Orange Module running MULTI protocol

[MikeB]

João is correct, the Taranis doesn't have the right combination of hardware signals available to flash the module. The SKY board can do the flashing, with an external transistor circuit.

Mike.

[Spainman]

Yeah, thank you for trying to help but I'm aware of all that - it's mentioned in the first post.
Flashing the module is no issue, I have a suitable tool - no worries

[CrazyCoder]

Great job! I found a way to make a PDI programmer from ISP programmer and want to give it a try with Taranis: http://szulat.blogspot.ru/2012/08/atxme ... r-050.html.

I have two versions of Orange RX. One is the old DSM2/DSMX (green board without dip switches, antenna bottom left), another is the new one (green board with dip switches, antenna top left).

Will this work with Taranis OpenTX 2.2 or 2.1 patched with MULTI support? Do I need to solder R1 and R13 bridges?

[MikeB]

I tried that as a PDI programmer but couldn't get it to work reliably.

Does the board without the DIP switches have a place for one to be mounted?

Yes you will need to bridge R1 and R13.

Mike.

[CrazyCoder]

I tried that as a PDI programmer but couldn't get it to work reliably.
Does the board without the DIP switches have a place for one to be mounted?

No, it doesn't:

[MikeB]

I've not got one of those particular modules so this will require some investigation by you to find out what needs to be done to use it with MULTI.
First, a picture of the board so the tracks may be clearly seen is needed.

Mike.

[CrazyCoder]

Thanks, here is the photo:

[MikeB]

It looks to me as though these are the required mods and connections for that board. The blue line is a wire that is needed if you want to receive telemetry. You need to cut the track where indicated anyway.
The 4 pads are for the PDI programming connections. Remember the Vcc must not exceed 3.3V. For programming, follow the instructions in the pdf file. Take care connecting to the PDI pads, too much heat will lift them off the board.

Mike.

[MikeB]

First post updated with instructions for modifying a Taranis to be able to flash the XMEGA device on an Orange module.

Mike.

[barjunk]

This is great news for Taranis owners!

Have a couple of questions that I couldn't figure out:

- The wires from the radio soldered in the taranis go to the orange module, is that correct?
- What software needs to be loaded onto the Taranis radio? Isn't clear if OpenTx 2.2 will actually do the programming or have to load the ersky software to complete the firmware upgrade of the Orange Rx module.
- This works only with the OrangeRX v1.2 module, is this correct?

Thanks again...made for a nice fathers day to read this post.

[MikeB]

Only ersky9x firmware includes the ability to flash the Orange module. You need "ersky9xProvR219q_music.zip", from here: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4676#p65894.
Backup your EEPROM first.
Flash ersky9x (x9d_rom.bin or x9dp_rom.bin for the plus) then start the radio in "maintenance mode" (hold both horizontal trims APART at power on).
Ersky9x supports the MULTI protocol and the DSM telemetry.
The file "PDIflashing2.pdf" should show where the wires from the taranis connect (togehter with "TaranisPb.pdf").
If this is not clear, let me know so I may improve the instructions.

I have successfully flashed two types of module, I'm not sure which versions as they were prototypes direct from HK used during the development of the 9XR-PRO. Compare your module with the pictures in the file, and in the later post. Don't forget to check if R1 and R13 are missing.

Mike.

[ShowMaster]

Mike, I have 2 of the original orange modules that had the timing error. HK sent me replacements when they corrected the error. They still have the antennas on a coax connector. I haven't checked the board colors yet. Can these be flashed or only the latest revision orange ones?
I can provide more details if I know what to look for.

[MikeB]

If the hardware is the same then they should flash OK. I don't know what their fix was or what the timing error was.

Mike.

[ShowMaster]

I dig one of each up and take some board pictures to post. The error was if the Tx's timing was 22ms or more the # 2 ch I believe was unusable.
I posted the band aid fix somewhere on the forum as soon as my first batch one arrived. HK took it off the market, fixed it, sent us all new ones.
I'm assuming it was a FW issue only and we had no way or no knowledge of flashing it at the time.
I have 2 new bad ones and one never used replacement. All within the first few months of it going on sale.
I saved the bad ones for the case parts and they are like new in the box. The antenna is in a terrible place with no protection but on a coax and connector. I did put one of the 2 newer boards in a djt case and did a pretty good install. I had to extend the button shafts to be flush with the djt case.
In any case, I'll get some pictures of the boards I have and maybe they'll be good to update. Doing noting now.

[MikeB]

Once flashed to use MULTI, you don't actually need the buttons anymore!

You may check your modules against the pictures in the .PDF file in the first post.

Mike.

