Controller and software (alpha)

[gla.torg (Glauco Tortoreto)]

I had some time to completely redesign the electronics that will control the paramotor.
Teensy 3.2 should meet all the hardware and software needs up to 4 sectors.

And I started rewriting the code from scratch. It’s a super draft but somewhere we have to start. Tested on Arduino Nano, all basic things work, arming, disarming, cruise and Beginner, Normal, Advanced mode choice. I have also added some variables that will be used for future developments.

Warning! I chose to turn idle motors once armed (drone style) for 2 reasons:
-I like to get the paramotor armed only when ready to take off
-The current peaks that occur when the engines start spinning can stress the smaller ESCs (I burned 2 trying to make full-release-full-release-full-release with the throttle)

!!! REMOVE PROPELLERS BEFORE TEST IT !!!
Boot disarmed,
to arm it, long press the button and make sure that the accelerator is not pressed.
4 esc in sequence will be initialized and after the last sound the motors will start to turn at idle.
To disarm long press the button

CRUISE
Once armed, accelerate to the desired point and double click

I am NOT an electronic engineer or a programmer so I ask those who know more than me to check that I have not messed up.

I would like to load the code and the library used but I can not upload .zip files
Maybe it’s time to inaugurate GitHub?

OpenPPG.ino

#include "Servo.h"
#include "EEPROM.h"
#include "ClickButton.h"

//   BOOT
uint8_t Status = 1;  
              // 0 - Just powered
              // 1 - Disarmed
              // 2 - Arming...
              // 3 - Armed
              // 4 - Cruise
              // 5 - Configuration
           
boolean Alert = 0;
boolean Danger = 0;
boolean AlreadyArmed = 0;
byte UserMode = EEPROM.read(0); //read the last Mode selected
byte DEVELOPER_mode = 0; // simulate troubles

int PreviousChoice = 0;
byte View = 1;    //for display

unsigned long previousSerialMillis;

boolean ledVal = false; 
int ledState = 0;


const int numReadingsBeginner = 30;   // Number of throttle readings for Beginner Mode
const int numReadingsNormal = 15;     // Number of throttle readings for Normal Mode
const int numReadingsAdvanced = 2;    // Number of throttle readings for Advanced Mode

int readingsBeginner[numReadingsBeginner];   
int readingsNormal[numReadingsNormal];        
int readingsAdvanced[numReadingsAdvanced];   
int readIndex = 0;                           

int ThumbTotalBeginner = 0;         
int ThumbTotalNormal = 0;           
int ThumbTotalAdvanced = 0;        

int Thumb = 0;
int ThumbRaw = 0;
int CruiseGas;
int ReqGas = 0;

const int ThumbMin = 1;                 // Minimum analog read of potentiometer
const int ThumbMax = 1010;              // Maximum analog read of potentiometer
const int ThumbSafe = 10;               // Maximum analog read to arm (will not arm if greater)
const int MicrosecondMin = 800;         // Minimum PWM to esc
const int MicrosecondIdle = 915;        // Idle PWM to esc
const int MicrosecondMax = 2500;        // Maximum PWM to esc
const int MicrosecondMinCruise = 950;   // Minimum PWM to activate Cruise Mode

int PowerMax = 2500;                    // Maximum power in microseconds

//Enabled sectors at startup
boolean Sector1 = 1;
boolean Sector2 = 1;
boolean Sector3 = 1;
boolean Sector4 = 1;

Servo Esc1;
Servo Esc2;
Servo Esc3;
Servo Esc4;


//   ALERTS AND LIMITS

//                                             *** Alert the pilot ***              *** Cut/limit power ***          
                                     const uint8_t BatIntResAlert = 10;   const uint8_t BatIntResDanger = 20;
                                     const uint8_t BatTempMinAlert = 10;  const uint8_t BatTempMinCut = 0;
const uint8_t BatTempNormal = 40;    const uint8_t BatTempAlert = 50;     const uint8_t BatTempDanger = 60;
const uint8_t EscTempNormal = 60;    const uint8_t EscTempAlert = 80;     const uint8_t EscTempDanger = 100;
const uint8_t MotTempNormal = 40;    const uint8_t MotTempAlert = 60;     const uint8_t MotTempDanger = 80;
const uint8_t AmpNormal = 80;        const uint8_t AmpAlert = 100;        const uint8_t AmpDanger = 120;
  const float CelNormal = 3.7;         const float CelAlert = 3.5;          const float CelDanger = 3.2;

