RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!!  
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All Forums >> RC Helicopters >> Electric RC Helis >> RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!!
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RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 10/2/2005 5:19:06 PM   
Traveler


 

Posts: 90
Joined: 8/9/2005
From: Noord Holland, NETHERLANDS
Status: offline 		Hey yoowicked,

Looks very much like an old-style cable, but the only way to be sure is to open up the DB9-plug (the one that goes into the PC). If the wires go directly to the pins in the plug, it's the old type and if it has a PCB with a little chip inside, it's most likely the new type. It could even be possible that your vendor shipped it with the wrong type of cable. It's a bit strange that the serial analyzer hangs your PC, though, so it may be a different problem.

Which version of Windows are you using? Do you use a serial port on the PC itself, or maybe one of those USB to serial converters. If so, check if there are newer drivers available for it and install them. Also note that PPJoy is largely untested on Windows 9x and ME and may not work as well with it. Also verify that you're using the correct COM-port and no other apps have it open. Try cycling through all available COM-ports in PPJoy with your cable connected and TX switched on, to check if you have the correct one.


Grtz,

Traveller

(in reply to yoowicked)
       Post #: 76

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 10/4/2005 3:05:40 AM   
yoowicked


 

Posts: 3
Joined: 10/2/2005
From: , HONG KONG
Status: offline 		Hey Traveller

Thank you for your suggestions. Please see below for my findings;


quote:

ORIGINAL: Traveler

Hey yoowicked,

Looks very much like an old-style cable, but the only way to be sure is to open up the DB9-plug (the one that goes into the PC). If the wires go directly to the pins in the plug, it's the old type and if it has a PCB with a little chip inside, it's most likely the new type. It could even be possible that your vendor shipped it with the wrong type of cable. (You are right, the DB9-plug do not have the chip connected, please see attached picture.) It's a bit strange that the serial analyzer hangs your PC, though, so it may be a different problem.

Which version of Windows are you using? ( I am using Window XP pro) Do you use a serial port on the PC itself, or maybe one of those USB to serial converters. (No, I don't have any devices using serial port. I only have these devices connect to my pc but with USB port; Creative Webcam, Epson printer, PDA cradle. So I don't think they are USB to serial) If so, check if there are newer drivers available for it and install them. Also note that PPJoy is largely untested on Windows 9x and ME and may not work as well with it. Also verify that you're using the correct COM-port and no other apps have it open. Try cycling through all available COM-ports in PPJoy with your cable connected and TX switched on, to check if you have the correct one. (Well noted)


Grtz,

Traveller


Thanks again!

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(in reply to Traveler)
       Post #: 77

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 10/6/2005 3:09:50 AM   
Traveler


 

Posts: 90
Joined: 8/9/2005
From: Noord Holland, NETHERLANDS
Status: offline 		Hey yoowicked,

Assuming that the seller shipped the right cable for your TX, that leaves the PC, it's software (including the OS), the cable or the TX itself as the likely suspects. If you have access to another PC with a serial port to try it on, that would be a good first step in trying to locate the problem. If it works on another PC, then we know the problem will be in either your PC or software.

Instead of the serial sniffer-application that doesn't work on your PC, you can use Hyperterminal, which is included with Windows, to listen for the TX on your serial port. I just tried it with a similar cable to yours and it works.

Find Hyperterminal under "Start -> All Programs -> accessories-> Communications". It'll come up with it's "New connection"-dialog, where you first name your new connection. Depending on if you have a dialling-location configured, it will ask you to create one before you can proceed. For what we're doing, it won't be used, though. Fill out your area-code and continue. Next up will be the "connect to"-dialog. Select the COM-port your cable is attached to from the list under "connect using" and hit "OK". On the next dialog-box, leave everything default, except the "bits per second"-number, which should be set to "9600". Hit "OK" again. You should now have an empty Hyperterminal-window and it should say "Connected" at the bottom left. If you turn on your TX, it should start scrolling some characters on the screen, which tells us that there is some serial stream coming from it, which PPJoy should at least be able to see. Let me know how it goes.


Grtz,

Traveller

(in reply to yoowicked)
       Post #: 78

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 10/6/2005 9:00:31 PM   
fredjordan


 

Posts: 3
Joined: 1/16/2005
From: Les Paccots, SWITZERLAND
Status: offline 		In case it helps, I also experienced all the problems mentionned in this post with my DG TX and finally got it working by simply launching the Game controllers of Windows control panel of the virtual joystick!
(also disconnected all my other joysticks)

Fred.

