microDRIVE LP/LPi Docs

Change Log

The firmware releases and their relevant change logs are shown below.

Versioning follows semantic versioning.



2.1.0 - 18th July 2024

This release addresses the following ECNS:

  • ECN100004 - Over Temperature Response Default

Major Changes

  • Over Temperature Response - is now set to Power Ramp by default
  • Moved Settings -The following settings have been moved between basic and advanced
    • Advanced -> Basic
      • Overtemperature Ramp End Temperature (OVT_RAMP_TEMP)
      • Ramp Up Rate (RAMP_UP_RT)
      • Ramp Down Rate (RAMP_DWN_RT)
      • Datalogging Frequency (LOG_FREQ)
      • Datalogging Control (LOG_TYPE)
      • Max Regeneration Current (REGEN_BUS_CUR)
    • Basic -> Advanced
      • Auto Timing Advance (AUTO_TIMING)
      • Motor Temperature Sensor Enable (MOT_T_EN)
      • RPM Limit Enable (RPM_LIM_EN)
      • Prop Parking Enable (PARK_EN)

New Features

  • Identify ESC - The configurator can now toggle a series of beeps and flashes to help identify which esc is being communicated with
  • Logging over DroneCAN - Datalogs on the ESC can now be read over the DroneCAN tunnel
  • Variable Logging Data - The following logging data columns can be enabled or disabled via settings to vary data retention length
    • Log Phase Current (LOG_PHASE_CURR)
    • Log Power (LOG_POWER)
    • Log Voltage Ripple (LOG_RIPPLE)
    • Log MCU Temperature (LOG_MCU_TEMP)
    • Log Motor Temperature (LOG_MOT_TEMP), requires motor temperature sensor to be enabled
  • Motor Parked - Prop parking triggers a flag in DroneCAN status and log warnings when the motor is parked

Bugfixes

  • DroneCan "DISARMED" debug messages are now only sent on state change, or when trying to throttle in a disarmed state
  • Improved error handling reporting
  • RPM now properly reports 0RPM rpm when throttle is zero
  • Phase current properly reports 0A when throttle is zero
  • DroneCAN Status RPM values now saturate at the max allowable by DroneCAN
  • Various stability improvements

Subversion Releases:

  • 2.1.1 - Hardware Compatability Update
  • 2.1.2 - Bugfix for new hardware


2.0.1 - 27th June 2024

This patch release addresses the following ECNS:

Bugfixes

  • Over Temperature Ramp End Temperature setting now defaults to 105 degrees Celcius
  • CAN Bus variable bitrate logic hardened to prevent watchdog restarts


2.0.0 - 20th May 2024

Major Breaking Upgrade

Upgrading from firmware <v1.3.2 requires additional steps to upgrade to v2.0.0.

It is possible to downgrade to a v1.x.x firmware from v2.x.x firmware if the hardware supports it, however this update process must be followed whenever upgrading from v1 to v2.

Update process for <v1.3.2 to v2.0.0

  1. Update ESC firmware to >=v1.3.2, <v2.0.0
  2. Update ESC firmware to >=v2.0.0

Breaking Changes

  • Prop Parking Speed - units have been changed to mechanical RPM
  • Prop Parking Strength - setting has been split into two settings based on function
    • Prop Parking Turning Strength - power applied to bridge when parking
    • Prop Parking Stopping Strength - power applied to bridge when parked

New Features

  • RPM Mode - New drive mode to set the motor to spin to a target speed setpoint (otherwise known as governor mode, speed control, heli mode, speed governor)
  • Hargrave Configurator DroneCAN support* - Support for changing settings and applying presets from the Hargrave Configurator through DroneCAN devices (e.g. CubeOrange).
  • DroneCAN variable baud rate support** - Support for common baudrates less than 1Mbps.

Bugfixes

  • CAN Terminator improvements
  • CAN will disconnect from network if incompatible bit rate detected

Subversion Releases:

  • 2.0.1 - CAN and Overtemperature Response Bug Fixes

* Requires Hargrave Configurator >=v1.4.0 ** Power cycling all ESCs is required between baud rate changes. It is recommended to setup esc configuration via usb or on a separate dronecan network before attaching to existing peripherals.



1.3.0 - 22nd Mar 2024

  • Allow naming of ESC for log file identification.
  • PTC setting option added.
  • UART packet structure changes.
  • Reversible drive mode improvements.
  • DroneCAN boolean save logic reworked.
  • Propeller parking sub-system improvements.
  • Further starting improvements.
  • Minor bug fixes.

Subversion Releases:

  • 1.3.1 - Hardware compatibility update.
  • 1.3.2 - 2.0.0 upgrade compatibility.


1.2.0 - 12th Mar 2024

  • Improvements to bus current calibration and reporting.
  • Addition of regenerative current calibration.
  • Motor temperature sensing range increased.
  • Regenerative current range increased.
  • Communications protocol changes for config tool.

Subversion Releases:

  • None


1.1.0 - 18th Jan 2024

  • Default maximum switching frequency increased, improve starting performance.
  • Temperature ramp setting limit increases.
  • Add PTC motor temperature calculations.
  • Add PWM jitter functionality.
  • Calibration corrupt warning added.
  • Allow DroneCAN updates when unit is in an error state.

Subversion Releases:

  • 1.1.1 - Hardware compatibility update.


1.0.0 - 10th Nov 2023

  • Initial production release of microDRIVE firmware.

Subversion Releases:

  • None