> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://yall.yassrobotics.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://yall.yassrobotics.com/documentation/tuning/pid-tuning-for-aiming-and-ranging.md).

# PID Tuning for Aiming & Ranging

Once tracking itself is stable — pipeline tuned, [crosshair calibrated](/documentation/tuning/crosshair-calibration.md) — this is the last step: closing the loop between `tx`/`ty` and drivetrain output. This only applies to direct visual servoing off `tx`/`ty`/`ta` (`limelight.getData().targetData.getHorizontalOffset()` / `getVerticalOffset()` / `getTargetArea()`, as in [Basic Setup](/documentation/tutorials/basic-setup.md)); if you're driving off a fused `PoseEstimate` instead, this doesn't apply — tune your pose estimator's trust filters ([Pose Estimation & Ambiguity](/documentation/understanding/pose-estimation-and-ambiguity.md)) instead.

## Starting gains

Limelight's own aiming/ranging example uses simple proportional-only control as its starting point — a reasonable baseline before you add integral/derivative terms:

| Term            | Starting value | Drives                                                                                                                                                              |
| --------------- | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `kP_aim`        | `-0.1`         | Turn rate, from `tx` (heading error)                                                                                                                                |
| `kP_distance`   | `-0.1`         | Forward/back speed, from `ty` (range error)                                                                                                                         |
| `minAimCommand` | `0.05`         | Deadband floor — the minimum command applied once outside the deadband, so small errors don't get commanded a near-zero output that never overcomes static friction |

The negative sign matters: a positive `tx` (target to the right) should produce a *negative* turn command if your convention is "positive turn = counterclockwise" — get the sign backwards and the loop actively drives away from the target instead of toward it.

## Deadband

Only apply the aim correction once `|tx| > 1.0` degrees (this exact threshold is a starting point, not a hard rule). Without a deadband, the loop chases sensor noise once it's essentially on-target, and oscillates instead of settling.

```java
double tx = limelight.getData().targetData.getHorizontalOffset();
double steer = 0.0;
if (Math.abs(tx) > 1.0) {
    steer = kP_aim * tx;
}
```

## Tuning order

1. **Aim (`tx`) alone first**, with ranging disabled. Confirm the robot settles on heading without oscillating before adding range control.
2. **Range (`ty`/`ta`) alone next**, with aim disabled — same idea, isolate one loop before combining them.
3. **Combine both** once each is independently stable. Combined aim+range is more sensitive to gain that's slightly too high, since heading and distance errors can compound.
4. **Increase `kP` gradually** from the starting values above until the robot responds promptly without overshoot/oscillation at your target distance; back off \~20% from the point oscillation starts.

## See Also

* [Tuning Workflow Overview](/documentation/tuning/tuning-workflow-overview.md)
* [Crosshair Calibration](/documentation/tuning/crosshair-calibration.md)
* [Pose Estimation & Ambiguity](/documentation/understanding/pose-estimation-and-ambiguity.md) — the equivalent tuning problem when driving off a fused pose instead of raw `tx`/`ty`.


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