PIXHAWK FAQ
Q: How to set auto flight by following the waypoints in Mission Planner?
A: The setting steps can follow this manual by click the link below:
Q: How to set parameters if use PIXHAWK connect to the QuadPlane?
A: The setting steps can follow this manual by click the link below:
Q: Why the FC fails to be armed and keeps alarming?
A:
1) If armed indoor, make sure the flight mode of the transmitter is set as Altitude Mode or Manual Mode. Never set the flight mode as Position Hold Mode nor Loiter Mode, which need GPS to functions. If arm the flight controller indoor with the Position Hold Mode, please wait for 1 minute until the stars quantity GPS searches reaches 12 or more after the aircraft is powered on and the position accuracy will be higher.
2) The geomagnetism may change and result in impossible arming even the aircraft debugging went well before. Problem can be solved by holding the aircraft and following the steps in RadioLink Mission Planner to do another geomagnetic calibration.
3) When the aircraft is powered on, listen to the music tone when flight controller is doing self-check. When the self-check is done with success, press the safety button to arm the aircraft. The arming may fail as well if press the safety button too soon.
If the above three causes have been checked and the FC still can't be armed, please connect it to the RadioLink Mission Planner to check other possibility or send mails to after_service@radiolink.com.cn for tech support.
Q: Why there's no data displays when FC connects to the RadioLink Mission Planner?
A: Connect the RadioLink Mission Planner to flash the latest firmware. If it's notified that the latest firmware is already exist, flash again by changing another model e.g. ACROBATICS . If the problem still cannot be solved, it's probably the barometer is broken. Please send mails to after_service@radiolink.com.cn to furthur confirm and ask for accessory purchase.
Q: Why there's Bad AHRS notice when connecting FC to RadioLink Mission Planner?
A: When the FC is powered on, level it and remain still for a while, the notice should disappear. This notice usually appears in ACROBATICS firmware.
Q: Why there's Compass Variances notice when connecting FC to RadioLink Mission Planner?
A: It's probably because of large disturbance. Remove all possible disturbances such as metal parts on aircraft frame. compass and GPS signal. If the notice is still there, calibrate the compass and repower it on afterwards.
Q: What should I do when I encounter any of the below three problems?
1) The connection time between FC and RadioLink Mission Planner is long;
2) Neither option of Load custom firmware or Pick previous firmware is available at the interface of INSTALL FIRMWARE in the INITIAL SETUP sheet;
3) No option of ALL PARAMETER in the CONFIG/TUNING sheet.
A: When any of the above three problems encountered during the connection to RadioLink Mission Planner and trying to flash the latest firmwares, modify LAYOUT from BASIC TO ADVANCED as below shown
Q: How to turn off FC auto checking and arm it directly with transmitter?
A: Set the ARMING_CHECK in Full Parameter List in RadioLink Mission Planner as 0.
Q: Is it OK to keep the direction of arrow on FC different from the aircraft head?
A: Yes. Just remember to change the corresponding direction at AHRS_ORIENTATION 17 in Full Parameter List .
Q: Can I remove the step of arming FC by pressing the safety button as this step has been set as factory default?
A: Yes. Search BRD_SAFETYENABLE at the right column in Full Parameter List interface and set it as 0.
Q: What does COMPASSRARIANCE mean when connecting FC to RadioLink Mission Planner?
A: It means that there's problem about the compass. It can be solved by either calibrating the compass or removing possible disturbance resources to the compass.
Q: Why FC cannot be armed?
A: Firstly check if the throttle phase of the transmitter is reversed. If it's not the problem of throttle phase, check what notice popping out in the RadioLink Mission Planner. Follow the notice and the problem can be solved accordingly.
Q: How much memory is in PIXHAWK?
A: The basic frequency memory of PIXHAWK is 180MHz, the RAM memory of PIXHAWK is 260K, and the Flash memory is 2MB.
Q: The aircraft descend speed is too high with the default value. Can this parameter be modified?
A: Yes. This parameter can be modified at LAND_SPEED with the minimum speed as 30cm/s.
