P – proportional
P provides a proportional amount of corrective force based upon the angle of error from desired position. The larger the deviation, the larger the corrective force.
A higher P value will create a stronger force to return to desired position.
If the P value is too high, on the return to initial position, it will overshoot and then opposite force is needed to compensate. This creates an oscillating effect until stability is eventually reached or in severe cases, the overshoot becomes amplified and the multirotor becomes completely destabilised.
Increasing value for P:
It will become more solid/stable until P is too high where it starts to oscillate and loose control. You will notice a very strong resistive force to any attempts to move the MultiRotor
Decreasing value for P:
It will start to drift in control until P is too low when it becomes very unstable.
Will be less resistive to any attempts to change orientation
Aerobatic flight: Requires a slightly higher P
Gentle smooth flight: requires a slightly lower lower P
I – Integral
I provides a variable amount of corrective force based upon the angle of error from desired position. The larger the deviation and / or the longer the deviation exists, the larger the corrective force. It is limited to prevent becoming excessively high.
A higher I will increase the
heading hold capability
Increasing value for I:
Increase the ability to hold overall position, reduce drift due to unbalanced frames etc
Decreasing value for I:
Will improve reaction to changes, but increase drift and reduce ability to hold position
Aerobatic flight:
Gentle smooth flight:
AP: Requires a slightly lower I to minimize wobbles / jitters
D – Derivative
This moderates the
speed at which the MultiRotor is returned to its original position.
A lower D will mean the MultiRotor will snap back to its initial position very quickly
Increasing value for D:
Dampens changes. Slower to react to fast changes
Decreasing value for D:
Less dampening to changes. Reacts faster to changes
Aerobatic flight: Lower D
Gentle smooth flight: Increase D