//   CONNECTIONS
const uint8_t ThumbPin = A0;  //Potentiometer
const uint8_t buzzerPin = 8;  //Buzzer
const int buttonPin = 12;     //Button
const uint8_t ledPin = 13;    //Led

ClickButton button1(buttonPin, LOW, CLICKBTN_PULLUP);

void setup() {
  
pinMode(buttonPin, INPUT);
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT); // Set LED output pins
digitalWrite(buttonPin, HIGH );

PlayStartup();
Serial.begin(115200);
PrintBoot();

} //fine Setup


void loop() {
  
int b = checkButton();
if (b == 1) clickEvent();
if (b == 2) doubleClickEvent();
if (b == 3) holdEvent();
if (b == 4) longHoldEvent();

 
  
// -------------READINGS THUMB--------------
     ThumbRaw = analogRead(A0);            // read from the sensor
switch (UserMode) {
    case 1:// Beginner
          ThumbTotalBeginner = ThumbTotalBeginner - readingsBeginner[readIndex];
          readingsBeginner[readIndex] = ThumbRaw;
          ThumbTotalBeginner = ThumbTotalBeginner + readingsBeginner[readIndex];
          readIndex = readIndex + 1;
          if (readIndex >= numReadingsBeginner)
            readIndex = 0;
          Thumb = ThumbTotalBeginner / numReadingsBeginner;    
          break;

    case 2:// Normal
          ThumbTotalNormal = ThumbTotalNormal - readingsNormal[readIndex];
          readingsNormal[readIndex] = ThumbRaw;
          ThumbTotalNormal = ThumbTotalNormal + readingsNormal[readIndex];
          readIndex = readIndex + 1;
          if (readIndex >= numReadingsNormal)
            readIndex = 0;
          Thumb = ThumbTotalNormal / numReadingsNormal;  
          break;
          
     case 3:// Advanced
          ThumbTotalAdvanced = ThumbTotalAdvanced - readingsAdvanced[readIndex];
          readingsAdvanced[readIndex] = ThumbRaw;
          ThumbTotalAdvanced = ThumbTotalAdvanced + readingsAdvanced[readIndex];
          readIndex = readIndex + 1;
          if (readIndex >= numReadingsAdvanced)
            readIndex = 0;
          Thumb = ThumbTotalAdvanced / numReadingsAdvanced;   
          break;
      default: 
          UserMode = 1;
      break;
  }

  
        Thumb = constrain(Thumb, ThumbMin, ThumbMax);      
    
        ReqGas = map(Thumb, ThumbMin, ThumbMax, MicrosecondIdle, PowerMax); 

     // ReqGas = map(Thumb, ThumbMin, ThumbMax, MicrosecondMin, PowerMax); 

// STATUS
           // 0 - Just turned on
           // 1 - Disarmed
           // 2 - Arming...
           // 3 - Armed
           // 4 - Cruise
           // 5 - Configuration
  
    switch (Status) { case 0: //---------------------- 0 - Just turned on 
                      break;
                      case 1: //---------------------- 1 - Disarmed
                           ledVal = false;
                           Esc1.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin);
                           Esc2.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin); 
                           Esc3.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin); 
                           Esc4.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin);  
                      break;
                      case 2: //---------------------- 2 - Arming...
                           ledVal = true;
                           ReqGas = MicrosecondMin; 
                           tone(buzzerPin, 2093, 50);
                           Esc1.attach(3);                 // initialize ESC 1
                           delay(650); 
                           tone(buzzerPin, 2093, 50);
                           Esc2.attach(4);                 // initialize ESC 2
                           delay(650); 
                           tone(buzzerPin, 2093, 50);
                           Esc3.attach(5);                 // initialize ESC 3
                           delay(650); 
                           tone(buzzerPin, 2093, 50);
                           Esc4.attach(6);                 // initialize ESC 4
                           delay(1500); 
                           
                           PlaySomeFuturisticSound();
                           
