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What frequency are these set to? Why?Why do the antennas need to be connected before powering?What is special about the USB Serial plug?What is BAUD?
Download and install RFDTools on one computer.Connect both RFD900 unitsThe ground unit connects to the RFDTools PC.The air unit connects to another PC.Connect and modify the settings in Fill out the Purpose Column to explain what the setting changes (review the manual).Print a label for both the ground and air unit with your group name (AIR-1; GROUND-1)
Open PuTTY.Connect one modem per computer.Open Device Manager from the start menu.OR: Hold the Windows Key + R > type devmgmt.msc > hit enterExpand the Ports (COM & LPT) headingLook for “USB Serial Port (COM#)” and record this number
In PuTTY enter the following:COM# > Serial lineSpeed > 115200Hit Open
You should now be able to type between computers and visualize the display. Send a “hello world" message between the computers and attach a screenshot.
The file provided by Wind racer's has a .apj file extension. What does this mean and why?It can contain settings and it is a custom firmware file used with ArduPilot Flight controller. What is Mission Planner? What are the alternatives to Mission Planner?Mission Planner is a ground station application for Plane, Copter, and Rover. These are types of unmanned vehicles that can be controlled by using softwares similar to ArduPilot. It can be used as a configuration utility or a dynamic control supplement for autonomous vehicles. Alternatives can be QGroundControl, PX4 Autopilot, UgCS Do you expect the Windracer’s flight controller firmware to work with Mission Planner?Yes we can expect the Windracer’s flight controller firmware to work with Mission Planner. Since Windracer runs ArduPilot firmware and Mission Planner is designed to be able to run ArduPilot, then there should not be an issue. How much memory does the Blue Cube have?1MB RAM and 2MB of Flash memory
If not already installed, download and install Mission PlannerYou will need an admin account - ask your instructorAttach a screenshot of the completed firmware installation.
On an AIDA3 PC, open Ground Control.Be sure that the flight controller is connected via USB.Navigate to Settings and click on Connection
Create a new connection with the following settingsType: SerialCOM Port: COM# (refer to step )Baud Rate: 115200
The aircraft should automatically connect and be visible in the Flight Plan menu. Attach a screenshot.
Lab 08 - Believer Comms and Firmware
Figure 1. Flight Controller
Introduction
In Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS, firmware and telemetry are vital. Firmware directly impacts flight stability, safety, autonomy, and more. It provides instructions that allow the hardware to communicate and function. Telemetry communicates with the Pilot with constant updates which allows for informed decisions, quicker response time, and improves the overall safety of the UAS.
In this document, my team and I, went through various steps to learn and understand our systems firmware and telemetry. In addition, we modified the settings in our telemetry to enable it quicker response and communication time. Finally, we installed the Believer firmware onto our flight controller.
Team Members
Clayton Brown, Isabella Avedician, Kenzie Florkiewicz, Diego Hernandez, Nico Jaeckle
Activity 1: Set up RFD900x
Specification Questions
Answer the following questions about the specifications on the telemetry module
902-928 MHz because that is the ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) allocation band for the united states
Because the power sent to the antennas needs to go somewhere and it could damage the unit if the antennas are not plugged in.
It can provide power and data so that you can configure and power through the same port.
1. What is pin one on the RFD900 USB Serial Connector, and what color wire connects to it? Please attach a photo before plugging it into your computer's USB.
Pin one is connected to the ground, the colors connected to it are black.
Figure 2. RFD900 USB Serial Connector
Figure 3. RFD900 USB Serial Connector Wires
Unit of measurement of symbol rate. This is an indication of data transfer speed of serial/UART connections.
Settings
Adjust the modem’s settings for your group.
Broken link
RFD900 Settings
Group Number
Setting Name
Default
Set Value
Purpose
1
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
25
Open
2
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
50
Open
3
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
75
Open
4
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
100
Open
5
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
125
Open
6
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
150
Open
In the purpose column of group 6, you see the reason behind why we adjusted the serial speed and network ID.
Testing Communication
Send hello world! to your neighbor. With your ground and air unit set correctly, you can now communicate point-to-point between both modems. You will need two computers - follow the steps below for both.
Figure 4. Step to install Firmware
Figure 5. Step to install Firmware
Activity 2: Installing Firmware
Specification Questions
Installing Firmware
You will be provided with the precompiled firmware on a flash drive. All work on the flight controller must be completed on an AIDA3 PC.
Figure 6. Cube and Flight Controller
Figure 7. Installing Believer Firmware
Figure 8. Firmware Installed
Testing
Now we will test the connection with the Windracers Ground Control app.
Figure 9. Step to test connection
above
Figure 10. Step to test connection
Figure 11. Connection of Flight Controller
Problems Encountered and Resolutions
As my team and I were first attempting to install the firmware onto our flight controller, we encountered a problem. In the Mission Planner software, it would crash after every attempt to install. We could not figure out what was causing this issue. We tried different USB cables and reopening the software. The next step we took was to try a different PC. On the second PC used we were able to install the software. In addition, when we tried to test the connection of our flight controller on the Windracers Ground Control App, we faced a similar issue. We again tried multiple USB cables and reopening the app. We then decided to try a different PC which ended up allowing us to test the connection of our flight controller.
Summary
Throughout this process my team and I learned critical steps needed to take in order to install firmware and modify telemetry systems in order to ensure efficient and effective flight operations. Our flight controllers are now set up and prepared for the next step in ensuring our Believer is prepared for a safe flight.
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