Challenge - 5 Problems
ArduPilot SITL Master
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Test your skills under time pressure!
❓ Predict Output
intermediate2:00remaining
What is the output of this SITL startup command?
You run the following command to start ArduPilot SITL for a copter:
What will you see as the first output line in the console?
sim_vehicle.py -v ArduCopter -f quad --console --map
What will you see as the first output line in the console?
Drone Programming
sim_vehicle.py -v ArduCopter -f quad --console --mapAttempts:
2 left
💡 Hint
The -v option specifies the vehicle type; -f specifies the frame.
✗ Incorrect
The command specifies ArduCopter as vehicle and quad as frame, so the startup message confirms this.
🧠 Conceptual
intermediate1:30remaining
Which port does SITL use by default for MAVLink communication?
When you start ArduPilot SITL, it opens a MAVLink communication port. Which port number is used by default?
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint
The default MAVLink UDP port for SITL is 14550.
✗ Incorrect
By default, SITL uses UDP port 14550 for MAVLink communication.
🔧 Debug
advanced2:30remaining
Why does this SITL command fail with 'No module named dronekit' error?
You run:
and get:
What is the most likely cause?
sim_vehicle.py -v ArduPlane -f plane --console
and get:
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'dronekit'
What is the most likely cause?
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint
DroneKit is a Python library required for some SITL features.
✗ Incorrect
The error means Python cannot find the dronekit module, so it is not installed or not in the environment.
📝 Syntax
advanced2:00remaining
Which command correctly starts SITL with a custom home location?
You want to start SITL with home location latitude 47.397742 and longitude 8.545594. Which command is correct?
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint
The --home option expects latitude and longitude separated by a comma with no spaces.
✗ Incorrect
The correct syntax uses --home=lat,long with no spaces.
🚀 Application
expert1:30remaining
How many MAVLink messages are sent in 5 seconds if SITL sends 10 messages per second?
If ArduPilot SITL is configured to send MAVLink messages at 10 messages per second, how many messages will be sent in 5 seconds?
Attempts:
2 left
💡 Hint
Multiply messages per second by seconds.
✗ Incorrect
10 messages/second * 5 seconds = 50 messages.