                           delay(1000);
                           Status = 3;
                           AlreadyArmed = 1;
                        break;
                      case 3: //---------------------- 3 - Armed
                           ledVal = true;
                          if (Sector1=1){Esc1.writeMicroseconds(ReqGas);}else{Esc1.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin);}
                          if (Sector2=1){Esc2.writeMicroseconds(ReqGas);}else{Esc2.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin);}
                          if (Sector3=1){Esc3.writeMicroseconds(ReqGas);}else{Esc3.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin);}
                          if (Sector4=1){Esc4.writeMicroseconds(ReqGas);}else{Esc4.writeMicroseconds(MicrosecondMin);}
                        break;
                      case 4: //---------------------- 4 - Cruise
                           ledVal = true;
                           Esc1.writeMicroseconds(CruiseGas);
                           Esc2.writeMicroseconds(CruiseGas); 
                           Esc3.writeMicroseconds(CruiseGas); 
                           Esc4.writeMicroseconds(CruiseGas);  
                           if ((CruiseGas-ReqGas) < -40){  // How much push the throttle to exit from cruise (negative number) 
                                Status = 3;
                            PlayExit();     
                            }                           
                      break;
                      case 5: //---------------------- 5 - Configuration
                       break;
                      default:
                      break;
                     }
                   
    digitalWrite(ledPin, ledVal);
  
  
    switch (DEVELOPER_mode) { case 0:
                              Sector1=1; Sector2=1; Sector3=1; Sector4=1;
                              break;
                              case 1: 
                              Sector1=1; Sector2=1; Sector3=0; Sector4=1;
                              break;
                              case 2:
                              Sector1=1; Sector2=1; Sector3=1; Sector4=0;
                              break;
                              case 3:
                              Sector1=1; Sector2=0; Sector3=0; Sector4=1;
                              break;
                              case 4:
                              Sector1=0; Sector2=1; Sector3=1; Sector4=0;
                              break;
                              case 5:
                              Sector1=1; Sector2=0; Sector3=0; Sector4=0;
                              break;
    }
  
    
    PrintLoop();

} //fine Loop
          

void clickEvent() { //  SHORT BUTTON PRESS
    switch (Status) { case 0: PlayError(); break;
                      case 1: PlayPush();        // Disarmed
                              if(View < 4)
                              {View = View +1;
                              }else{View = 1; }
                              break;                      
                      case 2: Status = 1; break; // Arming...
                      case 3: PlayPush();        // Armed
                              if(View < 4)
                              {View = View +1;
                              }else{View = 1; }
                              break; 
                      case 4: PlayPush();        // Cruise
                              if(PreviousChoice < 5)
                              {PreviousChoice = PreviousChoice +1;
                              }else{PreviousChoice = 0; }
                              break;
                      case 5: PlayPush();
                      UserMode = UserMode +1;  // Configuration
                      break;
                      default: break;
                     }
                   }


void holdEvent() { //  NORMAL BUTTON PRESS
    switch (Status) { case 0: PlayError(); break;
                      case 1:  break;                      
                      case 2: DEVELOPER_mode = 0; Status = 1; break;
                      case 3:  break;
                      case 4: PlayPush();
                              if(PreviousChoice < 5)
                                {PreviousChoice = PreviousChoice +1;
                                }else{PreviousChoice = 0; }
                              break;
                      case 5: PlayPush(); UserMode = UserMode +1; break;
                      default: break;
                     }
                   }


void longHoldEvent() { // LONG BUTTON PRESS
    switch (Status) { case 0:                 // If boot is not complete
                              PlayError();    // Error sound
                              break;          // Exit
                              
                      case 1:                             // If boot is complete
                              if (Thumb < ThumbSafe){     // And the throttle is at minimum
                                
                                  if(AlreadyArmed == 1){      // If is NOT the first time you're arming
                                      Status = 3;             // arm.
                                  }else{                      // If is the first time you're arming 
                                      Status = 2;             // go in the arming process.
                                  }    
                                  PlayArming();               // Arming sound
                              }
                              break;                          // Exit
                      case 2: DEVELOPER_mode = 0; Status = 1; break;
                      case 3: PlayExit(); DEVELOPER_mode = 0; Status = 1; break;
                      case 4: DEVELOPER_mode = 0; Status = 1; break; 
                      case 5: PlayError(); break; 
                      default: break;
                     }
                   }
                   
