Continue reading »]]> I am busy testing the 433mhz LRS system from Orange.

A:
OrangeRx Open LRS 433MHz 9Ch Receiver
and:
OrangeRx Open LRS 433MHz TX Module (JR/Turnigy compatible)

The stock antennas are not the best – I purchased a Nagoya 771 from ebay and I built a Dipole antenna.

So far it is pretty obvious which antenna is better. I still have to create a Turnstile Antenna that is supposed to be on the plane.

My tests are a drive around the local RC field. some rolling hills in the farmlands and small forests are included in the test. As I did not get the beeper to beep when I drop connection I left the transmitter on a bench running a servo-test. I taped the Receiver, a servo and the antenna to a window on my car and the battery was attached on the inside. When I drop connection the servo would go into failsafe position at full servo speed. The servo tester program on my ER9X is moving slowly so I can hear on the speed of the servo when driving if the failsafe kicks in.

So far so good – it is going to be interresting to mount this RX and antenna to my Bixler

UPDATE

I now finished the Turnstile antenna and I will do some test with it as soon as I can (drive the same route with my car as I did whith the other antennas)

Continue reading »]]> I received my LRS gear and I’m currently doing some initial tests.

Connected the module to my 9X – check OK
Binding TX-RX – check OK
Connected the module to my Eurgle 3ch radio -check OK

Now I can mount the Receiver on my RC car and go for a drive around my block.

To start testing I will walk the same path as I did when I checked my cloverleaf antennas.
If I get warnings I might drop connection and it should be OK with stock antennas as I’m walking ground level.

My goal is to FPV with the car before I try the 433Mhz link on a plane.

So my real problem is that I do not want to use my Venom Creeper crawler for this as it takes ages to travel over distance and my 1:16 car is on the small side…but very fast (70km/h)

Continue reading »]]> I started to prepare the transplantation of the 9X brain. A testfit to mark for some new holes and to verify things work out as expected. I do not want to ruin my 9X as I use it as my primary radio. I did discover that I need to solder the back light to the board, or get a new connector. New holes are for USB, 3.5mm audio and micro sd card.

Continue reading »]]> The outstanding software MultiWii is released in version 2.2
I can’t wait for better weather to test thi new version on my 450Quad.

***Control mode***

- introduction of HORIZON MODE.
We have now 3 modes:

ACRO mode.
This is the default one when none of the ANGLE & HORIZON BOX is activated.
The copter will continue rotating in the direction in which you tilt sticks. When you let go of sticks it will maintain that angle and not return to level

ANGLE mode
The position of the stick indicates the angle at which the copter tries to maintain. Sticks off = level. Full sticks in any direction and it will tilt at around 50 degrees. It’s proportional in-between.
It maintains the angle set by the stick. Let go of sticks and it returns to level

HORIZON mode <- new
It's a proportional mix of the two. Sticks off = level. Full deflection = ACRO. In between it gradually mixes from LEVEL mode to ACRO.
It's a fine mix to be able to do some ACRO with the safety of ANGLE mode when you release the sticks.
It allows also a more natural way of flying as the multi seems less constrained.

- failsafe code is more strict. (thanks to MIS)
If activated, it takes into account all the main channels and it's important to stay strictly inside the [1000-2000] range.
For instance a throttle of 995 will activate the failsafe
failsafe is optional and can be activated via #define FAILSAFE

- Acrotrainer mode introduced by PatrikE
a kind of non proportional horizon mode
more info here: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1944

- SERVO_TILT_MIX
introduced by Bledi and Gary

corrected after to support optionally up to 2 AUX channels superposition to control the gimbal

- CAM STAB: (thanks to Gary and suggested or Arne)
Ability to define Cam Stab control channels used
Ability to turn off
Fix for AUX3 + 4 affecting tilt/roll with camstab enabled

***add-ons***

- pilotlamp integration (thanks to mr.rc-cam, jevermeister, doughboy )
via #define PILOTLAMP
http://code.google.com/p/multiwii/wiki/ … _Pilotlamp

- LEDRING pattern was refined thanks to shikra
instructions here: http://code.google.com/p/multiwii/sourc … README.txt

- variometer introduced by Hamburger
enable to get audio feedback upon rising/falling copter/plane
via #define VARIOMETER

***receiver & UART***

- option to use throttle PIN as the PPM PIN on mega boards thanks to MIS
this way you can use the UART 1 for other purpose
via #define PPM_ON_THROTTLE

- every UART port on MEGA boards can be used at the same time with different baud configuration.
ie, you can connect up to 4 GUI or OSD or anything using MSP simultaneously

- the second UART port on promicro boards can be used at the same time with different baud configuration.

