F3Cross

This page is still under construction. More infos will follow!

The F3Cross system consists of multiple parts:

  • Aircraft module with Lora 868Mhz, ESPNow-LR and GPS module.
  • Ground station, consisting of a receiver, a server and a device with a webbrowser (PC, Laptop, Smartphone)
  • Beeper module that gives the turn signal to the pilot and gives additional info on working time, flight time, legs and competitiors.
  • (Future:) Manual Button module for Speed flight with helpers
  • (Future, maybe:) Control station for automatic competition without the need for a Contest director.

The competition in Söhl was a successful testrun and introduction for the F3Cross system. But i have to focus a little bit more on my dayjob now. Therefore, the timeline with the publication shifted a little bit back, but it will come!

Next steps (including necessary effort):

  1. Test Aerodynamics:
    I have to identify if the antenna or the base body is the stongest influence on aerodynamics. Afterwards a nicer housing will be designed! (high time effort to really identify the small influence)
  2. Implement F3XVault result upload
    This cost me the most time in Söhl. Adding every pilot to the correct group andadd the result takes time and it can be easily integrated into the software. (small Change, medium Testing)
  3. Bugfixes (Small changes)
  4. Improvements (high, depending on the necessary testing, redundancy and logging options)

Known bugs

Buzzer:

  • LED communication has to be repeated, sometimes the colors get mixed up. Maybe wrong datarate or just a refresh needed
  • Volume too low with some – why?
  • Put display behind glass!
  • Antenna reception not the best close to a body

Aircraft module:

  • usb has bad placement
  • Cover all electronics and cables

Groundstation:

  • Some Group start signals did not go through – maybe due to Wifi or phone use? Not happening via LAN.
  • Speed task is broken due to a recent change

Planned improvements

Buzzer:

  • Sound louder
  • smaller housing
  • bigger/two displays
  • easier battery swap
  • Faster in separated network. Maybe wifi (UDP/TCP? NTP possible) instead?

Aircraft:

  • less drag, maybe smaller antenna fin
  • battery to buffer GPS almanach is a nice to have

Groundstation:

  • Battery symbols for buzzer and aircraft in one place
  • better working time, legs and flight time reset on beeper displays
  • Full integration of starting list generation (at least direct importing option) and result upload for all three tasks!
  • automatic detection of launches/relaunches/speed soaring time

General improvements:

  • Adding a manual module for Speed task with a button
  • Adding standalone version without need for server. (Single aircraft operation only for now!)
  • Integration of all hardware into Euro boxes. (2x 40x30x17cm should be more than sufficient for the entire system)