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Using the Eepskye Program – Version 1 1

9XR Pro: Using the Eepskye Program

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

Basic Concepts .......................................................................................................................... 1

Setting up the Eepskye Program ................................................................................................ 3

General Description of Eepskye ................................................................................................. 5

Flashing the Firmware with Eepskye .......................................................................................... 9

Creating, Editing and Importing Models with Eepskye ...............................................................10

Simulating a Model ...................................................................................................................14

Splash Screen...........................................................................................................................15

Further Information ...................................................................................................................17

Introduction

Eepskye is a computer program designed to support the Ersky9x firmware used in the Turnigy

9XR Pro transmitter. This software will allow you to backup, edit and share model definitions

and adjust transmitter settings. Eepskye can also simulate how the outputs of the servo

channels will respond to various control inputs and programmed mixes.

Eepskye9x can make setting up a new model easier and quicker by allowing you to use the

keyboard, mouse and larger screen of a PC. It can allow you to store as many different models

as you want on the computer and download them to the transmitter when needed. And Eepskye

offers an easy way of loading new firmware onto the radio.

At present, Eepskye runs on Windows XP, 7 or 8 and Macintosh. Work is under way to create a

version for Linux.

There are other open source programs that perform similar functions. To avoid incompatibilities,

make sure you use Eepskye to manage the Ersky9x firmware in your 9XR Pro transmitter.

Basic Concepts

Memory

The purpose of Eepskye is to enable you to use a computer to work with and manage the

contents of the memory of your Turnigy 9XR Pro transmitter. There are three kinds of memory in

the radio: Flash, EEPROM and SD card.

Flash Memory

Flash memory is where the radio's firmware or "operating system" resides. "Flashing the radio"

means replacing the firmware, usually to upgrade to a newer version. Flashing requires a

special procedure, not merely copying the firmware file. The Ersky9x firmware used in the 9XR

Pro includes a “boot loader” to enable the transmitter to flash its own firmware (for details see

the manual 9XR: Communicating with a Computer). The Eepskye program can also be used to

flashed firmware, as explained later in this manual.

Summary of content (17 pages)

