Analog Sonar (AC3.1)¶
Copter supports the MaxSonar line of sonar sensors for “Terrain Following” while in Loiter or Alt Hold modes. In these modes, the copter will attempt to maintain a constant distance from the ground. The sonar is also used during LAND mode. The copter will slow it’s descent to 50cm/s (configurable with LAND_SPEED parameter) when the sonar detects something below the vehicle.
Warning
RNGFND_MAX_CM must be set to a tested, appropriate value. If RNGFND_MAX_CM is set to a value greater than the range of the sensor, the flight controller will not respond correctly to the data provided.
Supported Sonars¶
The Maxbotix recommended Sonar for Multicopter use is the MaxBotix XL-EZ4 (aka MB1240) which has a 7.65m max range and a narrow beam which helps reduce the chance of interference from other sources of sound at the same frequency.
It is definitely worth reading the Interfacing an Ultrasonic Sensor with a Pixhawk or Ardupilot Mega article by Maxbotix.
These other sonar are also supported:
- XL-EZL0 (10.68m max range but lower resolution, also XLL)
- HRLV-EZ4 (5m max range but higher resolution, also HRLV-EZ0)
- LV-EZ4 (6.45m max range, cheaper but less resistant to noise, also LV_EZ0)
We do not yet support I2C based MaxBotix sonars.
Building a cable to reduce sonar noise¶
As described in this Maxbotix article, you will need to make a special cable which requires:
- 100uF capacitor
- 10ohm resistor
- 3-wire shielded cable
- 0.1” crimp connector housing and crimp pins
Connecting the Sonar Sensor on APM 2.x¶
The sensor’s GND, V+ and “AN” or “3” pins should be connected to APM 2’s A0 pins as shown in the diagram below:
Connecting the Sonar Sensor on PX4FMU¶
You will need to assign the Sonar (signal line) to an appropriate PX4 pin in Mission Planner - Configuration - Advanced Params - Adv Parameter List using the SONAR_PIN parameter. The following PX4 “Pins” are available for SONAR use.
SONAR_PIN = 11 - (recommended)
The “airspeed” pin. Located on a 3 pin DF13 connector on the PX4IO board, but directly visible to the ADC on the PX4FMU. This pin can take voltages up to 6.6V (it has an internal voltage divider).
SONAR_PIN = 12
A general analog input pin. Located on pin 3 of the “FMUSPI” port on the PX4IO board, this pin is directly visible to the PX4FMU analog input code. This can take voltages up to 3.3V.
SONAR_PIN = 13
A general analog input pin. Located on pin 4 of the “FMUSPI” port on the PX4IO board, this pin is directly visible to the PX4FMU analog input code. This can take voltages up to 3.3V. It is being worked on and will be included in this section when it is available.
Mounting the Sonar Sensor¶
It’s important that the sonar sensor be mounted at least three inches (10cm) away from sources of electrical noise including the ESCs and other interference.
Enabling the Sonar through Mission Planner¶
Enable the sonar by connecting your APM/PX4 to the Mission Planner and then:
- Go to Initial Setup > Optional Hardware > Sonar
- Check the “Enable” checkbox
- Select the sonar model from the drop down list
Testing the sonar¶
You can test the sonar basically works by connecting your APM/PX4 to the mission planner and then:
- Go to the Terminal window and press “Connect to APM” or “Connect to PX4”
- when the prompt appears type test
- type sonar
The current distanced sensed by the sonar should be displayed. Aim the sonar at targets of different distances (i.e. ceiling, wall, etc) and ensure the numbers change. If they do not then there may be a hardware issue with the sonar or cabling.
You should also hear the sonar clicking very rapidly (10hz) whenever power is applied if you do not hear this then it’s possible that the sonar is defective or is not being powered for some reason.
Tuning the gain¶
If when flying you find that your copter bobs up and down it is possible that the default SONAR_GAIN is too high for your copter. Go to the mission planner’s Config/Tuning > Full Parameter List and reduce the SONAR_GAIN parameter from it’s default of 0.2 to 0.1 or even 0.05 and press “Write Params”.
Sonar Maximum Altitude¶
- When enabled Sonar is used as the means of determining altitude below Sonar Maximum Altitude, above that the barometer is used.
- Sonar Maximum Altitude is calculated as 60 percent of the factory specified maximum Sonar range for the Sonar type selected.
- Sonar is used for determining altitude only when the Sonar itself is
detecting the ground and is below it’s Sonar Maximum Altitude.
- XL-EZ4 or XL-EZ0 have a Maximum range of 7.65 meters and a Sonar Maximum Altitude of 4.59 meters.
- XL-EZLO have a Maximum range of 10.68 meters and a Sonar Maximum Altitude = 6.4 meters.
- HRLV-EZ4 or HRLV-EZ0 with Maximum range of 5 meters and a Sonar Maximum Altitude of 3 meters.
- LV-EZ4 or LV-EZ0 have a Maximum range of 6.45 meters and a Sonar Maximum Altitude = 3.87 meters.
- If the Sonar gets an unreliable return below the Sonar Maximum Altitude, it is ignored and the Barometer altitude is used.
Cold weather performance¶
The MaxBotix XL-EZ0 sonar (and other variations of their indoor sonar) may not function for about 10 minutes after an extreme drop in temperature (i.e. a drop from a warm 27C/80F house to the chilly 10C/50F outdoors) because of condensation building up on the sensor.
This post includes one member’s (Geir Engebakken) solution (initially suggested by the developer Olivier ADLER) involving attaching 4x10Ohm resistors to the base of the sonar powered from a 5V source.
Other Potential Causes of Sonar Noise¶
If you are having problems with excessive noise on your sonar as shown in the dataflash log below (sonar is in red, baro is in green)
There are a number of possible causes which should be investigated:
Sonar is susceptible to “noise” from a variety of sources and several “fixes” may be required to achieve adequate performance.
- Electrical noise caused by ESCs, Servos, or switching BEC’s on the
same circuit as the Sonar.
- The RC filter and use of shielded cable as described above are usually sufficient.
- EMF radiation from motors, motor wires, ESC’s or Xbee.
- Sonar is especially susceptible to AC EMF noise generated by the ESCs and ESC to motor wiring.
- This can be greatly reduced by wrapping the nearby ESCs and their motor wiring in aluminum (gutter) tape.
- Acoustic noise from propellers, prop wash and turbulence.
- It is very important to keep the Sonar out of direct prop wash or turbulence.
- Balancing propellers (and motors) can help.
- Mounting the sonar sensor inside a small can or tube thinly lined with foam can greatly reduce unwanted exterior acoustic noise.
- Wrap Sonar module board and components in rubber or foam tape to reduce transferred acoustic noise.
- Vibration from motors, props, etc.
- Sonar is very subject to frame transmitted vibration.
- Mounting the Sonar module on double sided foam or Gel tape will pretty much eliminate this noise source.
- The MB 1240 series is the only Sonar considered suitable for multicopter use by the manufacturer - Maxbotix.
Note
Please read this tutorial for a comprehensive review: Interfacing an Ultrasonic Sensor with a Pixhawk or Ardupilot Mega.