Q: When connect open-sourced PIXHAWK with Radiolink ultrasensor module SU04, the module functions well at Alt-Hold Mode. But the aircraft flies to left when toggle the joystick forward at Loiter Mode. Why is that?
A: This is the firmware problem and it can be solved by flashing firmware of V3.6 or above.
Q: Why my computer cannot identify the USB port of the FC after flashing the firmware?
A: It is because the hardwares of Turbo Pix and Mini Pix have been upgraded. FC of V2.0 can ONLY flash firmware with the latest RadioLink Mission Planner V1.3.50. But FC of V1.0 can flash firmware with RadioLink Mission Planner either of V1.3.49 or V1.3.50.
Q: Why the indicator on FC stays red after it's powered on?
A: There are two possible reasons
1) The memory card is not well inserted or doesn't function.
2) The firmwares need to be flashed.
Q: Is PIXHAWK compatible with the firmware of PIXHWAK4?
A: No, it’s not compatible because the firmware is different.
RadioLink flight controller PIXHAWK, Mini Pix and TURBO PiX are compatible with the firmware from APM only.
Q: How to know if PIXHAWK is compatible with my receiver?
A: PIXHAWK supports PPM and SBUS signal input. So Mini Pix is compatible with receivers which support PPM and SBUS output.
Q: The calibration of accelerometer, compass, radio has been finished, but why the plane turned over when it took off?
A: It comes from the wrong direction of motor or the reversed installation of the propellers. Check the motor and propellers.
Q: Why there is no Fail Safe in Firmware version Airplane_v4.0.5?
A: Firmware version Airplane_v4.0.5 has been upgraded. Set Fail Safe in all parameter list.
Q: What firmware to download in ArduPilot official website?
A: Firmware fmuv2 or fmuv3 will be chosen depending on the version of PIXHAWK:
① the V3.0 PIXHAWK should upgrade the fmuv3 firmware
② the other version(except V3.0) of PIXHAWK supports 1M fmuv2 firmware by default. It also supports 2M fmuv3 firmware. You can download fmuv3 firmware from the ArduPilot website and then upgrade the firmware.
Q: Some RadioLink PIXHAWK doesn’t function normally as the progress bar doesn’t move when calibrating the compass after upgrade the firmware V4.0, what's the problem?
A: Since Dec.29, 2019, ArduPilot official has updated the firmware of arducopter(multirotor), arduplane(acrobatic) and ardurover(car/boat) to V4.0. However, the sensor integrated of firmware V4.0 has been modified, making that of some RadioLink PIXHAWK doesn’t function normally as the progress bar doesn’t move when calibrating the compass. If this problem encountered, please follow below steps:
Note The progress bar should be moving when calibrating compass, meaning PIXHAWK functions and is compatible with firmware V4.0. Then there’s no need to follow below steps
1. Connect the PIXHAWK to a GPS module with compass
Because it is the internal sensor driver modified with the V4.0 firmware and the external sensor remains. To work with an external one, it can function normally.
2. Use the firmware of V3.X instead of V4.0
Arducopter 3.6.12
https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Copter/stable-3.6.12/fmuv2/arducopter.apj
Arduplane 3.9.11
https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Plane/stable-3.9.11/fmuv2/arduplane.apj
Ardurover 3.5.2
https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Rover/stable-3.5.2/fmuv2/ardurover.apj
Click the links above to download the corresponding firmware, then load them in the Mission Planner
Q: RadioLink Mission Planner has two compasses shown if FC connected is GPS integrated. How to distinguish which FC compass it is?
A: If the flight controller and the GPS with compass internal connect to the Mission Planner at the same time, the Compass #1 indicate the compass of GPS, meanwhile, the "Externally mounted" and the GPS direction select box will pop out on the Mission Planner. The Compass #2 indicate the compass of the flight controller internal.
Calibrate interface will shows as picture below when use with GPS.
If the GPS mounted with the same direction with flight controller, then it need not to setup the direction of GPS in Mission Planner but if you mounted the GPS with the different direction of PIXHAWK, you have to setup the right direction in the Mission Planner.
Q: How to power PIXHAWK without using the power module?
A: You can connect the positive and negative poles of the ESC or BEC module to the positive and negative poles of the POWER port of the flight controller.
