Implementation MSD19
Getting started with Crazyflie 2.X
Need introduction here.
Manual Flight
This section explains in detail on how to setup a Crazyflie 2.X drone starting from hardware assembly to first manual flight. We used Windows to continue with initial setup of the software part for manual flight. However, Linux (Ubuntu 16.04) was preferred for the autonomous flight. Following additional hardware is required to setup first manual flight.
- Bitcraze Crazyradio PA USB dongle
- A remote control (PS4 Controller or Any USB Gaming Controller)
This link was used to get started with assembly and setting up the initial flight requirements
NOTE: It must be noted that the Crazyflie is running on its latest firmware. The steps to flash the Crazyflie with latest firmware are discussed here.
The Crazyflie client is used for controlling the Crazyflie, flashing firmware, setting parameters and logging data. The main UI is built up of several tabs, where each tab is used for a specific functionality. We used this link to get started with first manual flight of the drone and to develop an understanding of Crazyflie Client. Assisted flight mode is recommended as an initial manual testing mode which is explained here. But before this assisted flight mode is executed, loco-positioning system needs to be setup as explained in next section.
Autonomous Flight
To get started with autonomous flight, the pre-requisites are as follows:
- Loco Positioning System: Please refer to “Loco Positioning System Section” for more details. The link explains the whole setup of loco-positioning system.
- Linux (Ubuntu 16.04)
- Python Scripts: We used autnomousSequence.py file from crazyflie python library. We found this script to be the starting point of autonomous flight.
This link was also used develop a comprehensive understanding of autonomous flight. After setting up the LPS, modifications in the python script of autonomousSequence.py file were made to adjust it according to desired deliverables.
Modifications
The following modifications were made in the autonomousSequence.py file.
- Data Logging of Crazyflie Position from Path Planning and Simulator to CSVs
- Path Planning
These modifications can be observed by comparing the original autonomousSequence.py file with our file here. The difference is easily visible and understandable. This is the git-repository of our work. The modified autnomousSequence.py file can be accessed in Motion Control folder.
Troubleshooting
The drone positioning parameters i.e. roll, pitch and yaw are not stable. The solution is to trim the parameters which can be seen in Firmware Configuration headline in the following link. For autonomous flights, issues like updating the anchor nodes and assigning them identification numbers may appear in Windows, but they can be solved by updating the nodes in Linux.
Localization
Need introduction here.
Local Positioning System (Loco Deck)
The core of localization tool used for the drone is based on a purpose-built Loco Positioning system (LPS) that provides a complete hardware and software solution by Bitcraze. This system comes with a documentation regarding installation, configuration, and technical information in the online directory. Before starting, the following preparations are made:
- 1 Loco positioning deck installed on Crazyflie
- 8 Loco positioning nodes positioned within the room
- Node fixed on stands 3D printed from makefile
- USB power source for anchors
- Ranging mode chosen as TWR
Overall hovering ability observed during hardware testing matches with what has been stated in company measurements as +/- 5 cm range.
Laser Range and Optical Sensor (Flow Deck 2.0)
An additional positioning component is a combination of VL53L0x Time of Flight sensor that measures ground distance and a PMW3901 optical flow sensor measures that ground planar movement. The expansion deck is plug and play. However, technical information is available.
Loco Deck + Flow Deck
Integration of sensor information occurs automatically as drone firmware can identify which types of sensors are available. Subsequently, the governing controller handles the data accordingly. To accept more sensor input, the Crazyflie utilizes an Extended Kalman Filter. The information flow from component to component at low level can be seen below;
Recommendations and Troubleshooting
- It is vital to have sensors operating in proper environmental conditions. Such as non-reflective floor surface for (Flowdeck) laser ranger, textured surface for (Flowdeck) camera/ laser ranger, empty room for clear radio signalling to (LPS) UWBs.
- For packaging purposes of the battery, Flowdeck and LPS deck it is better to use long pins such that proper power and signal distribution is supported. If not, the contact pins for mounting these devices becomes only marginally sufficient and at some points will not power the devices properly.
- Stable flight can be achieved if at least 4 anchors are identified so to make sure there is sufficient coverage over the (Tech United) field it is best to use 8 anchors. With this set up there is a better chance that range data will be continuously pinged from the Crazyflie 2.0 deck and back.
- LPS and Flowdeck together when used especially with TWR mode the Loco deck crashes after a while. The issue also raised in ticket and another. If encountered, Issue #368 re-flash the drone. Link does not work.
- While testing it has sometimes been observed that beacons on ground level do not communicate with Client at start of connection. A ticket has been opened concluding some alternative solutions in the forum.
- Some parameter setting could be changed to test in the CF Firmware in cases which EKF is getting confused with conflicting data from flow and the LPS at the same time. Things to try could be to increase the standard deviation: For Flow sensor, For Range sensor, For UWB data parameter