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Concepts

PWM Limit State Machine

INIT → OFF → RAMP → ON — how PX4 safely transitions PWM outputs through arming states.

The PWM_limit State Machine controls PWM outputs as a function of pre-armed and armed inputs. It provides a safety ramp-up delay between the assertion of "armed" and full throttle authority.

PWM Limit States

Disarming from any state → OFF. Pre-armed assertion → immediate ON (overrides current state).

text

State machine inputs and outputs
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Input         Effect
────────────  ──────────────────────────────────────────────
armed         Enables dangerous behaviors (spinning props)
pre-armed     Enables benign behaviors (moving surfaces)
              Overrides: forces ON state immediately
              Deassert: reverts to current armed state

State         PWM behavior
────────────  ──────────────────────────────────────────────
INIT          Disarmed values
OFF           Disarmed values
RAMP          Ramp from disarmed → minimum
ON            Full control (follows mixer output)

Safety purpose

The RAMP state prevents sudden full-throttle when arming. This gives the pilot time to react if something is wrong. The pre-armed override allows control surfaces to move for pre-flight checks without spinning motors.

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Source: docs.px4.io ↗

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Safety purpose

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