RC India

Gentlemen,

120 hours (spread over 4 months), of research, design, redesign and exasperating debugging, I present to you the gt-jtx.

the gt-jtx is a 3d joystick controlled PPM generator that can be hooked up to your Tx (if it has a trainer port) or connected to a PPM RC module (such as FRSky) to make a standalone TX; Bottomline, you get to control a 4 channel airplane using the joystick (AETR + flaps/gear). Works with the 9x transmitters, plans to add positive edge triggering soon...

Below is a vid of working through the menus and other parts. Completely doable at home and all parts availed domestically

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_iaxrZQtLk

see here for more details
http://code.google.com/p/gt-jtx/

The firmware source is under GPLv2, so are the hardware designs and any other material

The gt-jtx is still a work in progress and field testing of the prototype is due; Clearly, I'm not advocating taking it anywhere close to your rc equipment at this stage. So taking cues from software giants, I'm posting this this as a preview. Please do feel free to provide your inputs, questions, comments to make this better. If you wish to contribute technically to this project, you're free to drop me an email/phone.

I will be updating this thread as development continues...so do hit ctrl+D

GS

PS: the released firmware online has some glitches atm and may need a lot of tweaking to work. I either need godspeed or more hands onto this to get this done faster ;). Some of my friends asked me the objective of doing this, I told them about my days glued to ms flight simulator on a 3d joystick.

PS2: This video is a little older, I've since removed 3 extra channels so now we have 5 channels only (AIL, ELE, THR, RUD and FLAPS).

girish

you have made my dream come true, :) i have been used to operating switches, slewing radar, dropping bombs all through the control stick and not taking my hands off it (Called HOTAS [Hands on Throttle and Stick], colloquially called Hotass)

How do i get one ? atleast 7 cahnnels on the stick it self

Gusty

Augustine sir,
As of now this is still under development. I really wouldn't ask anyone to risk their equipment to it. 

For a 7 channel one, I'd need to beef up the hardware and software a little bit (totally doable) - I originally programmed this for 8  channels but had to remove because of hardware limitation - the video shows 8 channels . I plan to test this on the field first, and then I could ship out *this* "hotass" to you (no, I don't wear pink dotted jackets and loads of gold bracelets :D); and if you like the responsiveness etc, I could do a 7 channel version firmware and also share the plans for DIY.

I am envisioning to use the POV hat for camera pan/tilt as well so this maybe used for FPV but it might be a little too early for that. I really need to get this to the field first..:)

A fellow rc modeller has agreed to do an electric to be used as a test harness :).

Thank you,

i have a force 3D Logiteck feedback joystick, i see some people have done something like this

(http://lowstandart.net/images/notbot01.jpg)

what is the resolution of the joystick in each axis ?

@rcpilotacro - The gt-jtx works on the same principle, in the image you've sent, the usb brains of the joystick are in place and the pot's connection have been brought out to the development board. People have done similar things using an Arduino, but I wanted to keep the form factor small so the required electronics can be small and embedded inside the joystick itself; I ripped off the default brains inside and replaced them with custom made boards. Images attached

@saikat - the actual resolution depends on the joystick used. What I can tell you is that if the Potentiometers inside your joystick have a full 300 degree movement, you get to have 1023 (512 on the lower side and 511 on the higher side) unique values in the range. When the firmware starts, the first thing it does is ask one to calibrate (like a standard joystick on a PC) wherein it looks for the limits of one's particular joystick and adjusts the software accordingly. Going ahead, I will be replacing the pots with hall effect sensors for better precision.  

Hope that helps.

Nice! I built something like this last month. Only used an Arduino with USB Host to read the joystick natively.

I used an xbee to control a small foamy and it worked! Perhaps I could write the code for PPM injection... That would be really cool so that we could use almost any USB joystick off the shelf

Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using Tapatalk 2

Yea mhkabir, I used an Arduino earlier, but to keep the system small (without the extra baggage of the Arduino board and shield) so I started off on an ATmega8. I've set babysteps target for myself. When this goes to version 3 or 4 probably, I'll be writing some firmware to run on the Atmega8 for a usb host implemented in firmware so any joystick maybe connected. I feel this has great potential especially for things like FPV flying, maybe we could share some ideas on this.

