Hi there,
I am using the Pixhawk controller on an RC car and have been successful at using mission planner to adjust variables, (RC3_Trim, etc) and create GPS waypoints and drive a route in auto mode. I have a switch on my RC controller set up to toggle between manual and auto modes. After several exciting runaway rover experiences, I finally have the throttle fail safe working, in case it goes out of radio range (See here: github.com/diydrones/ardupilot/issues/840 ).
I’m ready to take the next steps into (gasp!) manually changing the code. I want to start with a very small change then upload it to the rover. Is there a tutorial on how to do this? The tutorials have been great up to this point but I seem to have some major gaps in understanding what to do next.
I have opened the ardupilot code from GitHub in Make and I can compile it. Is this code considered the firmware? How do I get the compiled code loaded into the Pixhawk? Does the Mission planner software upload my new code if I go through the “Update Firmware” process? How does Mission planner know where I put my new compiled code?
If the Mission Planner doesn’t upload the code, is there a separate uploading tool? If I upload my code using a different program, will I still be able to use the Mission planner for creating routes and GPS waypoints and making minor change to the value of variables like RC3_trim?
Thanks!
Christine