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Installing Python 3.8.2 on Windows for Firmware Upload

The UAV Toolbox Support Package for PX4® Autopilots requires Python 3.8.2 and pySerial 3.4 to upload PX4 Firmware on the Autopilot. The installation of Python 3.8.2 and pySerial 3.4 can be done from the hardware setup screen itself (if not already installed).

Note

Internet connection is required to install Python 3.8.2 in your Windows computer

To install Python 3.8.2 from hardware setup, follow the below steps.

  1. After installing the UAV Toolbox Support Package for PX4 Autopilots, start the hardware setup by opening the Add-On Manager.

  2. In the Add-On Manager, start the hardware setup process by clicking the Setup button, .

    The following screen is launched if hardware setup for PX4 is being launched for the first time in current installation of MATLAB.

Scenario 1: Python 3.8.2 is already installed on Windows computer

If Python 3.8.2 is already installed on your computer, select I have already installed Python 3.8.2 and click Next. The next hardware setup requires a valid path where you have Python 3.8.2 installed.

After you provide the path where Python 3.8.2 is installed. Click Validate. Upon successful validation, you can move to subsequent hardware setup screens.

If validation fails, reinstall Python 3.8.2. For more information, see Scenario 2.

Scenario 2: Python 3.8.2 is not installed on Windows computer

If Python 3.8.2 is not installed on the computer, select Automatically Download and install and click Next.

Note

The installation of Python 3.8.2 is not required if you have any other version of Python 3.8 with the same minor version (8) but different patch version. For example, if you have Python 3.8.1 or 3.8.3 already installed on your PC, this is same as Scenario 1 and you can select I have already installed Python 3.8.2 and provide the path of Python 3.8.1 or 3.8.3 for validation.

However, installation of Python 3.8.2 is required if you have any other version of Python 3 with a different minor version other than 8, such as Python 3.9.1, 3.10.x, or 3.7).

Also, installation of Python 3.8.2 will fail if there is another Python with same minor version such as Python 3.8.2, 3.8.3, or 3.8.5 and so on is already installed. However, you can install Python 3.8.3 if the other Python version has a different minor version other than 8, such as Python 3.9.1, 3.10x, or 3.7.

After clicking Next, the following screen appears.

Specify the path where you want to install Python 3.8.2 in your computer and click Install. Python 3.8.2 and pySerial 3.4 is installed on that path. After successful installation, click Next for subsequent screens.