Minla google group

Minla project has Google group now for posting questions and getting answers.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/minla

v0.21 firmware

Minla bootloader v0.02: minlaBootloader_v0.02.dfu
Minla firmware v0.21: minla_v0.21_firmware.bin
Minla GUI v0.01: minlaGUI_v0.01.jar

Notes:
- stability improvements

v0.20 firmware

Minla bootloader v0.02: minlaBootloader_v0.02.dfu
Minla firmware v0.20: minla_v0.20_firmware.bin
Minla GUI v0.01: minlaGUI_v0.01.jar

Notes:
- added 640x480 video resolution support
- bug fixes and minor improvements

Android App

"Minla Control" application is now available in Google Play Store.
Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.minlarc.minlacp



1. When first opened - press "ADD NEW" menu item.
2. Fill in "Name" field - it can be any text you want.
3. Fill in "Minla unique ID" - is your Minla receiver id - same as you use when you access web interface.
4. "Web interface URL" can be left default if you didn't modify original Minla web interface html file.
5. Press "Save". You will see your new connection item on next screen. Press it and you will get to Minla web interface in full-screen mode and landscape orientation.

v0.19 firmware

Minla bootloader v0.02: minlaBootloader_v0.02.dfu
Minla firmware v0.19: minla_v0.19_firmware.bin
Minla GUI v0.01: minlaGUI_v0.01.jar

Notes:
v0.19 includes all features of v0.18-experimental plus:
- 4S lipo battery voltage sensing on pin 11
- various bug-fixes and minor improvements

v0.18 firmware (experimental)

Minla bootloader v0.02: minlaBootloader_v0.02.dfu
Minla firmware v0.18: minla_v0.18_firmware.bin
Minla GUI v0.01: minlaGUI_v0.01.jar

This is the major firmware update with a lot of new features introduced.
Notes:
1. Starting from version 0.18 firmware is released in form of ".bin" file.
2. New Minla modules are shipped with bootloader pre-programmed into device flash memory. For old ones - bootloader has to be programmed to flash memory in order to be able to receive new firmware upgrades.
3. Bootloader can be programmed using DfuSe firmware upgrade utility just as regular firmware file prior to v0.18. Once bootloader is programmed - firmware v0.18 and later can be uploaded to device internal memory using Minla GUI app on Windows or Linux PC.
4. Minla GUI was introduced to configure device and firmware upgrade (java version 8 is required to run Minla GUI on Windows and Linux. You can download latest Java here http://www.java.com/en/download/)
5. Minla GUI can be used to configure camera initial state, resolution, image quality, gps source, mobile network settings, server settings and upgrade device firmware.
6. Various minor changes.

Step-by-step procedure to upgrade to v0.18:
1. Disconnect all wires from Minla and disconnect USB modem.
2. Proceed with minla_firmware_upgrade_v0.1_EN.pdf to upload minlaBootloader_v0.02.dfu (link above) to device internal memory.
3. Download and start MinlaGUI_v0.01.jar (link above).
4. Connect Minla to your Windows or Linux pc with mini-usb cable. You may need to install ST drivers for Windows pc if device is not recognized by system. Drivers can be downloaded by this link: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/drone/fw_bl/stm32_vcp_v1.3.1.zip
5. Select Minla from drop-down list and press "Connect".
6. In upgrade tab select firmware ".bin" file and press "Upgrade".
7. Once upgrade process is finished Minla can be configured via Minla GUI app.

v0.17 firmware (stable)

Minla firmware v0.17 (stable): minla_v0.17_firmware.dfu

Notes:

• fixed bug in Naza GPS communication code (sometimes Naza GPS data could not be read for a substantial period of time and sometimes it could lead to minla reset to restore GPS communication). 

v0.16 firmware (stable)

Minla firmware v0.16 (stable): minla_v0.16_firmware.dfu

Notes:

• include tested improvements from minla firmware 0.15
• minor bugfixes

v0.15 firmware (experimental)

Minla firmware v0.15 (experimental): minla_v0.15_firmware.dfu

Notes:

• Heavily redesigned USB stack makes data transmission much faster (camera FPS increased up to 24 fps at 320x240, at 352x288 is about 23 fps max)
• minor bugfixes

Possible issues may pop up if your tabet/phone mobile bandwidth cannot keep up with increased data rate from Minla.

