Universal Receiver ACCST firmware

[Mike Blandford]

Version 80 of the UNI firmware is now published. This adds FBUS support, for control and telemetry, to all receivers (on the SPort signal).

 

X6R,X8R,X4R etc. enable telemetry, regardless of how the bind was done, when not activated.

 

G-RX6 and G-RX8 allow the built in vario to be disabled, hold the "bind" button pressed for 4, or more, seconds to toggles the setting. The blue LED will flash 3 times to indicate the action.

 

To enable FBUS you need UNI-Setup6.lua (or later), or XxRsetv5.bas for erskyTx. Included with the LUA file is a LUAC file in case radios do not have enough memory available to compile it.

 

Files are here: [URL="https://forum.alofthobbies.com/index.php?threads/uni-receiver-firmware-release-files-universal-accst-d16.3270/"]https://forum.alofthobbies.com/index.php?threads/uni-receiver-firmware-release-files-universal-accst-d16.3270/[/URL]

 

This update is only required if you need FBUS or to be able to disable the built in vario.

 

Mike

[jimsoars]

Hi Mike, I am now running Ethos on my X20 and the activate lua script does not show up.  The statistics one is fine.

Any idea why the radio would not recognize the availability of the activate script.  I have loaded the ethos versions on the radio.

thanks - Jim

[Mike Blandford]

I've discovered that the openXsensor project that runs on a RP2040 board is now supporting stabilising functions. I'm allowed to make use of the stabilising code, so I'm going to start on getting UNI to run on the S6R/S8R receivers. The first step will be to get UNI working just as a receiver, then I'll look to add the stabilising code. Both stab. and auto-level will be available, but I won't bother with "hover" or "knife edge".
 

I've now got the basic UNI firmware running on a S8R, including FBUS support, so it is working rather like a X8R now! The only difference is the RSSI port on the S8R doesn't connect to an analog input on the processor, so I can't support a second analog input. I'll ignore the RSSI port for now.

 

Mike

[Wookman]

Great work Mike. 

[Mike Blandford]

Testing of UNI for the S6R and S8R has been going well. I put three flights on a S6R today. The wind was a bit bumpy so it was clear that when stabilising was turned on the aircraft smoothed out. Someone else tried previously and I tried today putting the aircraft into "unusual" attitudes then  turning auto-level on. We both found the aircraft went to level at all times.

My flights today never had VFR drop below 94 and it was 99 or 100 most of the time.

 

All the usual UNI features are in, the SBUS output may be used as a servo output, defaults to sending channel 11 as 9 is used for the master gain. All servo outputs may be mapped to any channel in any case. I may look at making the SBUS output send channel 7 for the S6R.

Elevon mode has been tested but not V-Tail yet.

 

On the S8R, the RSSI port now operates as SBUS IN, so redundancy works. The stabilising and auto-level functions are applied to the SBUS in data.

 

Mike

[Torsten Spitzner]

Great news. I'm patiently awaiting the FW release for these rx's...

[Mike Blandford]

I've just put V83 of UNI firmware on here: https://forum.alofthobbies.com/index...ccst-d16.3270/.
This supports the S6R and S8R receivers. In the case of the S8R, the RSSI connection is used as SBUS IN, so allows for a redundant receiver. The stabilising functions are applied to the SBUS in data.
To set up the S6R/S8R, there is a .pdf (UNISXR.pdf) describing how to do so in the second post of that thread.

Changes in V83:
Fix the problem that the servo pulse period was set specifically for each Tx. The periods are now specific to the Rx.
Fix a bug on RX8R and RX8R-PRO where when using SBUS-IN and the main Rx loses signal, the servo outputs may freeze until channel 1 changes.

From V80, the SPort may be configured as FBUS.

Mike

[Kevin Fairgrieve]

Excellent. I have a couple of BNIB S6R that I can put to good use.