- spektrum (thanks to Danal)
- spektrum satellite up to 12 channels, even if only 8 are usable in multiwii
- spektrum satellite BIND button, to associate a satellite without the main receiver

***PIN mapping***

- possibility to override some PIN definition in config.h (thanks to Hamburger)

***GPS***

- UBLOX GPS: the baud configuration is autodetected and the UBLOX binary protocol is automaticly set (thanks to MIS & EOSBandi)

- MKT GPS can now be parsed in binary mode is possible thanks to EOSBandi
made for DIYDrones MTK firmware v1.6 and v1.9

- I2C GPS:
correct directionToHome (change it to the opposite direction)
there is still a problem remaining when your distance to home reaches 654m: it overflows.
a I2C code evolution is needed to correct this problem

- a forward predictive filter was ported from the Arducopter code by EOSBandi
optional and by default activated: #define GPS_LEAD_FILTER

- first implementation of MSP_SET_WP
with the help of Ezio app (EZ-GUI), we can now control the multi with a smartphone: set a new position on a map / follow me / follow heading
see Multiwii EZ-GUI specific topic: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2034
some video about this functionality:

- AP_MODE introduced by PatrikE
used in GPS POS HOLD mode, outside the specified stick range the POS HOLD position is renew

***multiwii models***

- HELICOPTER and PLANE models was refined thanks to PatrickE and Hamburger
multiple helicopter type HELI_120_CCPM , HELI_90_DEG
servo configuration for plane, FLAP, FLAPPERON

- HEXH6 multicopter type added (thanks to shikra)

- Bi-Copter pitch direction setting

- USE_THROTTLESERVO (for airplanes), COLLECTIVE_RANGE changed (second value not offset anymore)

***GUI & OSD & LCD***

- a RECONNECT button was added by PatrickE
a file is now generated to indicate the last COM&Serial speed. The serial speed can be edited in this file to change the UART speed of GUI.

- New MultiWiiConf GUI v2.2 with graphical improvements (thanks to Magnetron and doughboy)
cool things like virtual horizon

- optional 3 independent configurations, stick selectable settings in EEPROM (thanks to MIS)
can be activated via #define MULTIPLE_CONFIGURATION_PROFILES

- a RESET button was added in the GUI
if you encounter any EEPROM problem or if you want to restore the default values

***LCD***

- on mega boards, it’s possible to define the LCD port for LCD supporting true UART.

- more parameters are tunable via LCD conf, all the one in config.h with a small (*) besides, thanks to Hamburger
those parameters will be moved in the GUI later in another step, once we find the good way to do it.
example: failsave.throttle , vbat tunable params , powermeter tunable params

- many telemetry and LCD config enhancements (thanks to hamburger)
telemetry page 3: use long boxnames
telemetry page 2: show numerical values for sensor data next to bar graphs
no user interaction necessary to run telemetry info upon start up
set individual board name string (currently used for display; no GUI representation yet)

- LCDconfig menu: with THROTTLE=High, increment is 10 times of normal

- servos are moved to neutral position during calibration and lcd.configuration

***OSD***

- RSSI PIN added for OSD use (thanks to Kataventos)
the RSSI output can be retrieved via a MSP message for OSD

- OSD BOX added for OSD activation (thanks to Itai)

- huge work made on an open source code OSD fully compatible with MultiWii (thanks to the team lead by Kataventos)
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2918

http://code.google.com/p/rush-osd-development/

***IMU and baro***

- gyro calibration could be held until the MWC stops moving
introduced by MIS, and made optional after via a specific define: #define GYROCALIBRATIONFAILSAFE

- mag gain calibration is improved thanks to EOSBandi
based on Fabio FreeIMU code. We won’t forget you Fabio…

- perfect euler angle computation in case of 9DOF (better heading)
no more gimbal lock in GUI representation with a 9DOF sensor

- force sensors orientation to override board specific defaults
optional in config.h

- default ACC LPF factor reduced from 16 (2^4), and is share with ACC LPF for alt hold

- gyro/acc complementary filter value increased from 400 to 600

- gyro/mag complementary filter now set to 250 instead of 200

- gyro scale factor changed from 2380 to 2279

- accelerometer now used below 1.15G and above 0.85G instead of previous 1.4G/0.6G settings

- option: SENSORS_TILT_45DEG_LEFT/RIGHT to change X/P configuration without changing board orientation

- ALT HOLD is greatly improved thanks to the code of Mahowik, a little bit optimized since
improved baro hold (PID) algorithm that includes the accelerometer z-axis
its a real major improvement for multiwii

- baro calibration and calculation is improved thanks to Sebbi
baro indicates now altitude 0 when it is powered. This is the reference altitude.

- calculation of barometric altitude changed to include temperature, faster update rate

- new FC boards: SIRIUSGPS, SIRIUS_AIR, SIRIUS_AIR_GPS, MICROWII, GY_521, MultiWiiMega, DESQUARED6DOFV2GO, DESQUARED6DOFV4, LADYBIRD, MEGAWAP_V2_STD, MEGAWAP_V2_ADV, HK_MultiWii_SE_V2, HK_MultiWii_328P, RCNet_FC, FLYDU_ULTRA

***internal improvements***

- some default PID were changed for optimization speed in PID copmputation.
The default PID should behave exactly as the previous ones.
To restore your old PID settings, just a proportion is needed.

