#836: Added info on MC and FRX connection and MC FW updates
Change request updated
Configuration
The default configurations have been tested to provide good performance for all users. However, there are a few additional settings that users can change to tweak RTK usage.
Improving Height Hold Performance in RTK Mode
By default, Alta utilizes the barometer as the principal source of height, since the baro accuracy (10s of cm) is much better than that of the normal GPS (many meters).
However, RTK provides very good height precision (centimeters), so it can be used to improve the Alta height performance by switching Alta to use GPS as the primary altitude source.
To change the height mode, navigate to the Parameters tab of QGC, and search for " EKF2_HGT_MODE." Set mode to "GPS" and reboot.
When not using RTK, it is recommended you return the EKF2_HGT_MODE to "Barometric Pressure"
Setting EKF Height Mode to GPS is only recommended when flying in RTK mode. In non-RTK mode (or with a normal GPS), the baro will provide much better height accuracy.
Ground Station RTK Configuration
While the default RTK settings are likely to be sufficient for most people, Alta Ground Control Station allows you to tune the following RTK base station survey-in parameters:
Survey-in accuracy: The lower the number, the more accurate the base station location will be, though it will also take longer to complete survey-in. Default value: 2.0m
Minimum observation time: Longer time typically results in a better survey, though this number can be reduced if the base station GPS is in a location where the survey-in accuracy quickly reaches the desired number. Default value: 180 seconds
To change the parameters, perform the following steps:
1.
Alta SW
OPEN Alta Ground Control Station
2.
Settings Tab
Click on QGC logo, then "General" Button
3.
RTK GPS
Scroll Down to RTK GPS Section, change settings
4.
Restart Alta SW
Restart Alta Ground Control Station to apply settings
Default PX4 Configuration with RTK GPS
The RTK module serial port is configured for 115kbaud. PX4 may not be able to automatically set to this baudrate, so it is recommended to set the parameter "SER_GPS1_BAUD" to 115200 8N1 to ensure reliable GPS communication.
Default Freefly U-Blox F9P Configuration
The default GPS configuration is shown below. By default, PX4 only modifies RAM values, which reset to the flash values on every power-up.
However, if you inadvertently modify the Flash values, you can use the data below to reset them to the Freefly defaults.
# Config changes format version 1.0
# created by u-center version 19.08.01 at 15:37:31 on Monday, 07 Oct 2019
[del]
[set]
RAM CFG-UART1-BAUDRATE 0x1c200 # write value 115200 0x1c200 to item id 40520001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1-BAUDRATE 0x1c200 # write value 115200 0x1c200 to item id 40520001 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1-STOPBITS 1 # write value 1 - ONE to item id 20520002 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1-STOPBITS 1 # write value 1 - ONE to item id 20520002 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1-DATABITS 0 # write value 0 - EIGHT to item id 20520003 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1-DATABITS 0 # write value 0 - EIGHT to item id 20520003 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1-PARITY 0 # write value 0 - NONE to item id 20520004 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1-PARITY 0 # write value 0 - NONE to item id 20520004 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1-ENABLED 1 # write value 1 to item id 10520005 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1-ENABLED 1 # write value 1 to item id 10520005 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1INPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10730001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1INPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10730001 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1INPROT-NMEA 1 # write value 1 to item id 10730002 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1INPROT-NMEA 1 # write value 1 to item id 10730002 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1INPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10730004 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1INPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10730004 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1OUTPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10740001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1OUTPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10740001 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1OUTPROT-NMEA 0 # write value 0 to item id 10740002 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1OUTPROT-NMEA 0 # write value 0 to item id 10740002 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART1OUTPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10740004 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART1OUTPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10740004 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2-BAUDRATE 0x1c200 # write value 115200 0x1c200 to item id 40530001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2-BAUDRATE 0x1c200 # write value 115200 0x1c200 to item id 40530001 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2-STOPBITS 1 # write value 1 - ONE to item id 20530002 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2-STOPBITS 1 # write value 1 - ONE to item id 20530002 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2-DATABITS 0 # write value 0 - EIGHT to item id 20530003 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2-DATABITS 0 # write value 0 - EIGHT to item id 20530003 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2-PARITY 0 # write value 0 - NONE to item id 20530004 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2-PARITY 0 # write value 0 - NONE to item id 20530004 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2-ENABLED 1 # write value 1 to item id 10530005 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2-ENABLED 1 # write value 1 to item id 10530005 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2-REMAP 0 # write value 0 to item id 10530006 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2-REMAP 0 # write value 0 to item id 10530006 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2INPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10750001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2INPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10750001 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2INPROT-NMEA 0 # write value 0 to item id 10750002 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2INPROT-NMEA 0 # write value 0 to item id 10750002 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2INPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10750004 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2INPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10750004 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2OUTPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10760001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2OUTPROT-UBX 1 # write value 1 to item id 10760001 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2OUTPROT-NMEA 0 # write value 0 to item id 10760002 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2OUTPROT-NMEA 0 # write value 0 to item id 10760002 in layer 2
RAM CFG-UART2OUTPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10760004 in layer 0
Flash CFG-UART2OUTPROT-RTCM3X 1 # write value 1 to item id 10760004 in layer 2
RAM CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_VOLTCTRL 0 # write value 0 to item id 10a3002e in layer 0
Flash CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_VOLTCTRL 0 # write value 0 to item id 10a3002e in layer 2
RAM CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_SHORTDET 0 # write value 0 to item id 10a3002f in layer 0
Flash CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_SHORTDET 0 # write value 0 to item id 10a3002f in layer 2
RAM CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_OPENDET 0 # write value 0 to item id 10a30031 in layer 0
Flash CFG-HW-ANT_CFG_OPENDET 0 # write value 0 to item id 10a30031 in layer 2
RAM CFG-TMODE-MODE 0 # write value 0 - DISABLED to item id 20030001 in layer 0
Flash CFG-TMODE-MODE 0 # write value 0 - DISABLED to item id 20030001 in layer 2
Configure Here2 GPS with AltaX
To configure Here2 GPS with Alta X, you will need to upload the param file "ALTAX-HERE2-enable.params" to QGC.
Steps:
Connect the computer to Alta X using a USB cable while no batteries are plugged in.
Open ALTA X QGC on your computer.
Download the file "ALTAX-HERE2-enable.params" (attached below).
In QGC, navigate to the Parameter section, on the top right you will see a "Tools" button. Click on that, and you will find an option to upload parameters.
Upload the Here2 param file you just downloaded, power-cycle Alta X and you should be good to go after this.
