XXgimbal V1.0
Key Points
2-axis Gimbal with the multiple modes available selectable with 2/3 way mode-switch.
2 Rx versions available:
PWM version using just 3 PWM channels (ie separate Tx/Rx for Gimbal control)
PPM version which can allow 1 Tx/Rx to potentially control both model and gimbal
Specifically written for KK+ board with Mems add-on Board V1.1 (has gyros + accelerometer)
You will need for configuration a Serial LCD display - this must be Sparkfun compatible
eg:
www.multircshop.com/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=35&product_id=593or
www.sparkfun.com/products/9393You will need to modify the KK+ board (see separate document on how to do this)
Software Features
Gimbal modes available are:
• Normal : this is normal stabilised mode
• Angled : stabilised but with a fixed pitch adjustment applied ie for looking down
• PitchCtl : stabilised, but allows user to use TxPitch control to adjust Gimbal Pitch
• AdjLevel : stabilised, but allows user to alter the gimbal set level using TxRoll & Pitch controls
• Fixed : non-stabilised ie for FPV
4 Servo rates available: 50, 100, 150 & 200Hz
wide Minimum and Maximum pulse lengths per servo.
PPM version (8ch) allows user to assign Tx controls to different channels
Option to run stand-alone with no Rx attached.
note: For PPM version, PPM sequence must be: Roll, Pitch....
Installation
Flash the relevant hex file.
Hex files are in the form:
XXgimbal10a_XXX_M999_EN.hex
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
| | | |
| | | + Language (if present): EN=English
| | |
| | + Chip type M168 or M328
| |
| + Type: PPM, PWM
|
+ Version: V1.0a
First-time Setup
For PPM version, plug PPM Rx output into ELE and skip to Plug in LCD.
For PWM version, connect TxRoll & TxPitch to AIL & ELE respectively.
Connect the mode switch wire to THR. If you only have a 4ch system, then you can use TxColl instead.
Plug in LCD Display.
Plug servos in: M1=Roll servo, M2=Pitch servo.
Power-on the Tx and then power-on the board.
Wait till the main menu shows 'Gimbal Menu'
Now proceed to with setup:
For PPM users:
set the channel number for the mode switch (Setup/Tx/Mode-Switch)
If you are going to use PitchCtl or AdjLevel modes, set: (Setup/Tx/Roll/Pitch&Roll-man/)
the manual control channel numbers
the type of manual control it is: TxStick or Pot (*see note below)
Perform stick centering (nb: PPM users set all pots to centre) (Setup/Tx/Calibration)
Set mode-switch position functions (Setup/Modes/Sw-Pos0->2)
Set Servo Directions/min/max/rate etc (Setup/Servos/Servo1&2/)
set required Servo PWM rate (Setup/Servos/PWM-Rate)
If using Angled mode, set AngledAdj (Setup/Modes/Angled-Adj)
this adjusts the amount of Pitch applied when in this mode
If using Fixed mode, set FixedAdj (Setup/Modes/Fixed-Adj)
this adjusts the amount of Pitch applied when in this mode
notes:
the Manual Control type determines how user control changes are interpreted:
If TxStick type selected, stick movements are incremental i.e. when centered, there is no movement, but moving the
stick a small amount will result in a small continuous movement which will continue until the stick is released.
for Pot type, the change is absolute, ie the pot position controls the position.
You don't have to set the Type to be correct for the actual Tx control type
e.g. if you set a Tx stick as type Pot, then the Tx Stick will directly control the position.
General Points
The Gimbal software has 2 run-modes:
Config mode with Menu-navigation enabled
Gimbal mode.
Note that in both run-modes, the Roll & Pitch Gimbals will be active and changes to the configuration will take
immediate effect.
On start-up, the software will display a screen allowing the user to select the run-mode they want. If no selection is
made within 15 seconds, it will default to Gimbal mode and no configuration changes can be made.
Notes:
If no Rx is detected, it will default to Gimbal run-mode and select the mode set for mode-switch position 0.
The select screen will only be shown after stick centering has been done
On power-on, the board will perform sensor calibration for gyros (indicated by flashing LED).
The board needs to be still during this and will automatically re-try the calibration if it is not still.
For PWM users, because there the TxRoll & Pitch controls have dual use, it is best to make Configuration changes with
the Gimball in Normal mode.
The AdjLevel Gimbal mode allows the level to be changed permanently. Because of the filtering applied, there will be
some lag after the change is made for the board to change. This is noticeably different to PitchCtl which is immediate.
LED info:
Off – board is not powered or has failed Sensor check (see Diagnostics/Sensors/)
On – board is in Gimbal run-mode
Intermittent flash – board is in Config run-mode.
Fast flash – doing calibration of some type (Sensor or Tx)
Other Points