So you are using this Pixhawk Mini. I am not sure, but even if you are using the 5V version of the Arduino Nano I would bet it should work.
Have you activated MAVLink in Pixhawk using your Ground Station software? Have you checked that your comms are working using any other devices?
Pictures or diagrams of your setup would help understanding where the problem could be…
This is the configuration:
I’m trying with your code (with removed LED management) but still no response from Pixhawk mini…
Here the code:
/* MAVLInk_DroneLights
by Juan Pedro López
This program was developed to connect an Arduino board with a Pixhawk via MAVLink
with the objective of controlling a group of WS2812B LED lights on board of a quad
The current version of the program is working properly.
TO DO:
- Move STREAMS request to RC_CHANNELS to use values in logic
- Add RC_CHANNLES_RAW messages monitoring: move #30 to RC_CHANNELS_RAW (35)
http://mavlink.org/messages/common#RC_CHANNELS_RAW
- Look for message on low battery:
To be tested: http://mavlink.org/messages/common#PARAM_REQUEST_READTo be checked: http://mavlink.org/messages/common#SYS_STATUS
- Potential implementation of other alarms, like high intensity
You can restrict the maximum package size with this parameter in mavlink_types.h:
#ifndef MAVLINK_MAX_PAYLOAD_LEN_
// it is possible to override this, but be careful! Defa_
#define **MAVLINK_MAX_PAYLOAD_LEN 255 ///< Maximum payload length_
#endif_
*/// In case we need a second serial port for debugging
#define SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING // Comment this line if no serial debugging is needed#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
// Library to use serial debugging with a second board
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial pxSerial(10,11); // RX, TX
#endif#include “mavlink.h”
//#include “common/mavlink_msg_request_data_stream.h”// Mavlink variables
unsigned long previousMillisMAVLink = 0; // will store last time MAVLink was transmitted and listened
unsigned long next_interval_MAVLink = 1000; // next interval to count
const int num_hbs = 60; // # of heartbeats to wait before activating STREAMS from Pixhawk. 60 = one minute.
int num_hbs_pasados = num_hbs;// FastLed setup
// How many leds in your strip?
#define NUM_LEDS 8
#define BRIGHTNESS 255 // Put 0 to switch off all ledsvoid setup() {
// MAVLink interface start
Serial.begin(57600);#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
// [DEB] Soft serial port start
Serial.begin(57600);
Serial.println(“MAVLink starting.”);
pxSerial.begin(57600);
#endif
}void loop() {
// MAVLink
/* The default UART header for your MCU */
int sysid = 1; ///< ID 20 for this airplane. 1 PX, 255 ground station
int compid = 158; ///< The component sending the message
int type = MAV_TYPE_QUADROTOR; ///< This system is an airplane / fixed wing// Define the system type, in this case an airplane → on-board controller
// uint8_t system_type = MAV_TYPE_FIXED_WING;
uint8_t system_type = MAV_TYPE_GENERIC;
uint8_t autopilot_type = MAV_AUTOPILOT_INVALID;uint8_t system_mode = MAV_MODE_PREFLIGHT; ///< Booting up
uint32_t custom_mode = 0; ///< Custom mode, can be defined by user/adopter
uint8_t system_state = MAV_STATE_STANDBY; ///< System ready for flight
// Initialize the required buffers
mavlink_message_t msg;
uint8_t buf[MAVLINK_MAX_PACKET_LEN];// Pack the message
//mavlink_msg_heartbeat_pack(sysid,compid, &msg, type, autopilot_type, system_mode, custom_mode, system_state);
mavlink_msg_heartbeat_pack(1,0, &msg, type, autopilot_type, system_mode, custom_mode, system_state);// Copy the message to the send buffer
uint16_t len = mavlink_msg_to_send_buffer(buf, &msg);// Send the message with the standard UART send function
// uart0_send might be named differently depending on
// the individual microcontroller / library in use.
