FCPC Breakout PCB

Feather Flight Companion Computer

Ground Control Station & Onboard Flight UI

Functions:

1. Data Logger
2. Telemetry Server
3. User Interface Engine

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Architecture Overview
3. File Descriptions
   • FCPC.py
   • Data.py
   • Veronte.py
   • BMS.py
   • VESCCAN.py
   • ESC.py
   • CyphalCAN3.py
   • TCP.py
   • server.py
   • protocols_functions.py
   • display1.py
   • display2.py
   • Joystick.py
   • LoRa.py
   • IO.py

Introduction

The Flight Companion Computer system designed for both Ground Control Station (GCS) and onboard flight use (FUI). It integrates multiple functionalities including data logging, telemetry server, and a user interface engine. The system is modular, allowing for easy expansion and maintenance, and is designed to provide a robust Data interface for flight operations.

Architecture Overview

The system is structured into multiple modules, each handling a specific aspect of the overall functionality. These modules include communication protocols, data handling, user interfaces, and specific hardware controls. The main control program loop resides in the FCPC.py file.

File Descriptions

FCPC.py

Main Function and Control Logic
The central script that coordinates the activities of all other modules. Handles high-level decision making and ensures smooth operation of the entire system.

Data.py

Data Handling Module
Manages data storage and retrieval within the system. Provides functions for logging data, managing data formats, packaging data to be sent as telemetry.

Veronte.py

Veronte Module
Interfaces with the main Flight Controller, the Embention Veronte X1, over UART serial. packages flight sensor data, such as attitude and altitude etc.

BMS.py

Battery Management System (BMS) Module
Packages data from each of the 6 Ennoid X-LITE-V4 BMSs on board the aircraft, including voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge, etc.

VESCCAN.py

VESC-CAN Module
Interfaces with the VESC CAN bus protocol for interacting with data emminating from the Ennoid X-LITE-V4 BMSs, as implemented by Ennoid.

ESC.py

Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) Module
Packages data from each of the 6 Mad Motors ECSs on board the aircraft, including voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge, etc.

CyphalCAN3.py

Cyphal-CAN Protocol Module
Interfaces with the Cyphal-CAN CAN bus protocol for interacting with data emminating from the MAD Motors ECS, as implemented by MAD Motors.

TCP.py

TCP/IP Communication Module
Implements communication over TCP/IP, handling socket connections, data transmission, and reception over local network, send telemetry data to the displays.

server.py

Server Module
Sets up a network connection to display1.py and display2.py to send telementry data to the display screens

protocols_functions.py

Protocols Utility Functions Module
Contains utility functions used by server.py, display1.py, and display2.py. Provides common functionalities such as message parsing, checksum calculation, and other specific operations.

display1.py

Display Module 1
Responsible for rendering the "System State Window", primarily displaying data from the Flight Controller.

display2.py

Display Module 2
Responsible for rendering the "System Infromation Window", primarily displaying data from all the ESCs and BMSs.

Joystick.py

Joystick Input Module
Handles input from but Logitec USB and Otto CAN joystick devices. Reads joystick movements and button presses, translating their commands to the control system.

LoRa.py

Long Range Radio Communication Module
Implements communication over the LoRa protocol for long-range, low-power wireless communication. Handles message encoding, decoding, and transmission.

IO.py

Input-Output Module
Manages I/O on the RPI GPIO pins.

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This README provides a comprehensive overview of the Project Feather system and its components. For detailed usage and additional information, refer to the documentation within each module and the main FCPC.py script, as well as the following reference documents:

FCPC Concept Document

FCPC Concept

Project Feather Data Network & Ground Equipment Document

Data Network & Ground Equipment