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Joystick control delay

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  • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

    @Jetson-Nano There are multiple sources of delay in that control pipeline but I would guess that the Doodle link and the serial link to the FC are probably the 2 biggest sources of delay. Can you run any experiments to help figure that out? Are you able to swap out the Doodle with WiFi to see how that affects the delay? Can you run PX4 directly on VOXL 2?

    Jetson NanoJ Offline
    Jetson NanoJ Offline
    Jetson Nano
    Veteran
    wrote on last edited by Jetson Nano
    #3

    @Eric-Katzfey I tested this out , I observed a strange behaviour, during the system is connected to doodle labs, I am able to see the video stream and the portal. once I am and try to take the data transfer is cut, I am not able to see any data from px4 or voxl 2. At the same time I can see that Doodle labs modules are still connected and they are not losing connection, but the data from voxl 2 is completely lost, QGC also is disconnected which make me lose the control over the drone.
    what can cause this kind of behaviour., and this observed when i arm try to take off and throttle is high, Normal arming, even when the command control is slow the drone does not lose connection, high throttle it is different.

    voxl 2 is not boot looping. just the communication is lost with the voxl 2. I checked the Doodle labs connection with multi meter, i was proper.

    It does get connected back through QGC and portal but that delay is risky, drone is flying away.

    Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
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    • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

      @Eric-Katzfey I tested this out , I observed a strange behaviour, during the system is connected to doodle labs, I am able to see the video stream and the portal. once I am and try to take the data transfer is cut, I am not able to see any data from px4 or voxl 2. At the same time I can see that Doodle labs modules are still connected and they are not losing connection, but the data from voxl 2 is completely lost, QGC also is disconnected which make me lose the control over the drone.
      what can cause this kind of behaviour., and this observed when i arm try to take off and throttle is high, Normal arming, even when the command control is slow the drone does not lose connection, high throttle it is different.

      voxl 2 is not boot looping. just the communication is lost with the voxl 2. I checked the Doodle labs connection with multi meter, i was proper.

      It does get connected back through QGC and portal but that delay is risky, drone is flying away.

      Eric KatzfeyE Online
      Eric KatzfeyE Online
      Eric Katzfey
      ModalAI Team
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      @Jetson-Nano So this is a new issue separate from the delay? When you arm and throttle up to take off the data link to FCv1 is interrupted and you lose connection to QGC and the joystick? If the Doodle connection is still active then perhaps the UART cable is loose and the vibrations make for an inconsistent connection? Or perhaps there is some signal noise that increases with higher motor speed and it is interfering with the UART lines? These are just guesses.

      Jetson NanoJ 1 Reply Last reply
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      • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

        @Jetson-Nano So this is a new issue separate from the delay? When you arm and throttle up to take off the data link to FCv1 is interrupted and you lose connection to QGC and the joystick? If the Doodle connection is still active then perhaps the UART cable is loose and the vibrations make for an inconsistent connection? Or perhaps there is some signal noise that increases with higher motor speed and it is interfering with the UART lines? These are just guesses.

        Jetson NanoJ Offline
        Jetson NanoJ Offline
        Jetson Nano
        Veteran
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        @Eric-Katzfey Yes this over the earlier issue of dealy, I highly believe that there is a chance of everything to be related.
        The FC data and the portal data, along with the ssh connection is lost in the moment of high throttle which is regained after a time frame of 10 to 30 seconds. the doodle labs to doodle labs module communication remains intact.

        Jetson NanoJ Eric KatzfeyE 2 Replies Last reply
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        • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

          @Eric-Katzfey Yes this over the earlier issue of dealy, I highly believe that there is a chance of everything to be related.
          The FC data and the portal data, along with the ssh connection is lost in the moment of high throttle which is regained after a time frame of 10 to 30 seconds. the doodle labs to doodle labs module communication remains intact.

