Future-proof firmware
Chris Mulcahy
cspaced@gmail.com
One of the great things about the technology we buy for our helicopters these days is that much of it is somewhat “future proof”—specifically, most of the transmitters, ESCs, and flybarless gyros that are available. As with many things in this modern age, our helicopter equipment is more than just mechanical hardware. There is a lot of software that goes into them, which is also known as firmware. The Wiki definition of firmware reads, “Permanent software programmed into a read-only memory.” This means that after the software is installed, it’s always on your device, even after it has been switched off. The software is what drives your electronic device. It is the brain that tells your hardware how to behave. It’s not something you can reprogram directly (except for settings that you can adjust by design), and you don’t have direct access to the code.
When I refer to future proof, what I mean is that our ESCs and flybarless controllers have the ability to be updated with new firmware. As manufacturers develop new and improved software, they release these free firmware upgrades to the public to bring their hardware up to date and possibly add new functionality. This is usually accomplished by providing a file to download from the manufacturer’s website.
The hardware varies from one manufacturer to another. For some, you can simply plug one end of a USB cable into your device and the other end into your computer. Others require some sort of USB hardware interface such as a programming card. Either way, after you have connected your device to your computer, you can run the manufacturer’s proprietary software to install the latest firmware and get your device up to date.
Some will argue that jumping into the latest firmware version might not be the wisest thing to do. Others, including myself, might procrastinate because they will likely have to set up the helicopter again, or at least go through all of the settings to make sure nothing has changed. Some people like to hold off on an immediate release of firmware because the bugs have sometimes not quite been worked out (multirotors are notorious for this).
Some pilots like to sit back for a few weeks and see how everyone else gets along with the upgrade before performing it themselves. This way, if any problems manifest, they will have been spared the trouble of going through it.
Most manufacturers have a great track record for firmware releases and you are usually pretty safe to upgrade. Beta testers, who are often regular pilots like us, are used extensively so that the manufacturer can be sure that there are no glaringly obvious problems with the new software. Some manufacturers allow you to revert to a previous firmware version if for some reason you don’t like the new version.
This system works out great for both the manufacturer and the customer. The manufacturer gets extended life out of its current hardware, and the customer gets value for his or her money by having the ability to keep his or her equipment updated and current. It certainly seems like a win/win for all involved!
Which camp are you in? Do you upgrade right away, or do you wait for a while to see how it pans out?
Events
We are moving fast into May, and at least for me, this means the start
of event season! I love going to flying events, catching up with friends, and seeing the latest and greatest helicopter technology out there. Of course, the warm weather doesn’t hurt after a cold winter (at least for me in the Carolinas)! It’s also a great opportunity to visit new flying clubs and make new friends.
Don’t forget swap meets! I’ve discussed them in the past, and I’m a big fan of them. A swap meet is a great place to clear out some of your own unused gear and possibly pick up some new unused gear to replace it.
If you don’t have any local helicopter events in your area, why not start one? You’d be surprised by what you can get going when you start out with a few friends! Some of the biggest events we’ve ever had started out with a group of friends getting together each year for a little flying. Who knows, your event could be the next Heli Extravaganza!
I hope you all have fun this summer. I look forward to seeing you out there.
SOURCES:
International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA)
www.ircha.org
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Futaba
(217) 398-8970
www.futaba.com
KDE Direct
sales@kdedirect.com
www.kdedirect.com
DemonAero
sales@demonaero.com
www.demonaero.com
HobbyKing
www.hobbyking.com
