New firmware 2.52 beta1 is available

New firmware 2.52 beta1 is available for all testers.

Although we do our best to make this version free of bugs, this is still not stable version, but beta/test version for those who want to take some risk and test it with their equippment.  We appreciate any feedback from your tests and flights.

Download ZIP file  with firmware and short  manual from here:  Firmware 2.52 beta1

This firmware is compatible with all OSD/Autopilot/GroundStation boards (this same compatibility as firmware version 2.50).

At any time user may flash this version to his devices and then  after tests flash back previous stable 2.50/2.50a  version  (available on www/pitlab.com webpage) without loosing any existing settings.

Although new version will keep all existing settings, for safety reason we recommend to make settings backup for all devices  before upgrading firmware to version 2.52.

 

Final release 2.50 is ready!

After long time of hard work final release 2.50 is ready for download on Pitlab’s web page:

http://www.pitlab.com/fpv-system/download.html

I would like to thank the many people who participated in this version. Thanks to all of those who shared their fresh ideas and insisted on building them into our system. And thanks as well to the beta testers who risked their own valuable airplanes in order to stabilize the version and prove it works as expected – like Pompecukor and Zbipok to name only the most active testers.
Special thanks to my beloved wife, who not only tests each new feature during her FPV flights, but bears patiently my long working hours and all those phone calls from users.
Thank you all for the kind words about our system and support, which gives me incredible power for work on new features.
Many thanks to Bruce (xtrmtrk) who prepared beautiful manuals and translated them from my pidgin English into beautiful American English.
So enjoy the new version. Be safe. And be Free!
Zbig.

New release candidate 2.50rc3 is ready!

New release candidate 2.50rc3 is ready for download:

download 2.50rc3

Changes in OSD:

  • improved zero calibration for ET airspeed sensor
  • Removed  5 digit (99999) limit for distance field display. Now after 99999 (meters of feets) OSD will display kilometers or miles with one decimal pont (e.g 123.4) .
  • Bug fixed in LOS display for distances more than 50000 meters

Changes in Autopilot:

  • In SBUS input mode  conversion for output PPM allows for extended PPM range (+/-135%), and respects EPA settings.
  • After startup AP moves rudder to the right for 0.5sec also in V-tail.
  • Minor changes in altitude keeping algorithms, for low altitudes and landing

No changes in GroundStation.

Changes in FPV_manager:

  • Logs from GroundStation were truncated after 2h40min
  • Bug fixed for displaying distances more than 60.000meters

Release candidate 2.50RC2 ready for download!

Release candidate 2.50RC2  is ready for download.
This version has all work done and  tested.  Now it is time  to verify last build and if everything is OK this will become oficial release.

Changes since RC1:

Autopilot:  

  • In SBUS input mode in OFF mode servo output for “zero” was shifted 10us (1%)

OSD:

  • During auto landing, when circling over beginning of approach path icon next to distance was  “base flag” instead of “*” (asterisk)

GroundStation:

  • No changes

FPV_manager:

  • small bug removed in runway removal.

All files in ZIP format are available in Download section (see left menu).

Release candidate 2.50RC1 available!

Release candidate 2.50RC1  is ready for download.  After one month of public BETA tests it’s now time for finalize work and prepare release candidate.
This version has all work done and  tested.  Now it is time  to verify last build and if everything is OK this will become oficial release.

Changes since last BETA3:

Autopilot:  

  • Smoother throttle operation in AUTO modes, especially on higher altitudes
  • Cut engine altitude during landing lowered from 5m into 4m
  • Better vertivcal speed control in AUTO mode with steep slopes.

OSD:

  • Full support for different AMSL of runway and base during autonomous and manual landing. More info in manual.
  • During Auto landing  destination fields changes periodically between “Land” and current runway name
  • In Hold mode when aileron/elevator stick is deflected  destination fields shows new course/altitude respectively
  • Routes: bug fix -changing route altitude from “current” into “default” sets minimum aultitude instead of default.
  • In AUTO/Circle mode immediate change of circling direction when aileron stick is deflected.
  • Better alghritm for circling (to get desired altitude) before approach path entered.

GroundStation:

  • Simplified servo settings for tracking antenna
  • Bug fix in SD log file date&time

FPV_manager:

  • All new navigation modes (Take, Land, Route) shown In log window
  • Minor fixes in layout designer (field sizes)

All files in ZIP format are available in Download section (see left menu).

Beta3 available

Firmware 2.50 beta3 is available

In this release:

– Beginning of runway is visualized 10 meters before touchdown point (extra margin for GPS inaccuracy) on OSD screen as well as in FPV_manager.

– Changes in layout designer in FPV_manager. Now designer is initially empty, and when layout is loaded  it is remembered when pages are changed. Additionally name of layout is shown in right upper corner of designer.

– New functionality in AUTO HOLD mode. When aileron/elevator stick is moved more than 30% it  will change (trim)   course and altitude   (up to 1deg/s and 1m/s respectively)

– New option in layout designer  in  Distance field . first option [x] LOS (2s/6s)  enables periodical  indication of LOS  (line of sight from airplane to base) instead of current navigation point distance. When LOS is shown field changes icon to \

– In FPV_manager  approach path visualization is set to 600m before touchdown point (previously was only 300m)

– Bug fix: In Auto Route when route altitude was changed to “current altitude” (from OSD menu) AP still uses default altitude from route definition.

v.2.50 Beta 2 available!

New BETA 2 firmware is available.

In this release:

OSD and AP: Improved altitude keeping algorithm, especially when flying steep glideslope.

GroundStation: Added option for setting UART telemetry baud rate

Manuals:  new version of “Navigation modes” manual

Note: There is no bug fixes in BETA 2  version.

 

Latest informations and BETA /TEST versions 2.7x of Pitlab FPV System: OSD, Autopilot, GroundStation and Tracking antenna