@FAQs

Initial setup

1/ Need to upgrade from Betaflight?

Please, give a look at User Guide: Updating The Bootloader, do not forget to re-map motor layout once done.

2/ New to dRonin?

Give a look at Configuring your new board for basic flight. You'll get step by step instructions on how to upgrade dRonin.

3/ Having problems with the GCS on Windows with Intel graphics?

Look here

4/ PPM, PWM, sBus, DSM?

See User Guide: Connect Receiver

5/ I would like to connect a satellite receiver directly to my controller!

You can use either the receiver port or flexi port. Note that most receivers need to be powered from 3.3V rather than 5V. In older software version only the flexi port supported satellite receiver binding, but recent versions can bind the receiver from either port.

This nice tutorial from infinity hobby explains how to physically connect the satellite to the flexiport.

Once the wiring is sorted out, start GCS with your controller connected. On the board tab, set the appropriate port (e.g. Flexi) to DSM. Save the settings and power cycle your controller. Go to the input tab, and select "DSM" and an appropriate "channel number" for each input.

If you've not previously bound the satellite to your radio it's time to do so (see below)

6/ I can't get the satellite receiver into bind mode - how is this process supposed to work?

** Binding from the flightcontroller is not so easy, better to bind the satellite with a regular receiver! Use as a guidelineThe the following procedure : ** User Guide: Spektrum Binding

First flights & Tuning

1/ Immediately after takeoff my copter flips forward/backwards or left/right. What is wrong?

First, if you are transitioning from betaflight check that the motor layout is properly setup. Second check that the propeller are not inverted. Third check that the board is mounted in the correct orientation. If it is reversed then the feedback loops switch from negative (stable) to positive (unstable) and your copter flips over.

2/ My copter does not fly straight/level - it wants to pitch or roll continuously. What can cause this?

First ensure that in GCS you ran Attitude > Automatic level detection on a flat surface. Second, ensure that in [Input] > [Flight Mode Switch Settings] that you are flying in a mode with attitude control for roll and pitch, such as "leve" or "horizon". In the absence of input from your TX, the controller will aim to maintain this level orientation. If it fails, check that the trim settings on your TX are zeroed out. Also check the settings in Stabilization > Basic. If the integral gains for rate stabilization are zeroed out then it can lead to non-level flight.

A small amount of pitch/roll is normal (less than 1 degree) and can be trimmed out by using the trim switches on your TX followed by selecting Vehicle > Airframe trimming > Set level angle. See the 2nd getting started video for more details. If you need more than 5 degrees of trim and you ensured that your copter was level during automatic level detection then it indicates that there is another problem.

3/ Autotrim?

See Level triming

4/ How is a backup of settings created?

Option1: in GCS, do File>Export UAV settings Option2: make screenshots of each of the relevant configuration screens and the object browser tree (calibration values are stored in SensorSettings and TrimAnglesSettings) Option3: If settings are already lost, an old logfile might still have them. Connect to the logfile and proceed with Option1 or Option2.

5/ I've changed my propellers, what next?

Just Autotune the flight controler.

6/ I've changed my batteries for bigger/lighter ones, what next?

Autotune the flight controller.

7/ I've fited a Gopro on the aircraft, what next?

Autotune the flight controller

8/ I've changed something else on the aircraft, what next?

Once again: Autotune the flight controller! It is much more simple and easy than what it used to be in OpenPilot and Taulab. As of "Neat" version, autotune is even capable to tune wild quadcopter plagued with vibrations!

Advanced features

1/ I've seen temperature compensation on video Tutorial, how to use it?

Short answer: don't use it. The bias cancellation we have on arm and from integrating the accelerometers does fairly well. The main use of temp cal is for advanced navigation, and even then most of navigation users don't use it.

2/ I've seen this cool flightmode on multiwii / Cleanflight / Betaflight, is there anything similar in dRonin?

See Flightmode Settings

3/ What is the impact of ESC refresh rate?

The higher the refresh rate, the more stable the aircraft... See OnlineHelp: ESC Refresh Rate

4/ Android support?

Please see the Android Users Guide. Note that old android devices won't support it.

5/ Custom Frame Layout?

See Custom Frame Type

6/ Support for variable pitch?

See Configuring a variable pitch quadcopter

7/ I just want to use additional accessories (PWM buzzer, retracts, servo etc...)

If you want some of your spare radio channel operate external accessories, see User Guide: Direct Transmitter Passthrough