Setup and testing (open box) Test all internal components for correct hardware connectivity
Preparation
Add battery to the powermodule connector
Powerboard
Test: Powerswitch
Press the switch to turn on the plane internals
The Lights of the GPS module should light up
Pixracer and Telemetry
QGroundcontrol doesn't have permission to serial port, even when user is part of 'dialout' group? Remove package brltty with: 'sudo apt remove brltty'.
Do the LED's on the Pixracer light up? If not power may not be connected.
Test: RFD Connection to QGC
Connect the RFD868+ via USB connector to your PC or the SearchWing-Tablet
Start QGC and check if it connects to the Pixracer
Go to application settings -> Mavlink and check loss rate -> should be less than 10 %
Is logging functional? -> If not the SD card may be missing.
The incoming message view should show something like this:
Logging @SYS/crash_dump.bin
After vehicle reboot and new arm-disarm process a new log should show up
Disconnect RFD868+ modem if sucessful
Test: ESP-Telemetry Connection to QGC
Connect via PC or SearchWing-Tablet to the drone accesspoint "dronenameRacer" - Password "cassandra"
Start QGC and check if it connects to the Pixracer
Motor / RC-control
Test: is it Rotating in correct direction / RC-Control is working
Add a piece of tape to the motor shaft to see the rotationdirection
Disable all safty checks using QGC
Arm vehicle using the rc-controler
Check rotation of motor: Looking from the back of the plane to the motor, the rotation should be clock-wise
If not correct, switch a pair of cables
Enable all safty checks again using QGC
Servos
Test: do they rotate?
Switch system into manual mode
either apply to each M-Plug a servo or use a single one and test each connection on its own
Use RC Controller to check rotation - trimming will be set later
GPS
Test: Receive > 10 Sats
Put box outside at clear open sky (no building should obstruct the view)
At least 10 sats should be visible
External compass
Test: Compass calibration healthy
Go to Vehicle Setup -> Sensors
Start compass calibration for external compass
Make sure the compass calibration results in a healthy compass (green)
IMU
Test: Receive messages
Do dummy calibration to check if IMU messages can be received
Payload
Camera cables do not cross each other
Camera orientation correct: cable connector facing to front of plane
Check that left camera image is showing really left side of the drone
Check that right camera image is showing really right side of the drone
Top border of the images are pointing towards flying direction of the drone
Bottom border of the images are pointing to the back of the drone
Test Camera cables:
Camera cable glued to left camera
Camera cable glued to right camera
Test Camera: Removed camera lens protection
Ensure that the green protection film is removed
Test Camera: PI Can do camera images
Check image quality (no blur, no plastic particles)
Test Payload RX Telemetry / PI Receive Mavlink
Test Payload TX Telemetry / PI Send Mavlink
Check: Check if preflight check msgs in QGC are received
Click "Trumpet" symbol at the top of QGC
Check if preflight check messages are received
ESC Calibration
ESC has to be calibrated before closing the box!
Turn power off (main switch)
connect PixRacer with USB to a computer
raise throttle to max on the RC
Turn power on (main switch) -> ESC peeps (with motor)
lower throttle to min -> ESC peeps once
Finalization & Testing