# Modules Reference: Command

# bl_update

Source: systemcmds/bl_update (opens new window)

Utility to flash the bootloader from a file

# Usage

bl_update [arguments...]
   setopt        Set option bits to unlock the FLASH (only needed if in locked
                 state)
   <file>        Bootloader bin file

# dumpfile

Source: systemcmds/dumpfile (opens new window)

Dump file utility. Prints file size and contents in binary mode (don't replace LF with CR LF) to stdout.

# Usage

dumpfile [arguments...]
     <file>      File to dump

# dyn

Source: systemcmds/dyn (opens new window)

# Description

Load and run a dynamic PX4 module, which was not compiled into the PX4 binary.

# Example

dyn ./hello.px4mod start

# Usage

dyn [arguments...]
     <file>      File containing the module
     [arguments...] Arguments to the module

# esc_calib

Source: systemcmds/esc_calib (opens new window)

Tool for ESC calibration

Calibration procedure (running the command will guide you through it):

  • Remove props, power off the ESC's
  • Stop attitude and rate controllers: mc_rate_control stop, fw_att_control stop
  • Make sure safety is off
  • Run this command

# Usage

esc_calib [arguments...]
     [-d <val>]  Select PWM output device
                 values: <file:dev>, default: /dev/pwm_output0
     [-l <val>]  Low PWM value in us
                 default: 1000
     [-h <val>]  High PWM value in us
                 default: 2000
     [-c <val>]  select channels in the form: 1234 (1 digit per channel,
                 1=first)
     [-m <val>]  Select channels via bitmask (eg. 0xF, 3)
     [-a]        Select all channels

# failure

Source: systemcmds/failure (opens new window)

# Description

Inject failures into system.

# Implementation

This system command sends a vehicle command over uORB to trigger failure.

# Examples

Test the GPS failsafe by stopping GPS:

failure gps off

# Usage

failure [arguments...]
   help          Show this help text
   gps|...       Specify component
   ok|off|...    Specify failure type
     [-i <val>]  sensor instance (0=all)
                 default: 0

# gpio

Source: systemcmds/gpio (opens new window)

# Description

This command is used to read and write GPIOs

gpio read <PORT><PIN>/<DEVICE> [PULLDOWN|PULLUP] [--force]
gpio write <PORT><PIN>/<DEVICE> <VALUE> [PUSHPULL|OPENDRAIN] [--force]

# Examples

Read the value on port H pin 4 configured as pullup, and it is high

gpio read H4 PULLUP

1 OK

Set the output value on Port E pin 7 to high

gpio write E7 1 --force

Set the output value on device /dev/gpin1 to high

gpio write /dev/gpin1 1

# Usage

gpio [arguments...]
   read
     <PORT><PIN>/<DEVICE> GPIO port and pin or device
     [PULLDOWN|PULLUP] Pulldown/Pullup
     [--force]   Force (ignore board gpio list)
   write
     <PORT> <PIN> GPIO port and pin
     <VALUE>     Value to write
     [PUSHPULL|OPENDRAIN] Pushpull/Opendrain
     [--force]   Force (ignore board gpio list)

# hardfault_log

Source: systemcmds/hardfault_log (opens new window)

Hardfault utility

Used in startup scripts to handle hardfaults

# Usage

hardfault_log <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   check         Check if there's an uncommited hardfault
   rearm         Drop an uncommited hardfault
   fault         Generate a hardfault (this command crashes the system :)
     [0|1]       Hardfault type: 0=divide by 0, 1=Assertion (default=0)
   commit        Write uncommited hardfault to /fs/microsd/fault_%i.txt (and
                 rearm, but don't reset)
   count         Read the reboot counter, counts the number of reboots of an
                 uncommited hardfault (returned as the exit code of the program)
   reset         Reset the reboot counter

# i2cdetect

Source: systemcmds/i2cdetect (opens new window)

Utility to scan for I2C devices on a particular bus.

# Usage

i2cdetect [arguments...]
     [-b <val>]  I2C bus
                 default: 1

# led_control

Source: systemcmds/led_control (opens new window)

# Description

Command-line tool to control & test the (external) LED's.