[Mike Blandford]

Since the version of UNI that runs on D8 receivers supports the use of the old, hub sensors, it would be fairly easy to add this to the D16 receivers (just connect the hub signal to the SPort signal).

Is there any interest in having this added?

 

Mike

[Kevin Fairgrieve]

I only have the one old style hub, but it is fully loaded, so for me yes please.

[Allan Bennett]

When flashing UNI to an S8R receiver is it necessary to go through the levelling process again after activation?  Assuming that the Rx has not been physically disturbed in the model during the process.

[Mike Blandford]

Yes!

Specifically, you will need to do the levelling process AND re-enter all the enable, Aux and gain settings.

Check the file UNISXR.pdf in the second post of the linked thread.

It is worth noting the existing settings before flashing (if you haven't already flashed it!).

 

Mike

[Allan Bennett]

Thank you Mike.  I didn't note the existing settings before flashing 😒.  Anyway no real problem going through the setup again.

[Allan Bennett]

The good news is I found the configuration which I had saved on my laptop;  the UNI programming has gone well, the S8R in the model responds correctly to Tx inputs, and I've been able to connect to two different Txs without having to press the bind button.  The bad news is I can't get my UNI S8R receiver to accept any calibration.

 

I'm using FrSky FreeLink software connected to the S8R via a FrSky STK connected to the SPort (STK in CONFIG mode with connection to channel 1), as I did on this and a couple of other models before.  I Loaded the configuration to FreeLink from the saved version on my laptop, and the data looks like I remember.  I then Wrote it to the S8R, but when I Read it back only the gain settings are correct -- Rx orientation has reverted to default and AUX1 and AUX2 are not checked in the Wing Type screen.  Writing and Reading seemed to execute okay, with the progress bar taking about 15 seconds to go from 0 to 100%.

 

I seemingly have no problem correcting the values and then Writing them, but when I Read them back after Closing, re-booting the Rx and re-Opening, the Wing Type and Mounting Type data have reverted to default.  Also, when I go to the Accelerometer Calibration screen (a) the illustration starts with the Rx in default mode rather than in the Right Up mode that I've specified and, (b) when I click on Calibrate there's no orange light to signify calibration in progress.  The S8R red light just keeps flashing slowly as it has done throughout the process.

 

I've tried this now on the UNI S8R in my model and on another spare UNI S8R on my work bench, with exactly the same result.  Any ideas where I'm going wrong, please?

[Mike Blandford]

The file "UNISXR.pdf" I referred to above details how to handle the calibration with UNI firmware, it does NOT use the same method as FrSky, but is actually much simpler. You perform the calibration, mounting configuration and servo limit settings all in a quick and simple process using a LUA script on the Tx.

 

I do the gain settings etc. from the LUA script normally used o the Tx. I have trouble with the Freelink software, it falls foul of my antivirus! I'll check if I can make that work.

 

Mike

[Allan Bennett]

Thanks Mike.  i'm afraid this is all a bit of a learning curve for me, always having used PC interfaces for programming rather than lua scripts.  Anyway, I'm now beginning to understand the relevance of all the files listed in the first couple of posts in the Aloft forum, and shall work my way through the relevant ones.

[Allan Bennett]

Job done .... I think!  You're right, Mike, about the simplicity of the .lua scripts compared with the FrSky PC software, so I'm converted.

 

Two last questions though; (1) Having gone through the 2 pages of the "standard" script (FrSky SxR.lua) and the 2 pages of UNI-Sxr v1.lua, and corrected the directions of the control surfaces, all seems to be working correctly when I move the model around on the bench in stabilisation and self-levelling modes.  But do I not have to go through the final self-check routine by switching ch12 on and off 3 times?  I tried it and nothing happened.

 

(2) After completing the pages of any .lua script I couldn't find a way to return to normal Tx operation on my Taranis -plus, other than powering it off and on again.  Am I missing something?

