Pixracer PX4FLOW optical flow

ArduCopter Copter 3.5
1

Hi I am trying to use the pixracer and the px4flow camera. Im running 3.5.4 and when I connect the px4flow I get bad opt flow health in HUD. When I connect the same px4flow to the normal pixhawk running the same firmware it works fine I get opt_x and opt_y data. Is there a difference in the firmware for the pixracer (px4_v4) vs the normal pixhawk (px4_v2)? Has anybody had success connecting the px4flow to the pixracer? I read from Guilaume’s in March '17 post that the oflow was disabled for V3.4 but is that the case for V3.5 and if so how would I re-enable it?

Thanks!

2

I’m using a PX4Flow module on a pixracer running arducopter 3.5.5, it works.

Do you have a laser distance measurement showing up as sonar-range?
Is opt_qual high? (i tried to use PX4Flow without updating the firmware and it kept switching between high (>200) and 0.
When you move the vehicle do opt_x & opt_y become non-zero?

3

I suspect that you have a power supply issue.
Pixracer can’t get as much current as the PixHawk.
Try using a ubec to feed the px4flow and make sure you have common ground

1 Like
4

Hi Nando, Im getting a distance measurement for sonar range. Im using a teraranger one lidar. The opt flow quality shows a zero as well no matter how good the lighting conditions are. Everything shows zero despite moving the vehicle around.

5

Thanks ppoirier! We are trying to power it from another source will know in a few hours!

6

HI ppoirier, mission planner now recognizes the optical flow camera thanks! Now the issue is that the camera seems stuck, the opt_x and opt_y and opt_quality arent moving despite moving it around it well lit conditions. Do you have any ideas of what might cause this?

Thanks!

7

As per wiki make sure you flash the right firmware (KLT) http://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-px4flow-overview.html#upgrade-the-px4flow-sensor-s-firmware
btw, it is easier to flash with qgroundcontrol

With the KLT firmware , you have to look at opt_m_x, opt_m_y if the sensor is operating you should see non-zero when moving the camera

Just like with the RangeFinder, make sure the px4flow is power properly (UBE is still the best option)

1 Like
8

Worked, it was the camera it was defective Thanks!