          Jetson NanoJ Offline
          Jetson NanoJ Offline
          Jetson Nano
          Veteran
          wrote on last edited by
          #6
          This post is deleted!
          1 Reply Last reply
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          • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

            @Eric-Katzfey Yes this over the earlier issue of dealy, I highly believe that there is a chance of everything to be related.
            The FC data and the portal data, along with the ssh connection is lost in the moment of high throttle which is regained after a time frame of 10 to 30 seconds. the doodle labs to doodle labs module communication remains intact.

            Eric KatzfeyE Online
            Eric KatzfeyE Online
            Eric Katzfey
            ModalAI Team
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            @Jetson-Nano It's possible that there is signal noise causing interference and data loss on the UART lines which can look like delay or complete loss of connection depending on how bad it is. Can you twist the UART lines? Can you shorten the cable? Can you reroute it to try to avoid interference?

            Jetson NanoJ 2 Replies Last reply
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            • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

              @Jetson-Nano It's possible that there is signal noise causing interference and data loss on the UART lines which can look like delay or complete loss of connection depending on how bad it is. Can you twist the UART lines? Can you shorten the cable? Can you reroute it to try to avoid interference?

              Jetson NanoJ Offline
              Jetson NanoJ Offline
              Jetson Nano
              Veteran
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              @Eric-Katzfey Ok I will try all of them, and let you know.

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              • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                @Jetson-Nano It's possible that there is signal noise causing interference and data loss on the UART lines which can look like delay or complete loss of connection depending on how bad it is. Can you twist the UART lines? Can you shorten the cable? Can you reroute it to try to avoid interference?

                Jetson NanoJ Offline
                Jetson NanoJ Offline
                Jetson Nano
                Veteran
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                @Eric-Katzfey Hey, My build has ESC directly below the Doodle labs module, and the antenna cable is going out below the ESC, there is carbon fibre plate above and below the electronics.
                can the cause the issues i am facing be because of EMI.

                Eric KatzfeyE 1 Reply Last reply
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                • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

                  @Eric-Katzfey Hey, My build has ESC directly below the Doodle labs module, and the antenna cable is going out below the ESC, there is carbon fibre plate above and below the electronics.
                  can the cause the issues i am facing be because of EMI.

                  Eric KatzfeyE Online
                  Eric KatzfeyE Online
                  Eric Katzfey
                  ModalAI Team
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  @Jetson-Nano Yes, that may cause the issues.

                  Jetson NanoJ 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                    @Jetson-Nano Yes, that may cause the issues.

                    Jetson NanoJ Offline
                    Jetson NanoJ Offline
                    Jetson Nano
                    Veteran
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    @Eric-Katzfey will shielding work, if so what should be shielded?

                    Eric KatzfeyE 2 Replies Last reply
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                    • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

                      @Eric-Katzfey will shielding work, if so what should be shielded?

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

                      @Jetson-Nano It's best to try to determine what exactly is the cause first. If you determine that it is interference from a cable then the solution may be as simple as rerouting the cable. But you haven't determined for sure that EMI is even causing the issue. A good approach when designing a new vehicle is to first gather all of the electronic components and hook them together on a bench top as spread out from each other as possible and make sure that everything all works before trying to mount them inside the drone.

                      Jetson NanoJ 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

                        @Eric-Katzfey will shielding work, if so what should be shielded?

                        Eric KatzfeyE Online
                        Eric KatzfeyE Online
                        Eric Katzfey
                        ModalAI Team
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        @Jetson-Nano Another thing you can do is attach an oscilloscope to the rx and tx lines of the UART. You may be able to sport obvious signal quality issues with that.

                        Jetson NanoJ 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                          @Jetson-Nano Another thing you can do is attach an oscilloscope to the rx and tx lines of the UART. You may be able to sport obvious signal quality issues with that.

                          Jetson NanoJ Offline
                          Jetson NanoJ Offline
                          Jetson Nano
                          Veteran
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          Hi @Eric-Katzfey,

                          Thanks for your feedback.

