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AT 209 – Autonomous Aircraft Technology and Maintenance I
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Lab 08: RFD900x Telemetry & Firmware Configuration Lab

Overview

In this lab, we configured the RFD900x telemetry modules and installed Windracers-provided firmware on the Blue Cube flight controller. This included setting frequency parameters, adjusting modem settings using RFDTools, verifying serial communication via PuTTY, and loading custom firmware in Mission Planner. The goal was to establish reliable long-range communication and ensure the flight controller was properly flashed for Windracers operations.

Resources Used

Hardware

AIDA3 PC (lab machine)
Blue Cube flight controller
RFD900x-US telemetry modems (air + ground)
USB serial cable

Software

PuTTY
Mission Planner
RFDTools
Windracers firmware (.apj)

Reference Manuals

Ardupilot Telemetry Setup
RFD900x Datasheet + User Manual
Cube Manual
Firmware loading documentation
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Telemetry Setup & Configuration

Specification Notes
Frequency Range: 902–928 MHz (ISM band for low interference, long-range UAS comms)
Antenna Rule: Must be connected prior to power-up to avoid amplifier damage
USB Serial Plug: 6-pin interface
Pin 1: Black wire (far-left pin)
BAUD Definition: Data transfer speed
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Figure 1: USB Serial Connector
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Modem Settings

Each group modified:
SERIAL_SPEED: 57 → 115 (57600 → 115200 bps)
NETID: Unique per group to prevent cross-interference
Example purpose statements:
NETID: Prevents interference between student groups
SERIAL_SPEED: Increases data throughput for telemetry communication
Communication Test
Connected each modem to separate PCs
Used PuTTY @ COM# and 115200 baud
Verified point-to-point “Hello World” messages successfully transmitted

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Figure 2: Hello World!
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Firmware Installation on Blue Cube

Key Notes

.apj File: ArduPilot firmware format for Pixhawk-based controllers
Mission Planner: GCS used to load custom firmware (alternatives: QGroundControl, MAVProxy)
Memory: Blue Cube = 2MB flash storage
Result: Custom Windracers firmware successfully installed and verified

Post-Flash Validation

Connected Cube to Windracers Ground Control app
Created new serial connection @ 115200 baud
Confirmed aircraft visibility in Flight Plan view

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Figure 3: Successful Firmware Installation
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Figure 4: Ground Control Successful Connection
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Reflection

This lab gave me hands-on experience with professional UAS telemetry systems and firmware workflows used in real operational environments like Windracers. I learned:
How long-range RF telemetry links are configured and why unique NETIDs prevent interference
The importance of installing antennas before powering RF equipment
How to manually configure serial communication devices and verify data links using PuTTY
The full firmware flashing process for a Blue Cube flight controller and how to validate successful installation
Overall, this lab strengthened my understanding of UAS communication systems, serial networking, and custom firmware deployment—critical skills for advanced drone operations and field integration work.

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