How to Configure Channel Mapping in ArduPilot

I. Principle

Channel Mapping refers to the correspondence between RC channels and flight controller output ports, ensuring that RC inputs (such as aileron, elevator, throttle, and rudder) are accurately converted into servo or ESC control outputs during flight.

In ArduPilot flight controllers, the output channel numbers (1, 2, 3, 4...) correspond respectively to the physical output interfaces (S1, S2, S3, S4...) on the flight controller. Servos or ESCs are connected to these output ports to achieve flight attitude control and power control.

For example:

• If channel 1 is set to Aileron in the output port settings, the aircraft's aileron servo must be connected to the flight controller's output port S1.

II. Equipment Preparation

1) Flight Controller: Any of the SpeedyBee F405 WING APP / SpeedyBee F405 WING MINI / CoreWing F405 WING V2 flight controllers is applicable to this tutorial.

2) RC Transmitter and Receiver: For example, RadioMaster Boxer and SpeedyBee ELRS NANO.

3) Ground Control Station (GCS): Mission Planner.

4) Servos or Motors on the Aircraft

III. Specific Operations

Step 1: Enter Servo Output Page

1. Connect the flight controller to the computer using a USB data cable, open Mission Planner software, and complete the flight controller connection.

2. Click Initial Setup -> Enter Required Hardware -> Select the Servo Output page.

Step 2: Set Channel Mapping

1. Assign functions to each channel one by one according to aircraft requirements:

• Aileron

• Elevator

• Throttle

• Rudder

• Flap

• Other custom channels (e.g., camera gimbal, switches, etc.)

2. Example settings are as follows:

Servo Output Channel	Example Function Selection	Physical Port Connection
1	Aileron	S1 -> Aileron Servo
2	Elevator	S2 -> Elevator Servo
3	Throttle	S3 -> ESC
4	Rudder	S4 -> Rudder Servo

Important

⚠️ Note:

1. If only one aileron channel is configured and the aircraft has two aileron servos (left and right), a "Y" harness (2-in-1) must be used to connect them before inserting into the corresponding port.

2. If aileron or elevator servos are wired separately, you need to select Aileron left/right and Elevator left/right in Servo Output for separate mapping.

Step 3: Confirm RC Channel Correspondence with Flight Controller

Important

⚠️ Note: Please do not power the flight controller with a battery, or remove the aircraft propellers.

1. Force unlock the flight controller. Refer to this article for how to force unlock:

2. Move the RC sticks and observe if the channel values change correctly reflecting stick operations:

• Move the aileron stick left and right; the aileron channel value should change significantly;

• Pull the pitch stick forward and backward; the elevator channel value should change significantly;

• Push the throttle stick; the throttle channel value changes accordingly;

• Move the rudder stick left and right; the rudder channel value changes significantly.

✅ If the channel response corresponds to the stick input, the channel mapping setup is successful.

Step 4: Verify Setup Results

After powering on the flight controller, switch modes on the RC transmitter and move each channel to observe servo and motor response:

• RC input and servo/motor response direction must correspond correctly. If reversed, check the Reverse switch in the Servo Output page to correct it.

• Refer to this article to determine if the control surface response is correct: https://docs.corewing.com/plane/ardupilot/settings/fc/dir-check.html

IV. Q&A

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