- 5 hardware PWM servos avaliable with Mega boards on pins 44,45,46,11,12 (thanks to MIS)

- EEPROM settings secured by checksum (thanks to MIS)

- optional permanent logging to eeprom
setting: LOG_PERMANENT

- change LED blink frequency for acc-uncalibrated or tilt>25 from 50ms to 10ms

- rework of task scheduler code thanks to ideas from Sebbi
we have now a better computation time repartition

- optional fixate cycle time (by burning cpu time away)

- allow override of motor/servo mixing from config.h – no need to edit Output.ino
experimental

- faster cycle time than with v2.1

- many many hidden optimizations in the code

Continue reading »]]> Things move slow during the winter

Some indoor flying with my Extra 300 from Autopartner.se

Extra300 EPP

With this plane my skills evolves rapidly. It has more to do with the plane being barely unbreakable compared to Depron than my skill. As this plane is more forgiving in a crash I can now fly lower to the ground upside-down and it doesn’t matter if I crash.

More progress.
I purchased a set of 433mhz gear so I can test long range vs enhanced 2.4ghz

OrangeRx Open LRS 433MHz TX Module and OrangeRx Open LRS 433MHz 9Ch Receiver

Some facts…

Transmitter module specs:
Compatibility: 5-pin JR compatible module-based transmitters
Frequency: 433MHz
Voltage input: 6.8~12VDC
IC: Atmega328P
Power: 100mW
Range: Full range system

Receiver specs:
Frequency: 433MHz
Voltage input: 3.7~15VDC
IC: Atmega328P
Dimensions: 52x29x15mm
Weight: 10.5g (w/out antenna)

It is using Open LRS software

The 433mhz is a module for my radio. I will install a switch so I can swap between the DIY Fr-Sky module and the 433mhz module. (the DIY module is attached inside my radio, the 433mhz module is a regular module that goes into the slot on the rear of the transmitter.

It will be interesting to see if I gain range compared to FR-sky that has been a bit worse with my 1.3Ghz video compared to my Spektrum radio. To enhance the FR-sky I added long extensions for the antennas so they can be mounted on the wing far apart.

Continue reading »]]> I was at the yearly indoor event in Tipshallen in Växjö / Sweden.

Tipshallen

It was as usual a great time with lots of pilots. Airplanes, helicopters and multirotors at a great location.

Here is a video from the event – filmed by theNilsson /Växjö.

You can see me 2 times ~1:35 working on my plane (standing up back facing camera) wearing a black jacket and at ~4:16 to the left this time facing camera(buying some CF rods and chatting with the staff at www.RCflight.se)

Continue reading »]]> Long time no posts!

I know I have not been updating the pages for some time. Being busy with work and family + the addition of cold weather is the cause. As my storage/ shed is barely insulated it is just as cold inside as it is outside. This prevents me from working there during winter season.

Last weekend I went to a major indoor event in Växjö. I met lots of interresting people there and I maidened an EPP 300extra from Autopartner. The setup on the Extra is the same as on my Depron models – I had to replace a worn servo as it was jittery in the center position (ailerons)

The weight of the EPP models is a bit higher – it weights 145 grams without LIPO (my depron planes weights ~120gram)

This difference is extremely obvious!

The EEP models is more forgiving, better for practice but barely usable running 2S lipos. if I upgrade to 3S I also need to replace the 6A ESC with a 10A version as Turnigy 6A does not work under 3S load.

What was more interesting on this indoor event is that I had a chat with people working with Power companies and we were discussing inspection of power lines with the help of RC vessels, be it multirotor or planes depending on situations.

I also met old friends from last years event and it is always fun to talk to fellow RC lunatics.

Again – I’m sorry for not posting as much during winter as I do in the summer.

Continue reading »]]> I know it has been a long time since I posted something…shame on me. time for some Updates. I have a bixler2 in a box with some spares and replacement parts. The Bixler 2 will be used for aerial photos, GIS and other surveillance. I spoke to the local SAR (Searchand Rescure) about helping them out with my aerial services. As a result I am tinkering with cameras and filters to find what is best for flying over water and over land. I have also contacted the local Swedish forest agency to see if I can help them with some aerial pictures. Other areas I am looking into are farmers who want to check on their crops.

I took the 450Quad for a spin the other day…I flew 11 minutes on 2*3S 1300mAh LIPO’s – great feeling in the CF Gemfan propellers – actually a bit twitchy so I have to reduce the settings a bit.

I also started to mess with my old airbrush. My plan is to paint my DIY depron planes. I am pleased with the result of my flames and I even tried with a new airbrush – but it is hard to tell the difference. 1 is gravity fed and the other is siphon fed. That means they require different air pressure. Time will tell which one I end up using the most.

More projects…yes…I am tinkering with the spare Arduinos on my desk – camera timelapse and dolly features are the intentions at least.

As a final to this post…I also got a rotary switch (indexed) to use on the ER9X radio. With some trim potentiometers and a relatively simple soldering job I can have 6 positions of precise PPM signals – perfect for flight modes in Arduplane.