To use it make sure there's a driver running, which handles the led_control uorb topic.

There are different priorities, such that for example one module can set a color with low priority, and another module can blink N times with high priority, and the LED's automatically return to the lower priority state after the blinking. The reset command can also be used to return to a lower priority.

# Examples

Blink the first LED 5 times in blue:

led_control blink -c blue -l 0 -n 5

# Usage

led_control <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   test          Run a test pattern
   on            Turn LED on
   off           Turn LED off
   reset         Reset LED priority
   blink         Blink LED N times
     [-n <val>]  Number of blinks
                 default: 3
     [-s <val>]  Set blinking speed
                 values: fast|normal|slow, default: normal
   breathe       Continuously fade LED in & out
   flash         Two fast blinks and then off with frequency of 1Hz
 The following arguments apply to all of the above commands except for 'test':
     [-c <val>]  color
                 values: red|blue|green|yellow|purple|amber|cyan|white, default:
                 white
     [-l <val>]  Which LED to control: 0, 1, 2, ... (default=all)
     [-p <val>]  Priority
                 default: 2

# listener

Source: systemcmds/topic_listener (opens new window)

Utility to listen on uORB topics and print the data to the console.

The listener can be exited any time by pressing Ctrl+C, Esc, or Q.

# Usage

listener <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
     <topic_name> uORB topic name
     [-i <val>]  Topic instance
                 default: 0
     [-n <val>]  Number of messages
                 default: 1
     [-r <val>]  Subscription rate (unlimited if 0)
                 default: 0

# mfd

Source: systemcmds/mft (opens new window)

Utility interact with the manifest

# Usage

mfd <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   query         Returns true if not existed

# mixer

Source: systemcmds/mixer (opens new window)

# Description

Load or append mixer files to the ESC driver.

Note that the driver must support the used ioctl's, which is the case on NuttX, but for example not on RPi.

# Usage

mixer <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   load
     <file:dev> <file> Output device (eg. /dev/pwm_output0) and mixer file
   append
     <file:dev> <file> Output device (eg. /dev/pwm_output0) and mixer file

# motor_ramp

Source: systemcmds/motor_ramp (opens new window)

# Description

Application to test motor ramp up.

Before starting, make sure to stop any running attitude controller:

mc_rate_control stop
fw_att_control stop

When starting, a background task is started, runs for several seconds (as specified), then exits.

# Example

motor_ramp sine -a 1100 -r 0.5

# Usage

motor_ramp [arguments...]
     ramp|sine|square mode
     [-d <val>]  Pwm output device
                 default: /dev/pwm_output0
     -a <val>    Select minimum pwm duty cycle in usec
     [-b <val>]  Select maximum pwm duty cycle in usec
                 default: 2000
     [-r <val>]  Select motor ramp duration in sec
                 default: 1.0
 WARNING: motors will ramp up to full speed!

# motor_test

Source: systemcmds/motor_test (opens new window)

Utility to test motors.

WARNING: remove all props before using this command.

# Usage

motor_test <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   test          Set motor(s) to a specific output value
     [-m <val>]  Motor to test (1...8, all if not specified)
     [-p <val>]  Power (0...100)
                 default: 0
     [-t <val>]  Timeout in seconds (default=no timeout)
                 default: 0
     [-i <val>]  driver instance
                 default: 0
   stop          Stop all motors
   iterate       Iterate all motors starting and stopping one after the other

# mtd

Source: systemcmds/mtd (opens new window)

Utility to mount and test partitions (based on FRAM/EEPROM storage as defined by the board)

# Usage

mtd <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   status        Print status information
   readtest      Perform read test
   rwtest        Perform read-write test
   erase         Erase partition(s)
 The commands 'readtest' and 'rwtest' have an optional instance index:
     [-i <val>]  storage index (if the board has multiple storages)
                 default: 0
 The commands 'readtest', 'rwtest' and 'erase' have an optional parameter:
     [<partition_name1> [<partition_name2> ...]] Partition names (eg.
                 /fs/mtd_params), use system default if not provided

# nshterm

Source: systemcmds/nshterm (opens new window)

Start an NSH shell on a given port.

