Rainier Lamers
Well Known Member
I'm getting a lot of builders wanting to know some details on our autopilot so I'd like to post this here on VAN's...
The MGL Enigma, Voyager and Odyssey is currently being updated with autopilot functionality in addition to the existing external autopilot interfaces (NMEA, ARINC). The status of this project is very far advanced and I expect release in roughly 2 weeks if we get a break in the weather for final test flights.
We have teamed up with the good folks at Trio and as a result we are using the Trio "Gold standard" servos. However, we also support any servo that can handle a standard PWM signal. In addition to this we will be releasing the details on the MGL standard servo protocol which is open to any third party to construct their own servos.
The autopilot implementation, true to our normal style of making things flexible can be extended to 5/6 servos of different styles if required with autopilot characteristics ranging from single function to a full five/six axis control. Further characterisation caters for helicopters as well.
Each axis is highly configurable in control response to installation and aircraft characteristics. "Axis" is here used to indentify a distinct control, for example "throttle, lift, aileron, rudder, elevator, etc".
Our first release caters (from a software point of view) for typical 2 axis systems with two servos (allthough single axis control can also be done).
From an autopilot functionality point of view, litteraly everything that opens and shuts can be thrown at the autopilot which in the case of our EFIS systems means you can select any horizontal and/or vertical navigation source, including bugs, connected external sources (ILS, VOR, etc) or any internal source (Flightplans, GPS, compass, altimeter, GVOR, GLS etc).
In order to implement the functionality of the autopilot on any of our instruments, a further small unit needs to be purchased but this is very low cost. This we call a "COM Extender" and it provides an additional 4 serial ports as well as 4 PWM signals and optional servo power control.
While the primary function of this unit is to give you additional serial ports for things like COM and NAV radios, traffic systems etc, it does contain the final part of the autopilot which thus divorces final servo control from the connected EFIS for safety reasons.
Trio servos can be purchased via any of our distributors for use with MGL systems or you can contact Trio direct. Be sure to mention that you will be using the servos for a MGL system so you get the good price !
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics
The MGL Enigma, Voyager and Odyssey is currently being updated with autopilot functionality in addition to the existing external autopilot interfaces (NMEA, ARINC). The status of this project is very far advanced and I expect release in roughly 2 weeks if we get a break in the weather for final test flights.
We have teamed up with the good folks at Trio and as a result we are using the Trio "Gold standard" servos. However, we also support any servo that can handle a standard PWM signal. In addition to this we will be releasing the details on the MGL standard servo protocol which is open to any third party to construct their own servos.
The autopilot implementation, true to our normal style of making things flexible can be extended to 5/6 servos of different styles if required with autopilot characteristics ranging from single function to a full five/six axis control. Further characterisation caters for helicopters as well.
Each axis is highly configurable in control response to installation and aircraft characteristics. "Axis" is here used to indentify a distinct control, for example "throttle, lift, aileron, rudder, elevator, etc".
Our first release caters (from a software point of view) for typical 2 axis systems with two servos (allthough single axis control can also be done).
From an autopilot functionality point of view, litteraly everything that opens and shuts can be thrown at the autopilot which in the case of our EFIS systems means you can select any horizontal and/or vertical navigation source, including bugs, connected external sources (ILS, VOR, etc) or any internal source (Flightplans, GPS, compass, altimeter, GVOR, GLS etc).
In order to implement the functionality of the autopilot on any of our instruments, a further small unit needs to be purchased but this is very low cost. This we call a "COM Extender" and it provides an additional 4 serial ports as well as 4 PWM signals and optional servo power control.
While the primary function of this unit is to give you additional serial ports for things like COM and NAV radios, traffic systems etc, it does contain the final part of the autopilot which thus divorces final servo control from the connected EFIS for safety reasons.
Trio servos can be purchased via any of our distributors for use with MGL systems or you can contact Trio direct. Be sure to mention that you will be using the servos for a MGL system so you get the good price !
Rainier
CEO MGL Avionics