Q: Can the ESC pins of PIXHAWK be used to supply power for flight controller?
A: The ESC pins of PIXHAWK only supply power for external devices (such as servos), not for the flight controller.
Q: Is PIXHAWK a Linux board?
A: NO.
Q: Is PIXHAWK a Linux board?
A: NO.
Q: Why the altitude displayed in Mission Planner is many times the actual altitude of the flight controller from the ground or desktop? As shown in picture below:
A: The altitude displayed in Mission Planner includes relative altitude and absolute altitude, depending on the setting options in Mission Planner. Double-click the "Altitude (m)" at the bottom left, and the parameter options will pop up.
1. Alt means relative altitude. If this option is checked, the altitude is the height placed when the flight controller is powered on. For example, if we put the flight controller on the table and power it on, the altitude displayed in Mission Planner is the height from the desktop to the flight controller. If the flight controller is only tens of centimeters away from the table, but it shows 2000 meters in Mission Planner, there is something wrong with the barometer.
2. Altasl means absolute altitude. If this option is checked, the altitude is sea level altitude, which is the altitude above sea level.
The absolute altitude comes from the data obtained by the GPS. Only when the GPS finds the satellite and positioning is normal, the absolute altitude will be displayed correctly. Otherwise, the absolute altitude will be displayed as 0 by default.
Q:Why only telemetry of model voltage is sent to the transmitter, while other data such as peed, climb, throttle, longitude, latitude are not sent to the transmitter when PRM-03 is used with the flight controller?
A: Since ardupilot updated the firmware recently, when users use PRM-03 with RadioLink transmitters AT9S Pro, AT9S, AT9, AT10II, AT10 and the ardupilot pixhawk flight controller which with the V4.1 or above firmware, only telemetry of model voltage is supported, telemetry of other OSD data is not supported. Please solve the problem by changing the value of SERIAL1-PROTOCOL and SERIAL2-PROTOCOL in Mission Planner.
CONFIG- Full Parameter Tree- search “serial”-Change the value of SERIAL1-PROTOCOL and SERIAL2-PROTOCOL to 1(MAVLink)
Note: PRM-03 produced before May 31, 2022 can refer to this method to modify the value, and those produced after May 31, 2022 do not need to modify the value.
Q: Does PIXHWAK support DShot and Oneshot Protocols?
A: Yes. Aircraft ESC Protocols include DShot and Oneshot Protocols. PIXHAWK supports ESC with Oneshot Protocols by default.
It also supports ESC with DShot Protocols when firmware is updated to 3.6 or above.
PIXHAWK firmware download link:
Q: Does PIXHAWK support RTK?
A: Yes. PIXHAWK supports RTK without any settings on it.
Q: Does PIXHAWK support PX4 firmware?
A: NO.
Q: Does PIXHAWK support mavsdk?
A: NO.
Q: Does PIXHAWK support displaying flight data on the DJI goggles?
A: Yes. Click the link below to view related tutorials:
https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-msp-osd-overview.html#common-msp-osd-overview
Q: Can PIXHAWK be connected to four 40A ESCs?
A: No, it can’t. If PIXHAWK is used for a fixed-wing and connected to a single ESC, the ESC current can be up to 90A; If it is used for a multi-rotor and connected to more than 2 ESCs, the total current of all ESCs cannot exceed 90A. So if it is connected to 4 ESCs, the current of each ESC should be 20A or lower.
Q: Does PIXHAWK support transmitters with ELRS or CRSF Protocol?
A: Yes.
Connect CrossFlight/Mini Pix/PIXHAWK to Mission Planner---CONFI---Full Parameter List---search SERIALX. Change the value of SERIALX_BAUD to 115, and the value of SERIALX_protocool to 23 ---Change the value of RSSI_TYPE to 3 --- RC_options check options: suppress CRSF mode/rate message for ELRS systems (Note: When using an ELRS receiver, you also need to check the option Use 420kbaud for ELRS protocol.) ---Click “Write Params”.
(Note: X represents the telemetry port. If TELEM1 is used, X = 1, then please search SERIAL1 in Full Parameter List)
Q: When PIXHAWK is used with a Radiomaster transmitter and CRSF receiver, the transmitter cannot be calibrated in Mission Planner. Why?
