Mac Error: Cannot open serial port, please make sure you have your radio connected

Ground Control Software APM Planner 2.0
1

Hello, first time poster here, I appreciate your help.

My Specs:
APM 2.8 ArduPilot FC & 6M GPS 915Mhz Telemetry & Power Module
Mac on Sierra 10.12.4 Beta (16E144f)
APM Planner v2.0.24

I am very new to ArduPilot and APM setups, but I have gotten to the ESC calibration steps.

I was trying to get my MavLink setup done and I can’t seem to get the communication working.

I have spent several hours looking over documentation on this and I think I am missing one thing - how to get the serial comm link on the mac setup.

I have also looked through Painless360’s videos on YouTube as well (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30cCs4aHdB0&t=321s). Awesome videos but they don’t cover this connection issue. I say all that to demonstrate I am not just asking for help without doing some work :).

The only two options MavLink gives me are:

tty.usbmodem1421

  • Shows up at first and then disappears
  • Leaving me with the following two items below
    • cu.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port
    • tty.Bluetooth-Incoming-Port

I have worked on this for a day or so reading lots of posts on how to get this working. I have reverted back to Planner 2.0.18 - tested - same issue. Back now to 2.0.24.

If you have time, can you provide me with some suggestions, thanks!

wbeckwith
New Quad builder

2

There is an FTDI driver from memory that needs to be installed.
Did it so long ago I don’t remember clearly the specifics.
But without it there are issues, as you have found.

The “cu.” is the one to choose from the pair of ports that appear.

Instructions here

3

mboland,

Thanks for the feedback, I spent some time researching this and I was able to ‘disable’ the AppleFTDI kext file. But the MAVLINK is still not connecting.

I found the following resource:
http://www.mommosoft.com/blog/2014/10/24/ftdi-chip-and-os-x-10-10/

I have looked it over but have not gone through the below steps yet.

“5. Open the /System/Library/Extensions/FTDIUSBSerialDriver.kext/Contents/Info.plist and add new or change existing key/dictionary under IOKitPersonalities and make sure above 3 values(idVendor, idProduct, bcdDevice) are there and correct. All values must be decimals.”

Screen Shot 2017-02-15 at 1.54.13 PM.png751×497 57.1 KB

Any new suggestions welcome :slight_smile:

Thanks!

4

Those instructions seem a bit too manual for me.
Have you installed the FTDI driver that is on the APM Planner distribution disc?

This page might also help.

5

I did install that driver, but in researching this I also installed the driver from FTDI Chip direct, same location you linked above.

I just attempted another install from scratch and I did get the ‘option’ for:

cu.usbmodem1411 but it will not connect, screen shot below.

Screen Shot 2017-02-15 at 7.07.18 PM.png1125×790 112 KB

Here is a list of errors from the APM Log File, if thats helps.

[20170215 19:13:53.458 DEBUG] - Loading widget: “MAVLINK_INSPECTOR_DOCKWIDGET”
[20170215 19:13:53.466 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: CONFIG/TUNING SELECTED
[20170215 19:13:56.065 DEBUG] - APMToolBar:MAV ID clicked calling signal
[20170215 19:13:56.066 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: showConnectionDialog for current serial link 3
[20170215 19:13:57.027 DEBUG] - SCW: Link is disconnected
[20170215 19:13:57.454 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:13:57.468 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:13:57.468 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:13:57.469 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:13:57.469 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:13:57.981 DEBUG] - SCW: Link is disconnected
[20170215 19:13:59.639 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: CONNECT SELECTED
[20170215 19:13:59.640 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: connectMAV QObject(0x0) with sLink 3
[20170215 19:13:59.641 DEBUG] - SerialConnection::connect()
[20170215 19:13:59.641 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(NoError)
[20170215 19:13:59.643 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(DeviceNotFoundError)
[20170215 19:13:59.644 ERROR] - Error opening port “No such file or directory” trying again…
[20170215 19:13:59.645 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: CONNECT unselected
[20170215 19:14:00.654 DEBUG] - SerialConnection::connect()
[20170215 19:14:00.655 DEBUG] - SerialConnection::disconnect() QSerialPort(0x600000a29920)
[20170215 19:14:00.656 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(NotOpenError)
[20170215 19:14:00.657 DEBUG] - LinkManager::linkDisonnected: “cu.usbmodem” 3
[20170215 19:14:00.657 DEBUG] - APMToolBar setConnection: false
[20170215 19:14:00.658 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: updateLinkDisplay “cu.usbmodem” : “57600” connected: false
[20170215 19:14:00.659 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(NoError)
[20170215 19:14:00.661 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(DeviceNotFoundError)
[20170215 19:14:00.662 ERROR] - Error opening port “No such file or directory” trying again…
[20170215 19:14:00.663 DEBUG] - serial connection: object destroyed: QObject(0x600000a29920)
[20170215 19:14:01.664 DEBUG] - SerialConnection::connect()
[20170215 19:14:01.665 DEBUG] - SerialConnection::disconnect() QSerialPort(0x600001435f40)
[20170215 19:14:01.665 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(NotOpenError)
[20170215 19:14:01.666 DEBUG] - LinkManager::linkDisonnected: “cu.usbmodem” 3
[20170215 19:14:01.667 DEBUG] - APMToolBar setConnection: false
[20170215 19:14:01.667 DEBUG] - APMToolBar: updateLinkDisplay “cu.usbmodem” : “57600” connected: false
[20170215 19:14:01.668 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(NoError)
[20170215 19:14:01.670 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(DeviceNotFoundError)
[20170215 19:14:03.211 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:14:03.227 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:14:03.232 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:14:03.233 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:14:03.233 WARN ] - QMutex: destroying locked mutex
[20170215 19:14:04.565 ERROR] - Error opening port “No such file or directory”
[20170215 19:14:04.579 DEBUG] - serial connection: object destroyed: QObject(0x600001435f40)
[20170215 19:14:04.580 DEBUG] - serial connection: object destroyed: QObject(0x600001620640)

