29 April

ARUni and accessory set are available at http://ar9x.net

-- update ---

name of board has changed from "AR9x Universal" to "AR Uni".

--------------
Hi All

AR9x came out about a month ago and it's doing great for Turnigy 9x, FS-TH9x.
Currently it's out of stock and next production is scheduled before Feb.

During this production, I started the project that can convert old TXs into latest open source featured TX.

It has all the features from AR9x;
- Latest Ersky9x, OpenTx firmware operated
- ARM 32bit mcu
- USB, SDcard, Audio
- more detail, please refer AR9x thread.

One difference from AR9x is the size of board.
It is very small and expected to be fit into most TX's body.

I'm trying to make it as small as it can be, however right size should be discussed.
Also, it has all the connectors in 2.54mm(100Mil) standard header pins will allow easy modification for most TXs.
USB, SDcard interface board connects to main board with FFC, so it can be placed on the side or front of TX.

PCB board design is just started and before finish it, really like to hear some ideas and thoughts about this to make it better for all interested in.

As it's only board, LCD must be required and it can be offered together with board. (http://ar9x.net/index.php?route=prod...tegory&path=26)

my personal goal is to release this board before mid Feb.
Price, of course it should be less than AR9x.

Any progress should be posted.

Thanks.

JK

1. Boot-up modes & Flashing firmware
   
2. Schematic of ARUni
   
3. Wiring Reference in PDF file
   
4. Wiring Reference in DWG file
   
5. ERC12864-2 How to
   
6. Extra keys & ADC inputs Wiring
   
7. XJT Interface via RS232 level converter

For better clear view, please see PDF file.



Extra Switches & Analog Inputs

my first TX to be converted is MC3030 from multiplex.

It is still one good TX but analog trim really bothers me.

---- update ---

here are few conversions and related tips

• MC3030 Conversion by flygear
• MC3030 Analog trim to Digital trim conversion by flygear

• Futaba F9C by trevbart

• Graupner MC 15 conversion by FrickelGerry

Originally Posted by flygear

my first TX to be converted is MC3030 from multiplex.

It is still one good TX but analog trim really bothers me.

And I miss the analog trim positional feedback vs noise/click

I like positional feedback of analog trim too but I often change models and resetting trims.. not my favorite thing.

This is great!

Couple of suggestions:

1. Put a dual-contact type FPC connector for LCD module. Omron offers the dual-contact type FPC connectors. www.buydisplay.com offers variety of 128x64 LCD modules compatible with 9x software and all of them come with a bottom-contact type ribbon cable.
2. If possible, add 13 solder pad/thruholes for D0-D7,A0,RES,E(RD),VCC,GND of LCD signals. If so, you can easily hook up LCD modules like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-128X64...7wc5lRWVdnGJ6A or a serial LCD's like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-128x64...kAAOSwHQ9WUuZt without using an FPC connector.
3. SD/USB daughter board looks too wide. It would be better if you allow us to cut out USB connector portion by leaving just 4 solder pads/thruholes in case SD card and USB connector have to be placed in the different spots of the case. Plz take a look how I put a SD card on the old aluminum box - there's not much space. I'm planning to put a mini-USB connector like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-Mini-U...0AAMXQWlFRsgc9 at the bottom or top of the box. I just need 4 wires to hook up the USB connector.
4. Don't put unnecessary 0.1uF caps to the switch inputs. It caused enough problem for many people. http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewto...42c8bd#p105985

I have couple of suggestions;

1. Please separate the ground between TRIM keys and MENU keys. I use two 5-Way navigation switches for digital trims, as well as menu setting, by selecting the appropriate ground by "PRGM-OPER" SPDT switch. By doing this, I can save a lot of knobs and switches on the front panel. Actually I reduce switches from 10 to 3. I am sure that you can reduce I/O count by multiplexing them.

2. As for the board size, please keep it AS IS. The 4-corner mounting holes are the "exactly" the same size of these in old MP8000 radios Just my 2 cents. Photo is with the old HK board, and it distorts the perspective, but the screw locations are pretty much dentical.

3. I wish I had trims for AUX analog outputs. I plan to use analog sliders (PAN and Tilt) with center detent, but I want to change the center setting during the flight. I can use them in leveling the flight stabilizer on the fly.

4. This is nothing to do with the board itself, but just is my f/w wish list.
Flight Modes should include the curve and various switch setting beyond trims on the control surfaces. I enjoy the "Full" FM (each mode has a complete aircraft setting) with 9Z , but the programming is a nightmare

Oh, you have an extinct 9XR board
1. In AR9X, MENU ground is not tied to GND and it is controlled by software to scan the nav switch states.
3. If you add trim pots in serial like old analog trims, you can adjust center of the sliders without changing any hardware/software.
4. Are you talking about Futaba 9Z? If you add enough 3 pos switches, you can program the radio similar to the flight conditions in Futaba 9Z WC2 radio.
I programmed the complex flight conditions in my days of pattern flying but as far as programming is concerned, IMHO, 9x software is far more logical than 9Z.