unsigned long currentMillisMAVLink = millis();
if (currentMillisMAVLink - previousMillisMAVLink >= next_interval_MAVLink) {
// Guardamos la última vez que se cambió el modo
previousMillisMAVLink = currentMillisMAVLink;#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
pxSerial.write(buf,len);
//mySerial.println(“Ardu HB”);
#else
Serial.write(buf, len);
#endif//Mav_Request_Data(); num_hbs_pasados++; if(num_hbs_pasados>=num_hbs) { // Request streams from Pixhawk#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
Serial.println(“Streams requested!”);
#endif
Mav_Request_Data();
num_hbs_pasados=0;
}}
// Check reception buffer
comm_receive();
}void Mav_Request_Data()
{
mavlink_message_t msg;
uint8_t buf[MAVLINK_MAX_PACKET_LEN];// STREAMS that can be requested
/*
- Definitions are in common.h: enum MAV_DATA_STREAM
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_ALL=0, // Enable all data streams
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_RAW_SENSORS=1, /* Enable IMU_RAW, GPS_RAW, GPS_STATUS packets.
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTENDED_STATUS=2, /* Enable GPS_STATUS, CONTROL_STATUS, AUX_STATUS
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_RC_CHANNELS=3, /* Enable RC_CHANNELS_SCALED, RC_CHANNELS_RAW, SERVO_OUTPUT_RAW
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_RAW_CONTROLLER=4, /* Enable ATTITUDE_CONTROLLER_OUTPUT, POSITION_CONTROLLER_OUTPUT, NAV_CONTROLLER_OUTPUT.
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_POSITION=6, /* Enable LOCAL_POSITION, GLOBAL_POSITION/GLOBAL_POSITION_INT messages.
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTRA1=10, /* Dependent on the autopilot
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTRA2=11, /* Dependent on the autopilot
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTRA3=12, /* Dependent on the autopilot
- MAV_DATA_STREAM_ENUM_END=13,
- Data in PixHawk available in:
- Battery, amperage and voltage (SYS_STATUS) in MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTENDED_STATUS
- Gyro info (IMU_SCALED) in MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTRA1
*/// To be setup according to the needed information to be requested from the Pixhawk
const int maxStreams = 2;
const uint8_t MAVStreams[maxStreams] = {MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTENDED_STATUS, MAV_DATA_STREAM_EXTRA1};
const uint16_t MAVRates[maxStreams] = {0x02,0x05};for (int i=0; i < maxStreams; i++) {
/*
* mavlink_msg_request_data_stream_pack(system_id, component_id,
* &msg,
* target_system, target_component,
* MAV_DATA_STREAM_POSITION, 10000000, 1);
*
* mavlink_msg_request_data_stream_pack(uint8_t system_id, uint8_t component_id,
* mavlink_message_t* msg,
* uint8_t target_system, uint8_t target_component, uint8_t req_stream_id,
* uint16_t req_message_rate, uint8_t start_stop)
*
*/
mavlink_msg_request_data_stream_pack(2, 200, &msg, 1, 0, MAVStreams[i], MAVRates[i], 1);
uint16_t len = mavlink_msg_to_send_buffer(buf, &msg);
#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
pxSerial.write(buf,len);
#else
Serial.write(buf, len);
#endif
}// Request: PARAM_REQUEST_LIST. Only for full log recording
/*
- Primitive: mavlink_msg_param_request_list_pack(uint8_t system_id, uint8_t component_id, mavlink_message_t* msg,
uint8_t target_system, uint8_t target_component)
/
/
// Configure
uint8_t system_id=2;
uint8_t component_id=200;
// mavlink_message_t* msg;
uint8_t target_system=1;
uint8_t target_component=0;// Pack
mavlink_msg_param_request_list_pack(system_id, component_id, &msg,
target_system, target_component);
uint16_t len = mavlink_msg_to_send_buffer(buf, &msg);// Send
#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
pxSerial.write(buf,len);
#else