[Mike Blandford]

1. No, Using the UNI-SXR script does the required calibration, auto-level position and the servo limit settings, nothing else needed for those.

2. A long press of "EXIT" should end the scripts.

 

Mike

[Allan Bennett]

Indeed, a long press does the job.  Thank you again MIke.

[Allan Bennett]

I'm pleased to report that my first S8R UNI has flown two 10-minute flights today without any issues.  Stabilisation and self-levelling both felt the same as previously in flight.  Thank you Mike for all the work you've done on developing and supporting this firmware.

[RottenRow]

I have just completed my first flight using an S6R with the new Uni firmware loaded. All went well (after a false start due to a faulty servo extension lead causing an aileron servo to operate erratically).

 

Thank you Mike for making this firmware available to us.

 

I do have a question if I may please. In the instructions document (UniSXR.pdf) there is the following statement regarding adding a seventh channel output to the S6R:

 

If the SBUS output is configured as a servo output then the channel sent is:
If channel mapping is disabled then channel 11 is output on the S8R, channel 7 on the S6R.

 

The S6R doesn't have an SBUS output, so how does this work please? Does it reconfigure the S Port instead?

 

I need 7 channels on my next model (2 for ailerons and 2 for flaps) so this would be useful if it can be done.

 

Thanks,

 

Brian.

 

[Mike Blandford]

I think there might be a place on the PCB of the S6R where you may connect a wire to get SBUS. I do generate the SBUS signal.

 

My only S6R is in a model, I'll need to pull it out and have a look!

 

Mike

[Mike Blandford]

On my S6R, inside there is a pad labelled P6. This has the SBUS signal from the processor.

However, when used, the SBUS signal is inverted, so to use SBUS on the S6R you will need to provide an external inverter, even if you configure the SBUS to be a seventh servo signal.

 

You also have the option of using the SPort signal as FBUS. Provided any sensors you use support FBUS (e.g. ADV sensors), you also get all 16 servo channels. I'm not sure, but I believe the openXsensor project provides servo signals when operating in FBUS mode, as well as providing sensor data.

 

Mike

Edited October 17 by Mike Blandford

[RottenRow]

Hi Mike,

 

I appreciate you taking the time to take your receiver out and look inside it. Thank you.

 

I have located P6 and will attach a wire to (initially) connect a 'scope to see if I get the expected servo signal for channel 7. If so I can add an SMD transistor as an inverter for the signal.

 

In the UNI SETUPV7 LUA script there is an option SBUS invert, but it is 'N/A' and cannot be changed.

 

I notice that the usual servo outputs (ch 1 to 6) each has an RC network connected to it; what looks like a 220ohm series resistor and an unknown value capacitor to 0V.

 

I can't see where the track to P6 goes to (it runs under the piggy-backed RF board) so don't know if there is a similar network already incorporated on the pcb for P6, but if there isn't I can add one if I can measure one of the other capacitors.

 

Thanks again for your help.

 

Brian.

[RottenRow]

Further to the above, I have now got the seventh channel output operating a servo, in a 'lash-up' form at least.

 

As well as taking the signal from pad P6, I also had to find a source of the internal 3.3V regulated voltage, as the other channel outputs are 3.3V pulses (not battery voltage). I found this on one side of capacitor C15, which I suspect is across the output of the on-board voltage regulator.

 

Anyway, with a veroboard-constructed circuit the output drives a servo. To make this practical I will need to fit a miniature version of this circuit, using SMD components, onto the receiver board itself, which I'm not sure I want to do at the moment. I'll try to find an S8R instead... rather easier I think.

 

But it's been an interesting exercise, thanks for the info. Mike.

 

Here are a couple of photos..

 

S6R with the veroboard circuit on the left, and 'scope traces showing P6 output (upper) and inverted signal to servo (lower) on the right.

 

 

As this is really a different subject to rest of this thread I'll leave it there. If I do continue further I'll post a new thread on the subject.

 

Brian.