QGC/PX4 No manual control input with Logitech Extreme Pro 3D

[ph3rro]

Hi, I just installed the package and everything seems to be working properly but QGC is telling me there's no manual control input. I opened settings and there is no Joystick tab. I tested with PX4 and QGC separately and it worked fine there.

[JacopoPan]

Hi @ph3rro

Let me clarify that the warning you see is related to the QGC virtual joystick (more about the real joystick at the end of this message).

It is normal to see the NO RC warning when starting a multi-vehicle simulation with PX4 (as in the screen capture below), it does not prevent you from flying the vehicles autonomously via QGC or AAS's autopilot_interface.

This is because the QGC virtual joystick is disabled for multi-vehicle simulation (but enabled only when having a single drone, e.g.,NUM_QUADS=1 NUM_VTOLS=0). This was introduced/motivated in PR #37.

If you want to get rid of the warning you have 3 options (the first 2 require to re-run ./sim_build.sh:

• 1. modify these lines (or remove them and edit file QGroundControl.ini directly) to enable the virtual joystick at all times
     

     aerial-autonomy-stack/ground/ground.yml.erb

     Lines 48 to 50 in 37d1442

     	sed -i 's/^virtualJoystick=.*/virtualJoystick=<%= (num_quads + num_vtols) == 1 %>/g' /home/qgcuser/.config/QGroundControl/QGroundControl.ini &&
     	sed -i 's/^virtualJoystickAutoCenterThrottle=.*/virtualJoystickAutoCenterThrottle=<%= num_quads == 1 %>/g' /home/qgcuser/.config/QGroundControl/QGroundControl.ini &&
     	gosu qgcuser /squashfs-root/AppRun &

• 2. add COM_RC_IN_MODE 4 to 5140_gz_aas_x500 and 5141_gz_aas_standard_vtol to disable the warning for the lack of virtual joystick
• 3. manually enable the virtual joystick in QGC after the simulation starts

---

W.r.t. to the use of a real USB joystick, unfortunately I haven't tested that because I don't have one. My first suspicion is that the Docker ground-image (where QGC is run) has no access to it. I would ask you to run the following command twice

ls -l /dev/input/

first, on a Gnome terminal on your host computer (with the joystick plugged in/where it is working with QGC); second, while the simulation is running, inside the "Ground" Xterm terminal to see if there is any discrepancy.

If possible, please also share your host computer QGC configuration (where you tested the joystick and it is working)

cat /home/${USER}/.config/QGroundControl/QGroundControl.ini

[JacopoPan]

Could you also share the output of the following:

dpkg -l | grep -i sdl2

and check the version of QGC where the joystick is working?

I see this issue has been discussed elsewhere too

• https://discuss.px4.io/t/no-joystick-setup-option-qgroundcontrol/29691
• Virtual Joystick not working mavlink/qgroundcontrol#10664

[ph3rro]

Thanks a lot for the detailed response! The virtual joystick being disabled for multi-vehicle simulation explains things.

I ran ls -l /dev/input/ in both terminals and they were the same (they both had js1, my controller)

My QGC ini:

pherro@ubuntu24:~/.config/QGroundControl$ cat "QGroundControl Daily.ini"
[General]
SettingsVersion=9
_deleteBingNoTileTilesDone=true
androidSaveToSDCard=false
appFontPointSize=9
firstRunPromptIdsShown="1,2"
savePath=/home/pherro/Documents/QGroundControl Daily

