Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Reading the DX18 advertising flyers they imply that telemetry data from the TM1000 can be saved to the Rx SD card and transferred to a computer.

The manual is very vague on this aspect.

Can anyone explain

a) how to save and read the data and

b) confirm that the data is chronological ie it is not just the cumulative figures shown on the Tx screen<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

I tried to look at the fault log om my dx 18',as I was using to 3 cell 2200 batteries in parallel to provide over ten volt that was set on the telemetry. I was flying away from me, using ar6200 and tm, 1000. I lost all control and it continued to land( probably better) no control. I checked tel reading, no reading. When I got near aircraft the tele read 11 volts and I taxied back to flight line. When I charged batteries the lower one too 2100 maHr. Should I be able to read the error on sd card, if so how do I set it up.

When I bind a previous bound tx8 model the first bind attempt come up bind failed, with no tele attached to Rx how does it know

Peter

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

After you load the SD card into your computer, you can e-mail it to your iPad and use the STi application to graph/review it.

Andy

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Andy

Does that mean I cannot review the data on my PC? I don't have an i-pad!

I am currently trying to resolve a problem on my &pound;1000+ Alpina glider where I am getting a very high number of Frame losses and Holds ( 700 frames losses and 9 holds on a 10minute flight) using an AR9300 receiver. If I could review the timing of these events I might get some insight as to what is happening. ( The Rx and telemetry module have gone back to Horizon Hobbies and I am rapidly losing trust in the DX18)

Surely it is not difficult to save the data and export to a simple PC program.

I have a &pound;65 device for height limited electric soaring competitions. It is no bigger than a thumbnail and can save several hours of altitude data which is easily downloaded vis a USB cable to a simple graphing program. Surely Spektrum can do similar with all the capacity of the SD card.

Peter<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Are you using the latest version (1.02) of the DX18 code? It does an update that will improve RF performance.

The telemetry file is the raw data off the air, plus a header of some config information and each record is timestamped. Right now there is no PC app; the STi provides a great interface for the data, though.

There is a project over on RCG in the DIY Electronics forum that might be of interest to you.

Andy

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Sedbergh.
Are you able to build a little electronic project, and program an AVR processor? Or know anyone that could?

I have recently made a small AVR based project, to help mevisualize some radio problems I had with my DX18. Problems that sound very much like yours. It requires only a small AVR (tiny2313) and a few other parts. Nothing expensive. Building and programming it may beyour biggest problem. It gets hooked up between the receivers data output and the telemetry transmitter. Sitting there, it can do various things:

It can read and analyze the frame losses, and display how bad a radio connection you've had during flight.
It can alter the frame loss data going to the telemetry module, so you can use it to set off an alarm in your transmitter, as soon as the radio link quality falls below a certain threshold (like 10 or 20% errors). This provides an early warning, that most likely will give you time to turn your airplane around, avoiding a total loss of signal.
And finally, it can provide an analog output signal indicating the signal quality (based on the current rate of frame losses). This analog signal can be recorded by various loggers like Eagle Tree eLoggers (the one I use). Record this signal together with GPS, and you can get a visual representation of where you are having problems.

I used the last feature to make this image, displaying where I lost frames. Blue is perfect connection, going down to red being total loss of all frames within a second (equal to a hold). As you can see,flying some distance away and the signal degrades all the way down to a total loss. Luckily the DX18 wasn't in control of the airplane in this test. After seeing this result, I sent my DX18 in for repair.


I'll gladly go into more detail about this device, if you are able to build something like this.

Mikael

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Thanks, but I,m not sure which program I email to sti, I'm a little confused
Peter

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

You e-mail a telemetry data file (SPEKTRUM.TLM) to the phone.

Andy

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Andy

Sorry but you've lost me.

If I download a Spektrum.TLM file to my PC and send it to myself it will immediately appear in my PC Inbox and be deleted from my ISP mailbox. The only time I can download e-mails to my i-touch is when my computer is offline and therefore they are still on the ISP mailbox.

Even if I were able to get the file to my i-touch mail app I cannot see how to then transfer it into STi.

Actually I haven't even got to the stage of understanding how to get my DX18 to start recording telemetry data!

Peter<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

To start the logging on the DX18 is very simple.

Access the telemetry setup and scroll to File Setting. Don't have the radio in front of me right now but it should be the last item you can scroll to. There you will see the file name and the switch selection to activated the logging and the ENABLE function as well.