This was previously used to start a shell on the USB serial port. Now there runs mavlink, and it is possible to use a shell over mavlink.

# Usage

nshterm [arguments...]
     <file:dev>  Device on which to start the shell (eg. /dev/ttyACM0)

# param

Source: systemcmds/param (opens new window)

# Description

Command to access and manipulate parameters via shell or script.

This is used for example in the startup script to set airframe-specific parameters.

Parameters are automatically saved when changed, eg. with param set. They are typically stored to FRAM or to the SD card. param select can be used to change the storage location for subsequent saves (this will need to be (re-)configured on every boot).

If the FLASH-based backend is enabled (which is done at compile time, e.g. for the Intel Aero or Omnibus), param select has no effect and the default is always the FLASH backend. However param save/load <file> can still be used to write to/read from files.

Each parameter has a 'used' flag, which is set when it's read during boot. It is used to only show relevant parameters to a ground control station.

# Examples

Change the airframe and make sure the airframe's default parameters are loaded:

param set SYS_AUTOSTART 4001
param set SYS_AUTOCONFIG 1
reboot

# Usage

param <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   load          Load params from a file (overwrite all)
     [<file>]    File name (use default if not given)
   import        Import params from a file
     [<file>]    File name (use default if not given)
   save          Save params to a file
     [<file>]    File name (use default if not given)
   select        Select default file
     [<file>]    File name (use <root>/eeprom/parameters if not given)
   show          Show parameter values
     [-a]        Show all parameters (not just used)
     [-c]        Show only changed params (unused too)
     [-q]        quiet mode, print only param value (name needs to be exact)
     [<filter>]  Filter by param name (wildcard at end allowed, eg. sys_*)
   show-for-airframe Show changed params for airframe config
   status        Print status of parameter system
   set           Set parameter to a value
     <param_name> <value> Parameter name and value to set
     [fail]      If provided, let the command fail if param is not found
   set-default   Set parameter default to a value
     <param_name> <value> Parameter name and value to set
     [fail]      If provided, let the command fail if param is not found
   compare       Compare a param with a value. Command will succeed if equal
     [-s]        If provided, silent errors if parameter doesn't exists
     <param_name> <value> Parameter name and value to compare
   greater       Compare a param with a value. Command will succeed if param is
                 greater than the value
     [-s]        If provided, silent errors if parameter doesn't exists
     <param_name> <value> Parameter name and value to compare
     <param_name> <value> Parameter name and value to compare
   touch         Mark a parameter as used
     [<param_name1> [<param_name2>]] Parameter name (one or more)
   reset         Reset only specified params to default
     [<param1> [<param2>]] Parameter names to reset (wildcard at end allowed)
   reset_all     Reset all params to default
     [<exclude1> [<exclude2>]] Do not reset matching params (wildcard at end
                 allowed)
   index         Show param for a given index
     <index>     Index: an integer >= 0
   index_used    Show used param for a given index
     <index>     Index: an integer >= 0
   find          Show index of a param
     <param>     param name

# perf

Source: systemcmds/perf (opens new window)

Tool to print performance counters

# Usage

perf [arguments...]
   reset         Reset all counters
   latency       Print HRT timer latency histogram
 Prints all performance counters if no arguments given

# pwm

Source: systemcmds/pwm (opens new window)

# Description

This command is used to configure PWM outputs for servo and ESC control.

The default device /dev/pwm_output0 are the Main channels, AUX channels are on /dev/pwm_output1 (-d parameter).

It is used in the startup script to make sure the PWM parameters (PWM_*) are applied (or the ones provided by the airframe config if specified). pwm status shows the current settings (the trim value is an offset and configured with PWM_MAIN_TRIMx and PWM_AUX_TRIMx).

The disarmed value should be set such that the motors don't spin (it's also used for the kill switch), at the minimum value they should spin.

Channels are assigned to a group. Due to hardware limitations, the update rate can only be set per group. Use pwm status to display the groups. If the -c argument is used, all channels of any included group must be included.

The parameters -p and -r can be set to a parameter instead of specifying an integer: use -p p:PWM_MIN for example.

Note that in OneShot mode, the PWM range [1000, 2000] is automatically mapped to [125, 250].

