Control OpenTX via BT / USB

openTx has introduced a range of new features, ideas and bling. It is fast becoming the firmware of choice for many users. openTx will run on ALL current hardware platforms, including the gruvin9x and sky9x boards. Work has already started to support the new FrSky X9D radio!
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wilopaan
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Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by wilopaan »

Hi all,

is it possible, to control some / all functions of OpenTX by some external device e.g. via USB/serial from PC or via BT/serial from smartphone?

Thanks for all hints,

Wilhelm

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Kilrah
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by Kilrah »

No. Only thing you can do is pass control data using the trainer inputs.
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jhsa
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by jhsa »

A bit off topic, but it is possible to control ersky9x from the PC using Eepskye and a serial connection, either via USB and an arduino, or via Bluetooth directly to the radio. That is how I program most of my models. I do the programming on the PC and see the control surfaces moving live on the model.
Eepskye can also display the radio display live, and actually control and navigate the radio's menus using the mouse. But these are two separate features..
As i said this is off topic because it is on Ersky9x, not openTX, but I thought I'd post anyway.. ;)

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wilopaan
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by wilopaan »

Just discovered an old thread on SBUS-trainer input for the ersky9x. I read that the opentx also implemented this possibility.

If so, it must be possible to use the trainer jack with SBUS-Input to all 16 channels. And that would be all I'm looking for.

Well, to use Bluetooth, I have to code some BT/Uart protocol transformer on an µC (AVR) to use the RoboRemo App on my smartphone.
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Kilrah
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by Kilrah »

Yes OpenTX supports SBUS in some configurations as well, but I had understood you did not want to go through the trainer port input/logic.

wilopaan
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by wilopaan »

Thank you very much!

Just for curiosity:

the SBUS stream is defined to 100000Bd and 7ms intervals.

Is the another serial input interface where on can specify the Baud-Rate and disable the constant rate of 7ms? This would be an ideal interface for e.g. BT connections receiving values from an smartphone app. Really cool if some scripting on the TX could define this sort of interface to e.g. parse the incoming data.

Thanks,
Wilhelm
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Kilrah
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by Kilrah »

Not at this point, no. But that is in the works:
https://github.com/opentx/opentx/pull/6008

The 7ms rate should not be critical.
wilopaan
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by wilopaan »

Kilrah wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:46 am Not at this point, no. But that is in the works:
https://github.com/opentx/opentx/pull/6008

The 7ms rate should not be critical.
I have to come back to this post ;-)

I want to use some digital/serial input to the opentx (on jumper T12). As I now understand, that would be possible via SBUS. Correct?

How do I use the incoming values? As Trainer-input?

How do I supply that? Via USB-serial?

Thanks!
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Kilrah
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by Kilrah »

SBUS can be fed on pin 2 of the module slot and appears as trainer channels. But that is unavailable if the external module is used, and since the T12 does not have an internal one you basically cannot use it.
wilopaan
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by wilopaan »

Kilrah wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2020 3:27 pm SBUS can be fed on pin 2 of the module slot and appears as trainer channels. But that is unavailable if the external module is used, and since the T12 does not have an internal one you basically cannot use it.
I suppose the situation will be better for der RadioMaster T16, since this TX has two USB-serial ports?
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jhsa
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by jhsa »

ErskyTX can be controlled by Bluetooth. I do it all the time when setting up a new model using Eepskye on the computer.
The video shows Bidirectional Trainer between 2 radios. But it is also possible between a computer sending BT to a radio.
Just thought this might be interesting for you.. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyaeRxGq5NY

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Kilrah
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by Kilrah »

The T12 doesn't have BT nor a serial port to connect a module to.
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jhsa
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by jhsa »

I am sure Mike would find one :P
But that makes me like my radios even more :)

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wilopaan
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by wilopaan »

I I'm willing to modifify the Hardware of the T12, is it then possible to use e.g. a free serial port of the MCU on the main-board of the T12? I would assume, that the T12 and T16 boards are mostly the same ...
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Kilrah
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Re: Control OpenTX via BT / USB

Post by Kilrah »

Nope, completely different architecture

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