Hi, I’m relatively new to the world of Unmanned Systems And I ran into A problem
I’m Trying to use A LiDAR-Lite V3 with pixhawk Cube orange (running Ardupilot 4.3.8)
Specifically, I need To Connect The Lidar Through PWM (I use the I2C for another lidar of the same Model And due to certain limitations and and a set of circumstances I cannot Buy any Components that Could enable me to use several LiDAR in the same I2C port/ Different LiDAR), I have been trying for a week now and had no success (I also Read almost every post even remotely related to the topic/Issue).
I would greatly appreciate it if someone could please show/explain how to wire the Lidarlite V3 to the Aux rail of the pixhawk (The rail is powered by a split from the power module) and how to set it up and Configure it so it would work.
I hope you have more luck than me with Help here regarding using Lidarlite units. Because of that I think those units are not supported anymore by Ardupilot .
That’s why I am in the process of purchasing Benewake units. Good Luck.
Hi @BOBSMITH,
I can’t resist to let you know that the type of Lidar units we both would like to use in our builds, those are still offered for sale at Alibaba. Minimum to purchase are 2 units for US$519-550. They also show the wiring diagram sample with a Pixhawk.
I was going to look at the Benewake Lidars when I came across those most expensive one. I cant remember what I paid for them. You still want to have a go?
Hi Dave,
on July 9th you have written regarding Lidarlite V3 that those are " more trouble than they are worth".
I stopped fiddling around now with my Lidar-lite units and purchased 2 units from Benewake. I want to install one for Hight over ground and one for Object avoidants.
Those are two Benewake TF02 Pro - the Uart version.
Would you help me for a fee with a comprehensive advise how to wire those up and setup with Missionplaner ?
I have build a quad-copter of my own design ( 97cm diagonal).
The Cube orange I use has Copter V4.6.2 Official installed.
My experience is more in flying and building Helicopter, but mainly of my age I want to switch to this new Drone now.
Not small, I know.
Hi guys!
I just stumbled over this thread. My setup is pretty similar. I have the Lidar-Lite v3 in combination with the Pixhawk 2.1 cube black and I never had problems with it. It gives me really good results. The Lidar-Lite v3 is advertised to have a range of up to 40 m, but I often get way more than that. I just looked in one of my logs: I get reliable results up to 50 or 60 m and if it’s higher than that, I get answers sporadically up to 84 m.
I’m still wondering, if you could connect the Lidar through I2C instead of PWM. The cube black (and as far as I know also the cube orange) has two independent I2C busses. One is labelled I2C2 and that is probably the one you are using. The other one is hidden in the GPS1-port. You can find the exact pinout on this page:
I think it should be possible to just splice the cables of the GPS1 port and use it for your second lidar aswell. But make sure, you have a separate power supply as the lidar pulls more current than the I2C port is able to deliver. Don’t connect the 5V cable of the lidar to the 5V of the I2C bus. But you need a common GND between the power supply and the bus.
I’m really sorry to hear that, Fred. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen your question. Had a lot going on the past months. If you still need help with those units just let me know At least in my case it was pretty straightforward to get the lidar up and running.
Thank, thanks now I have a start where to look. I have already separate power-supply for the Lidars connected. My attempt with PWM failed and I already was looking how to connect 2 units to I2C port.
You are giving me a interesting hint, will check that out now. Thanks a lot!
Ah, so you’ve got the Cube too? In this case, you can see the pinout if you follow the link I posted above.
Exactly, I2C2 has a separate port on the board. I2C1 is not marked on the board. But you can still access it through the GPS1-port. If you look at the pinout table for the GPS1-port, you can see that pin 4 is SCL of I2C1 and pin 5 is SDA. You can also use VCC (pin 1) and GND (pin 8) from that port. But as I wrote above, you need a separate power supply for power hungry devices as the lidar.
Thank you very much. That what you explained just now was not understood by me completely.
Digging out I2C1 from GPS1 port was the missing link in my understanding! Great, I am happy now.
I have mentioned before I did already cut the plugs off the Benewake cables for getting separate power to them. I did that with my Helis too. ( years ago)
I think that’s it for the day I have exactly midnight now. Many, many thanks Felix!!