Serial.write(buf, len);
#endif
*/
}void comm_receive() {
mavlink_message_t msg;
mavlink_status_t status;// Echo for manual debugging
// Serial.println(“—Start—”);#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
while(pxSerial.available()>0) {
uint8_t c = pxSerial.read();
#else
while(Serial.available()>0) {
uint8_t c = Serial.read();
#endif// Try to get a new message if(mavlink_parse_char(MAVLINK_COMM_0, c, &msg, &status)) { // Handle message switch(msg.msgid) { case MAVLINK_MSG_ID_HEARTBEAT: // #0: Heartbeat { // E.g. read GCS heartbeat and go into // comm lost mode if timer times out#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
Serial.println(“PX HB”);
#endif
}
break;case MAVLINK_MSG_ID_SYS_STATUS: // #1: SYS_STATUS { /* Message decoding: PRIMITIVE * mavlink_msg_sys_status_decode(const mavlink_message_t* msg, mavlink_sys_status_t* sys_status) */ //mavlink_message_t* msg; mavlink_sys_status_t sys_status; mavlink_msg_sys_status_decode(&msg, &sys_status);#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
Serial.print(“PX SYS STATUS: “);
Serial.print(”[Bat (V): “);
Serial.print(sys_status.voltage_battery);
Serial.print(”], [Bat (A): “);
Serial.print(sys_status.current_battery);
Serial.print(”], [Comms loss (%): “);
Serial.print(sys_status.drop_rate_comm);
Serial.println(”]”);
#endif
}
break;case MAVLINK_MSG_ID_PARAM_VALUE: // #22: PARAM_VALUE { /* Message decoding: PRIMITIVE * mavlink_msg_param_value_decode(const mavlink_message_t* msg, mavlink_param_value_t* param_value) */ //mavlink_message_t* msg; mavlink_param_value_t param_value; mavlink_msg_param_value_decode(&msg, ¶m_value);#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
Serial.println(“PX PARAM_VALUE”);
Serial.println(param_value.param_value);
Serial.println(param_value.param_count);
Serial.println(param_value.param_index);
Serial.println(param_value.param_id);
Serial.println(param_value.param_type);
Serial.println(“------ Fin -------”);
#endif
}
break;case MAVLINK_MSG_ID_RAW_IMU: // #27: RAW_IMU { /* Message decoding: PRIMITIVE * static inline void mavlink_msg_raw_imu_decode(const mavlink_message_t* msg, mavlink_raw_imu_t* raw_imu) */ mavlink_raw_imu_t raw_imu; mavlink_msg_raw_imu_decode(&msg, &raw_imu);#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
//mySerial.println(“PX RAW IMU”);
//mySerial.println(raw_imu.xacc);
#endif
}
break;case MAVLINK_MSG_ID_ATTITUDE: // #30 { /* Message decoding: PRIMITIVE * mavlink_msg_attitude_decode(const mavlink_message_t* msg, mavlink_attitude_t* attitude) */ mavlink_attitude_t attitude; mavlink_msg_attitude_decode(&msg, &attitude);#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
Serial.println(“PX ATTITUDE”);
//mySerial.println(attitude.roll);#endif
}
break;default:#ifdef SOFT_SERIAL_DEBUGGING
Serial.print(“— Otros: “);
Serial.print(”[ID: “);
Serial.print(msg.msgid);
Serial.print(”], [seq: “);
Serial.print(msg.seq);
Serial.println(”]”);
#endif
break;
}
}
}
}
i tried also with a logic level converter, to exclude possible elctrical issue, but it still doesn’t work
Small updat;e. now seems to work (with only logic level converter) but if the tx (tx arduino rx minipixhawk) disconneted. if i connect it back the communication stops
Hi!
at the end was a defective connectors (when i connected the tx goes in cc). so the code is working.
thanks so much for your help… i will go head developing a code for load a mission in automatic…
bye!
Hi @jplopezll
I’m interested with your post, can i send the mavlink message to raspberry with mavproxy to forward to GCS? I plan to add some encryption in mavlink data. could you help me?
I used arduino nano that connects to pixhawk , I confused about softserial, and now I can not get data from the pixhawk , please help me.