[FlightMapPosition]
FlightMapZoom=17
Latitude=47.3979697
Longitude=8.546171

[GimbalController]
EnableOnScreenControl=true

[JoystickManager]
ActiveJoystick=Logitech Extreme 3D pro

[Joysticks]
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Accumulator=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis0Deadbnd=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis0Max=32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis0Min=-32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis0Rev=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis0Trim=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis1Deadbnd=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis1Max=32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis1Min=-32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis1Rev=true
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis1Trim=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis2Deadbnd=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis2Max=32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis2Min=-32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis2Rev=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis2Trim=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis3Deadbnd=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis3Max=32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis3Min=-32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis3Rev=true
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis3Trim=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis4Deadbnd=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis4Max=32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis4Min=-32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis4Rev=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis4Trim=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis5Deadbnd=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis5Max=32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis5Min=-32767
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis5Rev=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Axis5Trim=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\AxisFrequency=25
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\ButtonFrequency=5
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Calibrated4=true
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Circle_Correction=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Deadband=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Exponential=0
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\GimbalPitchAxis=4
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\GimbalYawAxis=5
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\NegativeThrust=false
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\PitchAxis=3
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\RollAxis=2
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\ThrottleAxis=1
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\ThrottleMode=1
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\YawAxis=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Accumulator=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis0Deadbnd=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis0Max=32767
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis0Min=-32640
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis0Rev=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis0Trim=-481
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis1Deadbnd=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis1Max=32639
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis1Min=-32640
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis1Rev=true
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis1Trim=-97
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis2Deadbnd=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis2Max=32767
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis2Min=-32768
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis2Rev=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis2Trim=-129
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis3Deadbnd=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis3Max=32767
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis3Min=-32768
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis3Rev=true
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Axis3Trim=-386
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\AxisFrequency=25
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName1=Toggle Arm
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName12=Gimbal Up
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName13=Gimbal Down
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName14=Gimbal Left
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName15=Gimbal Right
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName2=Gimbal Center
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionName3=Emergency Stop
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat1=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat12=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat13=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat14=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat15=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat2=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonActionRepeat3=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ButtonFrequency=5
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Calibrated4=true
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Circle_Correction=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Deadband=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\Exponential=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\GimbalPitchAxis=-1
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\GimbalYawAxis=-1
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\NegativeThrust=false
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\PitchAxis=1
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\RollAxis=0
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ThrottleAxis=3
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\ThrottleMode=1
Logitech%20Extreme%203D%20pro\YawAxis=2
TXMode_MultiRotor=2

[MAVLinkLogGroup]
Description=QGroundControl Session
LogURL=https://logs.px4.io/upload
PublicLog=true
RateKey=notset

[MainWindowState]
height=586
visibility=2
width=829
x=1042
y=230

[QGCQml]
IsPIPVisible=true
MainFlyWindowIsMap=false

[RadioCalibration]
TransmitterMode=2

[Vehicle1]
JoystickEnabled=true

[Video]
udpUrl=0.0.0.0:5600
videoSource=Video Stream Disabled

I am also using the same QGC version as you.

Turning on virtual joystick gets rid of the warning but I'm still unable to control the drone with it.

[JacopoPan]

Thanks for the feedback!

Turning on the virtual joystick from QGC settings should remove the warning AND let you control the drone from the virtual sticks on the QGC interface itself, correct?

Based on your output, I'd have 2 suggestions (and I'll look more into this later):

• Try and copy the Joystick related settings

[JoystickManager]
ActiveJoystick=Logitech Extreme 3D pro

[Joysticks]
8BitDo%20Ultimate%202C%20Wireless%20Controller\Accumulator=false
...
etc.

[Vehicle1]
JoystickEnabled=true

into QGroundControl.ini and re-build with ./sim_build.sh (also continue to run the sim with more than 1 vehicle to keep the virtual joystick disabled)

• Probably more importantly, you are on Ubuntu 24 and have SDL version 2.30.0, the base image for ground-image is Ubuntu 22 and it is still on SDL 2.0.20, this thread suggests that going from 2.0 to >2.28 could be the fix, I'll try to add a few lines in the Dockerfile to address this later today

[JacopoPan]

@ph3rro

could you add this just after line FROM ros2-image AS ros2-qgc-zenoh-image (before installing QGC) in scripts/docker/Dockerfile.ground and re-run ./sim_build.sh?

RUN git clone https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL.git -b release-2.30.0 /tmp/SDL \
    && mkdir /tmp/SDL/build \
    && cd /tmp/SDL/build \
    && cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release \
    && make -j$(nproc) \
    && make install \
    && ldconfig \
    && rm -rf /tmp/SDL

this upgrades SDL to version 2.30. Please let me know if this lets QGC recognize the Logitech Extreme Pro 3D.

[JacopoPan]

Never mind @ph3rro
The solution was much more trivial, just add this line

pre: chown -R qgcuser:qgcuser /dev/input/ 2>/dev/null || true

Between the layout and panes lines

  - zenoh_and_qgc:
      layout: even-horizontal
      pre: chown -R qgcuser:qgcuser /dev/input/ 2>/dev/null || true
      panes:

in ground/ground.yml.erb and re-build with ./sim_build.sh, the joystick will be visible in QGC

Tested with Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

[JacopoPan]

PR #45 fixes it
@ph3rro thanks for catching this