TX16s, EdgeTX, ELRS and the Aura 5 Lite

[Spitfire76]

I install an Aura 5 Lite in all my planes and I am currently migrating my RX's to Radiomaster with ELRS. I have a TX16s running EdgeTX with a Radiomaster ELRS TX module. Some of my planes have flaps and some have retracts but at the moment none have both. I can't be the only one using this combination so I am starting this thread to discuss configuration.

Let's start off with some links to setup and configuration resources

Welcome to EdgeTX! - EdgeTX

edgetx.org

ExpressLRS

ExpressLRS aims to provide the best completely open, high refresh radio control link while maintaining a maximum achievable range at that rate with low latency. Vast support of hardware in both 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies.

www.expresslrs.org

GitHub - ExpressLRS/ExpressLRS-Configurator: Cross platform configuration & build tool for the ExpressLRS radio link

Cross platform configuration & build tool for the ExpressLRS radio link - ExpressLRS/ExpressLRS-Configurator

github.com

Aura 5 Wiki - Flex Innovations Wiki

wiki.flexinnovations.com

FT Aura 5 Videos - Flex Innovations Wiki

wiki.flexinnovations.com

Some basics.

• The TX should not be configured with rates or expo as they are handled by the Aura.
• All TX trims should be centered to start with and any trimming made during flight transferred to the Aura.
• Aura does not support CRSF, so RX must be setup to output s.bus to the Aura.
• TX sticks are mapped to control roll, pitch, yaw and thrust.
• The Aura 5 lite has 5 PWM servo outputs

Flite Test Aura Lite

Stability meets agility with the 6-axis Aura 5 Lite Controller. Easy configuration, powerful features, flexible design and set-up.

store.flitetest.com

 

[LitterBug]

Good stuff. We need a good Aura 5 resource thread with links to different config files.

 

[Spitfire76]

As the Aura 5 Lite has only 5 PWM servo outputs the allocation needs to be determined.

If the plane has no flaps or retracts (this option also allows for flaperons).

1. Throttle
2. Aileron L
3. Aileron R
4. Elevator
5. Rudder

With the above configuration flaps or retracts would need to use PWM outputs direct from the receiver.

Alternatively this could be used

1. Throttle
2. Aileron (Y cable)
3. Elevator
4. Rudder
5. Flaps or retracts

The above would determine what sort of receiver to use, one with PWM outputs or one without.

I use the RP1 V2 ExpressLRS 2.4 Nano Receiver on my planes that don't have flaps or retracts and as they all have separate servos for the ailerons I use the first configuration above.

RadioMaster RP1 V2 ExpressLRS 2.4ghz Nano Receiver

The RP1 2.4GHz ELRS nano series receiver is an open-source receiver based on ExpressLRS.

store.flitetest.com

I connect the GND, 5V and TX to the Aura's B port.
By default the RX is configured to output CSRF but needs to be changed to sbus (more on that later).

​

​

 

[Flying Monkey fab]

• The Aura 8 is not that much more so you might want one or two depending on the project
• Using a pwm Rx the sbus will burn two channels so plan accordingly

 

[Spitfire76]

• The Aura 8 is not that much more so you might want one or two depending on the project
• Using a pwm Rx the sbus will burn two channels so plan accordingly

Aura 8 does provide 3 more pwm servo outputs but is twice the price of the Aura 5 although a cheaper ELRS receiver could be used as it would only require sbus out.

For your second point it depends on the receiver

 

[Spitfire76]

I typical use the RM RP1 V2 receiver but as mentioned before it does not have any PWM outputs so the Aura's 5 PWM ports must be enough or if not an Aura 8 could be used. Also if separate aileron channels (e.g flaperons) are not needed a Y cable could be used which would free up a channel for flaps or gear.

S1 - Throttle Out
S2 - L. Aileron Out
S3 - R. Aileron Out
S4 - Elevator Out
S5 - Rudder Out

or if a single servo handles Ailerons or a Y cable is used

S1 - Throttle Out
S2 - Aileron Out
S3 - Elevator Out
S4 - Rudder Out
S5 - CH5/Gear Out *

* Note - CH5 is the default channel for flight modes on the Aura and also CH5 is only on or off by default (arming channel) from an ELRS receiver. More on this later.

Since the Aura requires the sbus protocol as input to it's port B the first thing to do is make sure that the RP1 has firmware that supports sbus (=> 3.3) and is configured to output it instead of the default CRSF.

Link to the ELRS configurator is in the first post.
For the RM RP1 V2 I used the following

Releases - 3.5.4
Target Device Category - RadioMaster 2.4 GHz
Target Device - RadioMaster RP1 2.4GHz RX
Flashing Method - Wi-Fi
Regulatory domains 2.4 GHz band - 2.4 GHz ISM (Standard)
Binding phase - My personal phase
Actions - Wifi DEVICES - Default (10.0.0.1)
Flashing Options - BUILD

This will build a firmware file in the directory C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\Temp\

 

[PeskyBee]

As the Aura 5 Lite has only 5 PWM servo outputs the allocation needs to be determined.

If the plane has no flaps or retracts (this option also allows for flaperons).

1. Throttle
2. Aileron L
3. Aileron R
4. Elevator
5. Rudder

With the above configuration flaps or retracts would need to use PWM outputs direct from the receiver.

Alternatively this could be used

1. Throttle
2. Aileron (Y cable)
3. Elevator
4. Rudder
5. Flaps or retracts

The above would determine what sort of receiver to use, one with PWM outputs or one without.

