er9x development

[MikeB]

Since I'm looking closely at the mixer code I've just noticed a "feature" regarding the fixed curve functions x>0 and x<0. There is some specific code that ignores these if the mix source is FULL. I can't think of any reason why this is present. If you want FULL, you just don't add the curve. If you put the curve in it's surely because you want the curve to do something.

I'm just testing all the changes I mentioned above.

Mike.

[MikeB]

I just realised the "swash ring" heli option is potentially useful for elevon mixing. I just applied the elevon template, and added a swash ring value of 71%. This works rather well in giving no more than 100% output on either servo, but you get 70% in a single direction (ele or ail).

Mike.

[jhsa]

Doesn't it clip the ends of the stick movement? I mean, when you go to the corners, if the output is already 100%, you can move the sticks further but the servo doesn't move past that point. Or it actually avoids that situation?

Thanks

João

[MikeB]

No clipping, it scales both aileron and elevator if the stick is more than 100% from the centre. A corner is 141% from the centre.

Try it, without any expo on the sticks, just enable the swash ring at 100%, then see how the aileron and elevator outputs are affected.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Thanks Mike.. I will.. Just have to finish some work here first

João

[MikeB]

So, removing the "feature" relating to FULL and curves above, removing the first swash code, and other changes I seem to have ended with the FrSky version for the M64 using 350 bytes less flash and 109 bytes less RAM since r818!
The '128 version is also 109 bytes of RAM less, and the stack is also less so I'm seeing over 220 bytes of spare stack.

Mike.

[jhsa]

excellent. Are you going to keep that amount of RAM free so the radio runs smoothly or can new features that use some RAM be added?

Thanks

João

[MikeB]

Some of the RAM could well be useable for new features. I just need to decide what is a good safe amount to keep free for the stack.
I think I've just saved 30 bytes of flash and 16 bytes of RAM!

Mike.

[jhsa]

It's unbelievable what you have been doing with this radio
I did think a couple years ago you would find a way of adding voice to er9x when everybody else said it wouldn't be possible, but looking at er9x now, even at the frsky version on m64 with all the features it has, it definitely went beyond what we ever thought it would be possible Thank you.

Apart from some hardware limitations, we can do nearly everything the newer radios can do. And that is fantastic.
With the new Core9x board coming, this radio will be in another dimension, better than any of the radios currently available that support open source firmware.. Apart from the LCD that is bigger on the Taranis, it will make it look like a joke in terms of functionality

João

[planger]

Hi,
The Multi-protocol option which appeared in r818 is still a work in progress. Thanks for Mike for checking and including it.
I'm working on this new option with Midelic.
Since the r818 release, the menu has been extended with a lot of choices and configurations.
The module supports currently 12 protocols with some of them having 5 different sub protocols and options like autobind, fine frequence shifting for some protocols,...
If you are interrested, I'll give you updates on the progress as we go.
- Pascal

[MikeB]

Worth creating a new thread for it.

Mike.

[MikeB]

I've just posted new test versions. There is a MAJOR re-arrangement of the mixer/limits code with some detail changes within. There is also a re-arrangement of where certain functions (like the timer processing) are called.
These changes result in over 350 bytes of flash and 125 bytes of RAM being saved, but need more careful testing before flying with them. In particular, I don't have a DSM (hack) module so I can't test the changes to that properly.

I believe these changes are all OK, but I haven't been able to thoroughly test everything (yet).
If you try this, make sure you can restore your current working setup, "just in case".

The following need careful testing:
Instant Trim
Mixers, including slow
Timers and inactivity alarm
Swash ring
PPM1-PPM8 in mixes
Mix warning
Limits
Sticky throttle
DSM (hack module) serial protocol data

Mike.

[jhsa]

Mike the timer speaks the time when you are setting it in the menu.. the last 5 seconds, 30, 20, 10, 1 minute, etc. I don't dislike it actually, but I guess it wasn't meant to do this?
Also, the timer is not taking the sticky throttle cut into account.. It counts even with the throttle locked at -100%

Thanks

João

EDIT: forgot to say that this happens with the latest test version on m128..

[SR71]

With the new Core9x board coming,

What is Core9x ?