                          I have a few additional clarifications that I would like to request, listed below:

                          In my current setup, I am powering the DoodleLabs Nano module using a 5V, 1.5A BEC, and the data interface is configured through the USB Dev port (Port 1).
                          With this configuration, the signal/noise readings observed in the DoodleLabs portal are approximately -45 dBm / -85 dBm, respectively.
                          Could you please share your suggestions or insights based on these RSSI readings?

                          Powering Query

                          I would also like to confirm whether the Nano module can be powered directly from the VOXL2.
                          I was unable to find detailed specifications regarding the current rating of the VOXL2 port.
                          Could you please confirm if the VOXL2 port can supply adequate current to reliably power the DoodleLabs module?
                          Your confirmation will help finalize our power configuration.

                          Oscilloscope Query

                          You had earlier suggested checking the signals on an oscilloscope.
                          Since our communication interface uses USB (not UART), I wanted to confirm if it is practical or meaningful to probe USB signals using an oscilloscope in this context.

                          Looking forward to your feedback and guidance on these points.

                          VinnyV 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • Eric KatzfeyE Eric Katzfey

                            @Jetson-Nano It's best to try to determine what exactly is the cause first. If you determine that it is interference from a cable then the solution may be as simple as rerouting the cable. But you haven't determined for sure that EMI is even causing the issue. A good approach when designing a new vehicle is to first gather all of the electronic components and hook them together on a bench top as spread out from each other as possible and make sure that everything all works before trying to mount them inside the drone.

                            Jetson NanoJ Offline
                            Jetson NanoJ Offline
                            Jetson Nano
                            Veteran
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            @Eric-Katzfey As you suggested .I tested the same configuration in another build, where the Doodle labs module is away from ESC . the testing did not show any loss of data.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Jetson NanoJ Jetson Nano

                              Hi @Eric-Katzfey,

                              Thanks for your feedback.

                              I have a few additional clarifications that I would like to request, listed below:

                              In my current setup, I am powering the DoodleLabs Nano module using a 5V, 1.5A BEC, and the data interface is configured through the USB Dev port (Port 1).
                              With this configuration, the signal/noise readings observed in the DoodleLabs portal are approximately -45 dBm / -85 dBm, respectively.
                              Could you please share your suggestions or insights based on these RSSI readings?

                              Powering Query

                              I would also like to confirm whether the Nano module can be powered directly from the VOXL2.
                              I was unable to find detailed specifications regarding the current rating of the VOXL2 port.
                              Could you please confirm if the VOXL2 port can supply adequate current to reliably power the DoodleLabs module?
                              Your confirmation will help finalize our power configuration.

                              Oscilloscope Query

                              You had earlier suggested checking the signals on an oscilloscope.
                              Since our communication interface uses USB (not UART), I wanted to confirm if it is practical or meaningful to probe USB signals using an oscilloscope in this context.

                              Looking forward to your feedback and guidance on these points.

                              VinnyV Offline
                              VinnyV Offline
                              Vinny
                              ModalAI Team
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              Hi @Jetson-Nano
                              Here is our info for Doodle Labs support:
                              https://docs.modalai.com/cable-datasheets/#mcbl-00085
                              Sorry it's buried in a cable page, but it makes the case clear (we think) how to support Doodle 🙂
                              b1fa4a9a-f883-4566-b3e2-ae9ab14b7264-image.png

                              regarding probing USB signals, unless you had a USB decoder on the scope, I do not think that will prove anything useful. You may be better off running usbview:
                              Windows:
                              USBTreeView by Uwe Sieber — uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html
                              It shows enumeration hierarchy, configuration descriptors, endpoints, VID/PID, power requirements, etc.
                              Linux equivalent:
                              Use usbview — it’s essentially the same utility (GTK front-end to lsusb).

                              Hope that helps!

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