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Mini GA ADS-B via Stratux

Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 5:11 pm
by DSullivan
I am having issues receiving ADS-B and displaying on my Mini GA.

The Stratux is raspberry pi based and connected to Mini via Serial R232 with a ADAfruit FTDI usb chip (Serial to Mini and usb to Stratux). I have the current software loaded and the feature set Option 1. I have updated the pi software per the website directions and inputted the set up protocol.

Once powered the Mini serial counter is rapidly receiving data; however, is not receiving ADS-B data. I figured this was due to no ground stations near by so I took it up for a flight and still no luck. The ADS-B count was zero yet the serial was receiving information.

Not sure if there is something minor I am missing. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dennis

Re: Mini GA ADS-B via Stratux

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 12:07 am
by GRT_Jeff
Which USB to serial adapter is that? The Mini needs real RS232 levels, not TTL. The serial rate for the standard Stratux software is 38400. Our original test software was 115200.

The best place to check for ADS-B communication is the ADS-B Status page in SET MENU, Display Unit Maintenance. Valid Frames should increase by at least one per second. The number after "HB" on the Link Counters line should also increase by one per second.

Re: Mini GA ADS-B via Stratux

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:46 pm
by DSullivan
Thanks Jeff,

I'm a newbie and had no clue there was a difference between TTL and RS232 levels. I ordered a couple Trendnet TU-S9 cables and will play around with them. My first thought is to connect the two with a female connector and use the Mini USB. This is a bit cumbersome having double TU-S9 cables. I would rather connect via the serial connection; however, would need to splice the cable to add power via cigarette lighter. If I do the splice will it still work? Not sure where the FTDI chip is located (at the USB end or serial end).

Thanks again...

Dennis

Re: Mini GA ADS-B via Stratux

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 9:15 pm
by GRT_Jeff
The FTDI chip is generally at the big serial end and will be powered by the USB port.

Re: Mini GA ADS-B via Stratux

Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 9:20 pm
by DSullivan
Jeff,

It took some time; however, I got the Mini GA to receive ADS-B and it is works great. Very impressed with the situational awareness provided and how easy it it to access weather.

Please note connecting (2) Trendnet TU-S9 cables, as mentioned in a previous thread, did not work through the USB. To work I connected (1) Trendnet cable to the raspberry pi then made a custom serial connection to the Mini GA. This was done by connecting the number 2 serial pin of the GA with the number 3 serial pin of the TU-S9.

Thanks for your help and much appreciated!

Re: Mini GA ADS-B via Stratux

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 3:43 am
by MolsonB
GRT_Jeff wrote:Which USB to serial adapter is that? The Mini needs real RS232 levels, not TTL. The serial rate for the standard Stratux software is 38400. Our original test software was 115200.

The best place to check for ADS-B communication is the ADS-B Status page in SET MENU, Display Unit Maintenance. Valid Frames should increase by at least one per second. The number after "HB" on the Link Counters line should also increase by one per second.
Since the 'Stratux' serial output is still in testing mode, I found some things that might help the next person.

The link to the image provided in the StratuxSupplement.pdf will not work on Pi3 (guessing Pi2 only).
The latest Stratux version 1.0r1 still does not have serial output, but using GitHub branch "SerialOut" code will allow it. If connecting to GRT via USB, the stratux code will have to change to baud 115200. If you are connecting to GRT via serial, keep the baud at 38400.