Tune Meanings (Pixhawk Series)

Pixhawk-series flight controllers use audible tones/tunes from a buzzer and colours/sequences from a LED to indicate vehicle state and events (e.g. arming success and failure, low battery warnings).

The set of standard sounds are listed below.

INFO

Developers: Tunes are defined in /lib/tunes/tune_definition.desc and can be tested using the tune-control module. You can search for tune use using the string TUNE_ID_name(e.g. `TUNE_ID_PARACHUTE_RELEASE)

Boot/Startup

These tunes are played during the boot sequence.

Startup Tone

• microSD card successfully mounted (during boot).

Error Tune

• Hard fault has caused a system reboot.
• System set to use PX4IO but no IO present.
• UAVCAN is enabled but driver can't start.
• SITL/HITL enabled but pwm_out_sim driver can't start.
• FMU startup failed.

Make File System

• Formatting microSD card.
• Mounting failed (if formatting succeeds boot sequence will try to mount again).
• No microSD card.

Format Failed

• Formatting microSD card failed (following previous attempt to mount card).

Program PX4IO

• Starting to program PX4IO.

Program PX4IO Success

• PX4IO programming succeeded.

Program PX4IO Fail

• PX4IO programming failed.
• PX4IO couldn't start.
• AUX Mixer not found.

Operational

These tones/tunes are emitted during normal operation.

Error Tune

• RC Loss

Notify Positive Tone

• Calibration succeeded.
• Successful mode change.
• Command accepted (e.g. from MAVLink command protocol).
• Safety switch off (vehicle can be armed).

Notify Neutral Tone

• Mission is valid and has no warnings.
• Airspeed calibration: supply more air pressure, or calibration complete.
• Safety switch turned on/disarmed (safe to approach vehicle).

Notify Negative Tone

• Calibration failed.
• Calibration already completed.
• Mission is invalid.
• Command denied, failed, temporarily rejected (e.g. from MAVLink command protocol).
• Arming/disarming transition denied (e.g. pre-flight checks failed, safety not disabled, system not in manual mode).
• Reject mode transition.

Arming Warning

• Vehicle is now armed.

Arming Failure Tune

• Arming failed

Battery Warning Slow

• Low battery warning (failsafe).

Battery Warning Fast

• Critical low battery warning (failsafe).

GPS Warning Slow

Parachute Release

• Parachute release triggered.

Single Beep

• Magnetometer/Compass calibration: Notify user to start rotating vehicle.

Home Set Tune

• Home position initialised (first time only).

Power Off Tune

• Vehicle powering off.