Please use it with care and please test it before you make a distant flight.

v0.14 firmware (stable)

Minla firmware v0.14: minla_v0.14_firmware.dfu

Notes:

• Flight controller (tested with Naza M V2) keeps position hovering if there is no signal from either PPM receiver or internet control panel for 2 seconds and more.
• Minla will autoreset if there is no heartbeat signal from user web interface for 15 seconds
• Improved internet connection process
• minor camera improvements
• minor bugfixes

Web-interface: http://minlarc.com/cp/cp.html?id=YourMinlaID

Notes:

• Sicks update rate 50ms

v0.13 firmware (experimental)

Minla firmware v0.13 (experimental): minla_v0.13_firmware.dfu

Notes:

• Flight controller (tested with Naza M V2) keeps position hovering if there is no signal from either PPM receiver or internet control panel for 2 seconds and more.
• Minla will autoreset if there is no heartbeat signal from user web interface for 15 seconds
• Improved internet connection process
• minor bugfixes

Web-interface (experimental): http://minlarc.com/cp/cptest.html?id=YourMinlaID

Notes:

• Sicks update rate 50ms

v0.12 firmware (stable)

Minla firmware v0.12 (stable): minla_v0.12_firmware.dfu

Notes:

• Flight controller (tested with Naza M V2) keeps position hovering if there is no signal from either PPM receiver or internet control panel for 4 seconds and more.
• minor bugfixes

v0.11 firmware (stable)

Minla firmware v0.11 (stable): minla_v0.11_firmware.dfu

This firmware includes all features from previous versions plus:

• Fixed problem with internet re connection failure
• Faster internet connection process

PPM receiver backup control

Yesterday I've successfully tested Minla with backup PPM receiver control.

I've used Orange R615X receiver in PPM mode and connected it to Minla PPM input pin.

In flight switch between internet control and Orange PPM receiver control is done automatically, with priority given to PPM receiver. Means if rc transmitter is in the range, PPM receiver takes control of the drone. When rc transmitter is turned off or out of range, control is given to internet control panel.

New video on minla youtube channel will be published soon to explain this feature in all details.

Minla firmware v0.10 (alpha): minla_v0.10_firmware.dfu

v0.08 firmware

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3220677/drone/firmware/minla_v0.08_firmware.dfu

Experimental firmware this is why it's not yet published on www.minlarc.com.

What's new:

- new GPS sensor selection procedure: put jumper on pin number 5 and 6 to use Naza GPS. If no jumper is set - external Ublox GPS sensor supposed to be used.

Drone for experiments

Many people ask what components I used to build my drone for experimenting with Minla and that was used in videos on my youtube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/geezchannel/videos

Here is a complete list of parts I used (links are just for reference, you may want to check similar offers with better prices):

Frame: http://www.ebay.com/itm/REPTILE-500-Alien-Multi-copter-500mm-Quadcopter-Frame-W-450-550-/141588872969

Motors: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-Sunnysky-V2216-11-900KV-210W-Brushless-Motor-for-DJI-F450-F550-Multirotor-DIY-/161385669398

ESC: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-Hobbywing-Skywalker-20A-Electronic-Brushless-Motor-Speed-Controller-ESC-New-/190652692988

Flight controller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DJI-NAZA-M-V2-Multirotpr-Flight-Controller-GPS-V2-PMU-LED-Full-Combo-Set-/171172138619

Battery: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOP-Power-11-1V-5000mAh-3S1P-30C-Lipo-Battery-T-Plug-For-RC-Helicopter-Airplane-/191675942512

Connectors (3mm): http://www.ebay.com/itm/40x-2mm-3mm-5mm-5-5mm-6mm-Bullet-Banana-Plug-Connector-fr-RC-Battery-Gold-Plated-/281658470336

Power wire: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-pcs-Deans-Style-T-Plug-Male-Connector-Silicone-Wire-With-11-5CM-14awg-F02105-/281566013253

Propellers: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2Pair-11x4-7-1147-Carbon-Fiber-CW-CCW-Propeller-Props-for-Quad-Multi-Copter-/271733468609

Wires (Naza-Minla): http://www.ebay.com/itm/40cm-2-54mm-5-Pin-Female-to-Female-F-F-Jumper-Wire-Cable-Connector-5-Pcs-/311008570511

Wires: http://www.ebay.com/itm/40PCS-Dupont-Wire-Color-Jumper-Cable-2-54mm-1P-1P-Female-to-Female-20cm-FE-/331426413352