The following is the process I performed with a Bluetooth module I purchased and configured for use with my CC3D. Hopefully it helps others use the ComBridge feature in the CC3D as a USB to Serial converter for making the changes to the settings on a Bluetooth module. The may definitely be a simpler method, this one worked for me. Be careful, as there are voltages at play and touching the wrong thing to the VCC could damage any of the components involved.
My setup:
- Windows 7 64bit
- CC3D with Mini Me (14.10)
- Mini Me GCS (14.10)
- USB 2.0 on my laptop
- Bluetooth Module (eBay - Wireless Serial 4 Pin Bluetooth RF Transceiver Module HC-06 RS232 With backplane - alice1101983)
- Serial cable provided with CC3D kit from HobbyKing
- Turnigy 3A UBEC
That should cover the details, here are the steps;
1. Connect to your CC3D via USB and open the GCS
2. Configure the Hardware as below, take note of the ComBridge setting on the MainPort and USB VCP Port, as well as the 9600 baud rate on the Telemetry speed and ComUsbBridge speed.
3. Save this and then power off the CC3D and power it back up, forcing a restart.
4. Now connect your Bluetooth module using the serial cable to the MainPort, reversing the Tx and Rx connections.
Green = Rx
Orange = Tx
Red = VCC
Black = GRND
You can see how I have the Tx from the MainPort connected to the Rx on the Bluetooth module, then of course the Rx connected to Tx.
5. Connect USB to the CC3D, GCS should automatically connect to it, and install a new COM port, mine ended up being COM5.
6. Power up the vehicle with external power for the Bluetooth module.
7. Open a terminal program, I'm on Windows so I used Putty.
8. Set the serial connection to 9600, 8,n,1 and in my case COM5. (Check your Device Manager for the COM port assigned to the bridge)
Once Putty opens, type the following;
AT
Note: This should be in caps and no enter or return is pressed afterwards, you won't see this entry as there is no echo enabled on the device.You should get an OK response, if so you are connected to the device, continue with the following commands in succession. You can simple copy and paste these one by one into the terminal window one at a time.
AT+VERSION
AT+NAMELibrePilot
AT+BAUD7
The first commnad responds with the Bluetooth module code version is purely to prove you are properly connected.
The second command changes the name of the Bluetooth device to 'LibrePilot'.
The third one changes the baud rate to 57600, you can go higher, I start with this to make sure things are working. Some users seem to have mixed results going higher to 115200.
9. Change the hardware settings in the CC3D as noted below. Note the Telemetry speed and the ComUsbBridge speed are now 57600 to match the new speed the Bluetooth module was set to.
10. Save the configuration to the board.
11. Power down the board by pulling the USB and any external power.
12. Re-connect the USB and any external power for the Bluetooth and reconnect to the GCS via USB.
13. Using Putty again, reconnect to your virtual COM port using 57600,8,n,1.
When Putty opens type;
AT
You should get a response of OK just as before.
This confirms your connectivity of 57600 to the Bluetooth module.
14. In the GCS make the changes to set the CC3D board to the settings for the Bluetooth module as noted below. Disabling the USB VCP Port and setting the MainPort to Telemetry. Save the config to the CC3D and then remove all USB and external power source again.
15. Power up your vehicle, without a USB connection ensuring your Bluetooth module has power.
Note: Ensure you take all necessary safety precaustions relating to your vehicle when bench testing, REMOVE ALL PROPS.16. Depending on your system connectivity, locate the Bluetooth connectivity software and pair the Bluetooth module. My device had a default pairing ID of '1234'.
Once paired, you should have additional ports now added to your computer that were installed when the Bluetooth module was paired successfully. Mine is COM6 as seen below in the Device Manager.
Windows Device Manager
17. Now open the GCS, with no USB connected and the Bluetooth module powered on in your vehicle, and choose the new COM port to connect with, Bluetooth should connect and telemetry is now active. Remember that you changed the name of the device to LibrePilot, you should see this in your Bluetooth list when pairing and in your list of available Bluetooth devices.
These are the steps I used after reviewing a few posts and older videos for using the flashed firmware which is now part of the latest firmware of the GCS. I may have missed some steps or made some errors, please feel free to make suggestions I will update this post to reflect them.
I had originally posted this information in the OpenPilot Wiki which is now no longer available. It is the same information originally posted, I'm missing some updates I made which were recommendations from forum members and as I tweaked the steps. It eventually made its way into the OpenPilot Wiki with some embeliishments from the OP Team.
Please forward any suggestions for changes or additional information, I wanted to keep the configuration clean and only using the CC3D board for the configuration so as to not include additional devices, such as an FTDI device.
I'm working on a similar tutorial for WiFi, just awaiting some parts.
Happy Flying!