< Message edited by fredjordan -- 10/6/2005 9:03:33 PM >

(in reply to Traveler)
       Post #: 79

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 11/6/2005 10:13:58 AM   
skydiverc


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 11/6/2005
From: Mountain View, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Stumbled on this site while looking for information on how to get my Dragonfly 35 6CH Radio to work with FMS.
After reading through and following various links I managed to succede using the Parallel port Interface.

I also Found out that there are aparantly 3 Generations of Dragonfly Transmitters.
1. 1st Gen Implemented "Zhen Hua" Protocol via PPJoy.
2. 2nd Gen Has no output to Buddy connector. You must mod your TX per "oops" It was from I believe his site I got the port wiring.
3. 3rd Gen ( My unit ) Outputs PPM info thru the Buddy connector. It was also supplied with a serial cable to Mini Din. Which is straight wired.

I played with the serial cable supplied and it didn't work connecting to the serial port. ( RS232 needs minimun +-3V for signals )
However if you build a TTL to RS232 adapter like a MAX3222 the PPJoy program does see a stream when using Generic interface. However FMS didn't seem to get the data from PPJoy.

After building a cable to my parallel port and connecting it to my supplied serial cable It worked great!!! No problems at all.
Thanks DavidK!!! Very nice and simple design Works great too!!

I do have a few reccomendations.

Configure your parallel port as ECP

When Configuring PPJoy I mapped my controller as follows :
( Mode 2 ) / ( Mode 1 )
Axis 1 = Throttle / Y Axis
Axis 2 = Y axis / Throttle
Axis 3 = X Rotation / X Axis
Axis 4 = X Axis / X Rotation

After Configuring your Parallel port be sure to use the Game Controllers Calibration utility.

Also Click on Advanced and set preferred device to LPT1:PPM interface Radio control TX 1

Use a shielded cable and solder the shield to ground at the parallel port. ( I can use my TX with the Crystal in or out )

FMS Mapping configuration
Rudder 4 INV
Elevator 2 INV
Aileron 1
Throttle 3 INV
Tail 4 INV
Nick 2 INV
Roll 1
Pitch 3 INV

Oh yeah also be sure that your PC has at least one Serial port enabled. I couldn't figure out why FMS worked when I was playin with the serial cable and suddenly failed to startup when I switched to the parallel port.
It was very confusing crashing to desktop and getting a error message box.
I re enabled my serial port and magically FMS started working again.

I've compiled a schematic for those who want it and it should work with a modded gen 2 or a gen3 dragonfly.
Its been tested with a Gen 3.

Also there is a zip file with Gerber files for making your our 9 pin serial to 25 pin parallel port adapter.
It will fit inside the backshell of a 25 pin D-Sub.
All you have to do is grind or cut the top of the housing where cable would come out to fit the 9 pin Dsub.

heres a link have fun
Dragonfly 35 Tx to Parallel Port Interface Schematic and PCB

< Message edited by skydiverc -- 11/16/2005 10:33:11 PM >

(in reply to fredjordan)
       Post #: 80

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 11/8/2005 7:42:04 AM   
Mark_J


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 11/8/2005
From: , UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hi guys,

read through this with great interest, ive got the 4ch tx and it works fine with ppjoy + FMS
my cable just has the wires direct to the pins in the serial socket, so presume that its serial data etc.

Noticed mention about PPM data, and was wondering if any of you know if the walkera tx's that dump out serial data without the chip in the serial plug bit also send out PPM data?

It must be pot luck on which version of the Tx you get as I got the new 2005 #4 (one with the walkera logo in the shape of the heli on the power panel on the Tx) yet the cable was the standard one as mentioned above.

So can you get PPM data out of the Tx?

Thanks in advance.

Mark J

PS. if its already wired up to send PPM data, any idea which wire it is please?

< Message edited by Mark_J -- 11/8/2005 7:45:22 AM >

(in reply to skydiverc)
       Post #: 81

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 11/8/2005 8:28:29 PM   
Mark_J


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 11/8/2005
From: , UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Hmmm, im REALLY confused now!
Downloaded the PIC interface test program and ran it, it shows the PPM in and everything works fine, even got the zhen hua widow with a diagram of the connector etc, so does this mean that its passing PPM data across from the Tx? (btw, not running ppjoy in the background)

any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Mark

(in reply to Mark_J)
       Post #: 82

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 11/13/2005 9:58:25 AM   
boehri_bb


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 11/13/2005
From: 71034 Boeblingen, GA, GERMANY
Status: offline 		Hi There,
I had trouble with the "Zhen Hua" Remote Control as well connecting it to the Computer (Zhen Hua 5 byte protocol, ...). I figured out that my cable was defective. Two wires were broken. I guess there are a lot of cables with bad quality in the world. So I would stongly recomend to check first if the cable is OK. Here the wireing of the Connector (Connector, Frontview, Thick Plastic Pin down):
RC-Connector Pin <=> RS232-9-pin-Connector (the color in my cable was)
down left pin <=> 5 (yellow)
up left pin <=> 2 (brown)
down right pin <=> 7 (green)
up right pin <=> 4 (orange)
I hope this helps.
Regards Juergen Boehringer (www.boehri.de).

