ERSKY9X Coding

[jhsa]

If you measure the voltage on both erase pins, one is always at 3.3V. You want to use the other one

João

[Reacher10]

I copied some models from my sky9. The bluetooth trainer does not work with these models however it does work with the original model I used to setup the bluetooth with which also was a fresh eeprom.

[MikeB]

You may need to post the .eepm of a model you are trying to use so I can look at its settings.

Mike.

[Reacher10]

ERSKY9X-2 is the eeprom from the AR9x that has the HC-06. MODEL01 was created after a fresh eeprom install. MODEL01 works with the BT trainer, the others do not.

ERSKY9X-1 is the eeprom from the AR9X is from that has the HC-05....same deal as the ERSKY-2 eeprom.

Also Mike which ROM file do I need to bring my SKY9 up to speed with the bluetooth connectivity?

If I want all three radio's to conneect, AR9X HC-05, AR9X HC-06, Sky9 rev B1.

My guess would be Another HC-05 because it can be a master or slave?
.

[MikeB]

The same one you are putting on the AR9X boards.

I'll look at your EEPROMs tomorrow.

Mike.

[Reacher10]

No hurry at all Mike. I should also add that the Sky9 board is r204, I mean this may very well be the issue. I use my Sky9 as my main radio so I've been hesitant to upgrade. I would like to get the AR9's up and running before I update the Sky9.

[MikeB]

Correct. r204 doesn't include the code to handle trainer over bluetooth in the same way. With trainer over an ordinary serial connection I can use the pause between frames to synchronise to them. Over bluetooth, frames can be run together, so I had to add some specific framing to pick them out properly. This is not in r204, and is only active when you select TxRx as the "BT as Trainer" function.

Mike.

[Reacher10]

I installed 218b on the sky9 board and it looks like it might have done the trick as far as transferring models from the sky9 and ar9 board and getting the BT buddy box working. I just did it real quick last night so I'll see if i can get them all working.

[jhsa]

I would like to inform that today me and my son had a very nice flying session using the brand new "Trainer over Bluetooth feature" in ersky9x.
I don't know if could have been the first time it was done in RC? If so, then congratulations to ersky9x and Mr. Mike Blandford
If not, congratulations anyway cos it is a great feature. it worked well, And I haven't noticed any loss of control. I will need to test it with someone that can already fly though. Mu son is just learning even if he can already fly the model when high..

I have two requests if possible.
The first is for testing purposes only. Would it be possible to log the trainer over BT and detect some eventual momentary control losses?

The second is to place an option on the main popup menu (the same where we select Model setup, radio setup, etc), called for example "Connect BT trainer". This would scan for another radio with a BT device installed and connect to it. Basically the same as the "Scan" option does in the bluetooth menu.
This would avoid having to enter the "Model setup/Bluetooth" menu every time we want to use the feature.. Once the BT is configured we wouldn't need to go there again to connect the trainer..

I also noticed that after connecting both radios over BT, if I go to other menus, like the mixer for example, sometimes the BT connection is lost. It happened at the field today also after I calibrated the trainer input in the trainer menu. I needed to go to some other menu, and it disconnected. I tried connect the trainer again, it connected but the servos wouldn't move. I could see the data flowing on the debug screen though. I had to also restart the Master radio. After that all worked, And we did 2 flights without a single problem..
We didn't test how far the radios can be from each other and still have a reliable connection, but that will be another test to be done.
I can say that if we stay at normal distance people stay when doing a teacher/student session, I don't think there will be any problem..

Thanks for this cool feature Mike

João

[MikeB]

I'm working on improving the useability.
Changes I've just done and are testing:
1. When you scan, and find an address, this is stored in the "radio setup" in the EEPROM. In due course, I hope to allow storing several addresses.
2. The scan connects as it does now.
3. A new option: "Auto Connect", which is on a per model basis. If this is ON, then at power up, the stored address is automatically used and a connection is attempted (continuously). I hope to allow selecting which of the several stored addresses to use.
4. Added an extra entry on the log file which is the count of BT SBUS frames received in the last one second.

I've still to add a voice report on loss of BT connection.
I've noticed that sometimes after losing connection it doesn't reconnect unless at least one radio is powered off. With HC-05s, I might be able to tell the slave to force disconnect, so it starts looking for the connection being remade. I'll need to experiment with this.

I'll also need to check the "Auto Connect" option when loading a new model. If it is OFF, I'll need to disconnect I think.

The auto connect did seem to work.

Mike.

[jhsa]

I'm working on improving the useability.

That is really appreciated and I guess I can speak for all ersky9x users Thank you..

Changes I've just done and are testing:
1. When you scan, and find an address, this is stored in the "radio setup" in the EEPROM. In due course, I hope to allow storing several addresses.

Can we name them? In case of several radios, you could link an address to a name. names are easier to remember which is which
Also, would this include the PC with eepskye , or for example a smartphone receiving telemetry data?

2. The scan connects as it does now.

Good to find new equipment when needed..

