Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • Users
  • Groups
Collapse
Brand Logo

ModalAI Forum

  1. ModalAI Support Forum
  2. VOXL Compute & Autopilot
  3. Flight Core v2
  4. ArduPilot on Voxl2

ArduPilot on Voxl2

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Flight Core v2
45 Posts 6 Posters 15.0k Views 3 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • T TomP

    @Eric-Katzfey When could the support for this be added?

    Eric KatzfeyE Offline
    Eric KatzfeyE Offline
    Eric Katzfey
    ModalAI Team
    wrote on last edited by
    #8

    @TomP said in ArduPilot on Voxl2:

    When could the support for this be added?

    Unfortunately, we don't have a fixed date for that support yet. We are striving to support ArduPilot on VOXL 2 by end of this year and that would include support for the IO board. Otherwise I would say keep your eye on the commits going in to AP to see if something comes in sooner.

    T 2 Replies Last reply
    0
    • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

      @TomP said in ArduPilot on Voxl2:

      When could the support for this be added?

      Unfortunately, we don't have a fixed date for that support yet. We are striving to support ArduPilot on VOXL 2 by end of this year and that would include support for the IO board. Otherwise I would say keep your eye on the commits going in to AP to see if something comes in sooner.

      T Offline
      T Offline
      TomP
      Contributor
      wrote on last edited by
      #9

      @Eric-Katzfey That is a manageable period of time for me. We can use it to plan our product roadmap. Thank you very much and keep up the good work.

      1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

        @TomP said in ArduPilot on Voxl2:

        When could the support for this be added?

        Unfortunately, we don't have a fixed date for that support yet. We are striving to support ArduPilot on VOXL 2 by end of this year and that would include support for the IO board. Otherwise I would say keep your eye on the commits going in to AP to see if something comes in sooner.

        T Offline
        T Offline
        TomP
        Contributor
        wrote on last edited by
        #10

        @Eric-Katzfey Is there an update on the timeline yet?

        Best regards
        Tom

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • Andrew TridgellA Andrew Tridgell

          Support for ArduPilot on QURT (the RTOS used on Voxl-2) is now merged in ArduPilot master
          Basic instructions on building and installing are here:

          Link Preview Image
          ardupilot/libraries/AP_HAL_QURT/ap_host/service at master · ArduPilot/ardupilot

          ArduPlane, ArduCopter, ArduRover, ArduSub source. Contribute to ArduPilot/ardupilot development by creating an account on GitHub.

          favicon

          GitHub (github.com)

          Pre-built binaries are available here:

          • https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Copter/latest/QURT/
          • https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Plane/latest/QURT/
          • https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Rover/latest/QURT/

          This should still be considered experimemtal, with active development happening with @Eric-Katzfey and myself.

          Flight video here on an autonomy dev kit copter:
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6c65-E-lzg

          Enjoy!

          T Offline
          T Offline
          TomP
          Contributor
          wrote on last edited by
          #11

          @Andrew-Tridgell @Eric-Katzfey I wanted to ask again about the current roadmap regarding Arduplane and the IO board for PWM.

          Best regards
          Tom

          Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • T TomP

            @Andrew-Tridgell @Eric-Katzfey I wanted to ask again about the current roadmap regarding Arduplane and the IO board for PWM.

            Best regards
            Tom

            Eric KatzfeyE Offline
            Eric KatzfeyE Offline
            Eric Katzfey
            ModalAI Team
            wrote on last edited by
            #12

            @TomP We are still shooting for the end of this year. I would like to know what external peripherals you would like to support though. I'm guessing GPS, magnetometer, RC, a PWM based motor ESC, and some servos for flight surface control? Also an airspeed sensor? A distance sensor? What kind of RC are you expecting to use? There are some I/O limitations with VOXL 2 so want to make sure that what you want to build can be supported by what we are putting together.