void doubleClickEvent() { //  DOUBLE BUTTON PRESS
    switch (Status) { case 0: PlayError(); break;
                      case 1: PlayPush();
                              PlayConfiguration();
                              PreviousChoice = UserMode;
                              Status = 5;
                              break;
                      case 2: Status = 1; break;
                      case 3: PreviousChoice = 0;
                              if(ReqGas > (MicrosecondIdle+100) && ReqGas < (MicrosecondMax-100)){   //Activate cruise only if in range
                                Status = 4;
                                CruiseGas = ReqGas;  
                                PlayCruise();
                              }else{PlayError();}
                              break;
                      case 4: PlayExit();
                              DEVELOPER_mode = PreviousChoice;
                              Status = 3;
                              break;
                      case 5:
                      if(PreviousChoice == UserMode){
                      PlayExit();
                      }else{
                      EEPROM.write(0, UserMode);
                      PlayConfirm();
                      delay(200);
                      PlayExit();
                      }
                      Status = 1;
                      break;
                      default: break;
                     }
                   }
                   
void PrintLoop(){

    //SERIAL
     if (millis() - previousSerialMillis >= 300) {
            previousSerialMillis = millis(); 

      Serial.println();

      Serial.print(F("View: ")); Serial.print(View);
      Serial.print(F("   PreviousChoice: ")); Serial.print(PreviousChoice);
      Serial.print(F("   DEVELOPER_mode: ")); Serial.print(DEVELOPER_mode);
      Serial.print(F("   Status: ")); Serial.print(Status);
      Serial.print(F("   Alert: ")); Serial.print(Alert);
      Serial.print(F("   Danger: ")); Serial.print(Danger);
      Serial.print(F("   UserMode: ")); Serial.print(UserMode);
      Serial.println();

      Serial.print(F("   Thumb: ")); Serial.print(Thumb);
      Serial.print(F("   ThumbRaw: ")); Serial.print(ThumbRaw);
      Serial.print(F("   ReqGas: ")); Serial.print(ReqGas);
      Serial.print(F("   CruiseGas: ")); Serial.print(CruiseGas);
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("   Sector1: ")); Serial.print(Sector1);
      Serial.print(F("   Sector2: ")); Serial.print(Sector2);
      Serial.print(F("   Sector3: ")); Serial.print(Sector3);
      Serial.print(F("   Sector4: ")); Serial.print(Sector4);

      Serial.println();
      Serial.println();

       }  // SerialInterval end
}

void PrintBoot(){
      Serial.print(F("BatIntResAlert: ")); Serial.print(BatIntResAlert);
      Serial.print(F("   BatIntResDanger: ")); Serial.print(BatIntResDanger);
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("BatTempMinCut: ")); Serial.print(BatTempMinCut);
      Serial.print(F("   BatTempMinAlert: ")); Serial.print(BatTempMinAlert);  
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("BatTempNormal: ")); Serial.print(BatTempNormal);
      Serial.print(F("   BatTempAlert: ")); Serial.print(BatTempAlert);  
      Serial.print(F("   BatTempDanger: ")); Serial.print(BatTempDanger);  
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("EscTempNormal: ")); Serial.print(EscTempNormal);
      Serial.print(F("   EscTempAlert: ")); Serial.print(EscTempAlert);  
      Serial.print(F("   EscTempDanger: ")); Serial.print(EscTempDanger);  
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("MotTempNormal: ")); Serial.print(MotTempNormal);
      Serial.print(F("   MotTempAlert: ")); Serial.print(MotTempAlert);  
      Serial.print(F("   MotTempDanger: ")); Serial.print(MotTempDanger);  
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("MotTempNormal: ")); Serial.print(MotTempNormal);
      Serial.print(F("   MotTempAlert: ")); Serial.print(MotTempAlert);  
      Serial.print(F("   MotTempDanger: ")); Serial.print(MotTempDanger);  
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("    AmpNormal: ")); Serial.print(AmpNormal);
      Serial.print(F("       AmpAlert: ")); Serial.print(AmpAlert);  
      Serial.print(F("      AmpDanger: ")); Serial.print(AmpDanger);  
      Serial.println();
      Serial.print(F("    CelNormal: ")); Serial.print(CelNormal);
      Serial.print(F("     CelAlert: ")); Serial.print(CelAlert);  
      Serial.print(F("     CelDanger: ")); Serial.print(CelDanger);  
      Serial.println();  
}

