Skip to content
AIDA3 PCUSB Serial CablePersonal PC (Windows)
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 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 USBWhat 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.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 (COM3 / 16)” 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 Windracers has a .apj file extension. What does this mean and why?What is Mission Planner? What are the alternatives to Mission Planner? Mission Planner is a free ground control software that we will be Do you expect the Windracers flight controller firmware to work with Mission Planner?How much memory does the Blue Cube have? 2MB
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: SerialBaud Rate: 115200
The aircraft should automatically connect and be visible in the Flight Plan menu. Attach a screenshot.
Work with your groups to complete this lab. Develop your own e-portfolio post using the inline questions to guide your development of a lab report.
Lab 08 - Believer Comms and Firmware
20 Points
Last edited 22 days ago by Ryan Andrew Shurtleff.
Overview
Resources
Hardware and Software
Readings
Activity 1: Set up RFD900x
Specification Questions
Answer the following questions about the specifications on the telemetry module.
902-915MHz and 915-928MHz. For interference mitigation.
Without the antennas connected, the power would have nowhere to go would fry the telemetry receiver.
It has a 6 pin connector on one end.
Pin one is the farthest left most pin on the connector, black.
How fast data is transferred per second
Settings
Adjust the modem’s settings for your group.
RFD900 Settings
Group Number
Setting Name
Default
Set Value
Purpose
5
2
SERIAL_SPEED
57
115
Open
NETID
25
125
Open
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.
Activity 2: Installing Firmware
Specification Questions
Its a specific file type that is used to load firmware onto flight controllers.
Yes.
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.
Testing
Now we will test the connection with the Windracers Ground Control app.
Deliverables
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.