How to Program Ebay BT Modules for use with Vbar.pdf

8/9/2019 How to Program Ebay BT Modules for use with Vbar.pdf

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How to (easily) Program EBAY Bluetooth modules for VBar.Author:- DruiD a.k.a OzDruiD - Version 1.01 Jan 2012.

Many workarounds exist to assist in getting an ebaystyle Bluetooth module to communicate with

Mikado Vbar Software. This document is around programming the actual BT device with minimal extra

cost or additional devices like a TTL converter. If you own some basic components below then you can

achieve it.

I wanted to give my multiple Bluetooth modules unique names programmed into them for when binding

to different laptops, android devices etc, it would automatically have the correct name. I also wanted

to change the default BT Pin code of 1234as a precaution.

Basic Requirements2 X Linvor or similar style Bluetooth modules (ebay rocks!)

6V maximum power supply x 2 connections with ground.

Android Phone or Laptop\PC with Vbar software

Laptop\PC with Bluetooth (to program the units)

Terminal software to program the BT Modules (HW-GroupHercules software preferably)

Vbar of some description (to test the BT connect)

What I used

Bluetooth - 2 X Linvor specific modiules. BT Board Version 1.02

PowerCCBEC Prohas dual outputs; I programmed the CCBEC Pro to output 5.5volts.

Vbar Mini (Express) V5.1 (on a Trex600E PRO Heli with CCBEC PRO running off 6S)

HP Laptop with inbuilt Bluetooth, Windows 7 Ultimate, Hercules and VSTabi software.

Note:- You dontneed Windows 7, but this document assumes your laptop\PC has Bluetooth already

working and you have the knowledge to operate Bluetooth, Bluetooth pairing via Windows.

Preparation

Prep 1. ALWAYS BE CAREFULEASILY BURN OUT YOUR BT MODULES OR VBAR . I cannot be heldliable for any damage you cause to your models, electronics (vbar), or anything you may think to use to

achieve this goal. If you dont know what youre doing or are confused JUST DONT DO IT!

Prep 2. READ STEP 1 AGAIN!

Prep 3. Prepare your work area. Clear the junk, make sure your laptop is on mains power.

Have a fresh battery for powering up your BT modules etc.


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Prep 4. Download Hercules from HW GroupI will be using this specific utility.

http://www.hw-group.com/products/hercules/index_en.html

Prep 5. Prepare your wiring and BT module setuprefer my later photos to get an idea of what is

required. The key part here is always making sure you have the wires around the correct way and

ALWAYS double check prior to connecting ANY voltage to any part of the process.

InstructionsThe task here is to have 1 x BT module paired with your windows laptop, then using that as a TX\RX

transmit to the other NON-PAIRED BT module. Let me stress that you CANNOT do this with a single

module thats bound\paired.

Step 1. Connect your first BT module to Power on the VCC and GND pins. Bind Bluetooth to Windows.

Here I have the 4pin header on my Vbar output (in the background), with only the VCC and GND single

pins connected at the BT module END. ***Caution*** Wiring Checkpoint

Power up the BT adaptor (I connect a 2S Lipo to my CCBEC and it powers Vbar with BT module)

Using Windows; do a Bluetooth discovery and follow the process to pair BT#1 to your Windows

machine. It should be discovered as Linvor, default Pin is 1234. Bind the BT module to your Windows

Bluetooth device list so itsactive in the Deviceslist.

Note:- mine shown s already renamedyours will say Linvor or the brand you have)

We will now connect the 2nd

BT - Ensure you power down and remove voltage before proceeding.
http://www.hw-group.com/products/hercules/index_en.htmlhttp://www.hw-group.com/products/hercules/index_en.htmlhttp://www.hw-group.com/products/hercules/index_en.html


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Step 2. Connecting the 2nd

Bluetooth module (using a 2nd

4-wire connection supplied) .

Its a bit difficult to see but I OFFSET the 4 pin header on the TX\RX ports of the 1stBT module from #1. I

then SWAP the two single pins on the 2nd

BT Moduleleaving the VCC and GND Pins free on the 2nd

BT

module!