(in reply to klausflorida)
       Post #: 83

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 11/21/2005 12:52:17 AM   
nuhelo


 

Posts: 13
Joined: 9/20/2005
From: maysville, NC, USA
Status: offline
Wow, this forum is loaded with great info. I am grateful for all of you that have contributed to it. I have purchased a dragonfly 36 and have like many people have had frustrations/joys with working to get these things up and going. I have spent a fair chunk of change into blades and repair parts. I need to practice on the sim as not to deplete the funds. I have read the whole forum over and over again. I have tried it all with some success. I have some issues that I need help on and hopefully someone else can benefit from my?’ First off I have a 6ch walkera Trans with the 3rd gen cable. Wired from the “S” cable connector to the mini db9 plug. It has no chip in it at all. I am running windows xp. I have tried changing the setting in the comm. port settings in setup. Installed ppjoy, and I setup a stick with success. I open ppjoy com and set for 9600 rate and read signal and send to ppjoy as it should. I just get no imputs to fms. I have metered the cable and know that it is good for continuity and has no shorts. I tried the hyper terminal, with again some suscess. On 9600 and 19200 baud rates both give me a single character sometimes two. But when I set it for 2400 baud rate I get the five characters that were talked about above. I noticed what was is a selection box in the ppjoy com setup to select the rate but it is grayed out. Like I said I have read this forum over and over again and think that I am confused now. If any one can help that would be great. If anyone needs more info let me now and ill get it for you. Thanks for the help.

(in reply to boehri_bb)
       Post #: 84

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 11/21/2005 1:51:33 AM   
skydiverc


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 11/6/2005
From: Mountain View, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Build the Parallel Port interface per post #80.
I too had the same problem with my #35. Also a 6 channel.
The reason its not seen is due to voltage levels not being adequate for RS-232 communication. ( thats what the chip does in some of them )
When I adapted the voltage levels to RS-232 I got a Invalid Sync byte for most all protocols.
This is due to the type of signal the latest 6 channels are using. Its not the old "Zhen Hua" protocol anymore at least for 6 channels.
It seems 4 channels put out a different signal and its either RS-232 capable or there is a converter in those cables. I dont really know but it is the only explaniation why 4 channels users seem ot work ok with ppjoy.
However that doesn't help you. I then built the parallel interface suggested by "oops" and its worked great.
You can build an adapter similar to mine for less than $5.00 in parts. Its not hard to build. minimal experiance is needed.
I have 2 extra adapters
I have 1 cable adapter version 1.
Plus a refined adapter version 2. Build into a backshell.
Your pick just pay for shipping. I think $5.00 would cover shipping it.
I only have these 2 after "nuhelo" picks its the other is up for grabs.

This adapter will only work with the supplied serial cable without a chip inline.
I did not use a jack as referenced at blackice.com.au I put the additional 10K resistor in my cable and in the adapter as the inside pic will show for V2.

Heres a pic of both V1 + V2 and the inside of my V2.


Attachments
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< Message edited by skydiverc -- 11/21/2005 1:54:51 AM >

(in reply to nuhelo)
       Post #: 85

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 12/11/2005 12:04:59 PM   
modelsandall


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 8/11/2005
From: PretoriaGauteng, SOUTH AFRICA
Status: offline 		Hi there,

Visit www.dongle.co.za

They have a USB dongle with cable for FMS simulator software.

No more ppjoy, no more invalid sync byte........

Just plug and play, no drivers or installation required.

Work on any TX with any connector available.

Thanks

G

(in reply to iron1800)
       Post #: 86

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 1/8/2006 10:19:55 PM   
mano2006


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 12/31/2004
From: taunton, MA, USA
Status: offline 		i have gone to the ppjoy website and tried to download it but it is not working. everytime i try to download it goes to blank screen. When i try to download and the screen to open or save comes up it won't let me do anything.

(in reply to Rayan)
       Post #: 87

RE: Zhen Hua Radio and FMS really works!!! - 2/6/2006 7:49:17 PM