I was on the Skookum Robotics website reading up on their flybarless offerings for my jump to flybarless, when I came across Software Rev 1.10 for the SK-720 that has new features, bug fixes, and activates self-leveling. Read on for the details of this update.
SK-720 Flybarless System : Software Update
June 21, 2010
Here you can Download the installer package for:
Rev 1.10 SK720 Setup Software
Rev 1.10 SK720 Playback Utility
Rev 1.10 SK720 Manual
If you want to try out the flight log playback software, you can download one of Alvin Chai’s flight logs. Note, the SK720 can’t directly record position without a GPS accessory (we’re working on it!), so XYZ positions are only estimates.
For Existing SK-720 Owners:
The new setup software includes a web-based firmware update tool for your unit, under the utility menu in the software. But before updating, please read the release notes!
SK-720 Software Rev 1.10 – RELEASE NOTES
* The setup software currently tells you to format your SK720 first (as of June 22, 2010). This is not needed unless there are more than about a dozen files on the unit’s flash drive. If you do decide to format it, be sure to use the method under the utility menu, do not use windows explorer.
* If you have a 4-servo swash, you must re-arrange the servo leads to match the SK720′s manual & label. The 1.00 rev of the firmware had them swapped.
* If you have a servo that uses 960us frames (Hitec or Logitech), the center point has been changed slightly. You will have to adjust the trim on the Tail Servo tab.
* DO NOT plug an RPM sensor into port IO-C without first turning the sensor option on in your setup and re-booting the unit. Otherwise, there is some risk of burning the sensor out if IO-C is still sending a servo signal. Note,the “Eagle Tree” sensors seem to have their red and black leads switched vs the industry standard.
* The SK-720′s self-leveling feature IS NOT AUTO HOVER. That would require an external position sensor, which we plan to release at a later date. Also, at the present time the system is optimized to get the heli close to upright under a wide range of conditions, not to keep it perfectly level with only conservative flying. The self-level feature will turn itself off if the vibration level is too high for more than about 5 seconds, which on an otherwise smooth heli can still happen during hard climb outs or max-roll-rate maneuvers (due to blade stall, such as when you hear the blades barking). Its weakest area is flying fast turns with near-max collective, as the combination of high G’s and periods of high vibration can cause errors in its sense of up.
Changes to the Setup Software for rev 1.10:
* Improved setup wizards
* Improved method of setting gyro orientation, which catches some user errors in setup
* Firmware updates for SK720 are easy, and happen over the web
* Several additional tail servos have been added
* Under the View menu, you can check the last flight’s vibration level (also available via the LCD terminal)
* RPM sensor option for flight logging
* Added “blur piros” option to the tail banks
* Some other minor bug fixes
Changes to the Playback Software for rev 1.10:
* More reliable and accurate playback
* Displays RPM, if an RPM sensor is used
* Displays which Cyclic and Tail bank is in use
Changes to the Firmware for rev 1.10:
* Self-leveling is activated
* More reliable, smoother startup for tail and throttle channels
* Smoother binding for Dx7se and 9 channel spektrum radios
* If there is an in-flight brownout or reset, it gets flying again faster
* Improvement to tail stability in hover
* More consistent piro rates
* Better hold ability for the tail
* Better bounding on tail servo motion
* “Blur Piros” option, so at 100% rudder the heli will piro at almost 3 revs/second.
* Slight change in center for 960us pulse tail servos (HITEC AND LOGITECH)
* Servo outputs for 4-servo swashes consistent with manual and label
* RPM capture to flight logs, via Port IO-C, that works with most sensors (see manual re Eagle Tree Sensors)
* Improvements to logging, so it’s more reliable
* Flight logs should be saved even after a crash where electrical power is lost
* Logging quality improved
* Ability to set up the unit via USB even with the SD card inoperable or removed
* Fixed a bug where the unit could fail to start up if there are a large number of files in the SD card’s root directory
* More reliable LCD firmware updating using the SK720
* Lowered risk of setup file being corrupted
* Improved the SD-card reformat method
* Error flags are more consistent
Source: Skookum Robotics
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