bmw111

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GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« on: January 16, 2016, 04:31:23 am »
Hello, new to LP and CC3D, although not new to multis, FCs, etc. Been flying mainly MWii Flip boards in my multis for a few years, and various other FCs in fixed wing, including Feiyu Tech, Eagle Tree, Skylark, Bigaole, etc.

I recently bought a HiSky HMX280 for a project, and it comes with CC3D on their board. I really like the GCS compared to MultiWii GUI so thought I'd get a few CC3Ds for projects. I ordered an Atom Mini from Banggood:  http://www.banggood.com/OpenPilot-CC3D-Atom-Mini-CC3D-FPV-Flight-Controller-CC3D-EVO-p-970762.html

And a MRM CC3D from MultiRotorMania: http://www.multirotormania.com/32-bit-/1197-mrm-cc3d-flight-controller.html?search_query=cc3d&results=23

I also ordered a supposedly CC3D compatible GPS antenna from Banggood: http://us.banggood.com/Wholesale-Warehouse-OP-GPS-for-Openpilot-CC3D-Revolution-EVO-Atom-Mini-CC3D-Filght-Controller-wp-Usa-1000066.html

My question: Will this antenna work with either of the two CC3D boards I ordered to give altitude hold, RTH, waypoint, or any standard GPS/FC functionality? Or do I need a different CC3D board? I've read what I can of the CC3D user materials, but because of the split and the OpenPilot Wiki being offline, the info I'm looking for (step-by-step instructions for GPS functionality with various CC3D boards) is hard to find.

Thanks.

hwh

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2016, 05:16:01 am »
Unfortunately, no it won't.

The cc3d series boards can't use a gps for anything but telemetry.  The cc3d boards don't do gps assisted flight modes.  To do that you need a revolution series board.  Additionally, the gps you purchased doesn't work with the cc3d boards either because it doesn't have a way to store setting changes.  The revolution boards configure the gps themselves each time they boot up.

The instructions for configuring a gps for a cc3d are in the LP wiki at https://librepilot.atlassian.net/wiki/display/LPDOC/Configure+a+GPS+for+CC3D but one of my gps units is the same as your's and it only works with the revolution board, not with my cc3d ones.






bmw111

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2016, 07:04:12 am »
Thanks, I was beginning to suspect as much. Would you mind suggesting a CC3D board that will provide GPS functionality with the GPS I have? Again, I'm a newb and the various CC3D boards out there are a bit confusing.

hwh

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2016, 07:26:58 am »
It's not actually a cc3d you need, it's a revolution aka revo.  The cc3d were an earlier board that had a slower processor and limited memory capacity.  All cc3d boards don't have the memory to run the gps flight modes.  They're not bad boards, they just don't have the memory to run the gps assisted modes.

That said, the Chinese have the confusing habit of putting every keyword they can think of in their product descriptions and eBay auction titles.  A lot of the revo ones have cc3d in the title.  And some of them have problems, primarily related to substitute voltage regulators causing noise on the power lines.  The thread https://forum.librepilot.org/index.php?topic=311.0 talks about them and how to fix the problem if you get one that's bad.  It also has pictures of revo boards.  The easiest way to tell a revo from a cc3d is the rf connector the revo has.

Just to make it more confusing, there's also a mini version of the revo.   Your best bet is to find one you're thinking of ordering and post the link here and let someone look at it and tell you if it's really a revo.

Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2016, 05:41:12 pm »
As far as I can tell, the bad voltage regulator (which shows itself as a noisy baro that can't hold altitude well) comes from all of the Chinese venders.  Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes a bad one.  Fortunately, the fix is to simply remove (unsolder or cut trace?) a very tiny component.

Usually, the Revo's will say Revo, or Revolution, so look for Revo(lution).  It will also mention an MS-5611 baro(meter) and a STM32F4(05RGT6) processor

banggood and goodluckbuy are good places to look for Revo mini.  The expensive one has telemetry built in.  The less expensive one requires buying a telemetry add on, and may even be cheaper if you include that price.


bmw111

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2016, 06:03:06 am »
Thanks for the detailed info.

These (both from BG) seen legit, according to your info. Do you have any opinions/experience regarding these two Revo boards?

http://www.banggood.com/OpenPilot-CC3D-Revolution-Revo-10DOF-STM32F4-Flight-Controller-Staight-Pin-p-1000068.html

http://www.banggood.com/OpenPilot-Mini-CC3D-Revolution-Flight-Controller-For-FPV-Multicopter-5g-p-1018903.html

hwh

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2016, 07:50:42 am »
Your first link is a standard full size revolution with built in oplink radio.  It looks identical, including the case, antenna, and cables with it, to one I purchased on eBay a while back.  Mine didn't have the problem with the voltage regulator but as Cliff said, some have the problem and some don't, there's no way to tell in advance.  Fortunately it's an easy fix.  If you're going to use the oplink you'll also need to purchase an oplink-mini for the ground end.

The second is the mini-revo Cliff mentioned that doesn't have the oplink built in.  It's designed to have an external "oplink air" plugged into it for telemetry.  If you search on banggood for "oplink air" it'll show you the $26.59 radio pair consisting of both the air one that plugs into this board and the one for the ground end.  If you don't care about the telemetry you can fly it without the oplinks.

The tiny "op-gps" you purchased earlier should work with either board without any pre-configuration, the board will configure the gps as it needs.


bmw111

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2016, 04:35:57 pm »
Thanks for the helpful info, all. Cheers.

jferfre

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Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2016, 12:44:22 pm »
Hi all!
Abosolutely interested in this!

I currently have a regular CC3D, and my requirement is to have realtime information in my Android phone about GPS location.

If I understood correctly the best option is:


The Revo with OpLink air included (less cable in the aircraft): http://www.banggood.com/OpenPilot-CC3D-Revolution-Revo-10DOF-STM32F4-Flight-Controller-Staight-Pin-p-1000068.html

The OpLink Ground: http://www.banggood.com/Openpilot-OPLINK-Mini-Radio-Telemetry-AIR-And-Ground-For-MINI-CC3D-Revolution-p-1018904.html

The GPS Antenna: http://www.banggood.com/Mini-Ublox-M8N-GPS-Module-NEO-M8N-GPS-for-APM-2_52_62_8-CC3D-SP-Racing-F3-Naze32-Flip32-PX4-p-1035454.html

The bluetooth dongle for OpLink ground: http://www.banggood.com/HC-06-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transceiver-RF-Main-Module-Serial-For-Arduino-p-80364.html

And a LiPo to power all near my TX...

Right????

Thanks
^_Pepe_^


Re: GPS functionality with various CC3D FCs?
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2018, 07:56:01 pm »
I don't have experience with that exact GPS.  I suspect that it will work and does have memory, but that is a guess.  You should get advice from someone that has that exact GPS or get a Revo class FC.

Generally the problem with CC3D and GPS is that CC3D does not do GPS auto-configuration and some of the cheapest and smallest GPS's don't have memory to store settings.  These small cheap no memory GPS's work fine on Revo class FC where they are configured each time you power up, but not on CC3D.

Also, you must use uBox "u-center" to permanently configure it (assuming it does have memory).

Also, CC3D does not do any GPS flight modes.  All you get is GPS position on the map in GCS.

If you want GPS, I really recommend that you start with a Revo class FC.