PXX work

[MikeB]

Can you confirm if updated tx modules and rxs still work with PPM?

Mike.

[erazz]

AFAICT no.

That means if you go to PXX you will need to transmit and receive PXX. I'll ask Frsky though.

[njozsef]

Hi Erazz.
The PXX the best Part this ER9x solution.
There is info about it
When will relase firmware frsky?
Thaks.
Jozsef Nagy

[erazz]

Thanks Jozsef,

I am also quite excited by this protocol.
I can't tell you when Frsky will make it available but I think we're not far off.

[njozsef]

I look forward to.
There will be a 16 channel radio.
If the LCD could be the 9-16 channel bar. Would be a dream.

[MikeB]

Great pity if no PPM with PXX, that is a significant loss of functionality.
At the least I would like PXX if in telemetry mode, and PPM if in non-telemetry mode on the DJT/DHT/DFT.
Otherwise, can we upgrade the firmware on the non-telemetry Rxs like the V8R4 and V8FR?

Mike.

[erazz]

I've asked them that exact question. I think we need to wait until they come to the office (it's early morning in China now)

[jhsa]

I just asked on the other frsky forum which receivers could be flashed with new firmware.. RenatoA answered and said all the D8s and maybe the new D4.. The D6 apparently can't which is a shame.. maybe frsky finds a way to flash this receiver..

Also I just remembered, the telemetrty RF module has 2 little switches on the back. They select telemetry/non telemetry and also put the module on update mode. I think there's at least one combination of those switches that is not used.. that could be used maybe to change between PXX and PPM if frsky could implement it on their code. like that the module could perhaps work with both.. erazz, as you're in touch with frsky, maybe you could ask them if that would be possible.
As on er9x we can change the protocol on every model, we could fly with different protocol using the same module. obviously you would only get PXX with telemetry but at least people that also use the non upgradable telemetry receivers and the V8 non telemetry series could continue using them..

Just my 20c
João

[erazz]

I'm not sure they understood completely this notion of "new firmware".

Remember that this FW is an experimental version sent to me. The only place it is available really is here in this thread.

[jhsa]

the only receivers that can't be updated are the D8..
There are already alternative firmware that you can flash into the d8r that gives you PPM Sum for example.. That's what I asked on the other thread..

[erazz]

Yeah but this is somewhat different because we are changing something more basic.

Still waiting for a response from FrSky...

[erazz]

Hey guys,

Just to let you know that finally we can show Mike some support. Mike has his own donate link in the donate section:
http://openrcforums.com/wiki/index.php/ ... X_Firmware

If you don't know, Mike is responsible for a lot of the Frsky coding including the hub, PXX and more. He is responsible for the fantastic response this radio has since he has made a lot of optimization to the code. He is always there making sure the code is correct and as small as possible so guys like me can come inside and mess it up again.

Show Mike some support and send some money his way to thank him! He certainly deserves it!

[erazz]

Hey guys, just got a response from Eva, she cleared up some issues - that means new version tonight with bugfixes.
Best of all apparently the ROM will be able to accept both PPM and PXX without modifications. That good news and means we can proceed to test.

Also, the new rom is compatible with all D series receivers.


I'm uploading a new version of er9x tonight after more fixes.



Correction - the current version should work - going to ROM my tx and rx now.

[jhsa]

That's great news erazz..

But now you got me scratching behind my ear.. How do you upgrade an D6FR??
It's known that the only ones that can be upgraded are the D8R and maybe the new 4 channel. Also there are different versions of the D8R..
If frsky said all, then they all probably can, but I think there must be different ROMs for all of them? and also there must be some "tricks" to upgrade the D6FR??

Thanks,
João

[erazz]

I'm not that familiar with the Frsky upgrade procedure....

Meanwhile I managed to blow (literaly) the upgrade lite. Apparently 30v and a small pcb don't mesh well. Make sure you lower the PS's voltage first!!!! Aggghhh!
But now I'm in a bind. I can't test the FW

Where can I get the Upgrade lite? HK is on backorder and HiModel wants $20 for shipping! Crazy!
Ebay any good?

[pmackenzie]

erazz - sent you a PM

[wallaguest1]

I'm not that familiar with the Frsky upgrade procedure....