Logged files on your Tx are stored on the SD card as a TLM file.Transfer the file from the card with a PC or something that will allow you to take the file and send it as an attachment in an e-mail.You open that e-mail with the iDevice you have the STi app installed on.When you click on the attachment you get a dialog with a button to import it to STi.It will create an icon on the models screen of the STi app labeled "e-mail attachments".You tap that icon and it will open to the files page and then you can select then graph or replay it the same as you would a log that was created with the STi app itself.

This last portion comes from a friend of mine from another forum, it saved me from having to retype everything, hope he doesn't mind. :)

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Not a problem freechip.I was kind of away today.I dont watch this forum as close but will pay closer attention to it.
Sedberg
If you still have trouble ask again.We will get you through it

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Aerocal &amp; Freechip

Thanks for the help. I have downloaded the STi app to my i-touch and am beginning to understand how to use it.

However I cannot test it for real at present as my telemetry module and Ar 9300 Rx are at Horizon Hobbies being checked out.

I think I can get around the e-mail problem by saving the .TLM file from the SD card to my laptop and e-mailing it to myself with the main PC offline. Then the e-mail will stay in the ISB mailbox and I can download it to my i-touch.

All this to understand why I get so many holds on my Alpina with my new DX18.

Thanks again.

Peter

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Or you can change your mail settings to not delete received mails from your ISPs server...<div>
</div><div>Cheers, Ralf</div>

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Now why didn't I think of that!

Thanks Ralf
<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

You're welcome!

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Peter,

Are you using version 1.02? There was a notice in the e-mail that went out Monday that talks about RF improvements as part of the package.

Andy

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Andy

I have just installed 1.02 but have not had chance to use or test it yet.

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Is the 1.02 for uk I thought it was for US

Peter

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

v1.02 is for both US and EU users.

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">I have recently made a small AVR based project, to help mevisualize some radio problems I had with my DX18. Problems that</span>sound<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(251, 252, 255); ">very much like yours. It requires only a small AVR (tiny2313) and a few other parts. Nothing expensive. Building and programming it may beyour biggest problem. It gets hooked up between the receivers data output and the telemetry transmitter. Sitting there, it can do various things:</span>

Svuppe

I can probably get a friend to program the AVR and possibly even the building.

I don't have an Eagle tree logger or gps module but it does sound as though your device allows more detaiuled examination of the frame losses.

Peter<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

I am interested in sharing in this project and am wondering were you live in England . I fly at old warden and ivinghoe beacon, we're do you live and fly.
Peterbwood

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Precisely. And that is exactly why I made it in the first place. The interface tosome sort oflogger only came afterwards.

It can be used in three different ways:

1. It can monitor the frame loss in relation to time. This can then be read and evaluated after the flight. This require either the Spektrum Flight Log (SPM9540) display, or a telemetry module and then use the transmitter as display.
2. It can report frame loss as a percentage. This is used with a telemetry module to set off an alarm in the transmitter. As soon as the signal is good enough (below the threshold), the alarm clears itself. It is quite useful to get an early warning before total loss of signal.
3. It can be used together with a logger of some sort, Eagle Tree or others. Anything that can log an analog voltage from 0 to 4V.

I think the first two could be of good use to you.
I will make a webpage with everything you (or your friend) need to know, in order to build and use it. I hope I can have it ready later today.

Mikael
<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Electric Pete

Lets have a look whats involved in Mikaels project first.

I live in Berkshire - about 1hr 20 mins from Ivinghoe.

Peter<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Thanks Mikael

I look forward to seeing the vwbpage.

Peter<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Here is my quick and dirty draft of a webpage:
www.ejberg.dk/datalogenhancer/

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Mikael

Thanks for the link to your webpage.

The hardware for the simple version (without RSSI) doesn't look too difficult to assemble and I reckon I could put it together on a bit of veroboard.

However the software bit is way beyond me and I will have to speak to our club genius. If there were problems with oscillator speed etc then I would be lost!

One, probably daft, question. What is the component ISP?

Peter




<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Yes, it usually is the programming that scares off people.
But it is just a matter of finding someone with an AVR programmer. The actual programming only takes a moment.

The ISP component is just a plug. Usually a pinheader with 2x3 pins. ISP stands for "In System Programming", and the pin layout is the standard Atmel uses on all their AVR programmers. It is only needed if you plan on programming the AVR while it is mounted on the board. I need that as I use a surface mounted AVR that is permanently soldered to the board, but if you use a regular through-hole chip, you could just solder a socket on the board, and insert the AVR into that.