Originally Posted by flybabo

Oh, you have an extinct 9XR board
1. In AR9X, MENU ground is not tied to GND and it is controlled by software to scan the nav switch states.

-Yea..I bought thee or four 9XR's when they came out years ago. I was thinking of updating a few MP8000 's since the MS2K encoders were out of stock for many years then. On the 9XR, I loaded open source firmware and soon I put them aside after finding out that the Flight Modes only stored the control trims. Your building blog reminded me that I had an unfinished project from the past

3. If you add trim pots in serial like old analog trims, you can adjust center of the sliders without changing any hardware/software.

-Yes, you are right! But I want to store the adjusted value in the radio
But for a camera purpose, it is a good suggestion especially I have many unfilled cutouts on the panel tanks to the nav switches. But, I still want digital trims on AUX channels....

4. Are you talking about Futaba 9Z? If you add enough 3 pos switches, you can program the radio similar to the flight conditions in Futaba 9Z WC2 radio.

-This is great. With a stabilizer, I have more parameters I want to store per flight mode. (kinda funny that I thought I need less parameters once stabilizer is installed...) Is there a manual that explains what parameters can be stored per FM and per Aircraft?

I programmed the complex flight conditions in my days of pattern flying but as far as programming is concerned, IMHO, 9x software is far more logical than 9Z.

-I am definitely exited to follow the threads you folks are driving Thanks for helping me to get on board.

I would request RTC. Full RS-232 on all ports 1,2,3.
Leave a place to put the caps back in when we find out they are needed. It is possible they might affect switch life or interference from other radios.

RTC, option takes large room on the board,
Can it be an optional small daughter board with few wires?

Originally Posted by flybabo

This is great!

Couple of suggestions:

1. Put a dual-contact type FPC connector for LCD module. Omron offers the dual-contact type FPC connectors. www.buydisplay.com offers variety of 128x64 LCD modules compatible with 9x software and all of them come with a bottom-contact type ribbon cable.
2. If possible, add 13 solder pad/thruholes for D0-D7,A0,RES,E(RD),VCC,GND of LCD signals. If so, you can easily hook up LCD modules like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-128X64...7wc5lRWVdnGJ6A or a serial LCD's like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-128x64...kAAOSwHQ9WUuZt without using an FPC connector.
3. SD/USB daughter board looks too wide. It would be better if you allow us to cut out USB connector portion by leaving just 4 solder pads/thruholes in case SD card and USB connector have to be placed in the different spots of the case. Plz take a look how I put a SD card on the old aluminum box - there's not much space. I'm planning to put a mini-USB connector like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-Mini-U...0AAMXQWlFRsgc9 at the bottom or top of the box. I just need 4 wires to hook up the USB connector.
4. Don't put unnecessary 0.1uF caps to the switch inputs. It caused enough problem for many people. http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewto...42c8bd#p105985

These are really great inputs!
I'll check all above and back to you with all positive answers.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by tedbmoss

I would request RTC. Full RS-232 on all ports 1,2,3.
Leave a place to put the caps back in when we find out they are needed. It is possible they might affect switch life or interference from other radios.

Regarding Full RS-232 feature..
how about this,
board only provide 3.3V level of UART(serial) signals pins and use seperate very tiny TTL-to-RS232 convertors?

Originally Posted by flygear

RTC, option takes large room on the board,
Can it be an optional small daughter board with few wires?

OK by me.

Originally Posted by flybabo

This is great!

Couple of suggestions:

1. Put a dual-contact type FPC connector for LCD module. Omron offers the dual-contact type FPC connectors. www.buydisplay.com offers variety of 128x64 LCD modules compatible with 9x software and all of them come with a bottom-contact type ribbon cable.
2. If possible, add 13 solder pad/thruholes for D0-D7,A0,RES,E(RD),VCC,GND of LCD signals. If so, you can easily hook up LCD modules like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-128X64...7wc5lRWVdnGJ6A or a serial LCD's like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/12864-128x64...kAAOSwHQ9WUuZt without using an FPC connector.
3. SD/USB daughter board looks too wide. It would be better if you allow us to cut out USB connector portion by leaving just 4 solder pads/thruholes in case SD card and USB connector have to be placed in the different spots of the case. Plz take a look how I put a SD card on the old aluminum box - there's not much space. I'm planning to put a mini-USB connector like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/10Pcs-Mini-U...0AAMXQWlFRsgc9 at the bottom or top of the box. I just need 4 wires to hook up the USB connector.
4. Don't put unnecessary 0.1uF caps to the switch inputs. It caused enough problem for many people. http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewto...42c8bd#p105985

13 solder pads, actually 14 pads(3.3V, GND, RESET, RW, A0, RD, D0~7) ready and done.
All pads are 2.54mm standard pin holes.

SDcard daughter board size, it has be together with USB connector and two mount holes on both side.

LCD extension pin holes are located right from FFC LCD ribbon connector.

No header pins will be mounted as it's getting way of FFC LCD ribbon cable.

It's standard 2.54mm(100mil) holes so should be fairly easy to solder.