6

Quick Question: Are you using a USB cable or a radio modem?

7

Radio Modem, I bought the APM kit from Ebay here -

8

Also, should I have to install a package called QT…?

These 2 errors had me searching and I found the app above.

[20170215 19:07:04.679 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(NoError)
[20170215 19:07:04.681 ERROR] - serial connection: error QSerialPort::SerialPortError(DeviceNotFoundError)

Also, I am seeing a warning in the APM log file

“[20170215 19:05:26.416 WARN ] - You might be loading two sets of Qt binaries into the same process. Check that all plugins are compiled against the right Qt binaries. Export DYLD_PRINT_LIBRARIES=1 and check that only one set of binaries are being loaded.”

9

I am going to change my efforts over to a Windows machine. I will update you, thanks!

10

I think you have played around way too much with the drivers.

On Mac it’s load driver and run program.
I am running the same Mac OS version without issues.

11

So weird… and maybe I have. I can try a new user account and see if it works their. Did you disable the App Drive first?

I got it to work in no time on a windows machine.

12

Hi Wbeckwith,

I have had a similar problem and wonder if you ever managed to resolve it for your mac or whether you just use your PC now?

I get the feeling my trouble is that my mac doesn’t register my radio module when connected by usb (as per photo below). I’ve tried different cables, reloaded all the same drivers as you and still nothing.

Screen Shot 2017-03-18 at 12.29.04.png748×517 52 KB

The only device options I get in APM Planner are as follows:

Any advice would be gratefully received!

13

Are you using a powered hub?
Have you tried different USB ports.
If it is not registering on the USB Device tree it looks to be a hardware issue.
Have you loaded the drivers?

14

it’s probably using a different USB chip than the FTDI one. I think there is a Silicon Labs (SI) version of the radio with USB. Try looking for that driver

15

I will be honest, I worked in this for weeks and then changed over to a windows machine. Again, I tried for a few weeks to get it to work. I got no GPS signal and no communication, well sometimes on the WIN8 machine it would work but it is very inconsistent.

I bailed on the APM and went with a NAZA M Lite.

Hope you can have better luck!

Sorry to not be much more help.

16

If you have faulty HW from unreliable source, this unfortunately can be the outcome. Bt it’s not an issue with ardupilot. It would require you to contact the HW manufacturer for a replacement and assistance.

17

Bill, I totally agree, I think the ArduPilot system is amazing - if I could only get it to work. I am not sure if it was my HW or my trying so many things to get it to work across a Mac and Windows laptops. The system looked more impressive to me that the Naza V2 I have on my other Quad. I really wish the system worked that I had. I may try it again with a APM down the road.

But I was not claiming my issues on the APM…

The support on this site is amazing as well… I just have limited time and was getting frustrated.

18

Philip your getting more connection types than I was. I work for Apple, I would say try this.

Setup a new user account on the Mac. This will allow for a separate set of SW / drivers / etc.

Then follow the instructions to the letter. Only install the USB drivers they mention.

But using a new user account would also stop any 3rd party drivers from conflicting with this setup too.

Lastly, I dd read about a Apple USB Kext file that had to be disabled to get the right one to work. I would inquire from folks here if thats still the case. I did that as well, had to login as the root user to do it, and it did not fix my issue (telemetry communication through USB / GPS location). However, mine never communicated on the windows machine either. So… I never was sure if that was an issue or not for troubleshooting purposes.

If you have any Mac issues I am your guy, feel free to reach out.

APM… sorry defer to the folks here, they are the experts :slight_smile:

Best of luck Philip, Please let me know what you find out, I really do love the APM interface and features. I would LOVE to move back to one if I can get it to work. I just need to get one quad in the air to have a win and then I can spend more time troubleshooting a build.

Best of luck man!

19

For driver support the FTDI site is what I followed when I had comms issues

There is also a page regarding the new Apple FTDI drivers and how to get around them or add to them.

20

Thanks for your reply’s guys! I am sorry I haven’t replied sooner, I must turn on my notifications because i didn’t think anyone had responded!

So it now works but you’ll be interested to learn I didn’t change a thing. I just went about having another go at tackling it yesterday and the “cu.usbserial…” option has suddenly become an option and now works when i select it.

I had tried different usb ports and cables before yesterday and nothing made a difference, i even restarted the computer and it didn’t help on saturday. So I have come to no conclusions as to why it now works, all i can say is that it does!

The next problem to overcome now, is the very limited options I have in APM planner on my mac! Its almost like the developers don’t like mac 's :wink:

Thanks again for your fast responses guys!