Dynon AP controlled by Ipad with Skydemon

[Taigajoe]

Hello,


I connected my Ipad with Skydemon via bluetooth to serial adapter to my HDX800.
It works well - the AP is following the route which I planned on Ipad.
So far so good.

In the configuration of Skydemon you can select about 9 different NMEA sentences.
I selected all of them.
But I would like to reduce them to an minimum.

Does anyone know which NMEA sentences are necessary to control the AP?

Of course I can reduce the selected sentences step by step...

Thank you!

 

[BenUK]

Hi Trevor,
Please can you share what settings you used for the serial in device and serial function on SkyDemon.

Thank you!

 

[Taigajoe]

Hi Trevor,
Please can you share what settings you used for the serial in device and serial function on SkyDemon.

Thank you!

I used "Garmin 296" with 9600 Baud. The Irxon BT578 V3 adapter is preconfigured to 9600 Baud.

 

[skyboy999]

I presume you have SV servos so SV is driving the autopilot with Skydemon as a Nav source to SV. Is this correct and can the BT adapter just use one of the harness serial connections ie no need for an ARINC?

 

[Taigajoe]

I presume you have SV servos so SV is driving the autopilot with Skydemon as a Nav source to SV. Is this correct and can the BT adapter just use one of the harness serial connections ie no need for an ARINC?

Yes, this is correct. Skydemon works as a Nav source to SV. One BT adapter works only with one serial port.

 

[TrevorMills]

Hello,


I connected my Ipad with Skydemon via bluetooth to serial adapter to my HDX800.
It works well - the AP is following the route which I planned on Ipad.
So far so good.

In the configuration of Skydemon you can select about 9 different NMEA sentences.
I selected all of them.
But I would like to reduce them to an minimum.

Does anyone know which NMEA sentences are necessary to control the AP?

Of course I can reduce the selected sentences step by step...

Thank you!

Hi,

Are you able to show the wiring connections you made please? Was it from the BT578 to the servos or the HDX? Some more detail would be appreciated.

I have asked Skydemon if they are able to send vertical nav data to the servos. The setup they have now doesn't do that but they have added it as a request.

Perhaps if others here sent a request for them to add that feature they might prioritise that feature. It would then negate the need for Dynon to provide vertical nav as they have ditched their development of that last year.

Regards,
Trevor

 

[PaulSS]

What vertical nav data will be sent from SlyDemon? There’s no approach information as it’s a navigation app, not an FMC.

 

[skyboy999]

I used "Garmin 296" with 9600 Baud. The Irxon BT578 V3 adapter is preconfigured to 9600 Baud.

Yes, this is correct. Skydemon works as a Nav source to SV. One BT adapter works only with one serial port.

Can you expand on the SV config? I currently have an old Garmin 495 connected and can use and depict on the HSI but it doesn't show as a nav source so won't drive the A/P. Hence I wondered if there was some additional config I'm missing before I purchase and hookup a BT adapter? My SV is Classic, not HDX, but I wouldn't have thought any different in this area (unless someone knows different....)

 

[PaulSS]

Skyboy, this thread is aimed at the SkyDemon app and the recent additional capability to send the nav data, via Bluetooth, to a receiver which then sends serial signals to the SkyView/HDX to give lateral guidance straight from the SkyDemon app, without having to first transfer a route and then use the NAV function. The mention of Garmin 296 was only for the serial input selected by Taigajoe.

I have no idea if the Garmin 495 will transmit the nav data over Bluetooth but I suggest a different thread is started so the conversation about SkyDemon doesn't get derailed. SkyDemon have specifically added extra options to enable the data to be sent via Bluetooth and a similar sort of thing would need to be available on the 495 for it to act as a nav source and be recognised as such. I don't think it's necessarily an input config problem but more of an output problem.

 

[skyboy999]

Think you misunderstand me Paul. I fully understand thread is about Skydemon and that's what I'm discussing. I'm not trying to drive a/p with G495 (and certainly not by BT!)- the point I made was that I have previously tried the G495 (via hardwired serial) and couldn't drive a/p because it wasn't recognised as a Nav Src (*though it would depict bearing bug on the SV HSI).

What I want to do is to drive the (Skyview Classic/SV Servos) from Skydemon. Key to this (as I understand) is that the input stream (from iPad/Skydemon/BT adapter) is recognised as a Nav Source and I thought that required an ARINC in the setup which I don't have. Hence trying to clarify setup in SV.

Evidently, I didn't get that across in my post. Hopefully this will clarify and someone can confirm feasible with my setup and how to config.

 

[PaulSS]

Ahhh, all understood. Taigajoe did reply to you and said that SkyDemon does work as the nav source and, with the BT adapter wired to a Dynon serial port, there is no need for ARINC.

 

[russp]

Have got SD working as an HSI source for the AP but did anyone manage to connect up the (or a second) BT dongle to send radio frequencies from Sky Demon to the Skyview integrated radio (SV-COM-X83) ? We're not able to do it with a serial input or by connecting direct to the radio. If anyone has solved this would be grateful for a steer.

