Questions regarding RB5 5G drone

Eric Katzfey

@MJ What do you get when you enter ps aux | grep ssc or ps aux | grep sensor?

Eric Katzfey

@MJ Can your reflash the system image? https://docs.modalai.com/Qualcomm-Flight-RB5-system-image/. It will delete everything on your board so backup any important data before doing this. If ssc_sensor_info doesn't report all of the sensors then px4 will never work as it relies on that ability.

MJ

@Eric-Katzfey

sh-4.4# ps aux | grep ssc
system    1273  1.0  0.0   2068  1260 ?        Ss   20:16   0:02 /usr/bin/sscrpcd sensorspd
root      3764  0.0  0.0   2708   648 pts/0    S<+  20:20   0:00 grep ssc
sh-4.4#

sh-4.4# ps aux | grep sensor
system    1273  0.9  0.0   2068  1260 ?        Ss   20:16   0:02 /usr/bin/sscrpcd sensorspd
sensors   1281  0.0  0.0 186552  5896 ?        Ssl  20:16   0:00 /usr/bin/sensors.qti
root      4196  0.0  0.0   2708   620 pts/0    S<+  20:21   0:00 grep sensor
sh-4.4#

MJ

@Eric-Katzfey
Will try to re-flash within a day or two, so I'll get back to you with the updates.

MJ

This post is deleted!

MJ

Re-flash solved all the previous issues.

But still I'm unable to arm the unit.

Following instruction provided here
https://docs.modalai.com/Qualcomm-Flight-RB5-user-guide-first-flight/
doesn't help as I receive GPS and AHRS errors (while the unit is placed under open and clear sky).

Regarding the GPS, I receive the "GPS accuracy too low" (while receiving 10-12 satellites).

What could be the cause of these errors?
Also is the GPS necessary to at least test the motors?
Is it possible to fly without the GPS?

Hi @MJ ,

Check to see if you have your outdoor parameters correctly set: https://gitlab.com/voxl-public/flight-core-px4/px4-parameters/-/tree/master/helpers/rb5

Sometimes the ekf2 aid mask is still set to 280.

You can arm the drone without GPS by setting COM_ARM_WO_GPS to 1.

Also, are the GPS LEDs illuminating? There should be the main one which should go from blue to green when it's ready. And a small one flashing on the side that shows a GPS lock.

MJ

@RichieRich

I have made following changes (WO_GPS to 1 and EFK2_AID_MASK to 1 and to 0)

but now I receive following error:

The main GPS LED (blue) slowly blinks, but only in blue color.
The FIX LED has short blinks in blue color.

Could you please advise what to do?

MJ

Also when I go to QGC - Vehicle setup - Safety, I get this error

MJ

When EFK2_AID_MASK is set to 1, following errors occur:

I emphasize that drone is under clear and sunny sky

MJ

@RichieRich
Are there any updates or suggestions regarding above mentioned issues? Thanks!

EKF2_AID_MASK should be set to 1 for GPS.

Have you set CP_DIST > 0? From the warning, it looks like you have the avoidance system on and it may be seeing something.

How are you mounting the GPS unit? Just an un-modified RB5 with mast? I assume you're outdoors with a clear view of the sky. In some cases, interference will throw that error. Setting COM_ARM_WO_GPS will always allow you to arm despite GPS errors. If you still can't arm, there's usualy another issue, maybe as stated above that the obstacle avoidance system is enabled. Another place to check is in QGC under safeties to ensure the avoidance system is disabled.

Againg for the GPS< Flashing blue, means it's still waiting for the GPS to be fully ready. Small blue LED on the side will flash blue showing a lock.

You can also try opening up the GPS check values or disabling some checks. For instance you can open up ekf2_req_sacc from 0.5 to about 0.75.

There's also the GPS check you can experiment with to see what exactly the error is to get to ready (most likely interference). You can try turning off bit 4 for instance. Your mask is currently set to the default 245 or 11110101.

MJ

@RichieRich
GPS unit is mounted by default (as it comes with RB5 5G drone), mast is locked in vertical postion.
Turning EKF2_REQ_SACC to 0,75 provided no errors from GPS.
Obstacle avoidance was also disabled, so we managed to fly.

But I'm still a bit confused why the obstacle avoidance gives error, since the drone was placed on the ground (concrete pavement), no obstacles within few meters, while the minimum distance was set to only 1 m. But this is current setup that works:

Many thanks for your help. We'll try to figure this out and provide info in a few days.