Meanwhile I managed to blow (literaly) the upgrade lite. Apparently 30v and a small pcb don't mesh well. Make sure you lower the PS's voltage first!!!! Aggghhh!
But now I'm in a bind. I can't test the FW

Where can I get the Upgrade lite? HK is on backorder and HiModel wants $20 for shipping! Crazy!
Ebay any good?

at giantcod.co.uk its available but in ebay es much much cheapr, 7$ shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FrSky-receiver- ... 2313972546

[shaddi]

Where can I get the Upgrade lite?

for the Receiver you can use a plain FTDI-Module (from an Ardunio for example). You have to invert the TX and RX lines to get it working. I have done this with the MProg-Tool from FTDI.
The transmitter accept plain RS232. I have wired up pin 2, 3 and 5 from the DB9 directly to the DJT-Module.

Oh and of course; i had no luck with the upgrade tool from FrSky and wine No COM Ports, just like you.

[erazz]

Awesome! That seemed to work. Good thing I had a FTDI.
This should hold me over until the unit arrives.


Thanks guys!

[erazz]

Ahhh. Apparently there is a good distributor here in the states!

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=383



Back up to speed. Will report later today (if wife allows me to work on toys)

[MikeB]

OK, I've tried the FrSky PXX firmware.
First I updated the Tx module, it still worked in PPM mode to a D8R-II. There does not appear to be a way of checking what version of firmware you have loaded.
Then I updated the D8R-II. It no longer worked in PPM mode, even tried binding. Then I switched to PXX on the Tx, still didn't respond. Tried sending the Rx number, still nothing.
Finally put 'standard. firmware back into the Rx, now, at least, it works in PPM mode again.
Not quite sure how to debug this, we have no feedback from the Tx module if the PXX format is valid.
I wonder, does the Tx module auto detect between PPM and PXX, or do we have to use the remaining dip switch setting to put it into the correct mode?

Mike.

[erazz]

This is pretty much what I've been getting.

I have a feeling that the tx FW is just their latest fw.
I have written Eva an email with these problems and I'm waiting for her response.

[erazz]

Ahhhhaaa! Success (of sorts).


The er9x.frk file is for the MODULE! We do not need to flash the Rx. I think


I can get 200us pulses spaced 18msec apart on ch1 and 2300us pulses on ch2 and 3.


Progress! Finally!!!!

Common, Mike, let's debug!

[Rob Thomson]

Thinking about it.. that kinda makes sense!

The firmware update is to enable you to get a direct comms line to the module. What the module does / how it talks to the RX should not be changed?



Happy you have it working!

[erazz]

I wouldn't call it working just yet. It does seem to do something. I'm currently debugging via oscilloscope.

[pmackenzie]

They might need updates to the receivers to do the model match?

[erazz]

Or they might be able to do it via the telemetry setup

[MikeB]

I get the same pulses out of the Rx, although occaisonally I got a 2300 uS pulse on channel 1 as well. The pulses never change length with the sticks.
I'm not sure whether the channel values should be 2250 +/- 1050, or whether they have implemented the 16 channel enhancement. I've tried changing them to 2250 at centre etc. and still get the same 3 pulses out of the Rx.
I've looked at the PXX bitstream to the module on a 'scope, it looks fine, however, inside the module, after the diode, the rise time of the pulses is quite long (1-2uS) This doesn't matter with PPM as the pulses are much longer, but with only 8uS high time they are getting shortened.
Maybe we do need a specific firmware version for the receiver as well?
I'll try to add pre-emphasis to the pulses to make them appear the correct length after the diode to see if that is the problem, it will be messy though, but worth a test.
Also, we have assumed the bytes are transmitted lsb first.
Got some more indoor flying tonight, ersky9x will get another airing, and 'flu is slowing me down as well.

Mike.

[MikeB]

Tried the pre-emphasis, no change. I did switch to PPM, and set the failsafe positions, switching on the tx gives the pulses as we see, switching it off, causes the rx to go to the set failsafe positions.

Mike.

[erazz]

That makes sense. The Rx is not getting a proper signal through.

I haven't thought about the rise time.... Could be a bummer.
OK then, two things to test. Change lsb to msb and try different ranges (0..2048 and -1024..1024)