docs: Improve quick start, ArduPilot setup, and troubleshooting, and add GPS mode option.

This commit is contained in:
2026-01-07 21:27:34 +00:00
parent 202465af99
commit 3251fc7b27
6 changed files with 350 additions and 294 deletions

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@@ -2,43 +2,45 @@
## Overview
The drone controller (`src/drone_controller.py`) provides a simple interface for flying the drone in simulation.
The `DroneController` class (`src/drone_controller.py`) provides a simple interface for controlling the drone in ArduPilot SITL simulation.
## Usage
### Command Line
## Command Line Usage
```bash
# Activate environment first
source ~/venv-ardupilot/bin/activate
cd ~/RDC_Simulation
# Fly a square pattern
# Run flight patterns
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern square
# Options
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --help
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern circle
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern hover
```
### Options
| Option | Default | Description |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| `--pattern` | square | Flight pattern: square, circle, hover |
| `--altitude` | 5 | Flight altitude in meters |
| `--size` | 5 | Pattern size (side length or radius) |
| `--connection` | tcp:127.0.0.1:5760 | MAVLink connection string |
| `--pattern, -p` | square | Flight pattern: square, circle, hover |
| `--altitude, -a` | 5.0 | Flight altitude in meters |
| `--size, -s` | 5.0 | Pattern size (side length or radius) |
| `--connection, -c` | tcp:127.0.0.1:5760 | MAVLink connection string |
| `--gps` | false | Use GPS mode (default is GPS-denied) |
### Examples
```bash
# Fly a 10m square at 8m altitude
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern square --size 10 --altitude 8
# Large square at high altitude
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern square --size 10 --altitude 15
# Fly a circle with 5m radius
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern circle --size 5
# Small circle
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern circle --size 3 --altitude 5
# Just hover (useful for testing)
# Hover for testing
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern hover
# GPS mode (instead of GPS-denied)
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern square --gps
```
## Python API
@@ -54,123 +56,119 @@ if not drone.connect():
print("Connection failed")
exit(1)
# Takeoff
drone.set_mode("GUIDED")
# Setup for GPS-denied (disables arming checks)
drone.setup_gps_denied()
# Set mode and arm
drone.set_mode("GUIDED_NOGPS") # or "GUIDED" for GPS mode
drone.arm()
# Takeoff
drone.takeoff(5.0)
# Fly
# Fly a pattern
drone.fly_square(size=5, altitude=5)
# Land
drone.land()
```
### Class: DroneController
### DroneController Class
#### Connection
#### Constructor
```python
drone = DroneController(connection_string="tcp:127.0.0.1:5760")
drone.connect(timeout=30) # Returns True/False
```
#### State
#### Properties
```python
drone.armed # bool: Is the drone armed?
drone.mode # str: Current flight mode
drone.altitude # float: Current altitude (m)
drone.position # dict: {"x": float, "y": float, "z": float}
```
| Property | Type | Description |
|----------|------|-------------|
| `armed` | bool | Is the drone armed? |
| `mode` | str | Current flight mode |
| `altitude` | float | Current altitude (meters) |
| `position` | dict | Current position {"x", "y", "z"} |
| `vehicle_type` | str | "copter" or "plane" |
#### Commands
#### Methods
```python
drone.set_mode("GUIDED") # Set flight mode
drone.arm() # Arm motors (force arm)
drone.takeoff(5.0) # Takeoff to altitude
drone.goto(x, y, z) # Go to position (NED frame)
drone.fly_to_and_wait(x, y, alt) # Go and wait until reached
drone.land() # Land
```
| Method | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `connect(timeout=30)` | Connect to SITL, returns True/False |
| `set_mode(mode)` | Set flight mode (GUIDED, GUIDED_NOGPS, LAND, etc.) |
| `setup_gps_denied()` | Configure for GPS-denied operation |
| `arm()` | Arm motors (force arm) |
| `takeoff(altitude)` | Take off to altitude |
| `goto(x, y, z)` | Go to position (NED frame) |
| `fly_to_and_wait(x, y, alt)` | Go to position and wait until reached |
| `fly_square(size, alt)` | Fly square pattern |
| `fly_circle(radius, alt)` | Fly circle pattern |
| `land()` | Land the drone |
| `set_param(name, value)` | Set an ArduPilot parameter |
#### Patterns
### Flight Modes (ArduCopter)
```python
drone.fly_square(size=5, altitude=5) # Square pattern
drone.fly_circle(radius=5, altitude=5) # Circle pattern
```
| Mode | ID | Description |
|------|-----|-------------|
| STABILIZE | 0 | Manual control, self-leveling |
| ALT_HOLD | 2 | Hold altitude, manual position |
| GUIDED | 4 | Accept waypoint commands (needs GPS) |
| LOITER | 5 | Hold position |
| RTL | 6 | Return to launch |
| LAND | 9 | Automatic landing |
| GUIDED_NOGPS | 20 | Accept commands without GPS |
## Coordinate System
ArduPilot uses NED (North-East-Down):
- **X**: North (positive forward)
- **Y**: East (positive right)
- **Z**: Down (negative is up!)