# Examples

Set the PWM rate for all channels to 400 Hz:

pwm rate -a -r 400

Test the outputs of eg. channels 1 and 3, and set the PWM value to 1200 us:

pwm arm
pwm test -c 13 -p 1200

# Usage

pwm <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   arm           Arm output
   disarm        Disarm output
   status        Print current configuration of all channels
   forcefail     Force Failsafe mode. PWM outputs are set to failsafe values.
     on|off      Turn on or off
   terminatefail Enable Termination Failsafe mode. While this is true, any
                 failsafe that occurs will be unrecoverable (even if recovery
                 conditions are met).
     on|off      Turn on or off
   rate          Configure PWM rates
     -r <val>    PWM Rate in Hz (0 = Oneshot, otherwise 50 to 400Hz)
   oneshot       Configure Oneshot125 (rate is set to 0)
   failsafe      Set Failsafe PWM value
   disarmed      Set Disarmed PWM value
   min           Set Minimum PWM value
   max           Set Maximum PWM value
   test          Set Output to a specific value until 'q' or 'c' or 'ctrl-c'
                 pressed
   steps         Run 5 steps from 0 to 100%
 The commands 'failsafe', 'disarmed', 'min', 'max' and 'test' require a PWM
 value:
     -p <val>    PWM value (eg. 1100)
 The commands 'rate', 'oneshot', 'failsafe', 'disarmed', 'min', 'max', 'test'
 and 'steps' additionally require to specify the channels with one of the
 following commands:
     [-c <val>]  select channels in the form: 1234 (1 digit per channel,
                 1=first)
     [-m <val>]  Select channels via bitmask (eg. 0xF, 3)
     [-g <val>]  Select channels by group (eg. 0, 1, 2. use 'pwm status' to show
                 groups)
     [-a]        Select all channels
 These parameters apply to all commands:
     [-d <val>]  Select PWM output device
                 values: <file:dev>, default: /dev/pwm_output0
     [-v]        Verbose output
     [-e]        Exit with 1 instead of 0 on error

# reboot

Source: systemcmds/reboot (opens new window)

Reboot the system

# Usage

reboot [arguments...]
     [-b]        Reboot into bootloader
     [lock|unlock] Take/release the shutdown lock (for testing)

# sd_bench

Source: systemcmds/sd_bench (opens new window)

Test the speed of an SD Card

# Usage

sd_bench [arguments...]
     [-b <val>]  Block size for each read/write
                 default: 4096
     [-r <val>]  Number of runs
                 default: 5
     [-d <val>]  Duration of a run in ms
                 default: 2000
     [-s]        Call fsync after each block (default=at end of each run)
     [-u]        Test performance with unaligned data)

# system_time

Source: systemcmds/system_time (opens new window)

# Description

Command-line tool to set and get system time.

# Examples

Set the system time and read it back

system_time set 1600775044
system_time get

# Usage

system_time <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   set           Set the system time, provide time in unix epoch time format
   get           Get the system time

# top

Source: systemcmds/top (opens new window)

Monitor running processes and their CPU, stack usage, priority and state

# Usage

top [arguments...]
   once          print load only once

# usb_connected

Source: systemcmds/usb_connected (opens new window)

Utility to check if USB is connected. Was previously used in startup scripts. A return value of 0 means USB is connected, 1 otherwise.

# Usage

usb_connected [arguments...]

# ver

Source: systemcmds/ver (opens new window)

Tool to print various version information

# Usage

ver <command> [arguments...]
 Commands:
   hw            Hardware architecture
   mcu           MCU info
   git           git version information
   bdate         Build date and time
   gcc           Compiler info
   bdate         Build date and time
   px4guid       PX4 GUID
   uri           Build URI
   all           Print all versions
   hwcmp         Compare hardware version (returns 0 on match)
     <hw> [<hw2>] Hardware to compare against (eg. PX4_FMU_V4). An OR comparison
                 is used if multiple are specified
   hwtypecmp     Compare hardware type (returns 0 on match)
     <hwtype> [<hwtype2>] Hardware type to compare against (eg. V2). An OR
                 comparison is used if multiple are specified