A: Because the receiver signal is not recognized in Mission Planner. Please connect the CRSF receiver to the data transmission port of the flight controller, and modify the parameters of the data transmission port to 23 in Mission Planner.
Q: Can I use QGroundControl to install the firmware of RadioLink PIXHAWK?
A: Yes, but you can only install the firmware by loading custom firmware when using QGroundControl. You cannot directly click on the model to install the firmware for PIXHAWK, because it is possible to install the PX4 firmware by clicking on the model. And RadioLink PIXHAWK is not compatible with PX4 firmware.
Q: Does Mission Planner support the Apple MAC system? Does QGroundControl support the Apple MAC system?
A: Mission Planner does not support the Apple MAC system, but supports both Windows and Android systems.
QGroundControl Mission Planner supports Windows, Android systems, and the Apple MAC system, but needs to download from its official website.
Q: How to set the high level and the low level in PIXHAWK?
A: The setting methods are as follows:
1. Search SERVOx_FUNCTION in the Full Parameter List, and set data to -1 (x means channel)
2. Search RELAY_PIN and modify it to the value of the corresponding channel (The value corresponding to channel 1 is 50, the value corresponding to channel 2 is 51, and so on)
3. If there are multiple relays, set RELAY_PINx (x represents relay, RELAY_PIN2 represents relay 2, etc.)
4. Set the transmitter channel to control the high level/low level of the relay. Search RCx_OPTION, (RCx means the transmitter channel, RC7 means the 7th channel of the transmitter, etc.), and select Relay On/Off, which means controlling the first relay
5. If there are multiple relays, set multiple channels as above, search RCx_OPTION, and select Relayx On/Off (x means relay, for example: If the 5th channel of the transmitter controls the second relay, select RC5_OPTION as Relay2 On/Off)
6. Restart the flight controller
Q: How can I connect PIXHAWK to Mission Planner via Bluetooth?
A: You can use a Bluetooth data link to connect the flight controller to the Mission Planner. Below is a detailed guide on how to connect the flight controller to the Mission Planner by using a Bluetooth data link.
Q: Can PIXHAWK be connected to an external companion computer such as Raspberry Pi or Nvidia Jetson?
A: Yes. Below is the link to explain the setup. Click your device and then you can get the details on how to connect and set them up.
Q: How to check the data sent to GPS by Mission Planner?
A: The data sent by the Mission Planner to the GPS cannot be viewed.
Q: How to set ESC Telemetry when using BLHeli 32 ESC?
A: Please refer to the following setting methods:
1. Flight controller
After the basic configuration of the flight controller is completed, you can perform the following configuration to enable Dshot:
(1) Search SERVO_BLH_AUTO in the Full Parameter List and change the value to 1
(2) Search SERVO_BLH_MASK in Full Parameter List and check the pin channel corresponding to the ESC (if the ESC is plugged into channels 1, 2, 3, 4, check channels 1, 2, 3, 4)
(3) Search SERVO_DSHOT_ESC in the Full Parameter List and change the value to 1
(4) Search MOT_PWM_TYPE in the Full Parameter List and modify the value to the corresponding ESC protocol (Note: If you are using helicopter firmware, there is no need to modify the MOT_PWM_TYPE parameter. Please modify the value of SERVO_BLH_OTYPE to the corresponding ESC protocol)
(5) Power off and restart the flight controller.
2. ESC
After successfully configuring the flight controller, open BLHeliSuite32.exe.
(1) Select BLHeli32 Bootloader (Betaflight/Cleanflight) in Select BLHeil_32 Interface
(2) Select the corresponding flight controller port and connect
(3) Click Read Setup to read ESC information
(4) Enable Auto Telemetry of each ESC
(5) Power off and restart the flight controller, and connect the flight controller to the Mission Planner. The ESC telemetry information (escx_curr, escx_rpm, escx_temp, escx_volt) can be read in the status bar.
Q: Can PIXHAWK be used for tandem helicopters (dual helicopters)?
A: Yes. Please refer to the below link for more details on how to set it:
https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/dual-helicopter.html