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Shutter configuration and hot shoe feedback

ArduPilot allows PWM pulse output or GPIO relay (common), and the camera can be controlled to take pictures using a remote control, a ground station, or during a mission.

 

The relay controls the shutter to trigger photo-taking.

  • Connect the camera or the camera control line that receives high/low level inputs to one of the GPIO pins of the flight controller. For example, connect to the M13 channel:
  • Servo13_function=-1 (Set which servo output channel to use as GPIO)
  • CAM1_TYPE = 2(RELAY) (Set the type of camera shutter trigger)
  • Relay1_function = 4: camera (Set the function of relay 1)
  • Set CAM1_DURATION to the time (in seconds) that the camera remains in the triggered state.
  • CAM1_RELAY_ON (The default is 1, that is, the output is at a low level when it is on, and then the camera shutter is triggered with a high level)

 

Relay1_pin = 54. The correspondence of the channel pins is as follows:

  • M9 AUXOUT1:50
  • M10 AUXOUT2:51
  • M11 AUXOUT3:52
  • M12 AUXOUT4:53
  • M13 AUXOUT5:54
  • M14 AUXOUT6:55
  • M15 56
  • M16 57

Note: After the parameter configuration is completed, the flight controller needs to be completely powered off and restarted.

 

Servo Control Connection and Configuration

Connect one of the PWM outputs (also known as servo outputs) of the flight controller to the camera that receives PWM input. Configure the following parameters:

Set SERVOx_FUNCTION = 10 (CameraTrigger), where "x" represents which channel of the flight controller is used to connect to the camera.

Set CAM1_TYPE = 1 (Servo). After this data point is refreshed, the next level of parameters will be available.

Set CAM1_SERVO_ON to the PWM value that triggers picture-taking.

Set CAM1_SERVO_OFF to the PWM value output when not taking pictures.

Set CAM1_DURATION to the time (in seconds) that the PWM value should remain high.
 
 

 

Camera Hot Shoe Feedback Record

ArduPilot records the TRIG message when triggering the camera. If the camera provides a GPIO output (such as the camera flash hot shoe), it can be used to record the CAM message at the exact moment when the photo is taken.

Connect the GPIO output of the camera to one of the GPIO pins of the flight controller. For example, connect to M14:

  • Servo14_function = -1
  • CAM1_FEEDBAK_PIN = 55 (Set it to the pin number connected to the hot shoe)
  • CAM1_FEEDBAK_POL = 0 (Set it to 0 if the hot shoe voltage goes low when taking a photo; set it to 1 if the voltage goes high)

 

Shutter Triggering Methods

Method 1: Triggering via the remote control channel

For example, to set the shutter to be triggered by the input of channel 6 on the remote control, set RC6_OPTION = 9.

 

Method 2: Triggering via the ground station

Select "trigger_camera" in the actions of the ground station. Click the "execute action" button to trigger it once. Methods 1 and 2 are suitable for ground testing and verification.
 

 

Method 3: Camera Control During an Automated Flight Route

Camera Control in Automated Missions - Plane Documentation

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Last modified: 2025-01-02Powered by