Dear @Thanapong_Phanthong:
Can you please explain a bit more what is your setup and the problem you have? SoftSerial is just a library to be able to use two digital pins as a serial port. You only need to specify two pins different than the ones already hard wired with the UART of the board.
I am using SoftSerial pins to connect to the Pixhawk so that I can use the Serial Monitor of the Arduino IDE to “see” what is happening.
A connection between the pixhawk (2.4.8) and the Arduino Nano is:
Tx of Telem2 at the pixhawk to D9 pin at Nano,
Rx of Telem2 at the pixhawk to D10 pin at Nano,
Gnd of Telem2 at the pixhawk to Gnd pin at Nano.
The pixhawk has been supplied by power supply via PDB (5.3 v).
The Nano connects to notebook computer via the usb, it uses COM3, speed 57600, set in the Device Manager on the Windows 10 (64 bits).
The Arduino IDE version 1.8.7.
I have opened the serial monitor on the IDE (on COM3), but it has not the data.
I’m working on a school project using arduino and a pixfalcon. @jplopezll thanks your guide I was able to read the paremeters I needed from the pixfalcon.
Now I need to set some parameters to the pixfalcon while its doing a flight plan route. I want to set the target altitude/or modify the throttle, and hopefully be able to pause the mission, move the quad a little forward and then resume the mission, the idea is to avoid some obstacles in the path of the mission. Could you provide me some guidance in this topic?
Hi, @hxlg:
I am sure you have already read this: MAVLink Mission Command Messages.
As you can read there, you will ‘just’ need to send the appropriate commands. You can see the sending process in my code when requesting the activation of streams. You need to implement when to send what command to the Pixhawk (Pixfalcon in your case). You can see the primitive definition for each command in the library.
You might need to use the full v1 of MAVLink library. You can move to v2 of MAVLink in case you have enough memory in your device.
If you need further assistance, PM me and I will try to help.
Regards.
Hi all:
It seems I cannot edit this post any longer due to expiration of the allowed editing period.
I have asked to be allowed to regain edit permissions to correct errors and add tips and tricks. Meanwhile, I wanted to add some simplified code with SoftwareSerial enabled and just enough code to start receiving heartbeats from the Pixhawk.
#include <mavlink.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial _MavLinkSerial(9, 10); // PIN 9=Telemetry TX->Pixhawk RX, PIN 10=Telemetry RX->Pixhawk TX
// Mavlink variables
unsigned long previousMillisMAVLink = 0; // will store last time MAVLink was transmitted and listened
unsigned long next_interval_MAVLink = 1000; // next interval to count
const int num_hbs = 60; // # of heartbeats to wait before activating STREAMS from Pixhawk. 60 = one minute.
int num_hbs_pasados = num_hbs;
void setup() {
// MAVLink interface start
_MavLinkSerial.begin(57600);
Serial.begin(57600);
Serial.println("MAVLink starting.");
}
void loop() {
// MAVLink
/* The default UART header for your MCU */
int sysid = 1; ///< ID 20 for this airplane. 1 PX, 255 ground station
int compid = 158; ///< The component sending the message
int type = MAV_TYPE_QUADROTOR; ///< This system is an airplane / fixed wing
// Define the system type, in this case an airplane -> on-board controller
// uint8_t system_type = MAV_TYPE_FIXED_WING;
uint8_t system_type = MAV_TYPE_GENERIC;
uint8_t autopilot_type = MAV_AUTOPILOT_INVALID;
uint8_t system_mode = MAV_MODE_PREFLIGHT; ///< Booting up
uint32_t custom_mode = 0; ///< Custom mode, can be defined by user/adopter
uint8_t system_state = MAV_STATE_STANDBY; ///< System ready for flight
// Initialize the required buffers
mavlink_message_t msg;
uint8_t buf[MAVLINK_MAX_PACKET_LEN];
// Pack the message
//mavlink_msg_heartbeat_pack(sysid,compid, &msg, type, autopilot_type, system_mode, custom_mode, system_state);
mavlink_msg_heartbeat_pack(1, 0, &msg, type, autopilot_type, system_mode, custom_mode, system_state);
// Copy the message to the send buffer
uint16_t len = mavlink_msg_to_send_buffer(buf, &msg);
// Send the message with the standard UART send function
// uart0_send might be named differently depending on
// the individual microcontroller / library in use.
