ERSKY9X Coding

[MikeB]

WooHoo.
We have lift off
Take one AR9X Rev B board, use ChipQuik to remove the existing processor, solder on an ATSAM4S8CA-AU.
Power up, use SAM-BA to flash ersky9x -r221 "C6" test version (remember to set the "boot from flash fuse") and it just works.

I'll need to do some more testing, but I have voice, display, controls moving the bars etc.

So, we are all set.

Mike.

[andrewju]

Since the "Thanks" button seem to be gone completely, I'll put it in plain text: THANK YOU!!!
My modding mood is back to life!


Now, what new features shall we expect from the ATSAM4S8CA chip?

[RCHH]

Ya beat me Mike! Just finished soldering! But no chipquik here so I had to go careful. Plus I was hunting out my board heater from the safe place I put it where of course I forgot about! Haha!

[MikeB]

I needed to use SAM-BA 2.12 in order to flash the chip. I selected the board "at91sam4s8-ek" so it used the correct chip. This board was not listed in SAM-BA 2.11, although we can probably create the required entry if needed.

Mike.
Edited to add the '8' to the board type.

[jhsa]

Hmm, I envy you guys. I'm not sure I could do this mod with my current tools

João

[ReSt]

Regarding Mikes idea with the model images.

I have modified his idea and implemented the display of a selected model image into the normal system screens.
I only modify the upper half of the "values" screen (the screen with the numeric representation of the output signals) and only, if a valid image is available. THe other screens are untouched.
And no image, no change at all.
And the data that is replaced is available on every other system screen.

I have made some simple graphics for my models and even though they are simple, I like it.

Reinhard

[jhsa]

we really need a better display for this.. what we can do now is not a picture of the model, it is a very bad silhouette of it I tried it. 64 x 32 is too small really..
Just my opinion.

João

[tsenecal]

I'm not sure I would like this LUA stuff. But I don't have to use it.
I have noticed that people are trying to use scripts for stuff that the radio can easily do without them
One thing I would like to see ersky9x support is a better screen with more resolution, and I'm not talking about the Taranis display, but something bigger and better. Of course it wouldn't fit in the 9x case

João

I agree with João on this one... it would be nicer to have more things beyond what the 9x form factor is limiting us to. i see this as a bigger bonus for the ARUni board, since it is also designed for non 9x transmitters.

i have always preferred tray style radios, or pistol radios, depending on the need of the model, and the ARUni will be used for my next transmitter to build my interpretation of the "best" tray style radio (having built a pistol radio). my biggest "need" is more pots and 3 position switches. and room both on the transmitter case for those, as well as more room on the screen to display their current settings/values.

[tsenecal]

regarding LUA specifically, i really don't see an advantage to it except for telemetry screens on the Taranii that i own. it does allow me to display the data in a nicer, neater way than just a simple grid.... but beyond that? nope.

[MikeB]

Where I see LUA being most useful is for something like configuring the S6R/S8R, or PID values on flight controllers. It makes sense to me to be able to add these by just running a LUA script, rather than changing the actual firmware, as there will likely be too many possible functions needed, and it would mean I don't have to do all the programming!

Mike.

[MikeB]

OK, the first problem with the new chip, the bootloader doesn't write to the flash, so all updates will need to be via SAM-BA until I find out what the difference is and update the bootloader.

Mike.

[RCHH]

Mine has a problem in that it is not showing in USB devices yet. Will need to check all the legs on the MCU to make sure no bridges/dry joints.

EDIT:

Scrub the above checking the MCU. It was fine. I used a brand new USB cable - urns out it is faulty. GRRRR!!!!

[MikeB]

Do you get the USB connected tones when you plug it in?
Mine doesn't show in devices and printers, it does show in Device manager under Ports (COM and LPT). From that, I found the com port to use with SAM-BA.

I see the flash page size is 512 bytes instead of 256 bytes. This will require a change to the bootloader so it can write to the flash.
I'll see if I can get that done tomorrow. It will auto-detect what is needed, so the same bootloader will work for old and new chips then.

Mike.

[RCHH]

See above Mike. Faulty USB cable. The soldering was fine all along.

[RCHH]

I have SAM-BA from 2.10 up to 2.16 and am not seeing the 'at91sam4s-ek' board listed Mike. Closest I see is 'at91sam4s4-ek'

[jhsa]

How did you solder the chip? Soldering iron or hot air? Or something else?

Quite expensive the chips here, at least where I have been looking

João

[RCHH]

How did you solder the chip? Soldering iron or hot air? Or something else?

Quite expensive the chips here, at least where I have been looking

João

Hot air to remove, soldering iron back on.

I bought four chips that worked out at just over £6 each, as there was a small order handling charge.

[RCHH]

MCU in Germany

About 6.50Euros

[jhsa]

Thanks for the link. The problem with companies like farnell and digikey is the shipping cost. That is why I normally don't use them..

João

[MikeB]

Oops, I should have typed "at91sam4s8-ek" (post edited above). This is the one you need to use as it has the correct flash size.

João: Check with Farnell, I found they are doing free carriage for online orders above £20 in the UK. I got 2 chips, and made the order up to £20 with other items I wanted anyway. The small order charge is £3.95, the chips were on £4 each.

Mike.

[jhsa]

I will, thanks.. It has to be next month though.

João

[jhsa]

Mike, I have been talking to a friend just now, and we were commenting how nice it would be if we could update the firmware in the radio via bluetooth by connecting to eepskye, send files to the SD Card, and share files between 2 radios.
The latter would allow us to share models and voice files at the field.. Also to download an older firmware version that a friend might have in case the latest ersky9x test version is buggy

João

[elral]

I just checked it at Farnell, for ordes below 55€ they are charging 5,95€, above it is free.
But I couldn't find the "at91sam4s8-ek", only the before mentioned "-au version.

Regards

Ralf

/edit: and even not at Mouser or Digikey

[RCHH]

I just checked it at Farnell, for ordes below 55€ they are charging 5,95€, above it is free.
But I couldn't find the "at91sam4s8-ek", only the before mentioned "-au version.

Regards

Ralf

/edit: and even not at Mouser or Digikey

You do need the -AU version as Mike linked to. Both Mike and I have fitted them and they work.

[RCHH]

Have now both Sky9X Rev.B and AR9X boards running fine with the SAM4 Mike.

[jhsa]

STOOOOP !!! You are making me jealous!!

João

P.S. - Well done.. I'm really jealous..
When you think you have the best radio on the block, comes someone else along and spoils it

[RCHH]

Ah but your 9X is far more advanced than mine. I don't even have a rotary enc. and I only have one extra 3-way switch. You have got your one fully loaded! Heh heh!

Still prefer the 9X to my Horus though anyday of the week, which rarely sees light of day. No ErSky9X for it you see ... lol!

[MikeB]

I'll see about getting back to doing something about the Horus. The main problem is I've only got a prototype main board and display, no case and no production version.
I can build code for it, I've got some test code running, as usual, it will need some time. Also, don't expect fancy graphics, they will take rather longer.

I've just got the bootloader sorted for the '4S8, as well as the page size being different, you can't use the "erase and write page" command. You have to erase several pages, then write them. Anyway, the bootloader now checks the chip ID and adjusts itself to do the correct thing.

I'll post a "c7" test version in a few minutes, when all the versions have been built.

Mike.

[jhsa]

Mike, any other new goodies / fixes to be tested?

Thanks

João

[MikeB]

Not unless you have AFHDS2A telemetry running on Multi.

RCHH: To use SAM-BA again, having flashed the code once, plug in the USB, hold the TRN switch on then power on. This starts you in the SAM-BA bootloader.

Mike.