[ShowMaster]

Good to know!
Also because I didn't read all the posts, once flashed do I need ersky9x to use the features or will it will it work in my Taranis with otx also?
I do have many builds with ersky9x , Sky B & C versions as well as a pro and 9Xtreme.
No shortage there.
I plan to use the pro or 9xtreme to flash my module if it's able.

[MikeB]

You need a special build of openTx to use the MULTI protocol, it isn't in official releases yet. Telemetry is not yet supported on openTx.

Mike.

[ShowMaster]

Ok, cleared that up.
Quick reading many of the posts and the info on the beta pro dsm module that used the Pro's internal handle antenna, peeked my interest even more.
I had many holds when I flew the combo we were sent to try, so I went back to the djt module at the time.

I think if I read your progress correctly Mike, I'll flash it and see what happens as well as the orange.

Time to make time to read all the posts.
I think I'm hooked!

[OctavioS]

Hi all, can anybody enlighten me, if possible about this module?
Thx.

[Kilrah]

The topic here is basically to get the code that the module you link uses to run on an Orange module.

So that module will likely work for you, but you can ignore this thread.

[frater]

I have a whole collection of micro-JST connectors. Can't I just solder a 4-pin one (I think it's the 1mm one) on my Taranis plus and connect that to the Orange module and start flashing with your latest firmware?

On the other side I could have 4 header pins which (as described by Mike) I could bend a little to make it reliably contact with the Orange module.

I'm away from my gear and have yet to receive my Orange module. I would like to know if I'm missing something.

[MikeB]

No problem to using a 4-pin JST connector, rather than soldering wires directly. You may need to remove the main board to be able to do the soldering. Take care you don't short the 3.3V power pin at any time, maybe, if you have a 3-pin connector you could use that and avoid any connection to the 3.3V pad, unless you really want to use the 3.3V to power the Orange module while flashing it.
I would suggest using only the ground and two signals and powering the module through the 5-way connector.

Mike.

[OctavioS]

The topic here is basically to get the code that the module you link uses to run on an Orange module.

So that module will likely work for you, but you can ignore this thread.

So the real module is tha in the link and the orange one is an adaptation, so i get it. Much obliged.

[ShowMaster]

This is the module I was sent to replace the first run bad ones. It's never been used as unordered 2. The mate to it was used at the time and then moved to a Frsky case and I got busy and used it one time to see that it still worked ok. I'll post a pic of the original one next time that has the ch 2 error FW.

I'll recheck my board with the first post.

[ShowMaster]

Where again will I look for this trace? What color wire in Mike's picture please?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1467129394.760198.jpg (20.43 KiB) Viewed 21159 times

[MikeB]

In your second picture it's the top left corner of the processor. In my picture, in the .pdf file, the wire is white kynar.

Mike.

[ShowMaster]

Ok, dumb me didn't open the pdf file on my iPhone to see the blue board picture.
It's all good once I did!

[0ff]

Thanks Mike for this awesome port!

Haven't tested it just yet, but after programming the module flashes the LED as expected, so I guess all went well.
While I was at it, I've dumped the stock firmware and eeprom - if you do have a PDI-Prog and you maybe want to go back to stock someday, this is how you can do it with avrdude. Note: It'll dump both intelhex and raw binaries.

Code: Select all

avrdude -p x32d4 -c avrispmkii \
-U eeprom:r:backup_eeprom.bin:r -U eeprom:r:backup_eeprom.hex:i \
-U application:r:backup_application.bin:r -U application:r:backup_application.hex:i \
-U apptable:r:backup_apptable.bin:r -U apptable:r:backup_apptable.hex:i \
-U boot:r:backup_boot.bin:r -U boot:r:backup_boot.hex:i \
-U flash:r:backup_flash.bin:r -U flash:r:backup_flash.hex:i \
-U usersig:r:backup_usersig.bin:r -U usersig:r:backup_usersig.hex:i \
-U signature:r:backup_signature.bin:r -U signature:r:backup_signature.hex:i \
-U fuse1:r:backup_fuse1.bin:r -U fuse1:r:backup_fuse1.hex:i \
-U fuse2:r:backup_fuse2.bin:r -U fuse2:r:backup_fuse2.hex:i \
-U fuse4:r:backup_fuse4.bin:r -U fuse4:r:backup_fuse4.hex:i \
-U fuse5:r:backup_fuse5.bin:r -U fuse5:r:backup_fuse5.hex:i \
-U lock:r:backup_lock.bin:r -U lock:r:backup_lock.hex:i \
-U data:r:backup_data.bin:r -U data:r:backup_data.hex:i

[Kilrah]

Isn't the chip code-protected?

[0ff]

It seems mine wasn't, I'm pretty certain the reading is correct - it begins with a jumptable similar to the one in MultiOrange.bin and it ends with this: