This project is a fixed-wing model aircraft entry kit based on the domestic ESP32/8266 chip.

Since JLC cannot edit two projects at the same time, the updated PCBs of this open source project are uploaded to the attachment.

Updated on November 14, 2023 (please download the project files from the attachment):

1. Fix the 1SOne servo pin error (caused by the wrong version used in the project file, the reason is unknown)

Updated on November 2, 2023:

1. Update the wind helm version of the receiver (fix the 8833 failure to start error)

2. ESP8266 eight-channel remote control (big joystick version)

3. ESP8266 eight-channel remote control (pocket version)

4. ESP8266 eight-channel remote control (pocket version) 13x13 rocker base.

5. ESP8266 eight-channel remote control (pocket version) 16x16 joystick base.

1. About the original intention of the design

①Why choose domestic ESP32/8266 chip module to make aircraft model?

A long time ago, I saw a video in which someone abroad used a drone to hoist a mobile phone and follow it. I thought it was very novel and wanted to make one myself. I wanted to make a flying mobile phone. In addition to the circuits that control the motor, the mobile phone has everything else, including communications, gyroscopes, cameras, and everything else. Then I searched for available chips online and found that the ESP32 chip met the requirements. It has Bluetooth, WIFI, and a lot of IO to control the motor, which met my needs. So I bought several ESP32 development boards for research.

Ideal has more plump, the reality also has more hit the face.

After studying for a long time, I found that my knowledge reserve could not be realized at all.

Later, when my child learned programming, I planned to buy a car kit for him to play with. But I found the ESP8266 development board and the matching motor driver expansion board online.

Then I just bought an empty car, bought a few ESP8266 development boards, and 8833 motor driver modules, made a few perforated boards, and started working on the car.

Use the ESP32 development board as the remote control and ESP8266 as the car's receiver.

At first, I used WIFI control, then Bluetooth, and finally learned to use ESP-NOW.

I don’t know when I thought, since I can control a car, why can’t I control an airplane?

Then I embarked on the road of no return using ESP8266 as a model aircraft receiver!

From perforated boards, to simple PCB application development boards, and finally to using modules to design receivers. From electric soldering iron to heating table soldering. Along the way, it is a process of continuous learning and continuous self-challenge.

During this period, I also thought about using mature solutions, and also considered using other chips or modules.

But I’m lazy and don’t want to throw away all the things I’ve accumulated in the past. After some comparisons, I feel that ESP32/8266 is very suitable for an entry-level model aircraft kit. The reasons are as follows.

(1) Cheap, really cheap enough. The ESP8266 from third-party manufacturers on Taobao is only 5-6 times faster, and the better one is 7 yuan. The original one from Espressif is about 10 yuan, and the ESP32 module is not expensive at 20-30 yuan. . Paired with other charging modules, joysticks, etc., the price/performance ratio is not necessary. The gyroscope MPU6050 is only priced at RMB 5-7 when released. Other capacitors and resistors cost a lot more.

(2) ESP8266 has 8 IOs and 1 ADC. If you connect two of them to MPU6050 BMP280, there are still 6 IOs available. Even excluding the two pull-up IOs of IO0 and IO2, there are still 4 IO ports available, which are completely sufficient for the lowest standard of 1 motor and 3 servos.

(3) ESP32 has 6 ADCs. Two joysticks only require 4 ADCs. The remaining ones can be used as a balance knob and a switch, which is completely sufficient.

(4) Espressif's unique ESP-NOW communication protocol can achieve communication up to 500 meters in an open area, with a communication rate of up to 1M, which is enough to get started. Moreover, ESP-NOW communicates with each other, rather than being able to only receive or send individually. , so digital transmission is also available.

(5) There are few peripheral circuit requirements, which is easy for a novice like me to get started. ESP32/8266 each has many modules, but the pads are common, so you can use onboard antennas or IPEX antennas. There is a lot of freedom.

(6) (I haven’t figured it out yet, so let’s leave it at that...)

②Current status of domestic aircraft model development

Playing model airplanes is actually quite expensive. Unlike car models, model airplanes may cost hundreds or even thousands and explode as soon as they fly. To put it bluntly, the entry barrier is too high.

The cheap remote control receivers on Taobao add up to hundreds, plus airplanes, ESCs, motors, servos, batteries, etc., you can't fly without three or four hundred. For novices, the probability of their machine crashing is very high, and they really can’t afford it if they don’t have some mines at home.

Are there any cheap model airplanes? Yes, there are a lot of differential machines for about a hundred yuan, and there are a lot of them on Taobao, but they are only toy-level things, not really model airplanes.

At least 1 motor and 2 servos are the entry-level models. Relatively speaking, brushed ones are cheaper than brushless ones. There are many modified hand-throwing machines online that use hollow cups to fly. The remote control receiver used is also a highly integrated finished product. This receiver either has its own remote control or matches a big-name remote control. There are also separate brushed ESCs.

This brings up a problem. You can't play other games with the matching receiver remote control. If you want to switch to a brushless one, you can't play it. You have to change it. To use a universal remote control, you must first have a universal remote control. In short, the cost remains high.

