Vertical Robotics Competition
  • Welcome to VRC!
  • Before We Get Started
    • Phase I Overview
    • Helpful Links
  • Primary Goal: Assembly and Configuration
    • VRC Drone Kit Contents
    • VRC Drone Assembly
      • Arms and Motors
      • Landing Gear, PDB, and Rails
      • ESCs, FC Power Module, and Receiver
      • Flight Controller Enclosure
      • Mounting the Flight Controller
      • Top Plate and Arms
      • FC and ESC Wiring
      • Propeller Adapters
    • RC Transmitter Setup
      • Basic Usage
      • Binding the RC Receiver
      • Setting the Output Mode
      • Setting Up Channels on the RC Transmitter
      • Setting Up Failsafe
    • FC Setup and Calibration w/ QGC
      • PX4 Firmware
      • Airframe
      • Sensors
      • Radio
      • Flight Modes and Kill Switch
      • Power
      • Safety
      • Motor Test
  • Sphero RVR
    • RVR Assembly
    • RVR Programming
  • Battery
    • Overview
    • Charging
    • Storage
  • Checkpoint #1: Flight Test
    • Before You Fly
    • Flight Test
    • After You Fly
  • SECONDARY GOAL: PCC
    • Laptop Setup
      • Setting Up Windows
      • Install Git Bash
      • Clone the VRC Repo
      • Install Anaconda
      • Install VS Code
      • Install SD Card Formatter
      • Install Balena Etcher
      • Install PuTTY
      • Install QGroundControl
    • Peripheral Control Computer (PCC)
      • Physical Assembly
      • Video Tutorial: Flash & Test PCC
      • Flash the PCC
      • Test the PCC
  • Overachiever Goal
    • Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) Setup
      • Preparing the Jetson
      • Flashing the SD Card
      • First Boot
  • 3D Printing Project
    • Project Overview
    • Sr. Design Project
    • Rotor Guards
  • Diving Deeper
    • Control Loops
    • Glossary
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  1. Primary Goal: Assembly and Configuration

FC Setup and Calibration w/ QGC

In this section we'll walk through the final steps of loading firmware and calibrating your drone before your first flight.

QGroundControl (QGC)

Ground control software is used for configuration and monitoring of your VRC drone. We will be using QGroundControl as our ground control software of choice throughout VRC. With QGC you can upload firmware, configure flight modes, calibrate sensors and much more. It also provides different ways of controlling the drone, such as an autonomous mission planner.

QGC can be downloaded and installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. You can find the necessary installer by going to the downloads page. Go ahead and install QGC before proceeding to the next section.

All testing and configuration throughout the GitBook was done with QGC version 4.1.1. We encourage you to use this version, which will allow us to help troubleshoot any issues more easily. You can find the file labeled QGroundControl-Installer.exe at this link.

The following sections will guide you through the process of using QGC to set up your FC. Let's get started!

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Last updated 3 years ago

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