Calibrating APM 2.8 using Mission Planner

A step by step guide to calibrating APM 2.8 flight controller using Mission Planner.

In this tutorial, we will be using -

APM 2.8 flight controller
FlySky FS-i6 2.4G 6CH PPM RC Transmitter With FS-iA6B Receiver
Q450 Quadcopter Frame – PCB Version Frame Kit with Integrated PCB
2212 920KV Brushless DC Motor for DJI
10x45 Propellers
Simonk 30A Brushless Speed Controller ESC
Bonka 5200 mAh 3S 40C/80C Lithium polymer battery Pack (LiPo)

Step 1 - Installing Mission Planner and Connecting with APM

MissionPlanner is an open source application (for windows only) designed to act as a virtual ground control station for your copter, plane or rover devices. The utility enables you to configure the various settings of your autonomous device and ensure its peak performance You can download Mission Planner from : http://ardupilot.org/planner/docs/mission-planner-installation.html OR you click here to download directly
It can be used to Program APM and Pixhawk Flight controllers.
Now connect Your APM flight controller to PC using USB to MicroUSB cable, a Green led will light up and Red led will start blinking
PC willl detect the Board as "Arduino Mega" and will automatically install the required drivers.
Open Mission Planner software and select proper COM port on the top right corner and select the baud rate at 115200.
Don't select on connect yet on the top right corner.

Now go to "INITIAL SETUP" tab and click on "Install Firmware" and then select the type of Mutirotor setup. Here we will be selecting Quadrotor setup. Proceed furthur by giving furthur permisions and the firmware updation will start.

It will take 2-3 minutes to boot the Firmware to the APM board ( Make Sure your PC is connected to internet as it will be downloading some required files ).
After completion, click on the CONNECT on top right corner of the window to connect the APM board to PC.
Now it will show the Device as "Quadrotor"

Step 2 - Calibrating Compass and Accelerometer

Now again go to the Initial Setup tab and click on Mandatory Hardware.

Firstly, select on frame type, and select the X type of frame for your Quadcopter.

Now go to the Accel Calibration Section and click on Calibrate Accel.

Follow the instructions as shown on screen and perform the same to calibrate the Accelerometer.
After finishing the accelerometer calibration, you can head for compass calibration.
APM 2.8 have built in compass, hence no need for external compass.
Just head on to Live Calibration and Start rotating your APM 360⁰

Click on finish, when done
You can also view it graphically by going to flight data tab on top right corner.
Move the APM while it is connected to Mission Planner. You will see the change in position of flight and corresponding values also.

Step 3 - Connecting and Calibrating Radio Control

For this, we will have to connect Reciever to the Flight Controller
The Pin Configuration of Input side of APM (Which is to be connected to APM) and configuration of Reciever FS-iA6 is as shown.
APM 2.5, 2.6, 2.8 all have similar configuiration. Here the outermost pin is Ground, Middle pin is for Positive supply and the innermost pin is Singnal Pin.
Ideal way to connect various channels with reciever is also shown.

Below is the PinOut for the Reciever FS-iA6. First channel is for ROLL/AILERON, Second is for PITCH/ELEVATOR, Third is for THROTTLE, Fourth is for YAW/RUDDER and fifth and sixth are Mode selection switch.
Here also, outer one is Negative switch, middle one is Positive switch and the left one or innermost one is signal pin.
Channel wise setup is similar in other 6 Channel Recievers also.

Now Connecting receiver with the transmitter. Here we will be connecting APM with Reciever.
Take reference from below image for connection.

Now since the Connection is done, a red light will glow up in the Receiver. Make sure, that the Reciever is binded with Transmitter. If it isn't binded, you can view this video to how to bind - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Z0rTVEkHI
Now go to the Radio Calibration section in the Mandatory Hardware part.

You will see different bars for different parameters. Now if you change the position of any stick on the transmitter's joystick, the bar for corresponding parameter will change.
Click on the calibrate radio button and vary all the parameters between its extreme ends. Move joystick in all direction upto extreme ends and also change the position of knobs to extreme.
You will now notice that Red extreme lines will be captured by the Mission Planner for the corresponding channels. Now since the extremes will be captured by software, click on the "click when done button" to save the same.

Now the calibration is done, and your APM is now programmed to fly. Now you need to do Connections of APM with ESC's, which will then be connected to Motors.