Multiclick.ino

/*
MULTI-CLICK: One Button, Multiple Events

Oct 12, 2009
Run checkButton() to retrieve a button event:
Click
Double-Click
Hold
Long Hold
*/

// Button timing variables
int debounce = 20; // ms debounce period to prevent flickering when pressing or releasing the button
int DCgap = 200; // max ms between clicks for a double click event
int holdTime = 200; // ms hold period: how long to wait for press+hold event
int longHoldTime = 1000; // ms long hold period: how long to wait for press+hold event

// Other button variables
boolean buttonVal = HIGH; // value read from button
boolean buttonLast = HIGH; // buffered value of the button's previous state
boolean DCwaiting = false; // whether we're waiting for a double click (down)
boolean DConUp = false; // whether to register a double click on next release, or whether to wait and click
boolean singleOK = true; // whether it's OK to do a single click
long downTime = -1; // time the button was pressed down
long upTime = -1; // time the button was released
boolean ignoreUp = false; // whether to ignore the button release because the click+hold was triggered
boolean waitForUp = false; // when held, whether to wait for the up event
boolean holdEventPast = false; // whether or not the hold event happened already
boolean longHoldEventPast = false;// whether or not the long hold event happened already

int checkButton()
{ 
int event = 0;
// Read the state of the button
buttonVal = digitalRead(buttonPin);
// Button pressed down
if (buttonVal == LOW && buttonLast == HIGH && (millis() - upTime) > debounce) {
downTime = millis();
ignoreUp = false;
waitForUp = false;
singleOK = true;
holdEventPast = false;
longHoldEventPast = false;
if ((millis()-upTime) < DCgap && DConUp == false && DCwaiting == true) DConUp = true;
else DConUp = false;
DCwaiting = false;
tone(buzzerPin, 4000, 10); //Durata,Frequenza

}
// Button released
else if (buttonVal == HIGH && buttonLast == LOW && (millis() - downTime) > debounce) { 
if (not ignoreUp) {
upTime = millis();
if (DConUp == false) DCwaiting = true;
else {
event = 2;
DConUp = false;
DCwaiting = false;
singleOK = false;
}
}
}
// Test for normal click event: DCgap expired
if ( buttonVal == HIGH && (millis()-upTime) >= DCgap && DCwaiting == true && DConUp == false && singleOK == true) {
event = 1;
DCwaiting = false;
}
// Test for hold
if (buttonVal == LOW && (millis() - downTime) >= holdTime) {
// Trigger "normal" hold
if (not holdEventPast) {
event = 3;
waitForUp = true;
ignoreUp = true;
DConUp = false;
DCwaiting = false;
//downTime = millis();
holdEventPast = true;
}
// Trigger "long" hold
if ((millis() - downTime) >= longHoldTime) {
if (not longHoldEventPast) {
event = 4;
longHoldEventPast = true;
}
}
}
buttonLast = buttonVal;
return event;
}

Sounds.ino

void  PlayStartup(){
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
        tone(buzzerPin, 1000, 50);   //Time,Frequency
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
        tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 50);
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
        tone(buzzerPin, 1000, 50);
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
        tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 50);
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
        tone(buzzerPin, 4000, 50);
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
        tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 50);
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
        tone(buzzerPin, 8000, 50);
        delay(80);
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
}

void PlayExit(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 400, 20);
         tone(buzzerPin, 400, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 400, 20);
         tone(buzzerPin, 150, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 200, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 250, 20);
}

void PlayCruise(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 3500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 1500, 20);
}

void PlayConfirm(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 4000, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 4000, 20);
         tone(buzzerPin, 1500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 3500, 20);
         tone(buzzerPin, 1500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 3500, 20);
       }
       
void PlayPush(){
       //  tone(buzzerPin, 3000, 15);
       }
       
void PlayConfiguration(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 1500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2500, 20);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 3500, 20);
       }
       
void PlayError(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 200, 50);
         delay(50);
         tone(buzzerPin, 200, 50);