3. A new option: "Auto Connect", which is on a per model basis. If this is ON, then at power up, the stored address is automatically used and a connection is attempted (continuously). I hope to allow selecting which of the several stored addresses to use.

You mean, even if we don't want to use the trainer? it should timeout after a few seconds? I guess it doesn't need to be always searching for another BT (radio) if we don't want to connect to it anyway..

4. Added an extra entry on the log file which is the count of BT SBUS frames received in the last one second.

Thanks, that is great.. This will allow to debug connection problems..

I've still to add a voice report on loss of BT connection.

Please. Really needed.

I've noticed that sometimes after losing connection it doesn't reconnect unless at least one radio is powered off.

Yep, it happened to me today. But I had to restart the master radio as well. it would connect, I would see the data flowing on the debug screen on both radios, but no trainer control.. reconnected several times, and the same happened.. Only after restarting the MASTER radio the problem went away.. After that, 2 wonderful flights with absolutely no problems at all..

The auto connect did seem to work.

Looking forward to test it. Thank you so much.

João

[MikeB]

Yes, I've allowed for a name to be put with each address. I was thinking of using the "remote name", but this doesn't currently seem very reliable, and, in any case, I'll need to limit the length for display purposes, so it will just be a user entered name.

I think both the PC and the smartphone will be the master device, so they will do the connecting, and you will need to set the BT module in the Tx to be a slave.

I'll need a voice file that says "Bluetooth connection lost"!

I just did a test, HC-05 to HC-06, moving out of range, then coming back into range and it reconnected every time OK, about 10 times in a row.
Servo control restarted. I had the slave mixer set to use PPM1 as source on channel 8, and the master set to use PPM8 on channel 8. So, when I moved the aileron stick on the master, the slave channel 8 moved, and sent this back to the master moving channel 8 on that! That is how I could tell control was correctlr resumed.

I'll hopefully check the logging out tomorrow, and possibly look in to the voice report of connection lost.

Mike.

[jhsa]

I'll need a voice file that says "Bluetooth connection lost"!

Here it is:
BT_LOST.wav in the System folder
or file number 0076 on the voice folder.

Audio file (32Khz) attached:

[jhsa]

For those who might use 16Khz files

João

[MikeB]

New test version posted, includes "BT Lost" voice message, auto connect option.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Thanks Mike.. Looking right away

João

[jhsa]

Mike, the auto connect seems to be working good. PRO as Master and skyboard as Slave. Both have auto connect option ON. After the first scan, I can turn either radio OFF and ON again and the BT will connect.
Sometimes it connects quite fast, and sometimes it takes a quite long time. I think once it didn't connect, but maybe I didn't wait long enough.. The voice works as well (on the master radio?)..

At the moment when a plug is inserted in the trainer jack the trainer screen is replaced by another saying "Slave".
Could you please allow for the trainer menu to be able to be configured as normal when the trainer input is NOT configured as "Jack"?
That would for example more than one person (like my son and I) to be playing on the Sim together but use the trainer menu to configure the first 4 channels instead of using PPMx in the mixer.

I just realized that this could allow for 3 people to perform different tasks on a large model (aircraft, boat, etc..) for example.

Will test Logging now..
Thanks

João

EDIT: aren't we supposed to see the stored addresses? Manage them automatically?

[MikeB]

I've still to add the display and editing of BT stored address. I only store the one address at present.

You only need "Auto Connect" ON on the radio with the master BT module.

Mike.

[jhsa]

I've still to add the display and editing of BT stored address. I only store the one address at present.

You only need "Auto Connect" ON on the radio with the master BT module.

Mike.

Thanks Mike.. That is good to know.. This feature still doesn't come with instructions manual , but it will deserve a good one

João

[jhsa]

A little video showing the Trainer over bluetooth feature in action

João

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

[MikeB]

Just took a few minutes out to add "Logical switches as mix sources", which I noticed in my "todo" list.
They seem to work OK, just giving -100% or +100% as the source value.
This will be in the next test version.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Little video explaining how to connect a Bluetooth trainer setup in Ersky9x

João

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3EGm-IZghI

[Reacher10]

I put the latest BT4 test version on both AR9 boards. They connect as they should but if I turn off the slave radio the connection does not re-establish and vise verse, the BT connection lost files plays on either radio depending on which radio is turned off.

[jhsa]

Go to the bluetooth menu in the master radio and turn "Auto Connect" ON.
Did you watch the latest video I posted? It is all explained there.... I think

João

[Reacher10]

I put the latest BT4 test version on both AR9 boards. They connect as they should but if I turn off the slave radio the connection does not re-establish and vise verse, the BT connection lost files plays on either radio depending on which radio is turned off.

If I lose connection due to distance it re-connects.

For the most part it is working rather well and I echo João's sentiments.

