MAVlink

Introduction

MAVLink is a very lightweight messaging protocol for communicating with drones, as well as between onboard drone components. It is a very commonly used protocol in the open source drone community.

65R OEM

65R supports image metadata tagging and sensor triggering using MAVLink V1 messages. The required serial port configuration for the MAVLink controller is 460800, 8-N-1, and it must be connected to 6X connector J2, pins 1/2 (UART2 TX/RX) with 3.3v signal levels.

65R Gimbal

The gimbaled 65R supports image metadata tagging and sensor triggering using MAVlink V2 messages. The MAVlink messages are ingested into the gimbal hardware and automatically forwarded to the 65R.

A custom camera configuration is generally required for MAVlink implementation with a gimbal. Contact [e-mail] for more information.

Messages

Image Metadata Messages

• MAVLINK_MSG_ID_SYSTEM_TIME

• MAVLINK_MSG_ID_GPS_RAW_INT

• MAVLINK_MSG_ID_ATTITUDE

• MAVLINK_MSG_ID_GLOBAL_POSITION_INT

Sensor Triggering Messages

• MAVLINK_MSG_ID_COMMAND_LONG::MAV_CMD_DO_DIGICAM_CONTROL

---

Integrated Platforms

Please see the compatibility settings if you are using a fully integrated platform:

Freefly Compatibility Settings - AstroInspired Flight Compatibility Settings - IF800 & IF1200

---

Generic Settings

These are generic MAVlink settings for use with the 65R sensor.

For non-gimballed sensors use the listed baud rates. For gimballed sensors a baud rate of 115200 or greater is recommended.

PX4 Settings

Parameter	Value
TRIG_INTERFACE	MAVlink	Sets MAVlink messages as the trigger commands.
TRIG_MODE	Distance Based (Survey Mode)	Distance-based on command (Survey mode)
MAV_X_CONFIG	TELEM2 (or any other configurable UART)	Sets the configuration of the desired MAVlink stream on a serial/UART port.
MAV_X_RATE	0 b/s	PX4 Default (half of theoretical max).
MAV_X_MODE	Gimbal or Normal	Sets the MAVlink message set.
MAV_X_FORWARD	Enable	Enables forwarding of MAVlink messages on the configured MAVlink stream.
SER_X_BAUD	460800 8N1	Baudrate for the configured serial port.

Ardupilot Settings

Parameter	Value	Description
SERIALX_BAUD	460800	Baudrate for configured serial port.
SERIALX_PROTOCOL	MAVlink 1 (OEM) MAVlink 2 (Gimballed)	MAVlink protocol for configured serial port.
SRX_EXTRA1	10	Rate for attitude messages (10Hz).
SRX_EXTRA3	2	Rate for UTC time messages (2Hz).
SRX_POSITION	4	Rate for GPS position messages (4Hz).
SRX_EXT_STAT	10	MAVLink Stream rate of SYS_STATUS, POWER_STATUS, MCU_STATUS, MEMINFO, CURRENT_WAYPOINT, GPS_RAW_INT, GPS_RTK (if available), GPS2_RAW_INT (if available), GPS2_RTK (if available), NAV_CONTROLLER_OUTPUT, FENCE_STATUS, and GLOBAL_TARGET_POS_INT
CAMX_TYPE	5	How to trigger the camera to take a picture