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

High Performance Open Source Radio Control Link

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

FT 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).

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[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\