- **X (North)**: Positive = forward
- **Y (East)**: Positive = right
- **Z (Down)**: Positive = down, **negative = up!**
```python
# Go 5m north, 3m east, at 10m altitude
drone.goto(5, 3, -10) # Z is negative for altitude
# Go 5m forward, 3m right, at 10m altitude
drone.goto(5, 3, -10) # Z is negative for altitude!
```
## Flight Modes
## GPS-Denied Mode
| Mode | Description |
|------|-------------|
| GUIDED | Accept external commands |
| LAND | Automatic landing |
| LOITER | Hold position |
| RTL | Return to launch |
| STABILIZE | Manual control |
The controller defaults to GPS-denied mode, which:
## Sequence Diagram
1. Disables arming checks (`ARMING_CHECK=0`)
2. Uses `GUIDED_NOGPS` mode (ID 20)
3. Relies on barometer for altitude
```
┌─────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│ Gazebo │ │ SITL │ │ Script │
└────┬────┘ └────┬─────┘ └────┬────┘
│ │ │
│ Physics data │ │
│ ◄──────────────│ │
│ │ │
│ Sensor JSON │ │
│ ───────────────► │
│ │ Connect │
│ │ ◄────────────────│
│ │ │
│ │ Set GUIDED │
│ │ ◄────────────────│
│ │ │
│ │ Arm │
│ │ ◄────────────────│
│ │ │
│ │ Takeoff │
│ │ ◄────────────────│
│ │ │
│ Motor commands │ │
│ ◄──────────────│ │
│ │ │
│ Drone moves │ │
│ │ │
To use GPS mode instead:
```bash
python scripts/run_ardupilot.py --pattern square --gps
```
## Troubleshooting
### Drone doesn't move
### Drone won't arm
1. Check Gazebo is running
2. Check SITL shows telemetry (not "No JSON sensor message")
3. Check drone is armed
1. Check MAVProxy console for pre-arm errors
2. Try force arming in MAVProxy: `arm throttle force`
3. Make sure SITL is connected to Gazebo (shows "JSON received:")
### Timeout waiting for altitude
### Mode not changing
- Increase takeoff timeout
- Check for pre-arm failures in SITL console
### Connection refused
```bash
# Check SITL is running
nc -z 127.0.0.1 5760 && echo "SITL is ready" || echo "SITL not running"
Check the current mode in MAVProxy console. If stuck, try:
```
mode GUIDED
```
### Drone not moving
1. Make sure you're in GUIDED or GUIDED_NOGPS mode
2. Check altitude - drone needs to be off ground
3. Verify Gazebo is running and responsive
### Wrong vehicle type detected
If you see ArduPlane modes (FBWA, FBWB), restart SITL:
```bash
pkill -9 -f sim_vehicle
sim_vehicle.py -v ArduCopter -f gazebo-iris --model JSON --console --wipe-eeprom
```