Few Notch Filtering questions

I’m working on finding best filtering option for my copter. Best to me means a balance between filtering results and CPU load (H7).
So have some questions:

  1. Some points of docs states FFT is good enough while other say “throttle” may help better.
  2. Does it make sense to enable another Notch filter while using FFT?? Like Throttle or Fixed?
  3. What is the impact on CPU load while adding more harmonic?
  4. Last but most important, what is the noise level (in dB) acceptable so no further tuning is necessary?

Chris Rosser made a nice video about filters in ardupilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiA7bCsXBFg

Short summary:

  1. Best is RPM drive notch filter to eliminate motors vibrations, Second best is FFT to eliminate frame resonances.
  2. Sens of enabling RPM and FFT filters is explaind in video
  3. I am not an expert here, but I would expect CPU load goes up - You can check CPU load in this tool: ArduPilot Hardware Report
  4. This one I would also like to know :slight_smile:
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Have no ESC Telemetry…

So I guess next closest thing would be throttle values.

FFT should be good enough.
Answer for 4th question is -50dB :slight_smile:
Great video, dzięki for a link.

Throttle based notch requires accurate MOT_TRST_EXPO and MOT_TRST_MIN

Do you have that?

As I wrote above, I will go with FFT and possible fixed for 2nd bank.
I fly on FFT only today and even with wrong frequencies drone fly much better.
Flight data will be collected tomorrow, followed by a review of results.
Video is really great, much better then docs online.

Results using FFT + Fixed at biggest spike


CPU at about 30+%

You should reduce attenuation to 30dB or less

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I would also increase bandwidth, as You can see 2 side peaks in post filter. And perhaps “Update at loop rate”

If I can’t use ESC, I use throttle. Some of that has been dictated by hardware, but it’s worked well for me.

Every situation is different, but probably not. If you turn on the notches on the web tool I bet there will be a lot of overlap of the two filters, so likely overkill. Unless you have some very specific frame resonance then it might help, or a helicopter.

It will increase it. May be negligible, or not. Again, like I said in number 1, it may be unneeded. If the main peak is targeted properly, often the harmonics will clear up without the need for the harmonics.

As you’ve already stated, -50db. I’ve been using that as a rule and it works for me.

I generally try to use as little filtering as possible. I’ve stopped chasing all those little bumps in the graph because it didn’t make any difference when I went outside.

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Thank you for your comments.

Here is better view, dotted is fixed while solid is FFT.

@Adam_Borowski I think 2 side peaks you mentioned are not peaks but sides of fixed filter .

It seems 2nd FFT harmonic hits same frequency as 3rd of fixed filter.

Guys I’m so sorry. I do not know how it happened but I was sure I set FIXed as 2nd notch. While 2nd image clearly states it was set to Throttle. Will have to fly it over again.

Will test that setup tomorrow.

FFT itself can’t handle first spike at about 70Hz

Is Your FFT_MINHZ below 70 ?

Those examples have a lot of overlap in the filters. If you’re willing to share a log I’d be willing to take a crack at it.

Which log would be the best for you? With or without filters enabled?

Here are last flight params

FFT_ATT_REF,15
FFT_BW_HOVER,22.7066
FFT_ENABLE,1
FFT_FREQ_HOVER,78.17286
FFT_HMNC_FIT,10
FFT_HMNC_PEAK,0
FFT_MAXHZ,180
FFT_MINHZ,40
FFT_NUM_FRAMES,0
FFT_OPTIONS,1
FFT_SAMPLE_MODE,0
FFT_SNR_REF,10
FFT_THR_REF,0.0516944
FFT_WINDOW_OLAP,0.75
FFT_WINDOW_SIZE,512
INS_HNTC2_ATT,40
INS_HNTC2_BW,34
INS_HNTC2_ENABLE,1
INS_HNTC2_FM_RAT,1
INS_HNTC2_FREQ,68
INS_HNTC2_HMNCS,7
INS_HNTC2_MODE,1
INS_HNTC2_OPTS,0
INS_HNTC2_REF,0
INS_HNTCH_ATT,40
INS_HNTCH_BW,20
INS_HNTCH_ENABLE,1
INS_HNTCH_FM_RAT,1
INS_HNTCH_FREQ,40
INS_HNTCH_HMNCS,7
INS_HNTCH_MODE,4
INS_HNTCH_OPTS,2
INS_HNTCH_REF,1

Without 2nd notch, FFT only.

Brown is to high, that’s why I applied simple and fast FIXed to it.

Can You post log file?