Hi Everyone,
I have a number of questions that I'm hoping to receive some answers and/or clarifications.
Question #1: Has anyone been successful in getting the Access Point (Hotspot mode) running at 5Ghz with the PXFmini-RaspberryPiZeroW autopilot? If so, I'd appreciate receiving details on how to properly configure the autopilot.
Question #2: I'm using the OS Image PXFmini-RasperryPiZeroW-29-04-2017.img. Is there a newer recommended version available?
I'm trying to use the Edimax EW-7811UTC AC600 external 802.11ac WiFi adapter that is recommended and supplied by erle-robotics for handling the 5GHz Access Point (Hotpoint mode) objective.
Question #3a: Is the recommended software driver already installed in the 29-04-2017 OS Image for handling the external Edimax AC600 USB WiFi adapter with the PXFmini-RaspberryPiZeroW autopilot?
Question #3b: Is “rt1871xdrv” the recommended software driver for the Edimax AC600?
Question #3c: When editing /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf to remove the # from #driver=rt1871xdrv, why does the autopilot report “unknown driver”?
Question #4: When configuring the autopilot to use the internal WiFi adapter for Client (Managed) mode on the wlan0 interface and the Edimax external WiFi adapter for Access Point mode on the wlan1 interface, why does the autopilot report the following messages for wlan1? “not configured”, “could not configure driver mode”, “driver initialization failed”, and “iwconfig” shows for wlan1: “unassociated”, “mode:Auto” (not “mode:Master”), and “Access Point: Not Associated”. Within /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf the defaults #driver=rt1871xdrv” and “#driver=n180211” are left as is.
I have used the HomeSpot 150 Mbps Wireless USB Adapter in place of the Edimax AC600 and it appears to both associate and configure correctly. I see the hotspot “erle-robotics-frambuesa” appear on my laptop wireless network connection. However, attempting to make a connection fails and it appears data packets are not being sent by the autopilot.
Question #5: When using an external WiFi adapter for Access Point mode on the wlan1 interface, where are all the places in the software that the default wlan0 needs to be reconfigured to wlan1? I have already taken care of “/etc/network/interfaces”, “/etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf”, “/etc/dnsmasq.conf”, and “/etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf”.
The wlan0 interface appears to work correctly in Client mode and successfully connects to my internet wireless router.
Before attempting to switch WiFi modes within the autopilot software, the default configurations for wlan0 interface setup for Access Point mode, wlan1 interface setup for Client mode and attaching the recommended Edimax AC600 WiFi adapter, I have been successful in simultaneously connecting wireless to the ArduPilot Mission Planner V1.3.50 on my laptop and the internet via my wireless router. Installed in my autopilot is ArduCopterHexa V3.5.3. I was also able to connect to the Mission Planner after substituting the HomeSpot Wireless Adapter in place of the Edimax AC600 adapter. Both adapters worked well connecting to the internet at 2.4 GHz bandwidth. The PXFmini shield I purchased is the latest revision with the new JST CH connectors. Also, attached to the Raspberry Pi Zero W is an OTG USB Hub with Logitech Keyboard & Mouse and Hdmi 5 Inch Capacitive Touch Screen.
With your help, I hope to reconfigure the autopilot to handle Access Point mode at 5GHz bandwidth and higher WiFi speeds.