Advanced Input Mapping

Advanced Input / Output mapping for the Pilot Pro

Input mapping is a critical step in customizing your Pilot Pro Radio for use with non-Freefly hardware. Whether you're piloting drones, RC planes, or other remote-controlled models, input mapping allows you to configure and assign channels, switches, and controls to suit your unique needs. The Pilot Pro Radio’s robust features make it easy to tailor inputs to your specific preferences, enhancing responsiveness and control precision. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of input mapping, walk through step-by-step instructions, and share tips for getting the most out of your setup. By the end, you’ll have the skills to unlock the full potential of your Pilot Pro Radio.

Custom Configuration File

The custom configuration YAML file is your gateway to unparalleled flexibility and personalization with the Pilot Pro Radio. This powerful file format allows you to define and fine-tune every aspect of your radio’s setup, from channel assignments and switch functions to advanced input mappings and flight modes. By editing the YAML, you can create a tailored configuration that perfectly matches your flying style, equipment, and mission objectives. In this guide, we’ll introduce the structure and purpose of the YAML file, explain how to edit it safely, and provide tips for crafting configurations that elevate your piloting experience to the next level.

Below we have example configuration YAML's for our radios along with a blank variant for easy setup from scratch

Examples:

Freefly Herelink

Freefly Doodle

Freefly RFD900

Freefly Blank

General Configuration

The configuration file begins with general information needed to parse and label the configuration:

FORMAT_VERSION: 1
CONFIG_NAME: Freefly Herelink

FORMAT_VERSION	This field indicates the file format version
CONFIG_NAME	Use this field to name your configuration. 16 characters max, alphanumeric and spaces

Important: Do not modify the FORMAT_VERSION field unless instructed to do so.

Parameter Configuration

The parameters define the base layer for communication with the module and some default settings.

PARAMETERS:
  RadioUartBaud: 57600
  SbusBaud: 100000
  SbusChDefaultVal: 1023
  VehicleCompId: 1
  VehicleSysId: 1

Parameter List:

RadioUartBaud	Baud rate for UART communication to the radio. Do not change
SbusBaud	Baud rate for the SBUS protocol. Do not change
SbusChDefaultVal	Default SBUS value when a SBUS channel is not mapped to an input
VehicleCompId	MAVLink Vehicle Component ID
VehicleSysId	MAVLink Vehicle System ID

Input Configuration

The INPUTS section defines all available inputs on your device. Each input type is grouped under its respective category, and the full list of available inputs are listed below:

INPUTS:
  - JOYSTICK_INPUT:
      - name: Joystick_Left_X
        smoothFactor: 0.0
        window: 1.0
        expoFactor: 0.0

Input Types:

JOYSTICK_INPUT	Joystick_Left_X Joystick_Left_Y Joystick_Right_X Joystick_Right_Y
ROCKER_INPUT	Rocker_Left Rocker_Right
DIAL_INPUT	Dial_1 Dial_2 Dial_3 Dial_4
BUTTON_INPUT	Button_A1 Button_A2 Button_A3 Button_A4 Button_A5 Button_L1 Button_L2 Button_Power Button_R1 Button_R2
SWITCH_INPUT	Switch_Kill Switch_S1 (Up, Center, Down, as 1, 0, -1) Switch_S1_Center (Boolean, is or is not Center) Switch_S1_Down (Boolean, is or is not Down) Switch_S1_Up (Boolean, is or is not Up) Switch_S2 (Up, Center, Down, as 1, 0, -1) Switch_S2_Center (Boolean, is or is not Center) Switch_S2_Down (Boolean, is or is not Down) Switch_S2_Up (Boolean, is or is not Up)

For each input, there are a variety of settings that can be configured.

Input Settings:

name	The unique name of the input used for the ‘inputName’ field of an output. DO NOT MODIFY.
smoothFactor	The amount of smoothing applied. Higher values create smoother but more delayed responses. The range is 0.0 (no smoothing) to 100.0 (maximum smoothing).
window	The amount of deadband applied. This creates a window where the input is ignored near center stick to eliminate drift. The range is 0.0 (no window) to 100.0 (maximum window).
expoFactor	The amount of expo applied to your stick commands. Set to a value of 0.0 for a linear response. The range is -100.0 (center stick sensitive) to 100.0 (outer stick sensitive).

Important: Do not remove any fields from this section. If an input is not used, leave its fields as they are in the Input section

Output Configuration

The OUTPUTS section defines how inputs are mapped to various output types. Each output type has its own subsection which will apply to it’s respective type of commands it can send:

OUTPUTS:
  - HID_OUTPUT:
      - name: HID_Button_1
        inputName: Button_A3
        scalarName: None
        ADCTh: -1
        minValue: 0.0
        maxValue: 1.0

Output Types:

HID_OUTPUT	Human Interface Device. Commonly used for connections to USB devices
SBUS_OUTPUT	SBUS output. Used often with RC control
SCALAR_OUTPUT	Internal use. These are internal references that you need to adjust to change scaling, or have one input change the behavior of another
MAVLINK_COMMAND_OUTPUT	MAVLink commands. Sends direct MAVLink message
MAVLINK_MANUAL_CONTROL_OUTPUT	MAVLink MANUAL_CONTROL. Used for MAVLink control system inputs
MAVLINK_MODE_SWITCH_OUTPUT	Switch PX4 mode using the MAV_CMD_DO_SET_MODE MAVLink COMMAND_LONG. Used for PX4 Autopilot.

For each output, you will have a combination settings that can be adjusted.

Output Settings:

name	Do not modify this. This is an internal name used to reference this part of the configuration
inputName	The name of the input you would like to apply to this output (ie to use the A1 button, you would put in Button_A1. Input names can be referenced above)
scalarName	A scalar name to scale the output value with
ADCTh	An integer from 0 and 100 sets the threshold for the analog value to be converted to a digital value. Set to -1 if unused
minValue	The minimum value of the output
maxValue	The maximum value of the output

Important: Do not remove any fields from this section. If an input is not used, put ‘None’ in the inputName

Mapping Inputs to Outputs

To map an input to an output:

1. Find the desired output in the OUTPUTS section.

2. Set the inputName to the exact name of the input you want to map.

3. Adjust minValue and maxValue to set the range of the output if needed.

Remember: You can modify all output fields EXCEPT for the ‘name’ field

Using Scalar Outputs

Scalar outputs can be used to modify input values that are mapped to an input. Scalar outputs follow the same output settings as all other outputs, but give an additional point to modify the output

  - SCALAR_OUTPUT:
      - name: Scalar_1
        inputName: Dial_1
        scalarName: None
        ADCTh: -1
        minValue: 0.0
        maxValue: 1.0

Pilot Pro Input Mapping Processing

To assist with custom configurations, below is a flowchart of how inputs are processed into a usable output. This chart shows how we have mapped the left rocker by default. The rocker is both scaled by dial 1, and uses switch s1 to invert the direction it moves the gimbal.

Internal Processing flow for Input Mapping on the Pilot Pro

You can find a high resolution version the flowchart here

Importing / Exporting Configurations

Configurations can be imported or exported through the Pilot Pro app's Input Mapping page

Pilot Pro Input Mapping

In System Presets, this will include all Freefly Preset configurations:

Freefly Default Presets

Under the User Presets, this will be where you can add or create your own configurations. Creating a New configuration will make a copy of your current configuration. Importing a configuration allows you to import a YAML configuration file from anywhere on your device. Importing will copy the configuration to Tablet Storage > Documents > Pilot Pro App > CONFIGURATION PRESETS. To remove a configuration, delete the YAML file from this location

Pilot Pro User Presets