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-   -   Arduino compatible controller (new thread) (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=151119)

rapid_ascent 11-08-2019 03:43 PM

Hey Vern,

I had a similar idea but no time to get to it yet. Yours cool though.

vlittle 11-08-2019 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemist (Post 1384976)
Why not use the ESP8266 chip with arduino IDE ? It's much smaller then the uno and already has the wifi chip set.

Great project!

You really need to go check out M5Stack.com. They make the hardware. I've used the ESP devices in several designs. The ESP32 device used in the M5stack is impressive. That's the CPU I use in my proprietary designs.

They are still finding their footing in terms of product quality and support, but I am looking at modifying the mechanicals and electronics. Did you know that it's designed to plug into Lego? The mind boggles.

vlittle 11-15-2019 12:04 PM

Based on feedback received (thanks!), I've made some modifications to the display. I also widgetized the AOA and Slip indicator so I can easily scale them and place anywhere on the screen. Oh, I also discovered that the M5Stack supports memory Sprites, so I can eliminate screen flicker cause by redraws of information on the screen.

It's easy to reconfigure display modes, some are illustrated below.

If the weather clears today, I will perform a flight test!



V

agirard7a 11-15-2019 02:49 PM

Purchase?
 
Vern. I like this. Can I buy one? Or the parts? I like that you have a number, I assume angle on the AOA. Nice work. It’s slick.

DaleB 11-15-2019 09:48 PM

Nice work, and those are slick little units... I may have to order one or two. Hadn't seen them before.

vlittle 11-16-2019 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirard7a (Post 1386526)
Vern. I like this. Can I buy one? Or the parts? I like that you have a number, I assume angle on the AOA. Nice work. It’s slick.

I don't sell anything, but I will posting the software once testing is completed. Some additional hardware design is required as well to allow for connection to ship's power and the data link. I will post this design as well. You are correct that I am displaying the AOA number. This will become important later on when I have to input calibration data from my airplane. During my flight testing, I have found that the intersection of the horizontal green bars and the yellow chevron was at 50-52% and that the EFIS display was slightly different than mine.

Caveat: these module come from China and need tender loving care. I have two and both have failed in different ways. One was the battery module (not needed) and the other fails to program (probably due to my abuse). I would recommend not purchasing the 'Fire' version, just the basic grey block.

I am traveling for the next month, so only sporadic postings will be made, so please give me some time. Here's a teaser from flight testing. Everything went well:



vlittle 11-26-2019 08:46 AM

Update:
I brought this project with me on vacation (yeah, I know) but my old Windows 7 laptop cannot provide enough USB power. I left my powered USB hub back home. For anyone considering the M5Stack devices, keep this in mind- you will need more power. I have a custom designed power base that I use in the aircraft. I will publish the schematic when I return so that others can review.

A pilot buddy and fellow VAFer has jumped aboard this project and is developing 3D printed bases to simplify installation in aircraft. He will chime in once he's ready.

I've ordered a collection of modules for further R&D, including the 'Stick' version which could be used for just an AOA display.

I've also pursued a battery powered version of the display that gets it's airdata from a Bluetooth beacon wired to the EFIS. This would make short duration (1 hour) flights with a back seat display possible using an unmodified M5Stack Fire module.

Mike Vaccaro's OnSpeed AOA is also on my list. I will initially use the onboard speaker, Later, the intercom interface will be incorporated into the power base.

V

vlittle 12-16-2019 10:05 PM

Further updates:
I have successfully demonstrated slaving two devices together.

The master sucks in the serial EFIS info, displays it on it's screen and broadcasts it to other devices over WiFi. The result is a frontseat and (a battery powered self-contained) duplicate backseat display, or multiple displays.

But wait, there's more!

I used an M5Stick-C (Pez dispenser size) device to built a stand-alone WiFi access point so if you don't need a front-seat display, you can still send serial info to the backseat.

And more!

Another VAFFER has designed a 3" instrument hole adapter for mounting the M5Stack devices. A 2" version is more challenging.

What's left:
Code verification and flight testing. Learning github so I can formally release the code. Since I didn't learn 'C' until I was 60, please give me time to catch up to the young whippersnappers who know a lot more about the process than I do.

I hope to get this a done in January so that others can replicate my work and do their own coding. I hope the above-unnamed VAFFER will chime in as well.

After that, I will be in Arizona for the remainder of the Winter.

Cheers.

vlittle 12-28-2019 10:08 PM

After fighting a pernicious software bug in the ESP32 library, I finally updated the operation of the devices to add multiple operating configurations. Here's some new pictures of the display units, with descriptions:

I mounted a pair of displays on my glareshield to demo WiFi linking. The grey unit on the right is a 'master' unit. It is hardwired into the 12V electrical system (with a regulator) and to a Dynon serial port. I had provided a port for this on my panel in 2012 (now that's future-proofing!).

The red unit (aka M5Stack Fire) is a battery powered 'slave' and is connected to the master unit (aka M5Stack Gray) by WiFi. In normal use, the slave unit would be mounted in the rear cockpit for the GIB. The master display unit is optional (more about that later).



Here, you can see the configuration menus for the master and slave units that allow one software load to support multiple applications:




And the mount constructed for the back-seat unit using a 3D printed backplate and PVC conduit. Sorry about the rotated images. I'll try to fix that later. The PVC conduit snaps onto the seat frame and can be rotated into any position for maximum visibility.





The front seat master unit is totally optional. I'm showing it here just to illustrate the flexibility of the architecture. I also have a small M5Stick-C programmed as a WiFi UDP broadcaster that will send the required information to the back seat. This small unit can be totally buried in the panel and does not need to be visible. Multiple slave units can connect to one UDP broadcaster. I plan on an engine data display as well for the GIB.

I need to do more flight testing, but the weather is crummy, so it may not happen for a while... I will try to get the code published on github in January or February.

rv8ch 12-29-2019 12:20 AM

Impressive update
 
Vern, really impressive work!


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