MBPlus AttitudeControl-HowToSetupTX

Setting up a separate switch channel for AttitudeControl

In this example we use a Futaba T14SG with R7008SB SBus receiver. The procedure is basically the same on all types of transmitter systems. For this type of application it is mandatory to use a system with singleline receiver output like SBus, SRXL, SPPM or Spektrum remote satellite signal.

Using a Standard type receiver assigning channels and using a separate switch channel for AtittudeControl is NOT applicable as here you can only connect 5 channels to Microbeast and the channel assignment is fixed to the receiver output wires!

We use the default channel ordering here. Make sure that the functions of your transmitter are assigned to the same output channels as written in the MICROBEAST PLUS manual.	On the Futaba transmitter we use the FUNCTION menu to check and assign functions.	As channel 7 is used to switch AttitudeControl we must assign some actuator to this channel. On the Futaba transmitter the channel is designated as AUX channel which means this is a simple proportional channel without any special functionality.

We choose switch SF to actuate the channel 7.	In the servo monitor we can see how the deflection of channel 7 is changing...	...when we flip switch SF

After the basic transmitter setup is done we have to choose the receiver type and assign the functions by choosing the default channel assignment for our SBus system. Before doing so make sure the receiver is properly bound to the transmitter and the receiver is sending a serial line signal on the appropriate output (in our case we have to setup the receiver so it is sending a SBus signal on the output 8/SB by setting the receiver to "Mode B", see receiver manual).

The serial signal line is connected to ELE/DI1 input at MICROBEAST PLUS. For setup the power supply can be connected to one of the servo output port CH1 to CH4. Before and while switching on/connecting power we hold down the push button to enter receiver setup menu.	Menu LED A lights up instantly and Status LED shows current receiver type (by default Standard receiver = LED off).	Again push and hold down the button repeatedly until the Status LED lights up in the color and state that represents our receiver type.	In this case we need the Status LED flash in red color = SBus.

Briefly push the button to proceed to function assignment (Menu point B) where the Status LED should light up in blue color if the transmitter is on and the SBus signal is received.	As we intend to use the preset function assignment again push and hold down the button to load the assignment...	...and directly skip to Menu point N.	Lastly move the throttle stick to motor off position and teach this position for failsafe function by pushing the button briefly.

Note you must go through the complete receiver setup menu until you reach the menu end (all Menu LEDs flashing). Otherwise your settings will not be stored.

Now power off and on again. MICROBEAST PLUS will perform initialization sequence. When the init is finished perform basic setup procedure (if not already done). When the heli is ready to fly open Parameter menu by briefly pushing the button while in operation mode and directly go to menu point L by skipping the other menu points pushing the button repeatedly. At menu point L choose your desired AttitudeControl mode and save it by again pushing the button briefly. If using a AttitudeControl mode with collective pitch input you may change the pitch at menu point M. When out of the Parameter menu check if AttitudeControl reacts correctly when flipping your AttitudeControl switch.

Flipping the switch into one direction AttitudeControl is on. This is shown by Menu LED N lighting up while the Status LED is red.	Flipping the switch to OFF position, Menu LED A will flash while the Status LED is red. If the switch reacts inverted use your transmitter's servo reverse function and reverse channel 7!	When Menu LED N lights up in ON position this probably is too much AttitudeControl gain. Use the transmitter's endpoint adjustment feature to decrease the amount of AttitudeControl gain.	As a good starting point Menu LED G should light up, which is reached with apprx. 50% servo throw on channel 7.

Don't forget: AttitudeControl gain and status will only be shown each time after the gain changes which is the case when flipping the switch. After 8 seconds the Menu LED will go off and the Status LED color changes back to blue or purple showing the tail gyro mode.

Setting up AttitudeControl using the gyro gain channel

Especially when using a transmitter with 6 channels only or when using a receiver with "Standard" 5-wire layout the channel for adjusting tail gyro gain (channel 5) can also be used to activate/deactivate AttitudeControl. Here instead of toggling the tail gyro between "Normal-Rate" and "HeadingLock" mode you activate the AttitudeControl when changing the direction of gyro channel. The tail gyro can only be operated in "HeadingLock" mode. When adjusting the throw in the direction where AttitudeControl is OFF, this will change the tail gyro gain. When adjusting the servo throw of the gain channel in the direction where AttitudeControl is ON, this will change the gain of AttitudeControl.