            T 1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

              @TomP We are still shooting for the end of this year. I would like to know what external peripherals you would like to support though. I'm guessing GPS, magnetometer, RC, a PWM based motor ESC, and some servos for flight surface control? Also an airspeed sensor? A distance sensor? What kind of RC are you expecting to use? There are some I/O limitations with VOXL 2 so want to make sure that what you want to build can be supported by what we are putting together.

              T Offline
              T Offline
              TomP
              Contributor
              wrote on last edited by
              #13

              @Eric-Katzfey We use GPS, compass and the IO board for a PWM-controlled ESC and two servos. We also need two more PWM channels for gimbal control. That's it.

              We do not use an RC. The control is purely via MAVLink. Joystick inputs are made via the MAVLink command MANUAL_CONTROL. Data is transmitted via the mobile network.

              Eric KatzfeyE 2 Replies Last reply
              0
              • T TomP

                @Eric-Katzfey We use GPS, compass and the IO board for a PWM-controlled ESC and two servos. We also need two more PWM channels for gimbal control. That's it.

                We do not use an RC. The control is purely via MAVLink. Joystick inputs are made via the MAVLink command MANUAL_CONTROL. Data is transmitted via the mobile network.

                Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                Eric Katzfey
                ModalAI Team
                wrote on last edited by
                #14

                @TomP I have updated the documentation at https://docs.modalai.com/voxl-ardupilot/. The VOXL 2 IO board with up to 4 PWM outputs is now supported and has been tested on a quadcopter with 4 PWM ESCs. You should be able to use this for arduplane now. We are putting together our own fixed wing test platform and hope to begin testing soon.

                Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                  @TomP I have updated the documentation at https://docs.modalai.com/voxl-ardupilot/. The VOXL 2 IO board with up to 4 PWM outputs is now supported and has been tested on a quadcopter with 4 PWM ESCs. You should be able to use this for arduplane now. We are putting together our own fixed wing test platform and hope to begin testing soon.

                  Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                  Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                  Eric Katzfey
                  ModalAI Team
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #15

                  @Eric-Katzfey I will need to add the support for up to 8 PWM outputs on VOXL 2 IO board. Right now it only supports 4. You should be able to do test flights without the gimbal with 4 PWM outputs.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • T TomP

                    @Eric-Katzfey We use GPS, compass and the IO board for a PWM-controlled ESC and two servos. We also need two more PWM channels for gimbal control. That's it.

                    We do not use an RC. The control is purely via MAVLink. Joystick inputs are made via the MAVLink command MANUAL_CONTROL. Data is transmitted via the mobile network.

                    Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                    Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                    Eric Katzfey
                    ModalAI Team
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #16

                    @TomP The update to support all 8 PWM outputs from the IO board is now in mainline. You can get it in the latest build posted here: https://firmware.ardupilot.org/Copter/latest/QURT/

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • T Offline
                      T Offline
                      TomP
                      Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #17

                      Hi,

                      How can I configure the battery monitor for ArduPlane on the VOXL2-Mini?
                      Which value do I have to enter for BATT_MONITOR and which values for BATT_I2C_ADDR and BAT_I2C_BUS?

                      The "VOXL 2 Mini Power" transmits the current and voltage measurement data via I2C.

                      Best regards,
                      Tom

                      Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • T TomP

                        Hi,

                        How can I configure the battery monitor for ArduPlane on the VOXL2-Mini?
                        Which value do I have to enter for BATT_MONITOR and which values for BATT_I2C_ADDR and BAT_I2C_BUS?

                        The "VOXL 2 Mini Power" transmits the current and voltage measurement data via I2C.

                        Best regards,
                        Tom

                        Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                        Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                        Eric Katzfey
                        ModalAI Team
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #18

                        @TomP It should just scan the available I2C ports and automatically detect the VOXL 2 mini power module if it has been connected. Is it not detecting it?

                        T 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                          @TomP It should just scan the available I2C ports and automatically detect the VOXL 2 mini power module if it has been connected. Is it not detecting it?

