Alexmos Firmware 2.60b4 – latest stable version – Basecamelectronics

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Basecamelectronics Alexmos Firmware 2.50b0 (release candidate)

Basecamelectronics Alexmos New Firmware Release 2.60B4

New features

  • New enhanced PID auto-tuning algorithm:
    • Fast and reliable;
    • Finds most optimal PID gains to minimize error of stabilization and prevent self-excitation;
    • Flexible: can tune PID from zero or slightly adjust gains starting from the current values;
    • Able to tune other parameters, like low-pass filters;
    • Has safety interrupts to prevent damage in case of wrong system operation;
    • No GUI connection is required – can be run by the menu button command;
    • Allows to update PID settings in all profiles;
  • New settings “Filters” – “D-term LPF filters” that can help to remove high-frequency oscillations in some setups and allows to set greater PID gains
  • Notch filters are extended: can be used as peak filter; gain is set in dB instead of %
  • Acceleration limiter setting is split per-axis
  • New types of encoders are supported for YAW axis in the regular firmware: PWM and I2C.
  • New option “PID Gain multiplier” to extend the range of  PID settings or link PID gain to adjustable variables, to tune it on-line by the analog potentiometer or RC.
  • Serial API was extended by many new commands
  • Option to disable of using gyro signal from the frame IMU for stabilization, but keep it for a frame angle detection; option to pass it through  low-pass filter with adjustable cut-off frequency. Both options  are useful in the case of high level of vibrations on the frame.
  • Add a support of MavLink protocol for Ardupilot FC connection (beta state), that allows to increase a precision of stabilization and control over gimbal in automated missions.
  • Option to backup/restore IMU calibrations to a file
  • (Encoder version) Motor over-heating protection is improved: more precise model, virtual temperature is shown in the GUI to simplify tuning process; new safety action: alarm and cut-off motors
  • (Encoder version) “Encoder field offset” parameter is calibrated automatically, no frame movement is required.
  • Parameter “Magnetic linkage of a motor” will improve precision of stabilization; new auto-calibration function for this parameter
  • Angle of motors can be used as a source in the “Adjustable Variables” to set a dependency of the system parameters on the camera-to-frame relative position, set by the inner (counting from the camera) and the middle motor’s angles
  • Option to enable 3rd serial port: UART2 (Rx: AUX3, Tx: n/c); option to swap pins with the RC_SERIAL port (Rx: RC_ROLL, Tx: RC_YAW). In the encoder-enabled version, ports are swapped by default.
  • New menu commands to switch to selfie mode by rotating camera 180 degrees from current position or 0/180 relative to home position, by the YAW axis.
  • Several new commands in scripting language; option to use dynamic variables linked to the RC signal sources
  • Option to automatically switch to upside-down mode (both frame and camera) and auto-rotate camera when frame is rotated +-180 degrees over PITCH axis.

Bugfixes

  • Fixed problems with USB connection in “Tiny” boards
  • RC control is slightly improved: smoother “Angle” mode, no overshoot after fast breaks
  • Script parser: properly handles speed below 0.07 degree/sec for very slow time-lapses
  • Fixed problems with the firmware upgrade under modern MacOS versions
  • Many minor improvements of the system performance in various conditions

 

GUI Windows, OS X, LinuxSimpleBGC_GUI_2_60b4.zip
User Manual EnglishSimpleBGC_32bit_manual_2_6x_eng.pdf 

Alexmos New Firmware Release 2.56B7 – Basecamelectronics

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2.56b7

GUI (Windows, OS X, Linux): SimpleBGC_GUI_2_56b7.zip (8Mb 20.01.2016)
User Manual (English): SimpleBGC_32bit_manual_2_5x_eng.pdf (1Mb 24.12.2015)

New hardware

  • Support of ICM20608 gyroscope+accelerometer sensor.
  • New option “I2C high-speed”. Use it carefully: high-speed mode may cause I2C errors.
  • Support for saving and restoring of calibration data to the IMU’s EEPROM (if present).
  • Support of analog encoder (rotary position sensor) on YAW axis in the regular firmware.
  • New option “Advanced” ? “Order of hardware axes” that supports several configurations besides the standard “Camera – PITCH – ROLL – YAW” configuration.
  • Support of magnetometer sensor (compass) to prevent drift of gyroscope. Can be combined with the frame IMU or the main IMU.

Control algorithms:

  • New setting: “RC” -> “Order of Euler angles” that allows extending the possible trajectories of a camera and the range of working angles.
  • Improved the precision of RC control in the “Follow” mode
  • New option “Follow” – “Apply an offset correction when an axis is not following.”
  • New option “Follow” – “Follow rate inside dead-band” to apply very soft control to keep camera always in the center of the dead-band.