③Advantages of open source code

Many open source receivers only open source the PCB, not the code, only the firmware, or use other people's firmware.

ESP can be programmed in MiSiqi Chinese. The entry threshold is very low and it is easy to get started. This can bring more advantages in code development.

As long as you have an idea, nothing is impossible.

The computing power of ESP is not low. If the computing power is not enough, get another one. The ESP chip can realize multi-core parallel connection and be used to process complex transactions.

The advantages of ESP in making aircraft models are self-evident. Think about it, in the future, the action of flying F3P can be completely handed over to the chip. Automatic takeoff, landing and cruising are not something that is out of reach.

Go to the home of the UP owner of Station B to view more videos

2. DIY Main Accessories Cost Table

(this table is the purchase cost of a certain product, not JLC Bandage patch or mall purchase cost. Please do not refer to this table if you need to control the authenticity guarantee)

ESP8266      :   5.00 - 7.00 (Third Party)

ESP32          : 22-25

MPU6050   : 5.00

BMP280     : 1.50

AMS1117  : 0.15

CH340C     : 1.5

13x13 rocker : 3.00

3. Remote Control:

The remote control is developed based on the ESP32/8266 module with IPEX antenna interface (first generation). It is equipped with a 5V2A charging system, supports 1-2 18650 batteries, TEPY-C interface, has its own battery indicator light, and uses external IPEX wires (module soldering The disk supports other modules of the same type, and you can replace it with the version with onboard antenna). The remote control is divided into three versions: pocket version (ESP32), big joystick version (ESP32) and exploration version (ESP8266).

1. The pocket version uses ESP32 chip module, 6-channel design, dual 13x13 rocker design (can be welded into a left- and right-hand throttle type as needed), balance knob and self-stabilizing flight control switch, and supports up to 1 18650 battery.

2. The large joystick version uses the same ESP32 chip module as the pocket version, with a 12-channel design, a standard aircraft model joystick interface (designed to switch left and right hand throttle modes), a balance knob, a self-stabilizing flight control switch, and a Two-position flap switch, three custom switches. Supports up to two 18650 batteries.

3. Exploration version, this version uses the ESP8266 chip and implements a 16-channel design by carrying a CD74HC4067SM96 chip. Three 16x16 joysticks are used, one of which is an independent throttle joystick, which can define the operation of the left and right joysticks. The independent throttle joystick is mainly designed to prevent misoperation of the throttle when novices of the pocket version of the throttle joystick are started. 8 customizable switches and 4 customizable touch buttons. Supports up to two 18650 batteries.

4. Receiver

The reception is mainly developed for 1S aircraft, and the size of the receiver is also optimized for 48cm hand-thrown aircraft (all versions have TEPY-C interface and automatic download circuit, so those who seek the ultimate small board can remove this part of the circuit by themselves).

1. 1SOne: This is a receiver that can be equipped with one 18650 power battery. It uses the ESP8266-07S (IPEX) module, integrates 5V2A charge and discharge, integrates 2 channels of 11A brushed ESC, 3 1.25 servo interfaces, 2 A 1.25 brushless ESC interface (mainly for the 4.9 4A mini brushless ESC on a certain product), a GPS interface, integrated 9-axis MPU6050 gyroscope, and BMP280 barometer chip.

2. 1SOne_Mini: This is a simplified version of 1SOne. It focuses on lightweighting. It removes the 18650 battery holder and externally welded battery leads or connectors. It integrates 2-channel 11A brushed ESCs, 3 1.25 servo interfaces, and the TEPY-C interface. Changed to vertical plug, also supports 5V2A charging and discharging. The size of this version is optimized according to the 48cm hand-thrown machine. It is equipped with a 300-550 mAh 1S battery and can be easily placed on the machine head to ensure the maximum strength of the machine head. This version only integrates the six-axis MPU6050 gyroscope.

3. 2X: This is a differential plate. It integrates 2 channels of 11A brushed ESCs, a six-axis MPU6050 gyroscope, no servo interface, and uses an ultra-low voltage drop power supply chip. It supports 1S-3S batteries. It is recommended that the maximum battery is 2S (use 7.3 V's 8520 motor), due to the battery-powered design using a variety of rules, there is no integrated charging and discharging circuit.

4. 6X: This is a rotor+fixed-wing flight board (the aircraft is under development), integrating 6-channel 11A brushed ESCs, only a nine-axis MPU6050 gyroscope, and no integrated altimeter or other interfaces. Supports 1S-3S batteries. Please be careful when testing this receiver.

5. 2S_BEC: It is a receiver developed for batteries above 2S, supports BEC power supply and battery power supply, integrates 9-axis MPU6050 gyroscope, and BMP280 barometer chip, and uses XT30 battery interface.

6. 2S_BEC_Little: A super simplified version of 2S_BEC. It only supports BEC power supply, pure output, does not integrate flight control circuits, is ultra-small, only slightly longer than the module, and requires an external download board to download the program.

7. 2S_ESP32_TEST: This is a receiver designed based on the ESP32 chip. It integrates a 9-axis MPU6050 gyroscope, a BMP280 barometer chip, an integrated GPS, and an XT30 power interface. It only supports batteries above 2S and does not support BEC mode.