XTENDERᵐᵖ Software Developer Kit

Description

XTENDER^mp Software Developer Kit is designed to write custom software for ground control stations to enable communication with autopilots. Or use XTENDER^mp to create custom software that runs on autopilots and customizes autopilot operation per your requirements.

This software also allows you to customize control laws for enhanced control of your airframe piloted by an autopilot, configure custom software that communicates to the autopilot through HORIZON^mp, and to write custom GCS code.

It also makes it possible to accept third party software, to control custom payloads, collect data from custom sensors, and to test code on the bench.

 

XTENDER^mp Software Developer Kit Plugins:

MP plug-ins are code modules that execute at the same time as the autopilot code and allow customers to add functionality to the autopilot to differentiate their products and close the gap between the standard autopilot functionality and their custom requirements.

• MP plug-ins can access 64k RAM for data and 64k Flash for code
• Plug-ins run under the autopilot simulator to simplify testing and speed development
• MP plug-ins can access all autopilot state fields
• MP plug-ins can provide customer-specific servo mixing
• Customer-defined control laws can replace any or all existing MP2x28 control laws
• MicroPilot plug-ins can access unused autopilot hardware for custom payload control and data collection
• Up to 9 I/O channels are available for MicroPilot plug-in. Each I/O channel can be configured as one of: serial input, serial output, PWM in, PWM out, single-bit input, or single-bit output

 

XTENDER^mp Software Developer Kit Simulator

Includes a “software in the loop” 6-DOF simulator linked to autopilot code.

• Simulator update rate: 150 Hz
• Accepts autopilot commands via PC serial port; speeds development of embedded payload/mission controllers
• Simulates communication, engine failure, loss of GPS lock, loss of RC signal, loss of communications, and low-battery failures
• Availability of simulator gives end-product training mode

 

API Functionality

XTENDER^mp SDK provides a flexible set of functions that allow the developer to easily design software that interacts with the autopilot. API functions include:

• Transmit commands to autopilot
• Transmit configuration settings to autopilot
• Set individual configuration parameters
• Retrieve multiple-state fields
• Move waypoints in flight
• Start/stop holding patterns
• Start/stop threads
• Reprogram commands in flight
• Initiate simulated failures
• Capture user telemetry
• Retrieve standard and user-defined telemetry
• Change flight mode UAV, RPV
• Integrated autopilot simulator speeds development of customer’s software and provides training mode to simplify software rollout
• Identical APIs used to connect to simulated autopilot and real autopilot
• Thread safe, multi-threaded re-entrant APIs
• APIs provide access to all autopilot state information
• Compatible with any development language that supports Windows DLL (e.g. Visual Basic, VB, Borland Builder)

About MicroPilot

Started in 1994, with 1,000 clients in over 85 countries, MicroPilot is the world leader in professional autopilots for UAVs and MAVs. MicroPilot is an ISO 9001 autopilot manufacturer to bring to market an ISO 9001 sub 30 gram autopilot, triple redundant autopilot, and full-function general purpose autopilot. MicroPilot offers a family of lightweight UAV autopilots that can fly fixed-wing, transitional, helicopter, and multirotor UAVs. MicroPilot also provides complementary products such as the XTENDERmp SDK, trueHWIL2.