BLHeli for SiLabs ESCs

[sskaug]

The BLHeli code has now been converted to run on SiLabs ESCs.

This link describes the Atmel version of the code, which has the same functionality: https://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=357151

The BLHeli code supports:
- Brushless tail. Get rid of that heavy SR120 tail motor.
- Governed main. Get consistent cyclic and collective response in hard maneouvers.
Other features are:
- Parameters programmable from TX
- Optional pitch to tail mix in governed mode.
- Allows build of ultralight main and tail ESCs (<0.4gram).
- Both v1 and v2 3in1 boards are supported.
There are probably also other applications, like for instance MQX brushless ESC?

So, over to the implementation facts. What do you need to do to set up a BLHeli ESC:
- Buy a "Toolstick base adapter that costs 18.63$ (a little more than a programming card for other ESCs).
- Buy one of the supported ESCs.
- Download free flashing SW from SiLabs.
- Connect three wires to the ESC and flash the code.

And the details:
The Toolstick base adapter looks like this:

The pictures also show where to connect the three wires (I have used black, red and white).
And you have to short two pins on the connector (highlighted with a green circle in the pic).
You can buy it here: http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...345-ND/1207734
Or here: http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/ToolStick.aspx ("TOOLSTICKBA" link)
And probably many other places too....


Then you have to choose your ESC. The ones below are currently supported:
DP 3A:
Supermicro 3.5A:
XP 3A:
XP 7A: (Remove the cap as shown)
XP 12A: (Remove the cap as shown)
Turnigy 6A:
The above pictures also have black, red and white circles showing where to connect to the toolstick.
All of them have PCB points that are fairly easily accessible with a soldering iron.

Then you need to download and install software for flashing:
Click the "Flash Programming Utility" link on this page: http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/P...Utilities.aspx

With the Toolstick and the ESC at hand, follow the guidelines in this document: SiLabs code flashing.pdf
Hex files for downloading into the various ESCs, as well as source code and TX programming manual can be found here: https://github.com/bitdump/BLHeli

Alternatively use the excellent BLHeliSetup software (windows only), that lets you flash hex files, change parameter settings and more. You can download it from 4712's blog page: https://www.helifreak.com/blogs/4712/1859-blheli-setup-3-4-0-0.html

And that's it. Now just build the ESC into your heli and fly!

Happy modding and flying
Steffen







PS: Although shown many other places, below are pics of wire connection to the "resistor taps" on the back of the v1 and v2 3in1 boards:
v1 board:
v2 board:

[sskaug]

Just some additional information:
This spreadsheet shows the governor headspeed versus programmed throttle setting: Governor SiLabs.xls
The SiLabs version of the BLHeli code will support headspeeds in excess of 8000rpm (with 6pole motor and 8t pinion).

And this spreadsheet has a bit of information on the FETs that you will find in various ESCs: MOSFETs SiLabs.xls

Finally just the spreadsheet used for calculation of the low voltage limiter settings for the various ESCs: Voltage cutoff SiLabs.xls

[sskaug]

If you would like to build ultra lightweight ESCs for your mCP X, you can do like this:
Start off with one of the small ESCs, the DP 3A, the XP 3A or the Supermicro 3.5A (the lightest one).

Then replace the FETs with good FETs, like for instance the DMN2041/DMP2035:
http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...ICT-ND/2182586
http://search.digikey.com/us/en/prod...ICT-ND/2181234

For the main you "piggyback" a second set of FETs on top of the first.
Such an ESC with double DMN2041/DMP2035 is better than an XP 7A and only weighs about 0.4g.

Some pics of my beli build:
XP 3A main with double FETs:
DP 3A tail:
Supermicro tail:

[SuperBee364]

Steffen,

Wow, that's amazing work!

Which of the above ESC's would you recommend using for a tail?

[sskaug]

Thanks
For a tail I would recommend one of the small ESCs. The Supermicro if you plan to replace the FETs, the XP 3A if you don't. The XP 3A has the best original FETs.

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by sskaug

Thanks
For a tail I would recommend one of the small ESCs. The Supermicro if you plan to replace the FETs, the XP 3A if you don't. The XP 3A has the best original FETs.