unsigned long currentMillisMAVLink = millis();
if (currentMillisMAVLink - previousMillisMAVLink >= next_interval_MAVLink)
{
// Record last HB update
previousMillisMAVLink = currentMillisMAVLink;
//Mav_Request_Data();
num_hbs_pasados++;
if (num_hbs_pasados >= num_hbs) {
// Request streams from Pixhawk
Serial.println("Streams requested!");
Mav_Request_Data();
num_hbs_pasados = 0;
}
}
// Check reception buffer
comm_receive();
}
void Mav_Request_Data()
{
mavlink_message_t msg;
uint8_t buf[MAVLINK_MAX_PACKET_LEN];
// To be setup according to the needed information to be requested from the Pixhawk
const int maxStreams = 1;
const uint8_t MAVStreams[maxStreams] = {MAV_DATA_STREAM_POSITION};
const uint16_t MAVRates[maxStreams] = {0x02};
for (int i = 0; i < maxStreams; i++) {
mavlink_msg_request_data_stream_pack(6, 200, &msg, 1, 0, MAVStreams[i], MAVRates[i], 1);
uint16_t len = mavlink_msg_to_send_buffer(buf, &msg);
_MavLinkSerial.write(buf, len);
}
}
void comm_receive() {
mavlink_message_t msg;
mavlink_status_t status;
while (_MavLinkSerial.available() > 0) {
uint8_t c = _MavLinkSerial.read();
// Try to get a new message
if (mavlink_parse_char(MAVLINK_COMM_0, c, &msg, &status))
{
Serial.print("DEBUG msgid:"); Serial.println(msg.msgid);
// Handle message
switch (msg.msgid)
{
case MAVLINK_MSG_ID_HEARTBEAT: // #0: Heartbeat
{
// E.g. read GCS heartbeat and go into
// comm lost mode if timer times out
}
break;
}
}
}
}
The code is commented and mostly self-explanatory. You need to power the Pixhawk from the PDB or any external power source and use the Serial Monitor of the Arduino IDE to see what’s cooking.
In case you need any further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards.
Hi @jplopezll:
I have been tried to get heartbeat from pixhawk for some weeks now，
using the code that you post but i can see only the “mavlink staring” and “Streams requested!” on serial moniter.
Is something wrong with the hardware?? Thx a lot to give me some suggests =)
Hi @HUANG_ERIC:
I cannot see very well the connections in the picture, in particular I cannot see the colors of the wires going to pins 9 and 10 of the Mega. They look like black and yellow, they should be the blue and green (see the drawing in the post).
I assume that you have already activated the protocol on Telem1 using your preferred Ground Control. I do not know what sketch you are using with the Mega, please use the one in the post just above your message. It is more simple and easier to avoid errors.
And please revert, I will try to answer asap.
Thx a lot to reply me so fast!!!
yes.I use the sketch that you post.
The blue connect to MEGA pin10. The green connect to MEGA pin 9.
Hi again, @HUANG_ERIC:
You have inverted the TX, RX pins. The blue one must go to pin 9 and the green to pin 10…
Check and revert, please.
@jplopezll :
I try to revert it.
But the result is the same. I have some questions. The blue one in telem 1 is TX and the green one in telem1 is RX? because i refer to the official pin assignments,
the blue is TX on pixhawk and the green is RX on pixhawk.
So it becomes to TX->TX RX->RX.
SORRY I’m a beginner asking you that question.
Hi @HUANG_ERIC:
I think your problem could be with some limitations on the Mega. According to the Software Serial Library documentation:
Not all pins on the Mega and Mega 2560 support change interrupts, so only the following can be used for RX: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 50, 51, 52, 53, A8 (62), A9 (63), A10 (64), A11 (65), A12 (66), A13 (67), A14 (68), A15 (69).
This means you must chose a pin different than 9 for RX…
Try and please revert.
