Universal ACCST Firmware (UNI)

[taggarc]

What we have is you are not able to download the firmware initially, but later updates will be downloadable (your on-going basis).

Mike

So if i wanted to change over to it -i would have to rip all my receivers out, send it to a shop / facility, be without them for a time and pay for the updates and postage (cannot see that being very popular). If I had one receiver done (say a new one - could I copy that firmware onto a SD card and then use it to update my others or is there something to prevent it ?)

 

[GVT]

Let's be fair. Since the trouble with V1, FrSky did not treat it's customers very well (to say the least).

So I'm very happy that a couple of dealers and Mike B take this to the next level. Actually FrSky should have done this!!
I also understand that they do not want this to be in the hands of clones.

To help this team, I sent some X8R and X4R receivers to Engel in Germany and will ship whatever rx they need from me.

If we would have to keep shipping stuff for future firmware updates, it would be a different story. But we don't have to as we can read in Mike's reply.
Yes I have to pay shipping. Yes we have to pay some fee when the firmware becomes available. As long as the fee is acceptable, so what. Crashing a plane is far more expensive. I have seen the stuff that Mike has done (flying the D4R with D16 firmware myself) and how much knowledge there is world wide (the Arduino Link Quality Sensor to name one).
I have far more confidence in this route. Piece of mind for me is even far more valuable then crashing a plane!!

 

[GVT]

@MikeB
Is it possible to add 'switching telemetry On/Off' without having to rebind? Like access.
I have seen multiple occasions where telemetry interfered the servo signal, resulting in unwanted servo movement. To be able to switch telemetry on/off with the TX would make diagnosis of this problem much easier. Especially in tight fuselages when the rx is not easy to access for a rebind.

 

[MikeB]

That is quite a specific change. The script that allows for other changes expects to be able to read the current setting. If telemetry is disabled, this is not possible, so it will need a specific script as well as changing the Rx firmware.
There is a method that will work currently, you would need to use the "Dual Bind" feature. With two Txs bound, you would need to do a bind with the "other Tx" (done by having the other Tx in bind mode then just switch the Rx on). Then your original Tx becomes the "other Tx". So then just do a bind with that Tx, again by having the Tx in bind mode, but with your required telemetry on/off setting, then turn the Rx on.

taggarc:​

It is not possible to read the firmware from the Rx, so you could not copy it to be able to flash to other receivers.

Regarding "improved range", currently each Tx and Rx have a crystal to set the Rf frequencies. Ideally these should match exactly, but manufacturing tolerances mean they are likely to be different. The greater the difference, then the Rx is "detuned" compared to the Tx, so you get reduced range compared to the ideal. This is particularly noticeable if you use a MPM in the Tx then you may find the Rx won't bind as the Tx frequency is further out compared to FrSky modules.
This firmware looks for the "best" frequency to use when binding, so effectively adjusts the Rx frequency to match the Tx. This has been tested using some MPM modules that are known to be a long way out, the Rx does a very good job of tuning to the Tx frequency, and manages to bind to these modules.

Mike

 

[jvesper1953]

OK - Seems we are ready for the next level of testing. We are looking for a few folks that can put some hours of flight time in on this new firmware.

If you are interested in helping us test this new firmware, and are in a position where you have decent enough weather going into winter where you can still fly, we would love to hear from you. At this point the firmware has been very refined and tested, but we would like to accrue more hours of flight time before we release. While I do think this is a release candidate, care should be used, and I would not suggest putting it in a highly valued plane just yet.

If you are interested and would be able to fly during these cooler months, please reply here.

Thanks!

Please do include me. I have been in R/C have a professional background in computers and an extensive collection of X8R receivers. Winter weather here in oklahoma Is pretty variable , but usually it gives at least a couple of good flight days a week, and I'm retired , so I'm in a good position to take advantage '

 

[Wayne]

This round of testing is to accumulate hours on the new firmware in the real world. If anything at all is encountered we would like it to be reported so we can fully investigate.

