MAVLINK installation

Supported Mavlink configurations

This page describes some of the methods for configuring and using MWOSD with Mavlink based Flight Controllers:

• Ardupilot
• PX4

Installing and configuring OSD firmware

• Purchase and download the PC GUI configurator
• Connect OSD via USB and install any drivers necessary
• Select Com port
• Click "Flash" Icon, Select firmware from drop down list and click ""Load online hex firmware"
• Click "Flash FW" button
• Select correct baud rate
• TAKE NOTE: Default baud is 115200. For Ardupilot/PX4 it is 57600
• Click "Connect" icon and amend settings as you require
• OSD will require fonts to be uploaded from GUI

Important notes

• OSD are normally connected to TELEM2 on Pixhawk. Others may/will vary.
• 57600 is default serial baud rate for Ardupilot/PX4
• Baud rate in OSD and Ardupilot/PX4 must match
• Always try 57600 and 115200 if no data

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Ardupilot - Configuring the MAVLINK settings

• Connect to Mission Planner.
• Go to config/tuning.
• Locate serial parameters in parameter list.
• Enable serial telemetry - SERIALX_BAUD, 57 (telemetry output at 57600 of serial port X).

On the MWOSD GUI, as of version 1.8.2, there is now an option which attempts to autoconfigure OSD default mavlink settings.

• Alternatively, enter / verify the following parameters and save:
• SERIALX_BAUD, 57 (telemetry output at 57600)
• SRX_EXT_STAT, 2 ( 2hz for waypoints, GPS raw, fence data, current waypoint, etc)
• SRX_EXTRA1, 5 ( 5hz for attitude and simulation state)
• SRX_EXTRA2, 2 ( 2hz for VFR_Hud data )
• SRX_EXTRA3, 3 ( 3hz for AHRS, Hardware Status, Wind )
• SRX_POSITION, 2 ( 2hz for location data )
• SRX_RAW_SENS, 2 ( 2hz for raw imu sensor data )
• SRX_RC_CHAN, 5 ( 5hz for radio input or radio output data )

Notes:

• MWOSD GUI emulator currently only supports MSP - not MAVLINK

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QGroundControl - PX4 - Configure the MAVLINK settings

• Connect to QGroundControl
• Set SYS_COMPANION to OSD mode (157600 - sets OSD stream at 57600 baud, 8N1) to enable OSD data stream
• A reboot is required after changing SYS_COMAPNION
• PX4 documentation
• On GUI, as of version 1.8.2 there is an option which attempts to autoconfigure OSD default mavlink settings

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Common GUI settings

• For Voltage from Flight Controller set "Use Flight Controller" on GUI voltage tab.
• For Amperage from Flight Controller set "Use Flight Controller" on GUI amperage tab.
• NOTE: RSSI from Flight Controller is not always implemented correctly in many MAVLINK FC
• If RSSI from FC does not work, use direct or via FC RC channel.
• For Throttle data set Transmitter type on GUI other tab.(1.8 onwards).
• If required, reverse channels as necessary on GUI other tab.(1.8 onwards).
• Set MAVLINK SYS ID. Default is 1.(1.8 onwards).

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Advanced PX4 configuration - changing mavlink packet rates for improved screen refresh speeds

• Edit (or create) extras.txt on SD card - (/fs/microsd/etc/extras.txt))
• Include following (note example is for serial 2 - ttyS2)
• mavlink start -d /dev/ttyS2 -b 57600-m custom
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s RC_CHANNELS -r 2
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s HEARTBEAT -r 1
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s SYS_STATUS -r 2
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s VFR_HUD -r 5
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s ATTITUDE -r 10
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s GPS_RAW_INT -r 2
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s SYSTEM_TIME -r 2
• mavlink stream -d /dev/ttyS2 -s STATUSTEXT -r 2