Mikael

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Since my last posting I have had the AR9300 and Telemetry module returned from Horizon Hobbies who found nothing wrong with either. Actually they reported slightly low range on the telemetry module and replaced it with another????

I then purchased the dongle for my i-touch so that I could monitor and save the the flight log data. Also I installed the AR9300 in another. non carbon glider.

Using the graphing function in STi has revealed some interesting facts.

If I plot Flight Log it shows fades, frame losses and holds against time for each aerial. I am not getting any holds and quite few frame losses in this model even up to 1700ft altitude. However the fadegraph line for each aerial gradually climbs punctuated by some sharp spikes. Loooking at the values for these spikes shows figures in the thousands BUT once the spike is passed the fade value reverts to the cumulative low figure of say 100 to 150 for each aerial.

Could it be that these spikes are in fact spurious results from the telemetry rather than actual fades at the Rx.

Perhaps it is the postioning of the telemetry aerial on top of the fuselage which is degrading the signal?

Anyway I am acquiring the components to build Mikaels little device to investigate further.

Peter

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Those spikes are places where the TM1000 is having trouble talking to the transmitter due to only having a single antenna.

It doesn't indicate problems with the remotes, but is telling you the TM1000 is having difficulties.

If you were to plot them on GPS, you would likely see they are where you are turning the aircraft into a direction that minimizes the TM1000's range.

Andy

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Thanks Andy - that is what I suspected.

I have now reinstalled the gear in my Alpina adding a second satellite Rx and exiting the TM1000 aerial under the fuz.

Testing will have to wait for better weather.

Peter

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

I'm getting a time scale error - that's how I'd describe it - when viewing stored .TLM files from my DX18 on my iPad. The data values (voltage, acceleration, etc.) seem right, but the time scale shows about 55 seconds elapsed from a flight that was about 8 minutes. I've done this twice. I believe I have the latest DX18 firmware and the latest iPad Spektrum viewer. Is anyone else seeing this time scale error?

I've been searching the web for this problem and this thread was about the closest I could get.

And, come on Spektrum, how about a rudimentary data converter to make the files importable to spreadsheets? You don't have to write a fancy user interface or anything like that. Just a utility that converts the data to a text file that could be imported. I'm sure a lot of us would like to have that.

Thanks for any help or ideas on the time scale thing.

-Jeff<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

The time line scale issue has been reported.

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Thank you very much for the quick reply. I'm surprised I didn't find anything when searching, but I suppose I chose the wrong keywords.

I sure like having the main battery pack monitoring and alarms for the nicer, more expensive aircraft. All the rest of this data stuff is icing on the cake.

I recently made a circuit to watch two battery packs and send the lower of the two voltages to the TM1000 voltage probe. I've bench tested it, but it hasn't flown yet. I wonder if there's a discussion group somewhere with people who could use such a thing. For me, it's a B-17 with two separate flight packs for the inboard/outboard motors, and of course I wanted to be warned about whichever pack was dropping faster than the other.

If there's enough interest I might make some PC boards and bag up some parts kits so people could build them.

-Jeff<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Most setups I've seen had both packs combined then the ESCs connected off of both of them ensuring both power setup have equal amount of power.

But sounds cool what you have done.

As for not finding the info from searching, I know this from another forum that for me is much more active then here but that's not always a good thing.

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

Putting the packs in parallel like that does have some advantages I think. One down side I can think of is if one pack's going to fail it could take the other one with it, depending on the failure mode.
On the other hand, maybe if a LiPo is going to fail by shorting internally it would go up in flames and then it wouldn't matter what the other pack is doing...http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ular_smile.gif

Anyway, on this HobbyKing B-17 I think I like the separate inboard/outboard power split. I was surprised to see them Y-connect all four BEC's in parallel, but it works. I suppose they're linear, instead of switching, and they're not bothered by each other.

-Jeff<br type="_moz" />

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

That's most likely the reason why it's working.

Switching BEC would fight each other until something would fail.

The seperate system is good as long as its setup like you mentioned, inboard and outboard.

If it were left wing and right wing would hate to see one completely side of motors shut off.

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

I think this will help. It displays all telemetry data in graph or table view, including GPS which can also be viewed in google earth.
It's the best I have seen and makes me wonder why Spektrum have not done anything like this for the masses that use PC.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1818261

RE: Spektrum DX18 telemetry data download
 

See that blue shirt in his avatar? That means he's a Team Horizon member. He and I shared quite a few e-mails before he announced his product.

Andy