I use the RP1 V2 ExpressLRS 2.4 Nano Receiver on my planes that don't have flaps or retracts and as they all have separate servos for the ailerons I use the first configuration above.

RadioMaster RP1 V2 ExpressLRS 2.4ghz Nano Receiver

The RP1 2.4GHz ELRS nano series receiver is an open-source receiver based on ExpressLRS.

store.flitetest.com

View attachment 250146

I connect the GND, 5V and TX to the Aura's B port.
By default the RX is configured to output CSRF but needs to be changed to sbus (more on that later).

​

​

Does it matter which pins you connect to on the B port? Does the RX need to connect to anything? I am using a similar form factor ELRS receiver and I haven't done the electronics on a drone in a long time.

 

[Bricks]

If needing more then the five channels allowed on the Aura you can bind two receivers to add extra channels, providing the transmitter has enough channels.

 

[3Drummer]

With the Aura 5 and the Radiomaster TX16S, how do you assign the mode switch? I have tried several methods, but it isn't mapping out right.

 

[LitterBug]

With the Aura 5 and the Radiomaster TX16S, how do you assign the mode switch? I have tried several methods, but it isn't mapping out right.

What protocol and receiver are you using? This can change how it is done.

 

[3Drummer]

What protocol and receiver are you using? This can change how it is done.

I have the Edge OS using an ELRS RP1 receiver in Sbus.

 

[LitterBug]

ELRS defaults to channel 5 being arming, which is two position only. The aura 5 default channel for flight mode is channel 5. You will need to either change to a different channel on the aura 5 or change the armong channel on the ELRS receiver, or both to get all the flight modes. I went through this exercise just before flite fest, but unfortunately needed the RX for something else at FF. I will have to recreate it again to document what I did.

 

[3Drummer]

ELRS defaults to channel 5 being arming, which is two position only. The aura 5 default channel for flight mode is channel 5. You will need to either change to a different channel on the aura 5 or change the armong channel on the ELRS receiver, or both to get all the flight modes. I went through this exercise just before flite fest, but unfortunately needed the RX for something else at FF. I will have to recreate it again to document what I did.

OK thank you. I am fairly new to Radiomaster and ELRS. I have tried researching the programming, but have not found anything to assist me in getting the mode switch issue resolved. I would prefer to accomplish the changes in the transmitter if possible. Right now, it appears to be in stabilization mode, but I would like to be able to cut it off in the event something got squirrely while flying?

 

[LitterBug]

You will need to get into either the Aura Config tool to change the Aura port for "Flight Mode Channel" Or the web gui of your receiver.

It will probably be easiest just to pick a different channel with the Aura config tool and assign a three position switch to that channel in the radio than to try to change the ELRS arming channel. In the screenshot above I have changed the flight mode channel from CH5 to CH6. After doing that, you will need to do a write all to aura.

Have you used the Aura configurator yet? There are some other tweaks that you will want to check to make sure you are getting full range out of your control sticks, and that the channel mappings are right for your Throttle, Ailerons, Elevator, and Rudder. Also check that the stick directions are correctly configured in the transmitter.

 

[LitterBug]

The ELRS script on the radio only allows changing the protocol, not the Arming channel or individual channel configuration.

And once I got into the Wifi configuration screen for my receiver, there was no option for changing the arming port. That may be in a newer firmware release than I currently am running. (3.5.2)

 

[3Drummer]

You will need to get into either the Aura Config tool to change the Aura port for "Flight Mode Channel" Or the web gui of your receiver.

View attachment 252197
It will probably be easiest just to pick a different channel with the Aura config tool and assign a three position switch to that channel in the radio than to try to change the ELRS arming channel. In the screenshot above I have changed the flight mode channel from CH5 to CH6. After doing that, you will need to do a write all to aura.

Have you used the Aura configurator yet? There are some other tweaks that you will want to check to make sure you are getting full range out of your control sticks, and that the channel mappings are right for your Throttle, Ailerons, Elevator, and Rudder. Also check that the stick directions are correctly configured in the transmitter.

Thank you. I downloaded and navigated around in it lastnight trying to learn the system. I think I have everything mapped out and sensing the right direction. I will connect back to it this morning, change the flight mode channel, and write to the Aura. I will let you know the outcome. Thank you for your help....

 

[LitterBug]

Actually, it looks like channel 5 is STILL arming for ELRS. I must be thinking of a proposal that has not made it into the firmware yet.

You can map a different channel to PWM output 5 on a PWM RX, but other than that, CH5 is ALWAYS arming from the RX logical perspective.

 

[3Drummer]

Thank you. I downloaded and navigated around in it lastnight trying to learn the system. I think I have everything mapped out and sensing the right direction. I will connect back to it this morning, change the flight mode channel, and write to the Aura. I will let you know the outcome. Thank you for your help....

Success!! I followed your guidance, assigned to channel 6 in the Aura, mixed it in the radio to the 3 position switch, went through the initial Aura setup again, then checked everything for confirmation. All good.... Thank you very much for your help, it resolved my issue....

 

[LitterBug]

Success!! I followed your guidance, assigned to channel 6 in the Aura, mixed it in the radio to the 3 position switch, went through the initial Aura setup again, then checked everything for confirmation. All good.... Thank you very much for your help, it resolved my issue....

Nice! I am still flying DSM and FrSky on my Aura birds, but sooner or later will be running ELRS instead. Glad it is working!