Excellent, thanks!

My HP03t tail motor is taking forever to get here from China. As soon as it does, I'll be pairing it with the ESC you got for me. If I can get the BL tail to play nice, I think I'll have a go at programming an ESC for my second heli, which is now an option, thanks to you.

[ZyBeR]

Awesome work as always mate!

How do the XP 12A compare to the Walkera I bought from you?
Any reason I should upgrade?!

[sskaug]

Originally Posted by ZyBeR

Awesome work as always mate!

How do the XP 12A compare to the Walkera I bought from you?
Any reason I should upgrade?!

Thanks!
If you plan to run 1S and headspeeds below 5500-6000rpm, I recommend the Walkera.
The Walkera has FETs that are specified for 1S, the XP12A does not. You can see the details on FETs in the spreadsheet in post #2.
If you plan to run headspeeds above 5500rpm, I recommend the XP 12A, since the SiLabs MCU allows headspeeds above that.

[jabu32]

Awesome more stuff for me to do. Thanks.

[distructor]

Thanks again Steffen!

Like a little kid, I've had to restrain myself from asking every day "Is it done yet?" lol.

Looking forward to plugging it in tonight.

Thanks,
Norm.

[rfto]

Great work Steffen! Thanks for your tremendous effort!

I am currently running an XP-12A (with converter) and HP06v2 main motor.
I am using a 120SR tail with Plantraco 65mm prop.

Encouraged by your great documentation, I'd like to install a brushless tail
with the XP-3A. What motor and prop would you recommend? Would a
Oversky HP03T be a good choice?

[sskaug]

I have been using both the Oversky HP03T "regular" 2.9g, and the "new" HP03T 2.5g with Plantraco together with HP06v2, WOW07 and HP08. And I am happy with both. The 2.9g has 12 magnets, while the 2.5g has 6 magnets, and the 2.9G is more powerful and probably a safer bet.

Anybody else have other experiences on tail motors?

Originally Posted by rfto

Great work Steffen! Thanks for your tremendous effort!

I am currently running an XP-12A (with converter) and HP06v2 main motor.
I am using a 120SR tail with Plantraco 65mm prop.

Encouraged by your great documentation, I'd like to install a brushless tail
with the XP-3A. What motor and prop would you recommend? Would a
Oversky HP03T be a good choice?

[Roffey]

Brilliant work Steffen. You have put a lot of dedicated hours into this project. I hope it has bought you the sense of achievement that it deserves, because it is certainly an achievement.

[sskaug]

Thanks a lot! Particularly appreciate that praise from you, knowing all the excellent work that you have presented and continue to present all the time

Originally Posted by Roffey

Brilliant work Steffen. You have put a lot of dedicated hours into this project. I hope it has bought you the sense of achievement that it deserves, because it is certainly an achievement.

[zeeflyboy]

I can have a governor on my XP-12A?

I think I love you...

[HeliSmith]

Do you simply connect the signal wire to the ESC without the need of a converter like TheSteve? So would I be flashing both ESC for main and tail?

[sskaug]

The XP 12A should run nicely with a governor!
Forgot to mention, but the code runs 1S to 3S, whatever the ESC hardware supports.

And there is NO need for a converter. Just the one wire from the 3in1 to the ESC. And main or tail is determined by the hex file that you choose when flashing.

[SuperBee364]

Originally Posted by HeliSmith

Do you simply connect the signal wire to the ESC without the need of a converter like TheSteve? So would I be flashing both ESC for main and tail?

Yes and yes!

Might also be worth mentioning that in the pictures of the 3-1's, the main is the lower left resistor, and tail is the upper right.

[coredump]

This is great! Nice work.

[HeliSmith]

sskaug thank you for all your hard work, actually you too Roffey I follow both you guys. Since reading your threads I have on order a nice soldering station and the tools I will need. I did opt to wait for long shipping from Hong Kong and get a couple XP-12 so it will be a bit yet..

P.S. Hope I am good at this tiny soldering.. "Got my wine and pillow ready"