PPMastermind: Fly-By-Wire System for RC Aircraft

🚀 Overview

This project implements a Fly-By-Wire (FBW) stabilization system using a Teensy 4.1 microcontroller. It is designed to enhance RC aircraft control by integrating AI-driven flight stability, telemetry, and adaptive tuning. The system interacts with an Archer Plus SR8 receiver, FrSky X20S telemetry, and real-time AI processing to improve flight dynamics and provide intelligent automation.

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🎯 Features

✅ Gyro-Assisted Flight Stabilization (Auto-Corrects Roll, Pitch, and Yaw)
✅ Adaptive AI Tuning (Real-Time Flight Mode Adjustments)
✅ FrSky X20S Telemetry Integration (Live Flight Data Monitoring)
✅ Failsafe Auto-Recovery & Emergency Return-to-Home (RTH)
✅ Manual Gain Adjustments via FrSky or Potentiometers
✅ SD Card Data Logging for Post-Flight Analysis

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🛠️ Hardware Components

1️⃣ Teensy 4.1 - Core Flight Controller (Processes PWM, AI, and Telemetry)
2️⃣ Archer Plus SR8 Receiver - Provides PWM Signals & Gyro Feedback
3️⃣ FrSky X20S Transmitter - Displays Live Telemetry & Adjusts Gains
4️⃣ 4x Servos - Control Gimbal & Aircraft Stabilization
5️⃣ Potentiometers (Optional) - Manual Gain Control
6️⃣ SD Card (Optional) - Flight Data Logging
7️⃣ Power Supply (5V, 5A) - Ensures Stable Operation

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🔌 Wiring Diagram

Connections:

• Teensy 4.1:
  • PWM Outputs: Servos (Pins 6, 7, 8, 9)
  • Analog Inputs: Potentiometers (A0, A1, A2, A3)
  • Serial1: FrSky X20S Telemetry
  • SD Card: SPI Bus (CS = BUILTIN_SDCARD)
• Archer Plus SR8 Receiver:
  • PWM Inputs: Teensy Digital Pins
  • GND: Common Ground
• FrSky X20S:
  • Displays Flight Data & Adjusts AI Gains

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💾 Software Setup

Required Libraries

• Servo.h: PWM Signal Generation
• SD.h: Data Logging
• Wire.h: I2C Communication
• FrSkyTelemetry.h: Custom Telemetry Handling
• MLModel.h: AI-Based Flight Optimization

Arduino IDE Configuration

1️⃣ Install Teensyduino Add-on
2️⃣ Select Board: Teensy 4.1
3️⃣ Choose COM Port & Upload the Code

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📜 Code Overview

1️⃣ AI Flight Stability (MLModel.h)

• Adjusts servo response dynamically based on flight conditions.
• Detects stalls, turbulence, and overcorrections.
• Automatically optimizes flight gains for smoother control.

2️⃣ FrSky Telemetry (FrSkyTelemetry.h)

• Sends live data to the FrSky X20S transmitter.
• Logs flight performance metrics.
• Adapts to missing hardware (e.g., estimates airspeed if sensor is absent).

3️⃣ Failsafe & Auto-Recovery

• If signal is lost, system switches to Beginner Mode.
• If battery is critically low, system triggers Return-To-Home (RTH).

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🎮 How to Use

1️⃣ Assemble the Hardware (Connect Servos, Receiver, & Telemetry)
2️⃣ Upload the Code to Teensy
3️⃣ Power On the System & Hold Plane Still for Calibration
4️⃣ Monitor Live Data on FrSky X20S & Adjust Gains
5️⃣ Test Gimbal Response to Movement & AI Adaptation
6️⃣ Check Data Logging on SD Card (If Enabled)

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❗ Troubleshooting

🛠️ No Servo Response? Check PWM connections & power supply.
🛠️ Telemetry Not Showing? Ensure FrSky X20S is paired correctly.
🛠️ AI Not Adjusting Gains? Verify MLModel.h is included & enabled.

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🚀 Future Enhancements

✅ Add GPS for More Accurate Return-To-Home (RTH)
✅ Integrate Wind Compensation Using Additional Sensors
✅ Improve AI-Based Adaptive Control with Machine Learning
✅ Implement Autonomous Flight Mode with Waypoints

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📚 References

📌 Teensy 4.1 Documentation
📌 Archer Plus SR8 Receiver
📌 FrSky X20S User Guide

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👨‍💻 Author & Contributions

This project is designed for advanced RC flight systems and Fly-By-Wire automation. Contributions & feedback are always welcome! 🚀