You can see on BT#1 (right side of pic) it has 2 wires with red markings, then a full 4 pin header with no

red markings. The last two pins overhang and are not connected from that 4 pin header. They are in

fact the same leads that connect over to the left hand side BT module and are shown disconnected.

If you look at the 1st

(outside) wire of the 4 pin header (right side) it goes to TXD of BT#1.

The outside wire on the left hand side BT module is actually bent back slightly and going to the RXD of

BT#2.

Step 3.***Caution*** Wiring Checkpointmake sure itsright because we are about to apply voltage.

Step 4. Connecting Voltage to 1stand then 2ndBT Module.

I am using a CCBEC Pro, The CCBEC Pro has dual outputs (and I am sure many other BECs do was well).

I could have separately powered each BT module with their own 5.5v source from the CCBEC Pro.

However I was lazy and powered BT #1 from the VBAR as I didnt want to undo my primary wiring


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Step 6Power up the BT modules. I connect my 2S LIPO to the CCBEC Prothis applies power to the

Vbar and achieves a steady bind. Both Bluetooth adaptors at this point have a FLASHING led light (again,

2ndBT module is getting its power from the secondary power supply for the CCBEC Pro).

Open windows Bluetooth devices and you should find that the BT #1 has reconnected and you can get

device info. You need to locate the COM or Serial port information.

Shown below is my exampleChoose properties, then Services.

Serial Port is COM8 in this instance.

Step 7. Open the Hercules software. Select Serial Tab, configure asCom 8,9600, 8, none, OFF and

SETUP. COM8 will be your own com port you identified in step 6.


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Step 8. Open the port. Click Open on the right hand side.

If successful, it should reply with

Proceed with entering the AT Commands (also show in previous Step 7 screenshot).

I spaced them out on all 3 lines as I was doing multiple BT modules and saved typing, but there is no

need. You can use the 1st

line and over type it each time.

Hit SEND each time to transmit the command.

AT is first initialization command. Hit SEND REPLY will be OK.

AT+NAMExxxxxxx programs the name. There are no spaces after command word NAME.

Note:- For it to be detected by VSTABI software the recommendation is to start with Vbar.

My command was AT+NAMEvbar_Trex600EPRO_BT. Hit SEND. Reply was OKsetname

AT+PINxxxx Sets the 4 digit PIN. Again, no spaces after the command word PIN.

My command was AT+PIN6969. Hit SEND. Reply was OKsetpin

See screenshot for what I mean.

If it looks like the screenshotyouredone!! 1

st

Bluetooth module programmed.


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Congratulations Now What?Dontget too excited, you only programmed the BT module thatsNOT BOUND via Bluetooth to

windows. Go back to the start to do the 2nd

one.

Quick Summary for BT#2 (or multiples)

Swap the BT modules over. #1 that was bound is now unbound from windows etc.

Rebind the 2nd

Bluetooth module to windowsmake sure of the com port.

Note:- My Com\Serial port changed for each BT I connected.

Connect the 1st

Bluetooth module TX\RX as the slave to the 2nd

(now bound) one.

BE CAREFULL OF WIRING ORDER!

Dont forget to adjust the port in Hercules to the new Com if required.

MINI VBAR Wiring Pin out (VCC,GND,TX,RX)

I only own Mini Vs so no other Pin outs for other models.

If people have pin out pictures they have done up for other model vbarscontact me and I might

update the document at some stage.


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VBAR \ VStabi SoftwareYou need to use the Bluetooth Vstabi software and select the Bluetooth device.

Check the icon and ensure it reads Bluetooththen launch that version of the software.

Top left (after LOAD & SAVE)click on the little blue connector.

From the Pop up list choose the boundBluetooth Module device that matches your new BT Name

Click Connect, wait for green arrows indicating connection and close the pop-up.

VSTabi software should now show the familiar greenconnected.

AwesomeBluetooth to your VBAR now! Have fun with wireless VBARing


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In Closing...Hopefully this is of some help to people. Obviously you can extrapolate and tweak this for your own

setup and equipment such as your power sources, this quick guide is really just to give you a starting

point and to do it without purchasing extra devices like a SerialTTL converter or additional software.

Feedback: - I can be reached on most RC Heli forums via DruiD or OzDruiD

Documents

How to Program Ebay BT Modules for use with Vbar.pdf