Vesper Pairing Sequence and Improved Radio Features (QGC)

Vesper Pairing Sequence and Improved Radio Features (QGC)

Pairing Vesper and Vision GCS - New Connection
Follow instructions below in sequence.

Part I: Power on GCS
  1. Vision2 - power on GCS and allow bootup/initialization sequence to complete.  QGC will auto-launch indicating completion. Install Swappable Radio Module to Vision2 and allow radio to boot / initialize (60 seconds). 
  2. Vision1 - power on GCS and allow bootup/initialization sequence to complete.  QGC will auto-launch indicating completion.
Part II: Configure Vantage Radio
  1. Tap Q icon > tap Settings > tap Vantage Radio 
  2. Confirm / update the following and tap Apply each time a value is changed:
    1. Encryption Key:  length must be a minimum 16 characters [alphanumeric]
    2. Network ID: present
    3. Frequency Hopping: if displayed, uncheck
    4. Channel Bandwidth: 4 Mhz
    5. Output Power: 20
  3. Tap Channel Scan and allow Vision to auto-select frequency
  4. Tap the Shield icon (Pair Vehicle) to display QR code.
  5. Attach battery to Vesper and allow unit to boot / initialize.  Sequence is complete when steady light blue LEDs transition to pulsing cobalt blue or green.
  6. Hold Vesper in one hand under the battery and extend arm forward with the gimbal facing away.  Twist (barrel roll) Vesper three times to enter pairing mode indicated by an audible melody.

  7. Position Vision GCS under Vesper's tail camera 6-10 inches to scan QR code.  Successful pairing is indicated by another audible melody.  Vesper/Vision remains in a paired configuration over subsequent system reboots.

Radio Versions and Improved Features

Identifying Vesper and Vision radio versions
  1. With Vesper and Vision powered on and connected, tap Q > tap Settings > tap Vantage Radio.  Radio information is located at the bottom of the page. 
  2. Vision = Local Firmware Version / Vesper = Remote Firmware Version 
  3. Features such as Channel Scan and Frequency Hopping are dependent on radio compatibility between Vesper and Vision.  Use table below to identify supported features. *Note: If Vesper is v1.4.0 build 1036 and Vision is v1.3.5 build 1044 or vice versa, refer to column v1.4.0 build 1036:

Radio Type

2.4GHz

1.8GHz


Radio Version***

v1.4.0 build 1036

v1.3.5 build 1044

v1.3.0 build 1052

Features Supported

Channel Scan**

Supported

Supported

Supported

Frequency Hop**

Not Supported

Supported

Not Supported

On the Fly Pairing

Supported*

Supported

Supported*

* Brief radio disconnection expected

** bandwidth = 4MHz ONLY

***  GCS or Drone


Channel Scan
Auto-selects the optimal frequency or frequencies based on surrounding RF environment when operating in single channel or Frequency Hopping mode.
  1. Power on and connect Vesper and Vision GCS.
  2. Navigate to the Vantage Radio page > tap Channel Scan.
  3. Allow Vision2 to complete scanning sequence (up to 30 seconds). 
  4. Vesper will play an audible melody indicating the frequency change. 
  5. In turn, Vision disconnects from Vesper momentarily to reconfigure its radio to match frequency and regains connection.
    1. Note: Conduct Channel Scan before takeoff if the RF environment changes ie. different time of day and takeoff location.
    2. Note: Channel Scan supports all radio versions but limited in the 4MHz bandwidth configuration.
    3. Note: Frequency Hopping supports Channel Scan with the same behavior but selects up to five optimal frequencies to hop on.
    4. Caution: Channel Scan is not recommended in flight as radio reconnection times may vary and induce failsafe behavior
Frequency Hopping
Supported only by 2.4GHz radios configured with 1.3.5 build 1044 installed in both Vesper and Vision GCS and optimizes radio connection stability and video stream quality by hopping on up to five frequencies.  Vesper will "hang" on a frequency and "hop" to another if the frequency becomes degraded.
  1. Power on and connect Vesper and Vision GCS.
  2. Navigate to the Vantage Radio page > Check box for Frequency Hopping.
  3. Tap Apply - Allow Vision2 to complete scanning sequence (up to 30 seconds).
  4. Vesper will play an audible melody indicating Frequency Hopping mode is active with selected frequencies.
  5. In turn, Vision disconnects from Vesper momentarily to reconfigure its radio to match frequencies and regains connection.
    1. Note: Frequency Hopping settings and frequencies persist after subsequent reboots.
    2. Note: Frequency Hopping limited to 4MHz bandwidth configuration.
    3. Caution: Switching from single channel to Frequency Hopping is not recommended in flight as radio reconnection times may vary and induce failsafe behavior


Dynamic Reconfigure

The latest updates to the radio libraries allows for fields such as frequency, bandwidth, power to be changed
 ‘on the fly’ without having to re-can the Fuselage to maintain the connection. 

To initiate an on the Fly change, ensure GCS and Vesper are turned on and connected.
Modify any value to frequency/bandwidth/power or attempt a channel scan and press apply.
Its best practice to change one field at a time and pressing apply to ensure all needed changes go through.
 Users should hear Vesper play the pairing chime - this indicates that the vehicle radio has received the updated settings. 
The GCS will then update it’s radio settings and re-connect with the vehicle ‘on-the-fly’
Note:
If either radios on the gcs or drone is not v1.3.5 build 1044, on the fly updates will still work, but there might be instances when GCS will be waiting for connection - for up-to 30 seconds before re-connecting
If attempting an ‘on-the-fly’ update mid-flight, do it in line of sight and over an even surface - During the brief disconnection, a vehicle in flight may switch to it’s RC loss failsafe and begin to auto-land.
Note: It’s rare GCS can fail to reconnect with Vesper completely - if so, begin the process of a fresh connection.




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