       }
       
void PlayArming(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 1000, 20);
         delay(20);
         tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 20);
         delay(40);
         tone(buzzerPin, 4000, 20);
         delay(80);
         tone(buzzerPin, 9000, 20);
         delay(20);
       }
       
void PlayArmed(){
         tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 262, 100);
         tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 0, 100);
         tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 0, 100);
         tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 262, 10); tone(buzzerPin, 262, 100);
       }


void PlaySomeFuturisticSound(){
      digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 25);delay(50);
      digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);tone(buzzerPin, 1800, 25);delay(50);
      digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 25);delay(50);
      digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);tone(buzzerPin, 1800, 25);delay(50);
      digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 25);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 400);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2050, 400);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2100, 400);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2150, 200);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2200, 100);delay(50);
      delay(100);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2000, 400);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2050, 400);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2100, 400);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2150, 200);delay(50);
      tone(buzzerPin, 2200, 100);delay(50);  
       }

[glydrfreak (Braedin Butler)]

Definitely take it to github, because it is such a useful tool for sharing and editing code. I would love to go through the code myself as soon as I have the time. I’ve been playing around with programing electronics quite a bit lately. I don’t have a teensy, but I have a similar board that can probably do the job.

[gla.torg (Glauco Tortoreto)]

Here we go https://github.com/openppg/Software

I’ve made a little video with the basic functions LINK

Can’t wait to see your comments in the code!

[zjwhitehead (Zach Whitehead)]

Thanks for sharing!
Let’s rename the repository though. “Software” is very generic and will get confusing when we have more code on Github.
We could keep it generic like “arduino-controller” or perhaps a codename like “Neptune” etc.
Thoughts?

[dmipec (Dmitri)]

@zjwhitehead, speaking of codenames, maybe Icarus…

[dmipec (Dmitri)]

@gla.torg You’ve done amazing job on this one. Sounds are ok.
I’ve seen the work on a test stand - it operates fine.
What is Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced?
What are these modes meant for?

[gla.torg (Glauco Tortoreto)]

Thank you! Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced for now acts only on the smoothness of the throttle response, from 0 to 500ms of “delay”. It act on the number of analog readings before send it to the ESCS.
This is the part of the code:

// -------------READINGS THUMB--------------
 ThumbRaw = analogRead(A0);            // read from the sensor
switch (UserMode) {
case 1:// Beginner
      ThumbTotalBeginner = ThumbTotalBeginner - readingsBeginner[readIndex];
      readingsBeginner[readIndex] = ThumbRaw;
      ThumbTotalBeginner = ThumbTotalBeginner + readingsBeginner[readIndex];
      readIndex = readIndex + 1;
      if (readIndex >= numReadingsBeginner)
        readIndex = 0;
      Thumb = ThumbTotalBeginner / numReadingsBeginner;    
      break;

case 2:// Normal
      ThumbTotalNormal = ThumbTotalNormal - readingsNormal[readIndex];
      readingsNormal[readIndex] = ThumbRaw;
      ThumbTotalNormal = ThumbTotalNormal + readingsNormal[readIndex];
      readIndex = readIndex + 1;
      if (readIndex >= numReadingsNormal)
        readIndex = 0;
      Thumb = ThumbTotalNormal / numReadingsNormal;  
      break;
      
 case 3:// Advanced
      ThumbTotalAdvanced = ThumbTotalAdvanced - readingsAdvanced[readIndex];
      readingsAdvanced[readIndex] = ThumbRaw;
      ThumbTotalAdvanced = ThumbTotalAdvanced + readingsAdvanced[readIndex];
      readIndex = readIndex + 1;
      if (readIndex >= numReadingsAdvanced)
        readIndex = 0;
      Thumb = ThumbTotalAdvanced / numReadingsAdvanced;   
      break;
  default: 
      UserMode = 1;
  break;
}

Depending on the power output in the future shoould set also the maximum power.
What do you think?

[dmipec (Dmitri)]

@gla.torg
I’ve heard about Arduino but never tried it out myself. Which language do they use? It resembles C++. I’m familiar with C#.
Are these double or integer values in your code?
E.g., numReadingsNormal, numReadingsAdvanced, numReadingsBeginner.
Is there a way you check that these variables are not zero to avoid a zero divide exception?