I'm sure this has been discussed but can the trainer menu be expanded to include more channels. I would like to train my friend on my ZMR 250 so he won't have to go thru all the trials and tribulations I had to go thru when he goes to fly his. I have added PPM to channels 5-8 and have them triggered with the TRN switch and its working fine but I think it would be a bit neater if I didn't have to add extra mixes.

I understand that when training someone on a plane that CH 1-4 are only needed but its important to get someone up to speed on a quad using the modes which are CH 5-8....actually it can be more then 8 channels but I think 8 should suffice.

[Reacher10]

OH sorry, I submitted that before I was done, second post tells the story. Yeah I watched your vids.

[jhsa]

I'm sure this has been discussed but can the trainer menu be expanded to include more channels. I would like to train my friend on my ZMR 250 so he won't have to go thru all the trials and tribulations I had to go thru when he goes to fly his. I have added PPM to channels 5-8 and have them triggered with the TRN switch and its working fine but I think it would be a bit neater if I didn't have to add extra mixes.

I understand that when training someone on a plane that CH 1-4 are only needed but its important to get someone up to speed on a quad using the modes which are CH 5-8....actually it can be more then 8 channels but I think 8 should suffice.

Most people including myself (in the past) misunderstand the trainer menu.. If you look closely, you are not replacing, or adding to, channels.. You are replacing "Inputs" which is a bit different.
For example:
Rud := 100% Ch1 TRN

Here what is happening is, when the TRN switch is ON "Ch1" will replace ( :=) the input "Rud" with a weight of 100% of it's signal.

The trainer settings happen much before the mixer or even before the dual rates.. The PPMx input will replace the inputs (sticks) themselves, not the channels they are operating.

So, to add more to the trainer menu, Mike would have to allow all sources, like P1, P2, P3, GV1, 2, 3, IDx, etc to be replaced or added by/to the PPMx inputs.. I quite like this idea though and have some ideas myself

I hope I explained it well.. Please refer to the new er9x manual. This is well explained there and there is even a graphic that shows it all

João

[Reacher10]

I Follow you. I mean its works fine the way it is so it not a big deal at all.

Not sure if you remember but I was getting different things going on with the HC_05 depending on which erase pin I connected to. I switched it to the other pin and now auto connect is working across the boards...looks really really good. I turn on the master and it finds trainer, turn off either and and they re-connect, all combinations work.


Super cool Mike!

[jhsa]

The erase connector has 2 pins.. One is the erase pin of the processor. The other is 3.3V
You were probably connecting to the 3.3V pin. You must connect to the one closer to the SD Card. That one is the erase pin..

Yeah, sometimes it just takes a bit longer to connect..
What sort of range are you getting if you place yourself between both radios?
I modded one of my HC-05 BT modules last night with a frsky receiver antenna instead of the original bluetooth original antenna. Range improved a little. Will have to do the same to my other modules. maybe tonight..

João

[jhsa]

I'm sure this has been discussed but can the trainer menu be expanded to include more channels. I would like to train my friend on my ZMR 250 so he won't have to go thru all the trials and tribulations I had to go thru when he goes to fly his. I have added PPM to channels 5-8 and have them triggered with the TRN switch and its working fine but I think it would be a bit neater if I didn't have to add extra mixes.

I understand that when training someone on a plane that CH 1-4 are only needed but its important to get someone up to speed on a quad using the modes which are CH 5-8....actually it can be more then 8 channels but I think 8 should suffice.

Most people including myself (in the past) misunderstand the trainer menu.. If you look closely, you are not replacing, or adding to, channels.. You are replacing "Inputs" which is a bit different.
For example:
Rud := 100% Ch1 TRN

Here what is happening is, when the TRN switch is ON "Ch1" will replace ( :=) the input "Rud" with a weight of 100% of it's signal.

The trainer settings happen much before the mixer or even before the dual rates.. The PPMx input will replace the inputs (sticks) themselves, not the channels they are operating.

So, to add more to the trainer menu, Mike would have to allow all sources, like P1, P2, P3, GV1, 2, 3, IDx, etc to be replaced or added by/to the PPMx inputs.. I quite like this idea though and have some ideas myself

I hope I explained it well.. Please refer to the new er9x manual. This is well explained there and there is even a graphic that shows it all

João

I have been thinking about all this and I think I have an idea.. If it could be done Ersky9x would end up with a very flexible, easy to use and powerful trainer configuration menu.
Imagine something like the logical switches menu. We have lines (no need to be numbered), or we can even create new lines as we need them, and each line has the same options/fields as the current trainer menu.. We create a new line, then in the first field we select an input (Rud, Thr, Ail, Ele, P1/2/3/, All switches, GVARS, Scalers, etc), then in the other fields we have the normal trainer options. :=, +=, the weight, PPMx (Chx), and the Switch.

Could we have the PPMx replacing switches as source? Why not? I think the weight is what matters, if it has a switch on the other radio, or a pot, it doesn't matter, the weight is the same and if that PPMx channel is controlled by a pot, will just be progressive instead of switching.. I hope I can make myself understood

Of course, maybe not all the sources can be used, but here is the basic idea

João