                          T Offline
                          T Offline
                          TomP
                          Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #19

                          @Eric-Katzfey No, this is not detected. The configuration does not seem to be correct either. The parameter list mentions "Analog Voltage and Current" and corresponding pins.
                          Here is a screenshot:
                          Arduplane_VOXL2_Mini.png

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • T Offline
                            T Offline
                            TomP
                            Contributor
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #20

                            Hi,

                            There is another problem. The PWM board does not output PWMs. I have also measured this with an oscilloscope. According to SERVO_OUTPUT_RAW, however, the FC should output PWM values.

                            Do I have to set another parameter in Arduplane so that the VOXL 2 I/O Expander Board is controlled correctly?

                            I use the VOXL2-Mini J19 connector: GND, pin 7, pin 8 and VREG_3P3V_RC for the power supply.

                            Here is my setup:
                            WhatsApp Image 2025-03-28 at 15.35.26.jpeg

                            Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • T TomP

                              Hi,

                              There is another problem. The PWM board does not output PWMs. I have also measured this with an oscilloscope. According to SERVO_OUTPUT_RAW, however, the FC should output PWM values.

                              Do I have to set another parameter in Arduplane so that the VOXL 2 I/O Expander Board is controlled correctly?

                              I use the VOXL2-Mini J19 connector: GND, pin 7, pin 8 and VREG_3P3V_RC for the power supply.

                              Here is my setup:
                              WhatsApp Image 2025-03-28 at 15.35.26.jpeg

                              Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                              Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                              Eric Katzfey
                              ModalAI Team
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #21

                              @TomP Okay, yes, sorry, you need to set BATT_MONITOR to 21 for INA2xx and need to set BATT_I2C_BUS to 1 for that power monitor to come up. I'll investigate the PWM issue.

                              T 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                                @TomP Okay, yes, sorry, you need to set BATT_MONITOR to 21 for INA2xx and need to set BATT_I2C_BUS to 1 for that power monitor to come up. I'll investigate the PWM issue.

                                T Offline
                                T Offline
                                TomP
                                Contributor
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #22

                                @Eric-Katzfey The battery monitor works. Thank you very much! I'm sure the PWM will also work and then it's off to the test flight. 🙂

                                Eric KatzfeyE 2 Replies Last reply
                                0
                                • T TomP

                                  @Eric-Katzfey The battery monitor works. Thank you very much! I'm sure the PWM will also work and then it's off to the test flight. 🙂

                                  Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                  Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                  Eric Katzfey
                                  ModalAI Team
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #23

                                  @TomP What are the settings of all the SERVO(x)_ params?

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • T TomP

                                    @Eric-Katzfey The battery monitor works. Thank you very much! I'm sure the PWM will also work and then it's off to the test flight. 🙂

                                    Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                    Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                    Eric Katzfey
                                    ModalAI Team
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #24

                                    @TomP If you set the SERVO(x)_FUNCTION parameters according to this: https://ardupilot.org/plane/docs/servo-functions.html#overview do you get any PWM output?

                                    T 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                                      @TomP If you set the SERVO(x)_FUNCTION parameters according to this: https://ardupilot.org/plane/docs/servo-functions.html#overview do you get any PWM output?

                                      T Offline
                                      T Offline
                                      TomP
                                      Contributor
                                      wrote on last edited by TomP
                                      #25

                                      @Eric-Katzfey Here are my settings (no PWM output):