UPD: Oh yes, I see these are const integer values…

General questions for understanding:
Q1: I’m not familiar with actual real-world robotic software applications. Why do you have to read the throttle more than once? Does it mean that software will ignore throttle position fluctuations?
Does feature depend on time/duration of the throttle position?
How does analog reading work in general? (If you have time).
Q2: What does PWM stand for?
Q3: Why do you measure power in microseconds?

[gla.torg (Glauco Tortoreto)]

Yes, something from C language, I don’t know more
The analog reading is reading the difference from Voltage reference and Voltage from the potentiometer (variable resistor)
You don’t have to read analog more than once but it helps to keep the value stable (a sort of average)
Keep in mind that the readings in Advanced are 2 only (just to keep the software works in the same way for each UserMode)
PWM is for Pulse Width Modulation that is the standard to communicate with the 99% of the ESC from rc/hobby market, and the values are Microseconds
Sorry if I’m not so technical but I’m not an expert, I just google everything, search for examples and put together

[zjwhitehead (Zach Whitehead)]

Hey guys, I was going to add to this thread but my reply ended up being pretty long haha. Check out my new post for info on some of code behind our early features.

Prototype Arduino Code

Since there seem to be quite a few questions about the controller I thought I’d share some early code that went into the first prototype. Important note: The code running in the first production versions has been completely rewritten. We will share that when those are shipping. There are few main features I’m going to highlight: Throttle Arming Throttle Smoothing Battery Voltage Display Throttle Arming One of the first safety features we worked on was making sure when turning on the unit t…

[Vince]

What about ebike sine wave controller style. Like a Sabvoton.

[davek79 (Dave K)]

Ebike controllers are especially designed for low RPM, high torque applications. We do just great with hobby ESC - because what were looking for is higher RPM control. And hobby ESCs are way cheaper and lighter!

[Mrlazlo (Laszlo Eros)]

I only have one suggestion. Instead on the long press maybe you can use 5fast clicks to activate. It is harder to arm it by accident.

[DrLuke (Lukas)]

@dmipec

I’ve heard about Arduino but never tried it out myself. Which language do they use? It resembles C++.

It is C++. Arduino is just a library.

[vicflau (Victor Lau)]

gla.torg:

Thanks for the V1 schematic and preliminary code. I agree that Teensy controller/Teensyduino development environment is ideal for this project.

I wonder what was your intent with including VL53L0X? Perhaps an alternate throttle position decoder (optical vs potentiometer resistance measurements)? In which case, does VL53L0X has enough resolution for throttle position?

[zjwhitehead (Zach Whitehead)]

I haven’t experimented with time of flight sensors yet but it looks like a better one for our application would be the VL6180X. It is more geared towards shorter distances. 100mm is probably the max distance that it would have to measure.
Do any of you have experience with these types of sensors?

[vicflau (Victor Lau)]

I don’t have experience with “time of flight” sensor but I am anxious to experiment with them. I have VL6180X on order. I am curious if the IR signal of these sensors and therefore the distance measurement would be negatively impacted by the confined space of a throttle body…

Even with this optical approach, I am leaning towards determining throttle position via reading a pair of ganged potentiometers. Some refer to this as “dual track”. Each of these pots would have positive but diverging slope response (position vs voltage output). This configuration increases confidence of the measurements but more importantly, it facilitates diagnosis of malfunctions… (detection of broken wires (open circuits), shorts to ground, shorts to power or even resistive “shorts”). Obviously, the flight control code would need to perform these diagnostics periodically and alert pilot accordingly.

Anyway, I’ll report back any findings on VL6180x…

[NThon]

Why aren’t you using an ESP32 or ESP8266? They’re arduino platform compatible, very cheap, have reliable WiFi, low power and can shield a memory slot. The 32 even has Bluetooth which could be used for anything.

[davek79 (Dave K)]

Got a link to your favourite version for this type of use?

[NThon]

Really depends on what is necessary. You can choose anything from just the esp module to a dev board, just like arduino. ESP8266 is the lesser capable (like teensy) to the new ESP32 with high processing capabilities.

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Wemos is a popular manufacturer, very cheap on AliExpress.

There’s even dev boards with LoRa(long range comm) and OLED screens for $13.
http://s.aliexpress.com/N3Yra2Uj #120 LoRa / LoRaWAN Range World Record Attempt. Will I succeed? - YouTube