Controlling pitch and roll using joysticks (not buttons)

Blue Robotics Software QGroundControl
1

Hey there, I’m looking to use my bluerov heavy style ROV for filming purposes and need smooth proportional control of the pitch & roll using an additional joystick / slider just as you would be able to on ardupilot for drones.

Is there any way to utilise more than 4 channel inputs that aren’t buttons?

I also need 4 fully proportional servo outputs to work for controlling the camera, so in total 10 fully variable channels (using joysticks/sliders).

My RC controller (Radiomaster TX16s) is outputting these channels to the pc, but ArduSub only seems to be able to register two joysticks, four channels and the rest only appear as button inputs. Can this be changed?

Many thanks,
Chris

2

Any ideas as to how much would have to be changed in the code to make the roll/pitch control proportional and not binary?

3

Hi @KnightSky-SubSea -
You may be able to accomplish this with Cockpit -it has support for additional joystick axis, that could be mapped to servo output channels.

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Maybe see if Cockpit recognizes those axis on your controller?

4

Hi,

I have built my own controller using a Leo Bodnar BU0836X and have added two potentiometers for pitch and roll, however Cockpit does not see them. It only sees 4 axis for standard movement available for configuration, rather than detecting all available analog input.

Is this because I do not have the heavy configuration enabled? I haven’t purchased the Heavy upgrade yet but I’m trying to get the controller ready for when it arrives.

Also, is cockpit limited to 16 button inputs like QGC? I think i read somewhere that the limit is much higher. I ask because Cockpit only has 16 button configuaration options for my controller. Is that because it only sees 16 button inputs. I have seen some custom controllers with loads of buttons so I know it’s possible somehow.

TLDR: How to use potentiometers for pitch and roll? And how many inputs are supported by cockpit?

Many thanks for any help.

5

Hi @Vocean_ROV -
Cockpit joystick configuration has nothing to do with frame type selected!

I would recommend posting on this thread to receive feedback on your issue - other users are similarly encountering issues when trying to use more than 4 joystick axis.

6

Thanks @tony-white

I see there’s an open ticket regarding that issue. Fingers crossed for an update soon.

7

Just to inform everyone that we just merged the fix for this problem. It will be available in the next release (1.2.1/1.3.0) between today and tomorrow.

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