The flight controller (FC) implements several low-level behaviors, e.g., stabilizing the Duckiedrone around roll, pitch, and yaw through three different PID controllers. Correctly configuring the FC is critical for flying safely.

Installing Cleanflight Configurator (CFC)

Cleanflight configurator is an app that allows the base station to connect directly to the FC and access its configuration interface.

Steps:

• Install Google Chrome

• Install the Cleanflight Configurator for Chrome

Updating the FC firmware

FCs might have different versions of firmware, i.e., the software that is embedded on the FC itself, out of the factory. Follow this procedure to update your firmware.

TODO document procedure to flash ACRO version to BTFL 3.3.3

TODO document procedure to flash OSD version to BTFL 3.3.3

• SP Racing F3 Acro:

• SP Racing F3 OSD:

(Update to BTFL 3.3.3 - although successful flight tests have been conducted with 2.4.0 and 3.0.1)

Connecting to the Flight Controller (FC)

1. Unplug the battery from your drone

   1. double-check the battery is unplugged
      

2. Disconnect the Raspberry Pi from the FC
   

3. Connect the mini USB cable to your FC and to your base station
   

4. Start CFC on your base station

5. Select the correct connection port in the top right corner

• Details might vary depending on available connections on your base station, but the correct port should start with: /dev/tty.usbserial* or /dev/cu.usbserial*
  

6. Leave the baud rate (number) at the default value of 115200

7. Press “Connect”

A “Setup” page should greet you with a rendering of your drone:

This page can be used to do a quick test of the onboard IMU: move the drone and verify that the rendering of the drone moves. Don’t expect it to be perfect as we still need to calibrate everything.

We will return to this page later while performing calibrations (https://ethidsc.atlassian.net/l/cp/WNont9ZB).

You are now connected to the FC and able to configure it.