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk

[jhsa]

Have a look at this thread

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6343&start=120#p96351

João

[MikeB]

I've got the fix for the timer voice output when setting the timer value.
I've done some testing of all the items I listed and they all seem to be working correctly.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Thanks Mike, I have also been checking them. Still didn't check PPM1-8 and instatrim. Will do shortly. I don't have a DSM module, so I can't check that..
It would be nice if more people jumped in and helped testing this I can see the test versions had a few downloads

João

[papaye]

Hi,

I just installed the er9x-r818 for 128 with FRSKY extension on my 9xr with FrSky mod using RS232/TTL inverter.

However, I can't find the Radio Setup/Hardware menu anymore in this version (as described in the latest er9x documentation) and as such I cannot set the Frsky Mod Done parameter. As a result the THR and AIL switches are not working.

Any clue how I can fix this?

Thanks for the support,

Guillaume

[MikeB]

The hardware menu has recently been "hidden" to prevent accidental changes of these settings.

Simply power on with both horizontal trims held AWAY from the centre, and you will get a message indicating the hardware menu has been enabled. The setting may also be done using eepe.

Mike.

[papaye]

Ok it works!

Thank you for the quick reply!

Guillaume

[andrewju]

Mike,

Is there a way to "mute" the radio at power on? Especially for those of us with the sound module... If we switch the radio ON, we get a "welcome message" (which could be quite long in some cases...). But when the radio is switched on in a quiet environment (like at home during late evening / night time) - this message could wake up other people (which could be quite bad in some cases...). And by the time one gets to the Sound menu to adjust the volume, there could be some other messages, raising unwanted noise...

Maybe we could have a special event defined that will mute the radio on startup? For example, pressing and holding 'Exit' (or any other button or switch) at power on will mute the radio until reboot (with a corresponding warning message). Or maybe it shall just mute the radio for 30 seconds OR until volume is adjusted - whatever happens first (and then I guess we could have no warning displayed at all, and save some flash).

[jhsa]

The problem is that all keys when pressed at startup are already used for the quick model select

João

[MikeB]

Try setting the volume level to 0, and also assigning a pot to be the volume control. That way, the volume is very low at power on, but you can set it to any other value without needing to go to the menu setting.
I nearly always have a pot for the volume, then I can have it quiet most of the time, but turn it up if I'm on the flight line with lots of external noise.

I believe the welcom message is also tied to the splash screen, no splash then no welcome message.

Mike.

[bob195558]

You can use one of the pots as a volume control and that would turn the sound off or very low.

Mike beat me to it !

Bob B.

Edit: I tried it on my Taranis, but using the pot for sound volume will not work until radio is fully booted.

[bob195558]

I was in error, it dose work when using a pot to control the sound volume.

I still have one small beep when booting.

Bob B.

[jhsa]

Maybe that small beep is from a RF module on the back of the radio??

João

[andrewju]

Try setting the volume level to 0, and also assigning a pot to be the volume control.

Hugh, that's a neat solution! Thanks!

[andrewju]

The problem is that all keys when pressed at startup are already used for the quick model select

Yes, true.
So what about pressing two keys at once?

The idea with using the pot for volume control is great and solves my issue. So this is just a theoretical question in case some other functionality will be ever needed at startup. Or maybe for those who use all 3 pots for something else and can't assign one to the volume (if there are such people)...

[jhsa]

I just tried something, and found out something else that I never thought the radio would do

er9x with 128. I thought that as pressing one of the switches and then turning the radio ON selects a model, maybe we could use pressing a key just AFTER switching ON could be used to mute the radio until new power ON for example. Tried it to see what the radio would do. Guess what, I get the switch warning on the navigation keys that was a surprise

Mike, what do you think of the idea? Simple for the user..
Would there be a chance of activating the feature accidentally and leaving someone flying on silent?
maybe a "NO VOICE" or "SOUND MUTED" screen could flash for the next 5 seconds or so?

João

[LTMNO]

The problem is that all keys when pressed at startup are already used for the quick model select

João

Heck I didn't even know it did that.. Just tested that and its pretty cool... but with 4 directional keys.. do you have more options?