Tracing MAVLink and GCS Dependencies

Problem definition

I am integrating MAVLink-based components and need to know which repositories define the protocol and its reference implementations.

Steps

1. Start at the protocol repository

   Open the MAVLink repository and note the message set and version it defines.

2. Trace the ground station

   Open the QGroundControl repository and identify which protocol dialects it implements.

3. Confirm both endpoints

   For each flight stack, verify protocol support in its official documentation before wiring components together.

Guide

Judgment criteria

• Each integration hop has a documented source.
• Protocol version differences are checked against both sides' documentation.

Common risks

• Assuming two MAVLink components interoperate without checking their documented dialects.
• Treating a repository README as the full protocol contract.

Checklist