At this point the firmware has been through about 27 rounds of updates and tweaks. It is based on Mike's earlier firmwares for the D8 receivers where the main code was already refined and tested with a lot of real world flight hours. It has been scoped and probed and we have tested all features and functions. And gone back through and done the same to make sure nothing changed or cropped up during the development.

If you have some suggestions I'm all ears.

Think we will be able to start burning receivers tomorrow for the next round of testing. So hope to start reaching out to folks and getting these to you for testing. Many thanks all!

 

[GVT]

@MikeB :
Mike, When using your firmware, is there a difference in signal quality, strength or safety between accst V1 and V2?
I updated my X10s and X12s to the ISRM module. So I'm on v2 right now on all X-rx's.
But as I don't have archer rx's, I still have the option to go back to the old ijxt with v1 with accst only.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

@Wayne Considering all effort that has already been put into this project, I'm optimistic about the results of the planned tests.

However, regardless of the ultimate success it may have, I think that it is truly awesome that you (Aloft and the other dealers) and @MikeB initiated and kept driving this project - truly a customer-focused effort. I don't recall seeing dealers taking the lead on things like this before.

BTW, it doesn't really affect me, as I've mostly switched to ACCESS Rx's, and the ACCST Rx's I do have are either old D8's or SxR's. But knowing that you guys are willing to play an active role in this hobby (and not just pushing product out the door) reinforces my confidence that you will always stand behind your products. Bravo.

 

[MikeB]

If you want to use your D8 receivers you may always flash them with: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/sho...rSky-D16-firmware-for-D8-receivers&perpage=20
then you can use them with your ACCESS Txs.

Mike

 

[Flying Dutchman]

@MikeB As much as I'm interested in doing that, it appears that it requires hardware mods and digging into the code to some degree, which exceeds my comfort level and/or capability. I'm more of a "Load file onto SD card / Select File / Push the button" kind of guy. But when the time comes, I may send them to Aloft for the upgrade.

 

[ridgerunner]

Count me in. I have a fleet (dozens) of new ACCST X-series receivers (all purchased from Aloft) which I have been hoarding over the years (along with six Taranis X9Ds and a metric buttload of S-Port sensors). All this hardware is safely stashed away in my "spares closet" ready to help me fathom the upcoming zombie apocalypse!

Many thanks to Wayne and Mike for spearheading this initiative. I'm definitely looking forward to upgrading. (Mike's workmanship is simply outstanding!)

 

[Azcomp]

There is not a day that we do not hear from customers that are having binding issues due to the V1 or V2 firmware binding issues. While it is simple for us to explain, the solution can be a bit ugly to incorporate for many users. There must be a better solution? Well, we got tired of waiting for something better.

A Universal ACCST Firmware!
I'd like to share a rather large project that we have been working on at Aloft along with some of the other Service Dealers in Europe and the UK. We have teamed up with an RC guru to develop new receiver firmwares for many of the FrSky ACCST receivers. The goal is a better user experience with the FrSky ACCST protocol products. ALL FrSky transmitters can use ACCST (also known as D16), from the very first Taranis to the current X20 and everything in between.

What can it do?
Receivers with this new firmware will be able to bind to the following:

1. FCC Version of ACCST V1
2. FCC Version of ACCST V2
3. EU Version of ACCST V1
4. EU Version of ACCST V2

Yep, you get all four of these in a single simple to use receiver. No more switching out firmwares and going insane. During the normal bind process, the receiver automatically switches until it finds the version your transmitter is running. How simple is that?

If you are using V1 in your transmitter the new Universal Firmware mitigates the V1 bug to the point it is of very little concern. Mike has also added some magic to reduce or remove the typical signal swamping that occurs when the transmitter is very close to the transmitter, you know the good old message: "Telemetry lost. Telemetry Found." warnings. Everything else works like you would expect it to. Servos run when you plug them in, Sbus is there, all the normal telemetry, and maybe a couple of tricks that you can turn on via a LUA script on your transmitter.

Is it Ready?
Not just yet, but getting very close to for our first receiver, the X8R. We have several BETA testers helping us to test this firmware around the globe, we want to be very careful and make sure we are checking and confirming everything we can think of.

