From 02afb8c626fb0e928a8799e415e2c402cba2b598 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Mathieu Bresciani Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:28:48 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Add steps to perform large vehicle calibration (#3535) * Add steps to perform large vehicle calibration * Subedit --------- Co-authored-by: Hamish Willee --- en/config/compass.md | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++++-- 1 file changed, 23 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/en/config/compass.md b/en/config/compass.md index dcaa2fdd58bc..060ee2986380 100644 --- a/en/config/compass.md +++ b/en/config/compass.md @@ -17,12 +17,13 @@ Indications of a poor compass calibration include multicopter circling during ho _QGroundControl_ should also notify the error `mag sensors inconsistent`. ::: -Two types of compass calibration are available: +Several types of compass calibration are available: 1. [Complete](#complete-calibration): This calibration is required after installing the autopilot on an airframe for the first time or when the configuration of the vehicle has changed significantly. It compensates for hard and soft iron effects by estimating an offset and a scale factor for each axis. -1. [Partial](#partial-quick-calibration) ("Quick Calibration"): This calibration can be performed as a routine when preparing the vehicle for a flight, after changing the payload, or simply when the compass rose seems inaccurate. +1. [Partial](#partial-quick-calibration): This calibration can be performed as a routine when preparing the vehicle for a flight, after changing the payload, or simply when the compass rose seems inaccurate. This type of calibration only estimates the offsets to compensate for a hard iron effect. +1. [Large vehicle](#large-vehicle-calibration): This calibration can be performed when the vehicle is too large or heavy to perform a complete calibration. This type of calibration only estimates the offsets to compensate for a hard iron effect. ## Performing the Calibration @@ -77,6 +78,26 @@ Notes: - The amplitude and the speed of the partial rotations done in step 1 can affect the calibration quality. Following the advice above is usually enough. +### Large Vehicle Calibration + +This calibration process leverages external knowledge of vehicle's orientation and location, and a World Magnetic Model (WMM) to calibrate the hard iron biases. + +1. Ensure GNSS Fix. This is required to find the expected Earth magnetic field in WMM tables. +2. Align the vehicle to face True North. + Be as accurate as possible for best results. +3. Open the [QGroundControl MAVLink Console](https://docs.qgroundcontrol.com/master/en/qgc-user-guide/analyze_view/mavlink_console.html) and send the following command: + + ```sh + calibrate mag quick + ``` + +Notes: + +- This method is specifically designed for vehicles where full rotation is impractical or impossible. + If full rotation is possible, use the [complete calibration](#complete-calibration) instead. +- The vehicle doesn't need to be exactly levelled as this is automatically compensated using the tilt estimate. +- This calibration can also be triggered using the MAVLink command [MAV_CMD_FIXED_MAG_CAL_YAW](https://mavlink.io/en/messages/common.html#MAV_CMD_FIXED_MAG_CAL_YAW). + ## Verification After the calibration is complete, check that the heading indicator and the heading of the arrow on the map are stable and match the orientation of the vehicle when turning it e.g. to the cardinal directions.