GS

PS: I was expecting some kind of wishlist coming in from members on RCI :D (I already have one from Gusty sir, he wants this to be 7 channel). Any other comments guys, or would you like to see more before any inputs

Here is a vid on the prelim working mechanics, the default servo signal is 800-1800 ms, this and other params can be configured for one's brand of servos but for this vid, everything is at default settings. frame time is 22.5ms and inter channel time is 300us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jzh2vNpVi8

In the next video, I will try to connect to a T9x with Frsky and attempt to show how this can be used as a secondary input device, and if in doubt, just flip the trainer switch and get back control on the Tx

Sorry about the videography, I was too excited to get hold of a decent camera so did it on the phone

Have made some changes since last firmware, added a splash screen - will add support for having one's name displayed on the splash screen, like er9x.

Gusty sir, the image you sent of the joystick seems to have ample amount of space for this thing to go in (including the beefed up processor - still havent done any additions to use a better processor but its not too far off)

i can send it to you for tinkering and all the other hardware required :)

awesome.!! i had plans to build one. this will give me enough boost. ;) i will try it on force feedback 3d joystick i got.!!

Gusty sir, I've PMed you my address, but I cannot guarantee if you would get it back in one piece :D. And ofcourse since I do not have any USB support atm, it will be a one way irreversible conversion

insane!..i have a joystick too,not in use now..

Wow, awesome, just look at the precise and soft movement of the servo which can be used for flaps!!! :hatsoff:

Many thanks muradshak and asinghatiya

girish

on a wilder thought, you could lauch a rc controller, incorporating a flysky module inside and connecting the potmeters and switches to the joystick

The thought crossed my mind when I started, but then I did forsee a lot of challenges;some of those being:

1. There will be a slight learning curve for most of the rc flyers (sans real craft pilots, ex-pilots and flight sim players)
2. One definitely needs a stable platform to keep this on, pragmatically speaking, holding this in one hand might be asking for trouble. If the holding hand makes the base slip while one is in a spin, and a down elevator gets applied instead of up...
3. One might have to fly sitting rather than standing, can be boring
4. Even if one holds it in his hands (and has large hands like mine), while being ergonomic on the flying had, not so ergonomic on the holding hand.

This being the prototype, I've thought of coming up with some variants.

1. A "flying box" which has a USB on one side and connects to the trainer port of the existing Tx. Will make learning, and switchover (if interested) easier. And any jostick can be used plug 'n' play
2. The "flying box" integrated inside some variants of joystick. I am considering the Genius, Logitech and Sidewinder. In order of what one wants to spend.
3. A complete radio based on FrSky. FrSky is resilient, reliable and is one of the modules that are available as a DIY kit.
4. A DIY kit, so one can choose their own stuff and just assemble this in a matter of minutes
5. This one gets really wild; a fly chair with a collective and stick for heli flying.

I do not have any plans to go into production per se, although being in this industry I can arrange for all sorts of guys who could do the PCB fab, oven baking like really professionally. I did this for fun :) and partly because of the keeda. And then there is nothing like free software :D. So if I do take this to production, I think option 1 and 4 would be the best as a starting point...

I've also always believed making stuff that people want is engineering, and making people want stuff one likes is marketing. So I really need feedback from the rc community before I even plan of doing something like this. :)

Rant over, thoughts?

GS

Gusty sir, I've updated the hardware designs since we spoke last. i can now promise you 8 channels on the stick. What I would like to know from you is if channel 5-8 need to be analog(Pots)/Digital(switches) or some combination of both. Also if these need to be digital, would you suggest going with flip switches or push buttons that toggle between on and off everytime pressed. flip switches will have space constraints. pots might be harder to operate on the stick head.

Wow great work.. take it to the field soon... {:)} {:)} {:)} {:)}

gt-jtx connected to a sim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEo24NjmKN0&feature=youtu.be

Hope you enjoy

I've been thinking if I bring out the PPM signal using a 3.5mm audio jack, this thing is ready for the sim. May as well embed the usb dongle inside... :giggle:

@rastsaurabh and @asinghatiya - thanks for getting my grey matter kickin and giving the idea of connecting this to the sim for testing

super stuff
i have sent you a PM, discussing how to take it further

many thanks arun

Great stuff ...you are making us proud. Bravo !! 
Can't wait to see where this takes us to, pls do keep posting on the progress. This is definitely one thread to watch out in days to come !

