Sorting my stuff and AQ32s and other stuff surface. Then...

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Sorting my stuff and AQ32s and other stuff surface. Then...

GrahamBonsall

Ok pinging my own thread.. bad form.. however its with progress. https://github.com/d-ronin/dRonin/wiki/Migrating-from-AeroQuad-to-dRonin
This has gotten me going with the idea that i could at least test with the board.
Thanks for anyone wwith more help. I will hopefully keep this up ans have a simple how to for old AQ users.

jihlein

If you're using Windows, it "might" be easier to download the DfuSe tools from ST Micro Devices. Then use the DFU File Manager to create ef_aq32.dfu from the ef_aq32.hex file. Finally use DfuSe Demonstration program to flash the dfu file you created. This loads the dRonin bootloader and flight firmware in a single step. Future firmware updates can then be done thru the CGS. Don't forget to add the Boot0 jumper on power up to force the board into bootloader mode.

raemin

https://github.com/d-ronin/dRonin/wiki/User-Guide:-Updating-The-Bootloader#advanced-technique--f3f4-boards-semi-automated-upgrade

@yds script, mentioned in the wiki, does support AQ32

GrahamBonsall

Progress with the New Year, I finally followed the steps on using that batch script, I was excited how easy everything was, and before I knew it the AQ32 is loaded with DRonin... I am looking forward to creating something more out of this, I have 2 of these boards and a whole gaggle of escs servos motors waiting for exploitation. I thought of using one to run a tracking antenna. I Am just super excited and so pleased this has brought my boards back to life with a future.

GrahamBonsall

Ok, I am gonna hook up some servos and an esc as if this was a fixed wing. I have the original pictures and wiring guides etc to hookup my FRSKY D8R-XP reciever as PPM to the Aeroquad board, is the PPM input still the same? And should i assume the servo and esc outputs to be the same too?
here is wayback link to image of PPM input pins on original Baloo board
works.https://web.archive.org/web/20150206194705/http://aeroquad.com/showwiki.php?title=ImagesPM+Receiver+AeroQuad32+board.jpg

jihlein

"I have the original pictures and wiring guides etc to hookup my FRSKY D8R-XP reciever as PPM to the Aeroquad board, is the PPM input still the same?"

No, a lot of the pin definitions changed so that more features of the board could be used, for example there are more uarts available than in the "AeroQuad World". See here for the dRonin definitions:

https://github.com/d-ronin/dronin-hw/blob/master/aq32/v2/AQ32_v2_dRonin_pin_assignments.png

Note that ESC outputs and PWM outputs are interchangeable depending on how you define the outputs in the dRonin GCS.

GrahamBonsall

jihlein Thank you sir. I will do my best to map from my AQv1 board with those instructions. I will also create a write up with some imagery and make a contribution to the wiki.

raemin

@GrahamBonsall : should you succeed in flying this old beast do not hesitate to update the wiki... (I've already added the pinout)
https://github.com/d-ronin/dRonin/wiki/Migrating-from-AeroQuad-to-dRonin

jihlein

You can look/start here, but I'm not sure if it's 100% accurate.......

https://github.com/d-ronin/dronin-hw/tree/master/aq32/v1

GrahamBonsall

Trying to have all my wiring ducks in a row before powering up with lipo... for OSD I have the Max 7456 breakout which I acquired to use with the AQ32 so long ago but never got around to hooking up to the board to get the font loaded. Does Dronin GCS load the font onto an old board like 7456 or do i have to do that with arduino IDE somehow like the old AQ documentation? ... Or should I somehow use my old minimOSD board? is that as simple as define a set of UARTS as Tx/Rx in the Dronin GCS?? I can at least get fonts or firmware onto minim-board with my FTDI like any other arduino...Thanks for all advice. I'll surely have some more questions as this project gets together.

raemin

For minimOSD you just have to compile mwOSD with dRonin support (dRonin can make it do with the regular betaflight-mwosd firmware, but you end up with plenty of useless screens), from then on, in the GCS, you enable MSP protocol on one of your UART and connect this uart TX/RX to minimOSD.

Note that Once MWOSD is properly flashed you can use the flight controller as and FTDI adapter in order to setup MWOSD! For this you disable the MSP protocol and enable the com-bridge instead (second drop down of the USB port and UART port have to be defined as "bridged"). Once the flight controller is connected through usb you will see an additional comport in windows, this will be the comport to be used with your mwosd configurator.

The built-in OSD is obviously better than a separate MWOSD. I do not know how the graphical chip is connected to the AQ32 board, so no idea whether dRonin can actually use it in order to run the buit-in OSD. Obviously there are some UAVObjects related to the OSD on the AQ32 (https://github.com/d-ronin/dRonin/blob/3a866925d6148e33e0620c94c5940413574a7247/shared/uavobjectdefinition/hwaq32.xml), so with a bit of luck the OSD support is similar to the Omnibus boards... You could look at the hardware tab (in the GCS) and search for a drop down list with the MAX7456 chip?

GrahamBonsall

raemin wonderful advice. I will see what i can come up with.