 

[skyboy999]

Now set up and SD/iPad recognised by Skyview as an HSI source (and shows bearing and distance). However, the ‘HSI+ALT’ option is greyed out so cannot drive the A/P. Am I missing something or does functionality not work on Classic ? Grateful for any pointers.

25/01/25 Update: Sorted. There was no problem- works fine. When I was testing (on ground), I was using SkyDemon simulator and (wrongly) assumed it would be same in (real) flight mode.

 

[chriscalandro]

I guess I’m a bit lost here. I’m not familiar with skydemon enough to answer these questions - beyond eliminating the need to send the flight plan to the panel over WiFi, or manually re-enter it, what does skydemon do that the HDX doesn’t already do that adding a serial connection from the app accomplishes?

 

[PaulSS]

I have not yet connected mine, so my thoughts are only theoretical but I think the nicest thing would be the instant 'rubber banding' that can be carried out on the iPad (and then followed by the A/P), instead of having to adjust the flight plan. This is especially useful if the waypoint is just a point in space. The maps on SkyDemon are very clear, so it is easy to change things in flight. If the A/P followed those changes instantly I reckon that would be a great feature.

 

[Dejw]

Hello,


I connected my Ipad with Skydemon via bluetooth to serial adapter to my HDX800.
It works well - the AP is following the route which I planned on Ipad.
So far so good.

In the configuration of Skydemon you can select about 9 different NMEA sentences.
I selected all of them.
But I would like to reduce them to an minimum.

Does anyone know which NMEA sentences are necessary to control the AP?

Of course I can reduce the selected sentences step by step...

Thank you!

Don't you know if it is possible to send radio frq from skydemon to Dynon Skyview?

 

[skyboy999]

I have not yet connected mine, so my thoughts are only theoretical but I think the nicest thing would be the instant 'rubber banding' that can be carried out on the iPad (and then followed by the A/P), instead of having to adjust the flight plan. This is especially useful if the waypoint is just a point in space. The maps on SkyDemon are very clear, so it is easy to change things in flight. If the A/P followed those changes instantly I reckon that would be a great feature.

I gave mine a thorough exercise yesterday and everything I did on SkyDemon (rubber banding, adding turnpoints, removing turnpoints Direct to…) was acted upon by the A/P. Avoiding the need (with all the faff that involves) to download route to Dynon and to remain connected to PilotAware for traffic/GPS plus ability to act real-time is fantastic.

Some have asked about the frequency download facility. For me, with the Dynon head unit, this wasn’t high priority so I’ve only tackled the A/P side but watching this thread with interest to see if anyone manages to get both to work, and how.

 

[TrevorMills]

I gave mine a thorough exercise yesterday and everything I did on SkyDemon (rubber banding, adding turnpoints, removing turnpoints Direct to…) was acted upon by the A/P. Avoiding the need (with all the faff that involves) to download route to Dynon and to remain connected to PilotAware for traffic/GPS plus ability to act real-time is fantastic.

Some have asked about the frequency download facility. For me, with the Dynon head unit, this wasn’t high priority so I’ve only tackled the A/P side but watching this thread with interest to see if anyone manages to get both to work, and how.

Hi,

I’ve done the same as you. I’ve connected the AP but haven’t yet tried the radio connection. The AP works very well and as you say you can dynamically drive the AP route as required from SD. Makes it so much easier than making changes on the HDX unit.

A question though. What serial protocol did you use when you configured the serial port? There were a few to choose from and although mine works I wasn’t too sure which was the best one to select.

With regard to the radio connection you would think a simple connection to the RS232 input pin and ground on the remote Trig radio unit would work but others have tried that apparently from this forum and the SD Forum and have been unsuccessful.

Before I try this I’ll get some advice from Trig who are always very helpful but in the meantime if anyone else on this forum manages to make the connection then please update us.

Thanks

 

[PaulSS]

I THINK the problem with that theory is there isn't an RS232 input into the radio itself, only into the TY91/92 control head (TC90). I think if you had a TC90 you could supply that with the SkyDemon frequencies and it would display on the HDX but if you have the remote radio and Dynon radio head it won't work.

 

[TrevorMills]

I THINK the problem with that theory is there isn't an RS232 input into the radio itself, only into the TY91/92 control head (TC90). I think if you had a TC90 you could supply that with the SkyDemon frequencies and it would display on the HDX but if you have the remote radio and Dynon radio head it won't work.

Yes - good point it doesn't show an RS232 connection in the Dynon documentation.

I may be wrong but I don't believe that the units that Trig make for Dynon are different from those with the TC90 remote head. Pins 5 & 6 are marked 'reserved' in the Dynon documentation but are marked as RS232 in/out in the Trig documentation. All the other pins map exactly in the two diagrams. Probably need some further clarification from Trig to confirm but I think a connection to Pin 5 and a ground would work.