Super T6/CT6B Mod (Custom motherboard and firmware using arduino)

[akhilzid]

Hi friends, this one is actually a recovery story of a CT6B(With Fried Motherboard ).

Micro controller in TX fully burned so no way to recover that(But the transmitter is fully functioning) so I just replaced with arduino uno(change to nano  and succeeded in  generating ppm and the transmitter is alive again.

Now Spend 3Days (day &night) and added i2c amoled and menu for changing functions to configure radio without PC while @ field.


The result is:
Fully functioning CT6B
Now trim works through software(actual ct6b can only trimmed mechanically before) in other radios .
End points can be adjust through menu.
Can assign any channel to any stick via menu.
Can reverse channels via menu.
Mix works via menu( still need testing)
Can change up to 6 flight modes for APM (2x3position switches)
Up to 8 channel works corresponding rx (before it was a 6 channel radio).
Added calibration mode (all sticks end points and center point will calibrate to min 1000 , mid 1500 and max 2000)
Works fine with 2S - 3S LiPo (6V- 13V)


To do:

Voltage monitoring functions.
Basic telemetry add-on.

Suggest me if any.

All arguments, suggestions, caution factors and all type of comments welcomed.

Pictures and videos coming soon.

[Himadri Roy]

Akhil sir can you post some details as to how made your arduino work with the tx module(code,generate ppm signals,etc)...waiting impatiently for further information

[rcrcnitesh]

Sir this is just awesome, can you post more details and pics

[akhilzid]

these are some random pics taken while working, detailed pics and videos will post later.

screen used now is too small(lessthan one inch) but still sooper sharp(is amoled)
anyway looking for bigger one.

[akhilzid]

Suggestions Please...........

[Avadhut10001]

great job

[Dharmik]

Very nice work Akhil. Would like to know more on this.

[Himadri Roy]

Akhil sir can you post some details as to how made your arduino work with the tx module(code,generate ppm signals,etc)...waiting impatiently for further information

Anyways Superb Sir!

[RCNeil21]

Superb job man
Please do share details so others can try same

[akhilzid]

Thanks avadhut, Dharmik, Himadri and RCNeil

@Himadri & RCNeil
I m too happy to hear that others also interested in trying this,

But I fear about safety with this because currently in development stage.
Anyway just PM me i ll send codes and everything else we can discuss here.

can you post some details as to how made your arduino work with the tx module(code,generate ppm signals,etc)...waiting impatiently for further information

First of all I don't know your experience level so I'm just explaining simply (I know my skill in explaining is worst, don't blame, please suggest that too to improve my skills)

Generating PPM
Almost all tx modules are just transmitters with PPM input (Channels doesn't matter if we serve PPM for 6 channel they work as 6 channel tx and serving 8 channels PPM make the same tx as 8 channel tx), that ppm can be served by arduino using PWM Pin(just one pin is enough), And the PPM generation function works  indipendantly working using timer(so that will not effect work load or other delay in loop) and reads values from array PPM[],


Reading Stick values
Is simples business if you used arduino, we all know that the sticks are working using potentiometers,so this readings are taking using analogread method using analog pins gives resolution of 1024 stages, and this values stores in Sickval[] array( some calibration procedures are doing while storing using map() function here to get the exact end points 1000 to 2000).
The connections are left pin from potentiometer to Ground, Center to analog pin of arduino, right pin to 5v rail of arduino.


Switches
Are functioning using arduino digital pins with enabled internal pullup, will give "HIGH" if the pin not connected(switch off) and "LOW" if the pin connected to ground(Switch is on)


Trims
Broke analog trims and added tactile switches inside and Working just like other switches,


Assinning Stick to channels using menu
Is actually linking arrays Stickval[] to corresponding PPM[] Depends on the settings/mix.


OLED Display
Driving with u8glib


Thanks,

[Himadri Roy]

ingenious sir! 

(I know my skill in explaining is worst, don't blame, please suggest that too to improve my skills)

I don't know why are you saying so but i understood each and every word of what you said without any difficulty...
Looks i have and interesting project to do! DIY transmitter

[gunnu]

@akhilzid great job done man

[akhilzid]

Thanks gunnu for the compliment.

@Himadri, received your PM and replied with link to code


Now its upgraded to HK AIO PRO V2 Same as arduino mega For more pins to have more switches with more processing power for 9 Channel output.

[Nithinraj Kotian]

Great Job Akhil   

[akhilzid]

Thanks Nithinraj,


@Avadhut, , received your PM and replied via Mail with link to code.

[manojswizera]

Great work there Akhil.
congrats

[sundaram]

Great work Akhil. 

Do share detailed log of schematics, component connections and codes

[rcpilotacro]

Good work there akhil !!

[akhilzid]

Thanks manojswizera Sir, sundaram sir and Gusti Sir,

Don't know how to present schematics simply, will try to add with next post.

additional components used are:

Arduino Mega x 1 - as main controller.

3 Position Switch x 2 - Replaced in place of 2 pos switches.

4.7 K resisters x 6 - two each for 2 switch(3 position) & two for OLED Display PULLUP.

Push Switch x 2 -  For additional menu operations.

Powerbank Circuit x 1 - To shift 1S(3.2 - 4.2 Volt) to 5V Stable output. is giving me more than 3.5 hours battery backup using 2500mAh Single Cell

Battery Compartment:



Showing Off Stick centering Stability(Remember its a CT6B):

[lastRites]

Superb man, superb!!

[akhilzid]

Thanks lastRites,


Here is the Trim Switch Modification(Wires are tangled now, need to arrange later), Also Please ignore Background Noice.

[RCNeil21]

Trim switch mod looks nice

[akhilzid]

Thanks RCNeil21,

Now Display Fixed inside but still need some more finishing, My crafting experience is not good so just leaving as is for now(friends in RC Club Cochin may help to finish this, going to ask this Sunday).

[SideWinder]

Nice work! I would actually suggest you to make a cool custom outer shell for the Tx and

If you have replaced the MB with arduino,does it support multi protocol? which receivers are compatible?

And if you have come this far making a schematic shouldn't be an issue. There is this app which http://fritzing.org/home/ which helps to document your circuits and can be further shared easily with the rest of us.

[akhilzid]

Nice work! I would actually suggest you to make a cool custom outer shell for the Tx

Thanks Sir,
No Plans To make custom outer shell Now due to lack of my crafting skill, But sure if someone helps me to do that.

If you have replaced the MB with arduino,does it support multi protocol? which receivers are compatible?

Yes Replaced MB with Arduino Mega (Currently HK AIO Pro V2), but the TX Module is same as in CT6B (FlySky 2.4GHz AFHDS TX module) only now compatible with 6/8/9 channel receivers that compatible with this TX. Need to replace this module to support additional protocols, So now i'm looking for TX shell with replaceable module(this topic Posted in wanted section).

And if you have come this far making a schematic shouldn't be an issue. There is this app which http://fritzing.org/home/ which helps to document your circuits and can be further shared easily with the rest of us.

Thanks again, should look in to this and update here soon.