OpenLRS - thUndead's MODs :D

[thundead]

DISCLAIMER

This is still an open source project so may still have bugs but that's why together we can get everything sorted out and have a cheap and reliable system.

this is my first stable version.
Based on 1.10 by Melih
Thanks to Devonian for the 459 mod
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A lot of time went into this  firmware so if anyone wants to send me some Pringles and Red Bull to keep me going here is the magic button :))



Pringles & Red Bull Thank You list so far :)

- pk-surfing
- papa_lazerous
- simondale
- Melih (@ Flytron.com)
- CrashingDutchman (@ Flytron.com)

---------------------------------
Current Features

- NEW!!! DIVERSITY
- NEW!!! Booster Friendly TX version
- thUndead's RSSI MOD - fine tuned 3.2 to 0v rssi Vout
- In Flight Fail Safe MOD << YES YOU CAN :P
- 38.4Kbps Baud Rate - still looking into lowering it

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Upcoming Features - Will release one more firmware and that's it

- Smart manual hopping



INSTALLATION

!!! PLEASE DO NOT USE ARDUINO 1.0 SDK! IT will break things! use 0.22 or 0.23 instead !!!

-Load up the firmwares in Arduino and flash them accordingly.
-noob friendly guide in the works


Available FWs:

459Mhz thUndeadMOD v1.0
=http://www.multiupload.com/YZI8WTK7A0

459Mhz thUndeadMOD v1.5 - DIVERSITY
http://www.multiupload.com/W0UYR2IJDM


-----------------------------------
DOCUMENTATION

Booster Friendly FW for TX

If you have Melih's booster you need to make BOOSTER 1 in config.h.  This changes the output power from 1 0 0 mw to 50mw which is the recommended input power for the booster.

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DIVERSITY
The Diversity algorithm uses a Master-Slave approach.
The master receives packets from the TX and the Slave RX as well so if master RX looses signal it will still get valid packets if the Slave RX still has a connection. Simple :D

Hardware Installation is very simple, just use a 2 wire Servo cable to supply the slave RX with GND and VCC from onw of the master RX's free servo ports or other 5V supply.

Software Installation: Just load the openLRS_RXS firmware onto the slave receiver and you are ready to go.

WARNING!
Diversity currently works if telemetry is off! Will implement a telemetry friendly version after the Holidays.

RSSI on the slave RX is still available either on pin 8 (v2 hw) or pin 9 (v1 hw)

OpenLRS Diversity

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RSSI: V output: min/max 0-3.2v

CALIBRATION:
uncomment Serial_RSSI in the config.h file (the RX one) and with you TX and RX ON check the outputted value in the Serial Monitor   ( going in the other room might increase the value lol ) and that should be your max RSSI output.

in the config.h change the max value accordingly:
//###### RSSI STUFF ########
//
#define RSSI_MAX 110 //turn on the RSSI debug and see what values you r getting at close range....
#define RSSI_SMOOTH  60   //increase if the Vout is still jumpy.

RSSI ON v2 BOARDS IS on CH 8 !

If the Vout is still jumpy, increase RSSI_SMOOTH and recheck your RSSI_MAX
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In Flight Fail-Safe: nothing to change/calibrate here. Simply press and release the TX button after 2 secs and your F/S values are stored. You should see the red LED on the RX blink  when FS has been saved.
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OpenLRS FACTS
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- this first stable release adds the much needed RSSI and Quick n Easy fail safe to Melih's firmware.

- Here are my conclusions about the openLRS system after some long weeks of tuning, coding and analyzing all the approaches I could think of (FHSS,manual hopping, adaptive hopping etc...)


1. Stock antennas are crap crap craptastic! Change them ASAP. My antenna mod in 2nd post.
2. thing is good for planes for >2km flights.
3. thing is crap for multi-rotors flying low when on crappy stock antennas.
4. Video is rubbish for anything Long Range related. Want more ? go for a booster.

Sorry for my pessimistic view on the system but lost too much time trying to get the best out of the hardware without much success.


Hope that was an interesting read, + Happy Holidays to everybody!

Cheers,
Mihai.

[thundead]

RX ANTENNA MOD





Element length: 163mm for 459Mhz (Thanks Nigel :) )

[Miles]

Think I know which UHF system I am getting now :P

[thundead]

:P Tested the FS on my tricopter today (was shi**ing myself :)) ) and worked as expected. Turned the tx off and FS positions kicked in instantly. There is a small lag when regaining the signal (when switching the tx on again) but its barely noticeable for planes. My tri lost like 5cm altitude during the lag but that's negligible even for multirotors.

Custom Baud coming tonight... :D

Regards,
Mihai.

Think I know which UHF system I am getting now :P

[Shikra]

Nice job! On my list for next year....!

[thundead]

Hmmmmm how does 10 channel FHSS sound ? :D Testing the theory now....

[Devonian]

Top job Mihai !!

At long last, there seems to be some real interest in OLRS ;)

Watching with interest...

Nigel.

[thundead]

well currently can't afford an EzUHF so might as well improve what I got :) I'm working on the 10ch FHSS now and will move to baud after I get that working...

[thundead]

Uhm guuys, We've got 10ch 10byte encoded FHSS  ;D Its amazing what I can do with a Red Bull and some Pringles haha. Been hopping for 30min now and not a packet lost :) Will brush the code up a bit and release a new FW :)

UPD: first post updated.

[Splashy]

I want to make a couple of antenna tuned to 459Mhz. I read that the choice of material to support the wire is important since that affects the length of wire required. I also read that Nyrod is a good material for making the supporting outer bit. I cannot find anyone in the UK who supplies this - has anyone got any ideas. If not then can anyone tell me where I can get supporting tube in PVC or something like that. I have been googling and searching for these guides or whatever but have not had much luck.

I would be pleased to make a couple of these so if anyone would like a set I will supply them at cost.

[thundead]

have you seen this ?
http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?382-Sander-style-(Ez)UHF-antennas
http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?1680-Proper-wire-for-building-DIY-antennas
most people just use pvc piping. I'd just use some drinking straws :)

this looks promising as well (vor Video at least) http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?1592-New-double-stacked-dipole-antenna-looks-very-promising


Mihai.

I want to make a couple of antenna tuned to 459Mhz. I read that the choice of material to support the wire is important since that affects the length of wire required. I also read that Nyrod is a good material for making the supporting outer bit. I cannot find anyone in the UK who supplies this - has anyone got any ideas. If not then can anyone tell me where I can get supporting tube in PVC or something like that. I have been googling and searching for these guides or whatever but have not had much luck.

I would be pleased to make a couple of these so if anyone would like a set I will supply them at cost.

[thundead]

Correcting myself, NYROD is an acronym for Nylon Rod :))))))
http://www.airfieldmodels.com/information_source/glossary/entry.php?Term=NyRod

So here you go:
http://www.theplasticshop.co.uk/nylon-66-tube-all-od-x-id-sizes-1764-0.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?LH_PrefLoc=1&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A5701&rt=nc&_nkw=nylon+tube&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1

gotta loge Ebay :)))


Hope that helped, and I'm in for an antenna sample if you can also test them :)

Regards,
Mihai.

[Splashy]

Some tube ordered from eBay. Many thanks for that. I do feel a bit dumb for not searching for nylon tube though!

[thundead]

hehe happens to me every time :)) Always seem to end up on Ebay or china stores after my searches  :laugh:

[Devonian]

Here's my method of making a 1/4 wave 459MHz antenna...

http://www.fpvuk.org/forum/index.php?topic=2925.msg28229#msg28229

Nigel.