# MAVLink Start

## Overview

![The MAVLink Start Node.](https://2628349686-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fwnv17cpjDin2deSlOz0z%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d9195e12bd5c48bef670612c578e00c9f70e53a1%2Fmavlinkstart.png?alt=media)

The **MAVLink Start Node** opens communication with a **MAVLink** serial port that has already been set up in [**Project Settings**](https://docs.incari.com/incari-studio/2023.1/modules/project-settings/mavlink) and starts the *heartbeat*, which is done automatically with no action required by the user.

**MAVLink Communication** in **Incari** is available as a plugin and is enabled as default. However, in the case that it is disabled in the **Plugins Editor**, it will not appear in the **Project Settings** and **MAVLink Start** will not show up in the [**Toolbox**](https://github.com/cgi-studio-gmbh/incari-doc/blob/2023.1/overview.md). Please refer to the [**Plugins Editor**](https://docs.incari.com/incari-studio/2023.1/modules/plugins) to find out more information.

It is important to note that while the **MAVLink Start Node** starts a **MAVLink** connection, it may not completely finish establishing said connection when the **Node** is executed. This could lead to the **Logic** attached to its **Output Pulse** to not work even though there is technically nothing wrong. In order to avoid this, it is highly suggested to use the [**On MAVLink Start Node**](https://docs.incari.com/incari-studio/2023.1/toolbox/communication/mavlink/events/on-mavlink-start) instead. This way, the **Logic** will only execute once the **MAVLink** connection has definitely been established.

Again, the user must first use the **MAVLink Start Node** to open the connection. Separately, the **On MAVLink Start Node** can be used to execute the desired **Communication Logic**.

![MAVLink Start and On MAVLink Start Configuration.](https://2628349686-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fwnv17cpjDin2deSlOz0z%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0149608f27b6ef6bf093171811641d6dd4d48bdc%2Fmavlinkstartvsonmavlinkstart.png?alt=media)

[**Scope**](https://github.com/cgi-studio-gmbh/incari-doc/blob/2023.1/toolbox/communication/overview.md#scopes): **Project**, **Scene**.

## Attributes

![The MAVLink Start Node Attributes.](https://2628349686-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fwnv17cpjDin2deSlOz0z%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-55b41fb3f6d915686c4112d4eb4d7d09c1eda4a3%2Fmavlinkstartatts.png?alt=media)

| Attribute       | Type          | Description                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| --------------- | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Configuration` | **Drop-Down** | The desired *MAVLink* serial port, which refers back to the selections made under *MAVLink* in the [**Project Settings**](https://docs.incari.com/incari-studio/2023.1/modules/project-settings/mavlink). |

## Inputs

| Input             | Type      | Description                                                           |
| ----------------- | --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Pulse Input* (►) | **Pulse** | A standard **Input Pulse**, to trigger the execution of the **Node**. |

## Outputs

| Output             | Type      | Description                                                                                                                            |
| ------------------ | --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Pulse Output* (►) | **Pulse** | A standard **Output Pulse**, to move onto the next **Node** along the **Logic Branch**, once this **Node** has finished its execution. |

## See Also

* [**MAVLink Stop**](https://docs.incari.com/incari-studio/2023.1/toolbox/communication/mavlink/mavlink-stop)
* [**On MAVLink Start**](https://docs.incari.com/incari-studio/2023.1/toolbox/communication/mavlink/events/on-mavlink-start)

## External Links

* What is a [*heartbeat*?](https://mavlink.io/kr/services/heartbeat.html)