Our plan is to have this firmware for all currently available ACCST receivers except for the S6R and S8R as they are far more complex.

What do you think, interested? Let us know your thoughts.

This is amazing! Great work! Very interested.

 

[Wayne]

Still have a few more receivers with Beta firmware we can send out. Anyone out there able to fly during these winter months. Really looking for folks in the USA as many of our beta units have gone internationally.

Special thanks to all that have volunteered!!​

We are at the final stages of testing with the X8R, X6R and X4R receivers and are now turning our focus to the next batch of receivers, the RX8R, RX8R Pro and XSR.

Please reply here if you can help us do some testing. Thanks!!

 

[davemcddd]

I'm in mid-Missouri and the good weather flying season is pretty much over. However the flying weather still cooperates at times and we usually manage to get some flying in once, maybe even twice a week. If that's good enough, I'd be willing to test out an X6R or X8R during this time. And I'd be willing to test out an RX8R Pro when they are available. These would be mostly be test flown in glow powered sport and 3D planes.

 

[RVan]

I may be interested as well but am currently building up supplies so cannot offer beta testing. My reason for participation in this thread revolves around converting older transmitters to 2.4 GHz as well as obtaining solid, meaningful telemetry within this effort. This defines a short list of modules and the FrSky XHT is one of these. I am also strongly interested in open source Tx firmware. However, these modules are not widely marketed on websites. I noticed some on ebay and not on an authorized dealers website. This gave me cause for concern regarding my own investment in the XHT.

Technology always improves, sometimes significantly. I am much more oriented toward function rather than staying on the cutting edge with the lone potential exception of safety. In short, a continuation of ACCST and the improvements 'Universal ACCST' offers is likely to be of use to me.

I'm hoping someone can speak to my concern regarding 2.4 GHz conversion modules. I know that was a recognized market at one point several years ago but that data on this may suggest otherwise now.

Please let me know.

 

[MikeB]

T9HobbySport in the UK are showing 20+ XHT in stock, and Aloft also look to be showing stock.

Mike

 

[Wayne]

I'm hoping someone can speak to my concern regarding 2.4 GHz conversion modules. I know that was a recognized market at one point several years ago but that data on this may suggest otherwise now.

We have a whole category for transmitter modules:

Modules

Modules that fit into the backs of many popular radios. If you have a module bay on the back of your radio, chances are one of our modules will work in it.Since we get a lot of people asking, we do not

alofthobbies.com

You will find the XHT there, and most of the others there could be adapted into something like an XHT with a little work. Typically just 3 wires to connect. You may want to check out this section of our forum for these types of projects:

Vintage Radios

Discussion area for vintage radios, and vintage radio conversions.

forum.alofthobbies.com

Hope that helps.

p.s. I may end up deleting these slightly off topic posts in a few days as I am trying to keep this thread very targeted.

 

[shmuely]

Still have a few more receivers with Beta firmware we can send out. Anyone out there able to fly during these winter months. Really looking for folks in the USA as many of our beta units have gone internationally.

Special thanks to all that have volunteered!!​

We are at the final stages of testing with the X8R, X6R and X4R receivers and are now turning our focus to the next batch of receivers, the RX8R, RX8R Pro and XSR.

Please reply here if you can help us do some testing. Thanks!!

I will be happy to help with Beta testing
we fly all the time in the winter, our winter is not cold enough to keep us at home ;-)
I live in Israel, and use both Frsky X10 with edgeTx, as well as RadioMaster with edgeTx

 

[Wayne]

@shmuely - Can send you a receiver if you want to pay for the international shipping. Would be good to have someone in a warmer climate for the testing. We had a few folks in Australia signed up, but the USPS is not offering affordable shipping at this time for Australia.

 

[Rafaxmen]

You need to

Wow! That is very, very cool.

Now I really want the universal firmware.

We know that FrSky has hired Bertrand S. of OpenTx to help write their OS code. I think they need you to help with their firmware.

Many thanks,
Andrew

You need to hire Raphael Pirker