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Lab 07: DATX Setup & Modification

Overview

In this lab, we modified and configured the DATX controller to meet Windracers’ operational standards. Our current Taranis controllers included unnecessary switches and default software that differ from the Windracers configuration, which can make flight operations more complex and introduce potential safety risks. We will be modifying these controllers to get them up to standard.

Hardware Modification

Group Number - 5

Controller Modified - DATX #5

I was a part of the hardware team

Steps for Modification

We took off back panel by unscrewing the 6 screws holding it together (fig 1)

We compared the switches on our controller vs the ones for the Windracer one and identified which ones needed to be removed

We removed the 2 switches in the back (shown in fig 2) as they wont be used for anything

We removed some of the front switches from the controller. Three 3 position switches and a dial were removed.

We hot glued the switches and dial we won’t be using inside of the controller (fig 3)

Finally, we screwed the controller back together (fig 4 shows the finished product)

Why we modified the controller like this: We took these switches off so that there would be less confusion for the operator as to what switches have to be switched to do something. If you have a controller with multiple switches that serve no purpose you might accidentally flip one of those thinking that you flipped one that is actually used. By removing the switches that aren’t being used we eliminate the chances of something like this happening.

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fig 1: Controller Taken Apart

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fig 2: two switches we removed

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Fig 3: switches inside the controller

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Fig 4: Finished controller with modifications

Software Modification

A seperate team was in charge of this. They flashed controller #2 with EdgeTX software to make it ready for use in accordance with Windracer standards.

Steps

Go to EdgeTX website

Make sure controller is off

Plug in controller

Move binary file from version provided by TA to the radio and select system 32 boot loader

Flash USB

Why we modified the software: We modified the software so that it would be on par with Windracer standards.

Reflection

While firmware flashing is not a new experience for me, it was super neat to see the innards of a radio. Being able to modify the components gave me the confidence needed to be able to upgrade my own radio in the future.

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