Since the last discussions and updates, and Gusty's recommendation of having atleast 7 channels, I've updated the hardware designs (still need to fabricate pcb etc) to use an Atmega16. The new version now has 4 pots for AETR, another 3 pots (I assume which may be used for pitch hovering etc for helis) and two flip switches (gear and flaps). I still had 1 analog and 5 digital channels free so I decided to have dedicated buttons for menu, cancel, and navigation  (Left, Right, Up and Down - like flysky 9x). I still have one analog input and 1 digital input free on the micro and I feel these can be used for something useful. I am okay to go back a little and free up the menu buttons (the menu system anyways works well with the trim buttons doubling up as navigation buttons, and I've serious doubts if one would go to the menu while the craft is in air!). ATM I cannot do something like a 14 channel tx due to the fact that max servo signal timing being about 2ms; 9 channels add upto 18 ms, and the total frame for rc is about 22 ms, so I only get 4 ms for the inter channel time etc...

Guys, I need you to bombard me with ideas of what I can use these inputs for, assume you have 6 digital channels and 1 analog channel free. I can think of stuff like adding a buzzer, piezo for audible tones...or having a graphic LCD instead of a character one but I'm really looking forward to more ideas.

Below is the new PCB in eagle. Firmware coming soon

Update: Fixed a bug in the hardware design.

Girish sir, why don't you develop the joystick into something like this, with a gymbal in left hand side for throttle control and the force feedback joystick in the right hand side for pitch,roll and yaw control

that way it would solve the problem of the awkwardness of holding the joystick in one hand and flying because this can be mounted in something like tx trays with sholder straps for comfortable flying

this might sound confusing so refer to the pics

flying with a tx like this would be an unforgettable experience for people like me who can never fly a real airplane

Thanks Bilal,
The genius was an inexpensive option to check if the concept worked.
It is going inside this next

 http://www.flipkart.com/m/thrustmaster-t-flight-hotas-x/p/itmczx3xutearsqz?pid=ACCCZX3WRSHTDURY

dont underestimate yourself bilal.. you CAN fly a real airplane..

Abhay, +1 for your reply

Bilal, atm I'm  also focussing on writing a firmware implemented usb host so any joystick tan be connected. The USB protocol is convoluted and you guys will have to give me little time. Part reason i plunged into upgrading the hardware so early. Cannot guarantee but will not lose hope.

Some updates on the m8 (5channel basic version) for all those watching this thread:

1) Size Comparison with a turnigy 9x.
2) Embedded the radio inside with the aerial sticking out. Gusty sir, this suggestion comes from you
3) Backlighting on, This thing is crystal clear to look at even in the sun
4) Front view, with the power and backlighting switches

more updates finished today

1) Added the PPM port right below the programming port. This port doubles up as a charging port for the embedded NiMH, when the Tx is switched off. Creating a connecting cable for JR/9x is easy. Havent wandered into Futaba connectors as yet. Don't have a Futaba Tx :D but should not be difficult
2) Made some changes to the menu system, the flickering numbers have reduced. More stable display now and better formatted. Showing values like -100 to +100 now, with the "+" sign. And status of the flaps (5th Channel)
3) Easy to hold, much like a ground radio.

I have a small worry! but before that COngratulations. to your for a wonderful experiment and success in it :salute: :salute:

Models that we fly are very small and need very precise movement of the stick!! we use tip of the finger to control it!

For this Joystick we have to use complete plam all fingers and thumb... now they cant be so precise as compared to tip of the finger!!

what you think Girish whats the way out for this challenge ?

I am sure you will find a way to beat this too :hatsoff:!!

Arvind,

Many thanks for the congratulations.

This is *strictly theoretical* at the moment and has to go through a lot of bashing and practical feedback, but I've a two pronged theory:

1) On a standard Tx, the stick length (lever arm) is smaller, in this case the lever arm is large (almost 3 inches, instead of the 1.5 inch on a tx); apparently the stick has to move larger angular distance (same angle) to cause the same effect, which gives room for precision. The same concept when we change the servo holes/control horns to achieve larger/smaller throws.
2) The more sugar is added, the sweeter it gets. The joystick I;m using right now is kind of crappy; I'm hunting for a really "good" joystick, which has butter like movements, and ain't flippy.
 
Yes I do agree that smaller planes will be difficult to control but then testing early and often is going to get this better ;). Besides, this I will replace the pots with hall effect sensors or rotary encoders, but that has to wait unless it turns out to be a first class requirement after testing on real equipment.

 {:)} :hatsoff:

apart from technical upgradations..we need to work on our plam also.... precise effort made by one tip of finger vis-a-vis by complete palm need to be calibrated with lot of practice!.

All the best

Absolutely agreed. There is a learning curve, I've been using it a while on the sim and I feel it's not too difficult, in fact fun; esp if one has been switching between modes (unfortunate me), I don't have to think if the elevator is on the left or the right :D

Hello Girish,

Can this thing also work!!!! just a thought from motion sensors from mobile......

no sticks at all just a grip in hand and move it in air to maneuver the plane...

concept !!! ( or its already in market!!!) I have not seen something like this.

(http://)

Sir,
absolute sweetness... :hatsoff: :hatsoff: :hatsoff:

No reason why this should not work...A Wii motion controller to start with would be a good. Anyone's got one? willing to donate for this wickedness? I am kicked!

The firmware maybe a tad complex (I havent done much research with gyros and accelerometers) but not rocket science...I don't know of anything similar available...

I dont know much ... both gyros need to be in one plane no need for vertical or horizontal....
a quad copter FC card ( 4 axis) can give the required signals and throttle can be a push button.... not sure how but i am sure we can extract signals from FC card...

if its correct then we will have an FC card in hand controlling a plane / quad equipped with with FC controller !!!

That will be nice .... even for a trial....

Superb job Girish! If not for regular RC pilots, a new breed of FPV/AP RC Pilots would love to use it in their Ground Station housed inside their car or Van!
I doubt if using it while standing like we do we with our regular TX would ever be practical, but still it is a great move towards Simulation and FPV flying.
Question - Why cant we retain the USB interface and develop a Board with USB header and MUX/DEMUX, finally synthesizing the correct PPM with a Arduino board ?

@rastsaurabh - Way to go I guess with the FC board. I'vent worked with multirotors as yet, I'm sure I can get loads of info from you on the same.

@ujjwana - I am looking at the Max 3421 to do the favors of retaining the USB on board, atm only to a joystick in the next version (m32) ; That will infact help reduce the IO pins to a single serial line, much savings for prefab boards and more peripherals. However, since I did this as an experiment and wanted to keep the costs and efforts low for DIYers, I initially thought of doing a software impl of the usb firmware but speed is limited. Options are really large at this moment   (:|~ The reason not to use an Arduino was because it's a board ;). Going down the native route keeps the ff low

Sorry they stole my idea before i could think..... Girish its there and pretty much as i thought... :banghead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlt89NV8c4c

Yups, sure they've done it, but I don't see that deterring us ;). The elevator control and the throttle control can be added on. I see it's going to be a little hard to control and when that arm is tired of holding out the remote, there is no way one can bring it down, it will qualify as an input ;).

This is more like it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0FaM6A1zDE

www.starlino.com

Guys,
I'm stumped. I've been using VMLAB for compiling code (and much because it provides simulation); Since yesterday, the following error has started popping up all of a sudden, failing the build

sed: invalid option -- s

I have basic idea of what sed is but I do not know anything about sed having an option -s. Attached is the compilation log. I really cannot make out how to come over this. Request if anyone has some info on this, esp. the Linux guys. This has started happening all of a sudden. Have already done the basic things like restarting etc but no help.

What I cannot understand is why has VMLAB started generating the -s in the command line if it's invalid, and that too all of a sudden. Tried creating a solution from scratch; doesn't help.

Many thanks
GS

Attaching as PDF as that's one of the allowed options.

Weekends are a good initiative for rejuvenating oneself and what could be better after one has kept his promises to take out the wife for a movie; the whole 8 hours of sleep were mine to work...

so here are some updates. I've been able to unstump myself from the roadblock. The makefile seemed to be causing problems, so I rewrote the make file and now it works on both Windows and Linux.

In the video below, I talk about compiling the stuff from source and programming it to the Atmega using some little scripts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcH1Vaep3ds&feature=youtu.be

And in this video, I've reorganized the menu system to come up with something that's much intuitive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuoC4PdnbSU&feature=youtu.be

More to come...

Guess I've been sleeping, while everyone has been working for the sweeps ;)

So, guys here is the firmware for the 8 channel version, since I'm doing something that needs things to be done is software alongwith hardware, attached are some screenshots. One can see 8 channels in the scope, the first one throwing out 1800 ms and the minimum ones 800ms

Hardware updates (with photos, by a newspaper ;)) to come soon.

dude this is full power gizmo for me man as im in f and b  :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

Quintessential updates:

- Added graphical LCD support to the firmware using a ks0108. The JHD12864 display is big, yet neat to look at. (screencaps from development environment attached. The four sides represent trims, and the solid black square represents the handle as seen from the top. The smaller white rectangle represents rudder position. The right hand empty side will be used to show pot status of other channels

- the channels can now be configured as analog or digital from the firmware. Analog signals will give complete trimmed range and digital channels will give the upper or the lower value (useful for gear/flaps etc)

- digital switches can be programmed as temporary (1 when pressed, 0 when unpressed), latched (toggle between 0/1 everytime pressed). Coming soon, increment/decrement mode (inc/dec the value by n on every keystroke)

- PCB design done to use the ATMega32. Toner transfer print done. etching starts tonight.
- The Thrustmaster T-flight X is on its way. Flipkart!

PS: Since we are talking about HOTAS here, the background looks appropriate >:D

Got a call some minutes back...Guess what's arrived...:D

The controls are freakin smooth; esp. the throttle. Have been glued to rcdeskpilot and fms, but pretty sure what this is going into.

from where did you brought that? for how much? looks very tempting :)

Flipkart....3.8 k

Latest Updates:

- The last version of gt-jtx-m32 board was ready and going into etching, and I left it somewhere in between

- This last version used a graphic LCD instead of a character LCD. Not happy with the results on the GLCD. Wanted to have something like an attitude indicator or a top view of the joystick on the GLCD but it seems very limited with so much stuff to show on a little screen, things like trims etc...Also the KS0108 based LCD is pretty big in size, almost the size of a 4 inch LCD TV. 
 
- Took some serious thought and considered replacing the GLCD with a LCD screen based display (a SBC  like raspberry pi or a TV). :D

- Reengineered some stuff and redesigned the gt-jtx-m32 board to communicate data over serial protocol to another display device. How does this help? One can use a GLCD to display data (like the FrSky telemetry screen), or use a full blown Laptop to show the same data using a USB to serial bridge dongle, as long as a software viewer is installed.

- Commenced on a viewer software in Linux and OpenGL for reading and parsing the data.

- Opened up the larger joystick for an analysis; Looks promising. Pictures attached.

I don't think I will be able to complete this in time for the sweepstakes; what matters at the moment to me is bringing this thing to life.

More joystick pics

It's got metal weights to keep the josytick upright. I won't be relying on this and have made a custom mount for the josytick. Pictures coming soon...

The first screenshot of the viewer (loooooooooooong way to go). That is a rotating 3d sphere in the attitude indicator; this is an example of a telemetry enabled widget.

raspberry pi is the most probable platform at the moment. FPV guys, how about the live video feed going on in the background ;)

awesome

This update will make most sense to electronics enthusiasts.

1. Have been able to work out communication channels on the Raspi and the ATMega brain over SPI, little work left and data will be frequenting to and fro. Wanted to use the UART bridge earlier but since the Rpi already has onboard UART and an SPI port, communication between the Rpi and the ATmega will be on the SPI (frees up the RPi UART pins) so the Frsky UART can straightaway plugin into the RPi (without a 5.0v-3.3v level converter required).

2. Have been able to establish a comm protocol for SPI for basic functions of the gt-jtx. Attached PDF. All docs available on the google code site. Additionally, made a SPI protocol emulator for testing the viability of the protocol. As of now, all seems in order.

Works slow, but the direction seems right as of now.

Boys (with toys and without), here is the SPI communication working...which means 99% of the "distributed system" concept feasibility worry is over and its time to get hands dirty with hardware now :D. No voice over since this was a screencap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RPwEa_k54M


On the left is the master code, on the right is the slave code in action.

Each command uses 4 bytes. The first byte has the OpCode, the second has data0, the third has data1 and the final byte is used to get back the result (on spi, send a byte to get a byte). For a simple command such as GCV (See below), data0-D7:D4 contains the number of channel for which data is desired. When the SPI system receives data0, it returns back the OpCode, when it receives data1, it returns back upper byte of result, when it receives result byte, it returns the lower byte. The upper byte is shifted 8 bits and OR'ed with the lower byte to get the 16 bit value of the result. PB5 plot shows the SPI clock and PB4 plot shows the MISO line.

In the attached video, I first send OpCode GCV (GetChannelValue) to get the channel value for channel 6. At the moment, the channel values have been hardcoded in the slave (for testing purposes only). We see the result as 600. Then I send OpCode GETT (GetTrim) for channel 6 and that returns 6000 as expected.

You can checkout the gt-jtx serial protocol for further details. OpCode 0 is NOP and OpCode 255 is SYNC

Next step will be to implement handling of all 17 opcodes identified till now in the slave and integrate this with the gt-jtx-m32 codes so the master keeps querying and getting values which can be displayed on either the larger Rpi based displays or the smaller Atmega based displays

I've a question. How many of you would like to see this fitted inside a standard mode 1/2 radio? Any votes?

@ Girish sir.. though most of it is a bouncer for me.. But yeah as a laymen the idea sounds brilliant:)

Girish me

This weekend one radio and Wingman coming your way, my vote definitely

Welcome Gusty sir, look forward to meetup and shake hands with the wingman.

Custom paint job for a custom radio :D. Not too great, but the next time you see a yellow radio on the field, it could be this. :D. Paint job need some buffing and cleaning up

This will be housing the tx prototype of gt-jtx, m32 version. 9 channels, analog pots yet to be fitted, custom display on rpi.

I'm close, all 17 opcodes implemented. Need to recode D/R and Expo logic...its sbiffy

With Flit gun, Electric Gun, or brush?

The first coat was with the electric thw second with finit. Shouldve been the other way round. You can see spots :(

Gentlemen,
the first prototype order of the PCB has come out well, after the initial mirroring problem. Yes, I might soon be able to give you guys DIY kits that can be retrofitted in a 3d joystick or an old transmitter as long as there is enough space inside for the PCB and wires

Some features:

1. 8 analog/digital channels. Use a SPDT toggle switch to make a channel digital, use a 5k pot to make a channel analog (gimbals will connect to first 4 inputs).
2. 5 Digital only channels, only SPDT switches may be connected
3. Connectivity with Raspberry pi/Atmega based HUD via SPI. SPI port doubles up as programming port.
4. Separate D/R switches for each channel. If you dont want three D/R switches, use 1 as D/R and spare two as extra digital only inputs.
5. Future connectivity option with Windows/Linux based PC via USB bridge (will be included in kit) :D
6. Physical size of PCB is 2.5" x 3.5". Once I make this thing work properyly and the form factor will be reduced further
7. PPM signal port. 2.4 Ghz Turnigy/FlySky and FrSky supported atm.

Nothing out of the above is sales/marketing pitch. I'm making what I'd want in a radio. Everything is on the public domain, still under development

http://code.google.com/p/gt-jtx - the brains
http://code.google.com/p/artrix - raspberry pi based HUD

Keep watching for updates.

GS

Nice work Girish ... {:)}

Girish bro,

 :hatsoff:

Thank you Amit and Dr. Dhiraj. Expecting to finish this up soon.

first prototype board fitted with components and inside a pretty much standard sized heli tx (Amit, you'd know this Tx)

- don't like so many headers, they look clumsy
- need a better placement for the board, for putting in a wide GLCD screen, 192 x 64 (like the Taranis or 14MZ) and the RF circuitry.

Looks awesome!  :)

The SBC based software interface with a 8-channel tx template loaded...will upload a video soon when the hardware is integrated. Position etc of the widgets can be customized by editing a plain text file. In addition, one can create their own meters/gauges if they're good at graphics.

Here's the ground control station wired up...

Next task is to port the OpenGL software code from x86 to ARM for raspberry pi!

more...


- An Ardupilot kit is going in as well
- separate monitor for Head Mount Display
- Added a mobile charger in the box too. My phone is always on its last battery levels on the field ;)

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Can't wait to fiddle with it  :giggle:

Wow!!! great work Girish, Would love to experience this amazing thing on the field...Cheers.

what happend to the "
thrustmaster t.flight hotas x"?

The thrustmaster has its guts open, gt-jtx board fitted and pots soldered, still have to decide what to use as trim buttons and menu buttons...
The tentative is attached...the POV hat is a candidate for ail and ele trims /camera pan and tilt but if i use it for camera pan and tilt, i run out of suitable buttons for trims..Any ideas would be welcome...

Meanwhile the GCS is now complete and is internet enabled...Pictures attached

Harry Potter would say "Flying without a Broom"  :D :D ;D

you could use the ruder lever (the one on the trust control) to trim and the two button next to it to roll what is trimmed? (or a one is this one the other is this one neither is the third ?

anyway your just amazing! i had thought of doing something similar by fusing the thrustmaster and a turnigy 9XR but you took this a whole new level :p

by the way what type of detection does the thrust and stick have? hall effect or good'ol potentiometers?

I hate to tell you that they are simple 5k pots! I expected they'd use halls like those in the 16000M model, so much for cost saving.

thought of providing dedicated trim buttons for each axis (perhaps sans throttle) for ease of usage mid air and easy migration for those used to tx buttons... not worried about the rud actually, really want to move the ail/ele trims off the POV..till I get custom Joysticks designed now...:)



PS: Welcome to RCI... I see that was your first post...

why not add buttons for trim? or make a flip switch that can cycle between using the POV hat as a camera or a trim....

Aniket, there are so many buttons on the joystick already which I don't want to go waste. There are 1000 ways to skin a cat but I am looking at the one which is simplest for exsiting flyers. Fiddling with a flip switch in mid when the plane is untrimmed - that's complex for me atleast :D

actually i got here thanks to your project (i was searching to see if i was reinventing the wheel) ... and actually it's a good news for me, less re-engineering if i get on with my project since the 9XR's gimbals are pots, oh btw  is the stick and thrust lever glue/molded or screwed (i'd like to change the switch on them to holding rather than pressed (and add a led when on eventually).

#edit: about that unused "ex rudder control" buttons on the thrust stick it could be used for flaps no?

The DIY FPV goggles for viewing live feed... Have got hold of the cameras and Video Tx now that goes inside the GCS..

Have left the fresnel's ends untrimmed so it can slide out for cleaning.

I am alive!  >:D >:D >:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch/YDr7rL51064

loooooong time girish Bhai .....hw  u doin

 :thumbsup:

Welcome Girish !!!

We need some excellent builds .....  waiting for them

thanks @madaquif, things have been really busy over the past year, getting less time to fly
thanks @sanjaysir, @rastsaurabh, should have this on the field shortly for you guys to try it hands on

Finished and had the adapter board fabricated.

https://youtu.be/huUg13EMA48

Will upload pictures of the board tomorrow. Anyone who want to build one can refer to the github link. More. Coming soon.

5 way navi keys added, 2x5 way for trims. Backlight added. Seriously considering modding the 2560 code to connect to the serial protocol now via Bluetooth or wired USB.

https://youtu.be/IGgLucKqXSY

Coming to the field soon

https://youtu.be/YyTLIm7YOVI

Extraordinary work from a certified tech geek!  :salute:

Hello Girish, this may turnout to be a game changer .... this is something worth appreciating and kind of stuff we expect to have on the forum.

All the best for trial.
Just one request .... please finish it in 2017.

@rastsaurabh, I'm onto it, a little progress everyday  :salute:
Thanks @sanjayrai sir, would love to see you flying on it

Me?  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

great going sir!
I would also like to try it out when it ready.......
I would be an ace flyer! I am an expert on Flight sim with joysticks!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

@Prabal, most welcome whoever wants to try it.

Finished an Acrylic front plate, designed (CAD plans available online now), cut and drilled holes using a template.

The bottom edge will need to be squared out

Dry Fit.

rotary encoders added to the tx now. I got RGB illuminated rotary encoders from sparkfun which I plan to hook up to the LED's of the Frsky module, so the rotary encoder diffused backlight can show me things like bind mode, range check, battery status etc >:D. I plan to wire up a voltage divider so low voltage on battery will change the encoder backlight from blue to red

Wow. Very impressive

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

professional finish...

Thank you gents. Cutting the acrylic was messy and painful. Should've opted for laser cutting.

Finally, opted for laser cutting, and here is the working video:

https://youtu.be/9UkITR9-DOc

https://youtu.be/lRNVYWYxUd4

https://youtu.be/s-OFLblr4a8

This is an excellent piece of work!
Congratulations!

 :goodjob:

Waiting to see it in person.

way to go  :thumbsup: reminds of my micro-star built.  ;D

Sahil

And more...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJK2lUpTLwM

Updated case design and PCB layouts are available on github

https://github.com/gtgs/gt-jtx/tree/master/gt-jtx-2560