PAGE 1
9XR Pro: Using the Eepskye Program Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Basic Concepts .......................................................................................................................... 1 Setting up the Eepskye Program ................................................................................................ 3 General Description of Eepskye ................................
PAGE 2
EEPROM The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) stores general radio settings and the individual model memories. EEPROM can be read by the Eepskye program, the contents can be edited or stored on the computer, and files on the computer can be copied to the transmitter. Micro-SD Card The 9XR Pro includes a Micro-SD card (the kind used in many smartphones) that can store firmware files and various other information such as voice files.
PAGE 3
To disconnect the transmitter from a Windows computer, first use the command “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media”. Then turn OFF the transmitter and unplug the cable. Macintosh Using a Macintosh computer, loading the SD card via a USB connection can take over five minutes. Consequently, it is recommended that Macintosh users access the contents of the SD card directly by removing the card from the transmitter and inserting it into the computer (using a suitable adapter or card reader).
PAGE 4
If you select a language other than English, you will need to restart eepskye. Enter Channel Order and Stick Mode, using the same settings established in the Radio Setup screen of the transmitter (for details see the manual 9XR: First Steps with Ersky9x). Select both of the “Check for updates” boxes (recommended). “Show splash screen” determines whether the welcome screen is displayed on the transmitter at startup (optional). In “Version to download” select ersky9xr. Click OK.
PAGE 5
A list of model memory slots, including any models already created, will appear in the Eepskye main screen. The file should be saved to your computer with a descriptive name (such as 9XR Pro BU 001) in a location where it will be available as a backup (such as ‘9XR BU Files’). The program will add the extension ‘.bin.’ This test verifies that the Eepskye program is working and communicating properly with the computer.
PAGE 6
File Drop-Down Menu File>New Opens a window within Eepskye showing a generic binary file called ‘document1.bin’. This is an empty file ready to be filled in and uploaded to the transmitter. It will contain both individual model definitions and the general radio settings. General Settings in the top line of the document represents the radio setup data.
PAGE 7
To create a .eepm file, select a model within an open EEPROM file and press Save Model Settings. You will have a choice as to the location on the computer and the file name. To open a model settings file, select an available slot in an open EEPROM file. Use Load Model Settings to find the appropriate .eepm file and load it into the slot. The modified EEPROM file can then be edited, simulated, saved to the computer, uploaded to the radio, etc.
PAGE 8
Edit Drop-Down Menu Edit>Cut, Edit>Copy, Edit>Paste. Enable performing these actions on an open document. Edit>Eeprom Info. Summary of the file attributes for the EEPROM file selected. Burn Drop-Down Menu. Burn>Write Memory to TX Sends to the radio the currently open and selected document. (If you have more than one window open, make sure to click on the one you want to transfer.) Burn>Read Memory from TX Reads the EEPROM contents from the radio, and opens them in a new document in Eepskye.
PAGE 9
One of the Telemetry screens is used to simulate the Winged Shadow How Hi device. If the serial output from the computer is connected to the serial port on an FrSky D-series receiver, the operation of the device can be tested by pressing the Start button. The other screen is used to read and set the alarms on a DJT or XJT transmitter module. The serial port on the computer is connected to the 4-pin connection on the module. With the module powered up, press the Start button.
PAGE 10
To flash new firmware to the transmitter, first go to File>Preferences and press download to get the latest version of the Ersky9xr firmware. This assumes you have already set appropriate preferences for the 9XR Pro, as discussed above. Now power up the transmitter in boot loader mode by holding both horizontal trim switches (Aileron and Rudder) TOWARDS THE CENTER and turning ON. You will see “Boot Loader Ready” on the screen. Plug the mini-USB cable into the transmitter and the computer.
PAGE 11
To create a new model from scratch in Eepskye, double click on a blank model slot in a document.
PAGE 12
Along the top is a row of 13 tabs, one for each page of the model setup. If you turn on your radio and long press the right navigation key once, select a model and then press once more right, these are essentially the same 13 pages you will see on your radio. Using these pages on your computer is just like programming directly on the transmitter, except that you have the advantage of a keyboard, mouse and big screen.
PAGE 13
Importing a Model You can import a model by bringing in an entire EEPROM file from another 9XR Pro and then dragging the desired model over to an EEPROM file downloaded from your own transmitter. What you should NOT do is to load a file from another transmitter into your own 9XR Pro, as doing so would bring in all the other models and general settings and wipe out all of your own. A more convenient way to exchange model files with someone else who has a 9XR Pro is to use an .eepm file.
PAGE 14
The tabs along the top of the page correspond to the Radio Setup pages in your transmitter programming. You can edit the General Settings for the Setup, Trainer, and Calibration pages here, upload these settings to the radio and save them as a backup. Again, to understand the various fields please refer to the manuals First Steps with Ersky9x and Ersky9x Explained. Simulating a Model Highlight a model in a document.bin file.
PAGE 15
are moved. The direction and extent of the output can be seen and changed if necessary before uploading the file to the radio. Here’s what the Simulator looks like for a four channel model. In this example, the sticks have been set to hold so that the results of moving them from center can be seen: Splash Screen The splash screen image resides within the firmware and is displayed at start-up. To change the splash screen you must insert a different image into the firmware.
PAGE 16
To create a new or modified splash screen requires the use of an application such as Paint. The image must meet strictly defined requirements: the file can be in binary format (.bin) or bitmap format (.bnp, .pbm, etc.); it can be inverted if necessary but must be monochrome black and white, 2 bit, 128 x 64 pixels. The pilot name must be 8 pixels high and can be up to 60 pixels wide.
PAGE 17
Further Information For additional information to help you understand and make best use of your Turnigy 9XR Pro, see the other manuals in this series and/or go to one of the forums dedicated to this transmitter and the open source firmware it uses. 9XR Pro Manuals The following manuals are designed to help you get the most out of your Turnigy 9XR Pro. They are available at: http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=7 1. 9XR Pro: Introduction to the Hardware 2. 9XR Pro: First Steps with Ersky9x 3.