“mc_att_control” is responsible for PX4 multicopter attitude control, this application can be found in “Firmware/src/modules/mc_att_control”. Here is what I understand about this application.


Start

Similar to “mc_pos_control”, this application is started by script “rc.mc_apps” on line 32:

rc.mc_apps

rc.mc_apps


Call Hierarchy

The source code for the application exists in “mc_att_control_main.cpp”, it follows a very similar architecture as “mc_pos_control_main.cpp”. You will find the call hierarchy fmailiar:

  • line 992: function “start()” is called by the script
  • line 1001: function “task_main_trampoline” is called by “start()”
  • line 791: seems like “task_main_trampoline” is only used to access “task_main”
  • line 797: function “task_main()” begins, subscribes to a bunch of topics
    • line 822: enter while loop, while application is not stopped
    • line 857: copy attitude and control state topics
    • line 870-944: control attitude (outer loop, control angular error)
      • line 882: function “control_attitude(dt)” is called
      • line 905-910: “_rates_sp_id” topic is advertised and published
    • line 946-981: control attitude rates (inter loop, control angular rate error)
      • line 947: function “control_attitude_rates(dt)” is called
      • line 962-069: “_actuators_id” topic is advertised and published (which contains _att_control vector)

In summary, the application starts->control attitude->publish and advertise->control attitude rates->publish and advertise.

mc_att_control algorithm flow chart

mc_att_control algorithm flow chart


Other Functions

“mc_att_control” has some small useful functions that are different to the ones found in “mc_pos_control”:

  • Poll functions
    • vehicle_control_mode_poll(): check for changes in vehicle control mode, looks like vehicle mode is stored in the topic “vehicle_control_mode”
    • vehicle_manual_poll(): check for changes in manual inputs, need to investigate what this means
    • vehicle_attitude_setpoint_poll(): check for attitude setpoint updates
    • vehicle_rates_setpoint_poll(): check for rates setpoint updates
    • arming_status_poll(): check for arming status updates
    • vehicle_status_poll(): check for vehicle status updates, need to investigate what is vehicle status
    • vehicle_motor_limits_poll(): check for vehicle motor limits status, need to investigate what are motor limits

Flip Mode?

I think for the sake of understanding source code, I will try to implement a new mode similar to the APM flip mode. Based on my understanding so far, the following tasks have to be done in order to create a flip mode:

  • create a “_v_control_mode.flag_control_flip_enabled” flag
  • in task_main, create an if statement that skips control_attitude and execute my custom code

Outcome of this experiment will be recorded in later blogs.



Appendix

What is going on in task_main?

If you see ?? it means I don’t know what this line is doing, please fill in.

  • 803-811: subscribe to topics
  • 813-814: update parameters
  • 816-820: set up poll topic, fd stands for file descriptor
  • 822: enter while loop, loop continues while attitude control is required
    • 824-840: wait for data
    • 842-982: run controller if there is data coming in
      • 857: copy attitude and control state data
      • 867-875: in rattitude, if pitch or roll is above threshold, no need to control
      • 877-944: run control_attitude if attitude control is enabled, otherwise just poll rates setpoint topic
      • 946-981: run control_attitude_rates if rate control is enabled, otherwise do nothing