What is Calib Mode? - IMPORTANT

What is Calibration Mode and what's New in Betaflight 4.4?

Updated Article and Information for the DC Fpv Community, Feb 18, 2023

Calibration

is an essential part of setting up a drone for optimal performance.

Calibration ensures that the drone's sensors and components are accurately level and can provide accurate data for flight control. In Betaflight 4.4, one of the most critical calibration modes is the calibration mode, which allows for precise calibration of various sensors and components in the drone. In this article, Drone Camps will explain what calib mode is, how it works, and why it is important for quad performance.

What is calib mode?

Calib mode is a specific mode in Betaflight 4.4 that allows for the precise calibration of sensors including : accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and barometer.

By calibrating these sensors, the drone's flight controller can accurately interpret the data provided by them and make necessary adjustments to maintain stable flight.

How does calib mode work?

Calib mode works by taking the drone through a series of predefined steps to calibrate the sensors and components. The exact steps vary depending on the type of sensor being calibrated, but in general, they involve moving the drone in specific ways to ensure that the sensor is detecting data accurately.

Accelerometer calibration.

Involves placing the drone on a flat surface and allowing it to detect the surface's level.

Gyroscope calibration : Requires the drone to be moved in specific directions to detect any errors in the data provided by the sensor.

Why is calib mode important?

Calib mode is crucial for ensuring that the drone's flight controller can accurately interpret the data provided by the various sensors and components. This is important because inaccurate data can lead to unstable flight and potentially dangerous situations. Or vibes.

For example, if the accelerometer is not calibrated correctly, the drone may not detect when it is flying at an angle, which could cause it to tilt and crash. Or fly to and favor one axis over another.

In addition to improving flight stability and safety, calib mode can also improve overall drone performance. By calibrating the sensors and components, the drone can operate more efficiently, leading to better flight times, more precise movements, and smoother flight overall.

When should you use calib mode?

Calib mode should be used whenever you are setting up a new drone or making significant changes to an existing one. This includes installing new components, such as a new flight controller, or updating the firmware on the drone. Additionally, it is a good idea to run calib mode periodically to ensure that the sensors and components are still accurately calibrated.

How to use calib mode in Betaflight 4.4

To use calib mode in Betaflight 4.4, follow these steps:

1. Connect your drone to Betaflight via USB.

2. Open the Betaflight Configurator software.

3. Select the 'Setup' tab.

4. Under 'Calibration,' select the type of calibration you want to perform (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer).

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the calibration.

It is important to note that some sensors may require additional steps or tools to calibrate correctly. For example, magnetometer calibration may require the use of a magnetic field generator to provide an accurate reading.

Calib mode is a critical part of setting up a drone for optimal performance. By calibrating the various sensors and components, the drone can operate more efficiently, leading to better flight times, more precise movements, and smoother flight overall. It is essential to run calib mode whenever you are setting up a new drone or making significant changes to an existing one and to periodically run calib mode to ensure that the sensors and components are still accurately calibrated.

Note for beginners flying in Angle Mode : If Accelerometer is turned off your quad may not fly correctly and crash. Make sure gyro and accelerometer are turned on.