In the transmitter's gyro menu we assign a switch to control the gyro channel (channel 5).	When the switch is released we can set the tail gyro gain. As starting point we use 50% gain (=50% deflection).	When we pull the switch for AttitudeControl the channel is moved to the opposite direction. Here we set -50% deflection which sets the AttitudeControl gain to 50% as well.	Use the servo monitor to check if the gain channel is changing direction when actuating the "rescue switch".

To setup MICROBEAST PLUS for this kind of operation you must perform the function assignment in receiver setup menu manually as by default it is intended that a separate channel is used for AttitudeControl.

For manual function assignment we need to be able to lock the throttle output when moving the thrust stick.	For this we can use the throttle hold function which needs to be assigned to a switch.	Now when throttle hold is active we can control the collective pitch channel without moving the throttle.	For manual assignment also make sure each of the other functions only control one channel.

In Receiver setup menu we choose the correct receiver type (in this example we use a Spektrum remote satellite in combination with a Spektrum DX6 transmitter) and assign the transmitter channels to the functions by moving the appropriate control sticks on the transmitter.

The serial signal line is connected to ELE/DI1 input at MICROBEAST PLUS. For setup the power supply can be connected to one of the servo output port CH1 to CH4. Before and while switching on/connecting power we hold down the push button to enter receiver setup menu.	Menu LED A lights up instantly and Status LED shows current receiver type (by default Standard receiver = LED off).	Again push and hold down the button repeatedly until the Status LED lights up in the color and state that represents our receiver type.	In this case we need the Status LED light up in purple color = Spektrum remote satellite.

Briefly push the button to proceed to function assignment (Menu point B) where the Status LED should light up in blue color if the transmitter is on and the Spektrum remote signal is received.	To teach the collective pitch just move the thrust stick back and forth. The Status LED will flash instantly to signalize the channel has been detected.	Briefly push the button to save the assignment and to continue with teaching the channel for aileron function (menu point C).	Move the aileron stick; the Status LED must flash instantly. Briefly push the button and proceed with teaching elevator (D), rudder (E) and gyro channel (F) ...

At menu point G release the throttle hold switch to unlock the throttle control and teach the throttle channel again by moving the thrust stick.	At point H you can assign an auxiliary channel that control the CH6 output on the MICROEBAST PLUS. Skip this by simply pressing the button again without teaching any channel.	Same can be done at menu point I which is used to assign an auxiliary channel for the nitro RPM Governor function.	Now the important part is that we must NOT assign any channel for AttitudeControl but simply skip the function assignment at menu point J! This will set the special assignment that uses the gyro channel for AttitudeControl.

Last step is menu point N.	Move the throttle stick to motor off position and teach this position for failsafe function by pushing the button briefly.	The end of receiver setup menu is shown by all LEDs flashing.

Note you must go through the complete receiver setup menu until you reach the menu end (all Menu LEDs flashing). Otherwise your settings will not be stored.

Power off and on again. MICROBEAST PLUS will perform initialization sequence. When the init is finished perform basic setup procedure (if not already done). When the heli is ready to fly open Parameter menu by briefly pushing the button while in operation mode and directly go to menu point L by skipping the other menu points pushing the button repeatedly. At menu point L choose your desired AttitudeControl mode and save it by again pushing the button briefly. If using a AttitudeControl mode with collective pitch input you may change the pitch at menu point M. When out of the Parameter menu check if AttitudeControl reacts correctly when flipping your AttitudeControl switch.

Flipping the switch into one direction AttitudeControl is ON. This is shown by Menu LED G lighting up while the Status LED is red. By adjusting the servo throw of the gyro channel into this direction you can adjust the AttitudeControl gain later.	Flipping the switch to OFF position, Menu LED A will flash while the Status LED is red. If the switch reacts inverted use your transmitter's servo reverse function and reverse the gyro channel (channel 5)!	Adjusting the servo throw of the gyro channel into this direction will change the tail gyro gain which is indicated by the yellow Menu LED in combination with a blue Status LED.

Don't forget: AttitudeControl gain and status will only be shown each time after the gain changes which is the case when flipping the switch. After 8 seconds the Menu LED will go off and the Status LED color changes back to blue showing the tail gyro mode.