Sensors calibration:

  • Regular calibration of Accelerometer and gyroscope does not discard the results of temperature calibration but improves it.
  • ACC calibration at “normal” Z-top position does not discard the results of 6-point calibration.
  • Magnetometer (compass) calibration was significantly improved:
    • you do not need a GUI connection (allows to calibrate in the field by menu button);
    • an ellipsoid approximation is used;
  • New option to skip gyro calibration if gimbal is not fixed well during startup: it allows to start with fresh calibration for best quality, or to start immediately with the previous calibration.

IMU improvements:

  • Advanced algorithms for correction of mutual drift in both IMUs.
  • “2nd IMU above YAW” position is more reliable now.
  • New option “ACC low-pass filter” that helps to improve the stability of the IMU angles. Under dynamic conditions like motion with short lateral accelerations.

Other functionality:

  • New adjustable variables GYRO_HEADING_CORRECTION and FRAME_HEADING_ANGLE that helps to manually correct YAW axis drift.
  • New option “Advanced” – “Set to the normal position on profile switch”.
  • Better handling of high-speed control from scripts.
  • Improved the range of working angles in 1- and 2-axes systems, making use of 2nd IMU or encoders; all possible 2-axes configurations are supported now.
  • New menu command: “Untwist cables”.
  • New checkbox “Advanced” – “Upside-down PITCH auto-rotation” to turn camera when turning frame upside-down.
  • New option “Follow” – “Use frame IMU, if possible” to use 2nd IMU for the “Follow Mode” control, to make it more reliable.
  • New menu command: “Center YAW axis” to move a camera to the neutral position by YAW.
  • New menu command: “Level Roll, Pitch to the horizon”.
  • New option “Service” – “Blink profile number” – onboard LED will show currently selected profile.
  • Proper handling of “gimbal lock” condition – when YAW and PITCH motor axes are parallel.
  • (GUI) New “Emergency stop” option (stop motors in case of the big rate of I2C errors).
  • (GUI) Serial-over-UDP connection is supported to configure remote devices via a network (WiFi, Ethernet, Internet).
  • Menu button pressed 12 times in series will reset “Serial speed” setting to default value 115200.
  • OuterP, OuterI gain increased 5x times.

Encoder-enabled firmware:

  • Option to emergency stop if the motor angles reported by the encoder differs a lot from the angle reported by the 2nd IMU.
  • Encoder-to-motor gearing ratio can be adjusted.
  • In the case of geared setup, the uncertainty of the motor or the frame angle detection at startup can be removed with the help of 2nd IMU.
  • Option to enable Briefcase position auto-detection on-the-fly when in “Follow” mode: just hold the camera by hand and turn frame 90° degrees.
  • More reliable soft limits; option to enable/disable them for each motor independently.
  • Back-EMF compensation is applied at full battery voltage amplitude. It allows getting the maximum speed from the motor (that is limited by the Kv parameter of a motor) even with the low “POWER” setting.

Serial API

  • CMD_CONTROL command with the extended format allows specifying different control modes for each axis.
  • CMD_AHRS_HELPER command allows accessing internal IMU attitude in DCM form, to use it in the external system or to replace or correct it by the information acquired from the high-grade external IMU.

Check out our line of Alexmos products

Brushless Gimbal Motors with Built-In Encoders for Alexmos 32BIT

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Introducing Brushless Gimbal Motors with built-in encoders for Alexmos 32 BIT Brushless Gimbal controllers.

Alexmos Tiny Pro 32 BIT Brushless Gimbal Controller

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Alexmos Tiny Pro 32 BIT Brushless Gimbal Controller

The latest Alexmos mini controller.
SBGC Tiny Pro

Alexmos Tiny Pro 32 Bit Alexmos Tiny Pro 32 BIT Brushless Gimbal Controller

Alexmos Tiny Pro CNC Aluminum Enclosure 32 BIT IMU

 

Features at a glace:

  • The smallest size
  • The latest DC module
  • One IMU On board
  • SPEKTRUM Interface
  • Max current 2.5A/each motor
  • SH1.0 encoder interface (PWM)
  • SIZE:  57.2mm X 28.2mm X 9.1mm (2.25″ x 1.1″ x 0.35″)

 

Specifications:

Motor Drivers

DRV8313, the same ones on the regular S-BGC boards with continuous current of 1.75A per motor and max current of 2.5A per motor

 

Voltage Regulator

The latest DC module that supports up to 40V (6S recommended) and a new robust 3.3V regulator module for efficiency and reliability.

 

On Board IMU

On board IMU with Master/Slave bridge. The on board IMU can be made the Frame IMU by cutting the bridge. No need for an external frame IMU.

 

On Board Spektrum Interface

Support for Spektrum Satellite receivers

 

SH1.0 Encoder Interface (PWM)

Independent multiplexing encoder interface with separate connections for easy interface