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issue of default frame_id for velodyne_pointcloud/Transform2

asked 2012-02-15 20:59:04 -0500

clark gravatar image

updated 2012-02-16 03:19:05 -0500

joq gravatar image

I am testing loading a pcap file and transform velodyne_msgs/VelodyneScan into /velodyne/pointcloud2, and that the converted pointcloud2 data looks not right. And I think that this is caused by the default frame_id setting.

By default, the frame_id of velodyne_msgs/VelodyneScan is "velodyne" and the frame_id for /velodyne/pointcloud2 is "odom", and here is my launch file,


<launch>
  <node pkg="tf" type="static_transform_publisher" name="velodyne_broadcaster" 
        args="0 0 2 0 0 0 base velodyne 10" />
  <node pkg="tf" type="static_transform_publisher" name="base_broadcaster"
        args="0 0 0 0 0 0 odom base 100" />
  <node pkg="tf" type="static_transform_publisher" name="odom_broadcaster"
        args="0 0 0 0 0 0 map odom 100" />

  <node pkg="velodyne_common" type="read" name="read" 
        args="-f $(find velodyne_common)/../velodyne_data_01/unit_46_Monterey_subset.pcap" >
        <param name="frame_id" type="string" value="velodyne" />
  </node>

  <!-- start nodelet manager -->
  <node pkg="nodelet" type="nodelet" name="velodyne_nodelet_manager" 
        args="manager" />

  <!--transform velodyne/packets into pointcloud2 via nodelet -->
  <node pkg="nodelet" type="nodelet" name="transform2" 
        args="load velodyne_pointcloud/Transform2 velodyne_nodelet_manager" > 
  </node>

  <node pkg="rviz" type="rviz" name="rviz" />

</launch>

The original data coordinates are relative to the velodyne frame, yet the converted pointcloud2 shifted down (2 meters, in this case) from the velodyne frame. Then I have to respecify the frame_id for pointcloud2 to "velodyne" in order to locate the resultant pointcloud2 correctly.

So my feeling is that the above default frame_id looks not so reasonable, since typically there is a determinate tf tree in the scenario and the pointcloud2 should not be remapped arbitrarily to a frame other than the default value "velodyne". Correct me if I am wrong.

clark

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answered 2012-02-16 03:18:18 -0500

joq gravatar image

updated 2012-02-17 05:32:05 -0500

The velodyne_pointcloud package is currently in active development. We hope to release a complete version soon, but until then you should only use it experimentally.

As part of this redesign, the velodyne_common package will soon be deprecated. If you want to try the new, experimental packages, there is a driver nodelet that goes with velodyne_pointcloud (start the nodelet manager first):

<node pkg="nodelet" type="nodelet" name="driver_nodelet"
      args="load velodyne_driver/DriverNodelet velodyne_nodelet_manager" />

There is currently an active design review for the velodyne stack. Please sign up and contribute your ideas and suggestions.

EDIT:

The main purpose of the transform nodelet is transforming data from a moving device into some stationary coordinate frame. The Velodyne turns at 10Hz, so the vehicle can move far enough to affect registration during a compete revolution. REP-0105 recommends the /odom frame for that purpose. Since your needs may vary, the frame_id parameter is provided.

If you just want the data converted to sensor_msgs/PointCloud2 in the /velodyne frame, the velodyne_pointcloud/Cloud2Nodelet should suffice.

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Asked: 2012-02-15 20:59:04 -0500

Seen: 1,005 times

Last updated: Feb 17 '12