because it fixes random freezes of boards due to interrupt priorities.

Please upgrade to this release following this link.

Also a new Enhanced version has been published, this has a increased MPU6000 driver.

The Gyro and Accels now are sampled at 1KHz instead of 200Hz and main loop averages 10 samples every main loop.

This has imprved flight performance, but it is still in test, so use accordingly. With this version you can try to rise the INS_FILTER partameter to 42Hz or 98Hz, but you must have vibration under control.

Have fun and fly safe!

The VirtualRobotix Team

A new group has been created to help us support you on any question regarding developing, using and configuring your VRBRAIN.

This is the address of the new group.

You are more than welcome to join. It is a mailing list group, so all posts will be mailed to you instantly once you subscribe.

Have fun and fly safe!

https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/vrbrain-dev

The VirtualRobotix Team

Today the 3.1.3-alpha was released in the Firmware 3.0 download page.

This release adds

• New 1KHz sensor update for the MPU6000 (gyro and accels run 5 times faster).
  • This enables us to have 10 samples averaged for every main stabilization loop. In the next release we will slightly increase loop speed up to 200Hz or 250Hz
• Increase gyro sensitivity to 1000 degree per second compared to the old 2000 dps.
  • The MPU6000 has a full scale range selectable of 250,500,1000 and 2000 dps(degree per second). The default has been lowered to 1000dps this give more sensitivity the the stabilization algorithm. The vibrations, though, should be reduced at minimum for better performance.
• Corrected LED behaviour so one the the two leds replicates GPS status (LED_MODE 123)
  • PIN 11 and 12 now represent ARMING and GPS if the LED_MODE in full parameters is set to 123. LEDs blink when waypoint is reached.
• Corrected relay and daflash pin mode.Relay now can be used by selectin the right pin (LED PIN) in the config.h 
• Re-Written input and output functions so they use internal ARM functionality for PWM input (radio) and output (ESC)
• Many changes to internal scheduler so that now it runs functions in a much more consistent way
• Updates to the official APM:Copter 3.1 repository

This is still an alpha version, so please use with caution. Make all preflight tests and be safe for first flights.

If you have any problems please use this group to post your questions and get answers:

https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/vrbrain-dev

Please visit this page for more information on the download.

The VirtualRobotix Team.

Today the 3.1-DEV was released in the Firmware 3.0 download page.

This release adds

• PPMSUM (selectable by shorting PIN2 and PIN3 of the input rail)
• The ability to arm and disarm in LOITER and ALTITUDE_HOLD modes.
• Sonar driver
• and many small code improvements.

Please visit this page for more information.

The VirtualRobotix Team.

This is the latest release. It fixes a few bugs in writing EEPROM waypoints.

It has been fully tested and works great, but please be sure you have a good anti vibration sytem if you want the best out of ALT_HOLD.

As alway you should verify that your parameters are correct, and in case reset them and redo first time setup calibration: Radio, Accels and compass.

Emile

This release addresses problems with 3DR radio telemetry.

Therre is also a slight improvement in the I2C communication with Compass and EEPROM.

Also changed the behaviour of the RTL so that it keeps Yaw where it is pointinjg and does not try to point home.

You can find the firmware in the 2.9.1.1 page.

Enjoy and fly safe!

This is an old release!

Please use the latest firmware that you can find in the download section

Addressed some small bugs for EEPROM writes.

Corrected a bug where some boards with high accel offset were not able to complete calibration.

Follow these instructions: Upload Firmware or go directly to http://code.google.com/p/vrbrain/downloads/list to get the dfu files.

Please follow Official Arducopter release notes for more info on this release:

http://www.diydrones.com/forum/topics/arducopter-2-9-released

Have fun and fly safe!

For any problems or suggestions, please write here.