                                      SERVO1_FUNCTION,4
                                      SERVO1_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO1_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO1_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO1_TRIM,1500
                                      SERVO2_FUNCTION,19
                                      SERVO2_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO2_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO2_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO2_TRIM,1500
                                      SERVO3_FUNCTION,70
                                      SERVO3_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO3_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO3_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO3_TRIM,1100
                                      SERVO4_FUNCTION,21
                                      SERVO4_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO4_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO4_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO4_TRIM,1500
                                      SERVO5_FUNCTION,0
                                      SERVO5_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO5_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO5_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO5_TRIM,1500
                                      SERVO6_FUNCTION,0
                                      SERVO6_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO6_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO6_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO6_TRIM,1500
                                      SERVO7_FUNCTION,0
                                      SERVO7_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO7_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO7_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO7_TRIM,1500
                                      SERVO8_FUNCTION,0
                                      SERVO8_MAX,1900
                                      SERVO8_MIN,1100
                                      SERVO8_REVERSED,0
                                      SERVO8_TRIM,1500

                                      Eric KatzfeyE 2 Replies Last reply
                                      0
                                      • T TomP

                                        @Eric-Katzfey Here are my settings (no PWM output):

                                        SERVO1_FUNCTION,4
                                        SERVO1_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO1_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO1_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO1_TRIM,1500
                                        SERVO2_FUNCTION,19
                                        SERVO2_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO2_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO2_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO2_TRIM,1500
                                        SERVO3_FUNCTION,70
                                        SERVO3_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO3_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO3_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO3_TRIM,1100
                                        SERVO4_FUNCTION,21
                                        SERVO4_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO4_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO4_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO4_TRIM,1500
                                        SERVO5_FUNCTION,0
                                        SERVO5_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO5_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO5_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO5_TRIM,1500
                                        SERVO6_FUNCTION,0
                                        SERVO6_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO6_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO6_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO6_TRIM,1500
                                        SERVO7_FUNCTION,0
                                        SERVO7_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO7_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO7_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO7_TRIM,1500
                                        SERVO8_FUNCTION,0
                                        SERVO8_MAX,1900
                                        SERVO8_MIN,1100
                                        SERVO8_REVERSED,0
                                        SERVO8_TRIM,1500

                                        Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                        Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                        Eric Katzfey
                                        ModalAI Team
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #26

                                        @TomP Hmm, that looks correct. On my test setup running ArduPlane with those values I see output values being sent to the M0065 board. I'm wondering if there is a connectivity issue between the VOXL 2 mini and the IO board.

                                        T 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • T TomP

                                          @Eric-Katzfey Here are my settings (no PWM output):

                                          SERVO1_FUNCTION,4
                                          SERVO1_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO1_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO1_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO1_TRIM,1500
                                          SERVO2_FUNCTION,19
                                          SERVO2_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO2_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO2_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO2_TRIM,1500
                                          SERVO3_FUNCTION,70
                                          SERVO3_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO3_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO3_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO3_TRIM,1100
                                          SERVO4_FUNCTION,21
                                          SERVO4_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO4_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO4_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO4_TRIM,1500
                                          SERVO5_FUNCTION,0
                                          SERVO5_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO5_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO5_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO5_TRIM,1500
                                          SERVO6_FUNCTION,0
                                          SERVO6_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO6_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO6_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO6_TRIM,1500
                                          SERVO7_FUNCTION,0
                                          SERVO7_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO7_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO7_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO7_TRIM,1500
                                          SERVO8_FUNCTION,0
                                          SERVO8_MAX,1900
                                          SERVO8_MIN,1100
                                          SERVO8_REVERSED,0
                                          SERVO8_TRIM,1500

                                          Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                          Eric KatzfeyE Offline
                                          Eric Katzfey
                                          ModalAI Team
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #27

                                          @TomP Can you tell me how you have connected the UART pins on M0065 to the UART pins on VOXL 2 mini? Like the actual pin numbers that are connected?

                                          T 1 Reply Last reply
                                          0

                                          Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.

                                          Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.

                                          With your input, this post could be even better 💗

                                          Register Login
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          ModalAI
                                          Categories Recent Tags ModalAI.com Docs
                                          © 2026 ModalAI® · Accelerating autonomy for smaller, smarter, safer drones · Powered by NodeBB
                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups