What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Where to find parts? Refactoring your entire transmitter, new cases? Sticks etc..
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Well, after almost one year waiting for the parts, I just got the encoder. And I also have that small PCB courtesy of Andrewju.
So it is about time to study in dept how to fit it. I have taken a look at that instalation video several times, but it is not 100% clear for me.
So far I know I need to get 3 resistors, 3k9. But could you please tell me to which pins of the 9x PCB do I have to solder them?

I have seen several threads here but after so much info I am a bit confused so I just need a direct answer, lol.

Thank you all! My radio is almost complete now! :D
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by jhsa »

Well, you will have to solder to the CPU pins, ouch :O :D
But, I think Mike developed another simpler way to do it using i2c serial and a small arduino board.
Mike please kick me if I am wrong :)
But, if it is the case, there is one problem, do you have bluetooth? is it using COM 3? If that is the case, then this approach wouldn't work and you would need to solder to the 9x CPU pins, or maybe the resistors that connect to those pins :(

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

Yes, I do have a sketch that runs on an Arduino Pro-Mini and handles the encoder, and yes it does use the connections for bluetooth.
I have done some work on making the sketch handle both bluetooth and the encoder, but haven't had time to finish it!

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Hey, if that thing prevents me from soldering the microprocessor and is doable fur a guy with 0 skills like me, I will give it a try!

I might have no idea of those advanced things but I can follow a video like the tutorials that Joao did for the multiprotocol module.
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by jhsa »

Mike, it would be cool if it also worked with the same serial as the BT. But my question is, could the encoder be operated while trainer is also being used? Or telemetry data transfer over BT?
Thanks

@Rad, It would be way easier. you would need a cheap and small arduino board and a FTDI adapter to be able to program the arduino, and solder those 4 (I think) wires from the encoder to it. then solder the serial pins from the arduino, to the same TX and RX used for bluetooth.
I am talking about only about the encoder wheel and center button, the directional keys would have to be installed the same way as in the video. Take your time to plan everything before you start modding the radio. This is not an easy mod. :)
Also, that encoder board has only one position to connect to the 9x mainboard.. :)

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

Rad: Do you have bluetooth installed? If not, adding the encoder is straightforward.
João: The idea (of the incomplete development) is to have both the encoder and bluetooth working together, including the ability to power off the BT module.

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

@Joao Sounds good. Do you have a link for the arduino board I need? Also no idea how to program it, but I can follow any video or tutorial.

@Mike: Yes, I do have the Bluetooth module instaled. I think I installed almost every mod I have seen in the forum, but I am lacking the rotary.
I updated the main post with the mods I already did.
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

I am going to start gathering the parts. Is this what I need? (first picture)
Pro Mini 328P-AU 5V
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3267285 ... b201603_53

Do I need the resistors if I am using this little board?
Something else I need?
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

As you are using a BT module already, this is using the same port/connections as are used by the Arduino method of connecting the encoder. As I haven't completed the possible development of using the Arduino to provide both connections, you will (currently) need to connect your encoder to the 9X board.
I don't know if/when I'll have time to progress the development.

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

MikeB wrote: Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:01 am As you are using a BT module already, this is using the same port/connections as are used by the Arduino method of connecting the encoder. As I haven't completed the possible development of using the Arduino to provide both connections, you will (currently) need to connect your encoder to the 9X board.
I don't know if/when I'll have time to progress the development.

Mike
Oh well, I will wait a bit then... Not sure what to do at this point. I guess it will be good to wait a bit until (or if) you have that working...
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

Let's just check what you have installed. There are three serial ports available. One is the SPort in the module bay.
The other two are on the expansion connector.
Do you have a module installed internally using one of these for telemetry?
Where is your bluetooth module connected (exactly)?

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

MikeB wrote: Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:08 pm Let's just check what you have installed. There are three serial ports available. One is the SPort in the module bay.
The other two are on the expansion connector.
Do you have a module installed internally using one of these for telemetry?
Where is your bluetooth module connected (exactly)?

Mike
Yes, I have an internal multiprotocol module with all the wires connected, and also another multiprotocol external module with telemetry. Pretty much I have copied all what I have seen from Joao.

Regarding the bluetooth, I also followed all Joao's steps here: https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopi ... 126&t=7987
And also the haptic.

If you count all those mods, plus all 4 position switches, plus 4 push buttons + two taranis sliders, I suspect I have reached the limit... But then is when you come and spot me new places, lol.

Thats why I am so worried about destroying the radio when is almost finished, and why Id love to use the arduino board instead of soldering the microprocessor...
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

There is a 6-way connector, labelled "SPI", near the 15 expansion pads. There is a possibility I may be able to use that to connect to an Arduino to implement the encoder. The main problem is probably obtaining the matching connector. The pins are on a 1.5mm pitch.
The SPI signals are normally being used to access the EEPROM, but we did design in the ability to use them for something else as well.
I'll run a test this weekend to see if it is possible.

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Great, I am all eyes. If it works just tell me and I will source all the parts. If you give me the conector's name I might be able to buy it locally :)

Thanks again!
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

This looks like it is possible, but I need to put together a sketch (firmware) for an Arduino Pro Mini to respond to the SPI and handle the encoder. Much of the code from the I2C version will copy across.
I have some changed firmware for the 9Xtreme that polls over the SPI every 10mS (same as the I2C version).

The connector is a 6-way, JST ZH on 1.5mm pitch. You need a female housing with 6 crimps. I have seen some places offering such connectors with wires and crimps already in them, but they tend to offer them in lots of 10 (or 50 !).

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by jhsa »

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

LOL I came just for asking more or less the same, Here a cheaper seller:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000241 ... wailB&mp=1

The arduino board, is this what I need?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298922 ... b201603_53
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

The cables look correct from both of your posts.
For the board, it needs to run from 3.3V, so the 5V Nano at 16MHz is not the best choice, but will probably work. A 3.3V Pro Mini at 8MHz would be best, although you would then also need a FTDI type device to flash it.
I plan on trying a Pro Mini first, but I do have a Nano I could use for testing as well.

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Screenshot_20200112-185816.png
Ok, I will get this one then. 3.3v 8mhz.
No problem about the FTDI

Do I still need the resistors?
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

I have a "proof of concept" working, so this is all possible.
Just a bit more time needed to put it all together.

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by jhsa »

Thanks Mike..

João
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

Here is the sketch for a 3.3V, 8MHz Arduino Pro Mini. If you want to use a 5V Pro Mini, or a Nano, they will operate on 3.3V, so the 16MHz clock is too fast for reliable operation. The sketch has some commented lines that divide the clock by 2 for these.

The connector on the 9Xtreme has "SPI" marked at one end. The pin nearest this is pin 6. The connections are:
6. SCK
5. MISO
4. MOSI
3. nSS
2. GND
1. 3.3V

SCK goes to IO13
MISO goes to IO12
MOSI goes to IO11
nSS goes to IO10
GND goes to GND
3.3V goes to VCC

For the encoder, the switch goes to IO4 and the two encoder signals go to IO2 and IO3. If the encoder "goes the wrong way", swap these last to signals over. The encoder and its switch also need a ground connection.

I'll post a test version of erskyTx on the test versions thread, first post.

Mike
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by jhsa »

Thank you Mike..

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Amazing, seems doable. Thanks Mike.
I ordered that arduino board and the connector. it will take one month until it arrives, but I will put my hands over it as soon as it is here.

Thank you very much for saving me soldering the micro processor! I am a bit more relieved now.
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Ok, It seems I got the board. Is this one, right?
1.jpg
2.jpg
I am not 100% sure because of the mhz at the back.

Now I guess I only have to download the arduino software. Anything special I should consider?

Also, Mike, you said you were updating a newer 9xtreme version, but I cannot find it. Did I miss the link somewhere?

Besides that, now I only need the connector to arrive.
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by jhsa »

Can you read what the little shinny component at the bottom left of the chip on your picture says? Does it say 8.000 or something similar?

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by MikeB »

Try powering it from 5V-6V on the "RAW" input and measure VCC, it should be 3.3V.

I've just posted a "D7" with the SPI encoder support included.

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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

jhsa wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2020 10:31 am Can you read what the little shinny component at the bottom left of the chip on your picture says? Does it say 8.000 or something similar?

João
1.jpg
Do you mean this? Looks like 80 7 or something like that. It is very small, I can barely see it...
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

MikeB wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2020 3:26 pm Try powering it from 5V-6V on the "RAW" input and measure VCC, it should be 3.3V.

I've just posted a "D7" with the SPI encoder support included.

Mike
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Re: What else can I upgrade in my radio?

Post by Rad »

Ok, so I want to start messing with this, lol. I flashed the radio with the newer software.
I have my FTDI programmer.
I have downloaded the SPI encoder.ino
And I downloaded the Ardino IDE software. I set the languaje in english.

And now what do I have to do? I am a newbie here, and all my experience with this is following Joao´s tutorials.
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