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Bracelet Edition

Linar Yusupov edited this page Sep 21, 2021 · 24 revisions

Bracelet Edition is a variant of SoftRF DIY GA proximity awareness device been implemented in a small, lightweight wristband form factor.

It is supposed to require minimal skills from a builder to begin with and gives an opportunity to evaluate if the SoftRF technology is appropriate for your needs.

The Bracelet is based upon a partner's hardware - LilyGO®TTGO T-Impulse board, which is available for direct purchase from manufacturer at more or less reasonable price (30+ USD).



T-Impulse is:

  • a multipurpose ,
  • DIY-friendly ,
  • low power ,
  • lightweight

- LoRaWAN wristband with GNSS receiver and 9DOF sensor.

The T-Impulse is a direct successor of LilyGO® & SoftRF T-Motion product that had entered the market in January of 2020 and got a lot of positive user's appreciations since then.

The T-Impulse is an example of cutting edge technology. It contains (some of the most popular):

  • STMicroelectronics STM32L073Z Low Power MCU ;
  • Semtech SX127x Long Range Low Power RF Transceiver ;
  • Sony CXD5603GF Low Power GNSS Receiver ;
  • TDK InvenSense ICM-20948 Inertial Measurement Unit ;
  • 0.49" I2C OLED display

Compatibility 1

Type Protocol FLARM OGN tracker PilotAware Skytraxx SoftRF
Radio FLARM AIR V6

 

OGNTP

 

P3I

 

FANET+

Data 2 FLARM NMEA

  Garmin GDL90

 

Dump1090  

1 - it is necessary for a reader to distinguish the difference between statement "compatible" and statement "fully compatible".
     SoftRF implements only a reasonable minimum of the protocols specs. No "bells and whistles" so far.
2 - the data gets delivered over USB connection only. It requires for the "No Receive" power save setting to be NOT engaged.

Use cases

1) Transmitter

  • In the air:

    Aircraft, UAV or balloon onboard location beacon.

  • On the ground:

    You can use it track your elderly relative, kid, pet, vehicle & etc. location.

Just turn your Bracelet on, then wait until the device will pick GNSS satellites up. It will start transmitting automatically afterwards.

By default, the Bracelet is configured to operate over FANET radio protocol. You can further select other protocol through settings change procedure.

When other air traffic with the same radio protocol been enabled will fly around - the pilot will be able to see you and avoid.

You may consider to use it in conjunction with SoftRF Badge Edition .



2) OGN network traffic source

Depending on the protocol selection and availability of proper ground stations nearby you may or may not see your active Bracelet device on a Open Glider Network live traffic portal(s), such as: http://glidertracker.org/


Disclaimer

SoftRF firmware for Bracelet Edition is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Author of SoftRF firmware:

  • will reject any hardware related claims associated with LilyGO®TTGO T-Impulse wristband. Ask for support from seller or manufacturer ;
  • reserves the right to suspend or terminate support of LilyGO®TTGO T-Impulse in the firmware at any time.

For the time being ( Sep '21 ) there were no critical hardware issues reported for current version of the T-Impulse wristband. However things my change over the time...
If you have issues with bringing up your new LilyGO®TTGO T-Impulse or just not happy with the device - be prepared to execute your Purchase Protection plan.

Bill of materials

Required

Number Part Qty Picture Source
1 LilyGO®TTGO
T-Impulse 3
1 AliExpress

3 - 868 MHz variant is applicable for these world regions: EU, RU, NZ, SA, IN ;
     915 MHz - US, CA, AU, IL, KR ;
     433 MHz - CN .

NOTICE: Use comments area of your order to ask seller if they can pre-install SoftRF firmware into your T-Impulse wristband(s) before shipping.

Optional

Number Part Qty Picture Source
1 SMA female to uFL adapter 1 AliExpress
2 Antenna
868 MHz 4
1 AliExpress
3 Antenna
868 MHz 4
1 EBay
AliExpress 1 2
4 868 MHz SMA dipole antenna 4 1 AliExpress
5 micro-USB or Type-C OTG adapter 1 AliExpress

4 - 868 MHz variant is applicable for these world regions: EU, RU, NZ, SA, IN ;
     915 MHz - US, CA, AU, IL, KR ;
     433 MHz - CN .

Quick start

Use these instructions to start operating with your delivered Bracelet device.

Settings

The T-Impulse wristband comes with a Type-C USB cable that is applicable to alter the device configuration.

Procedure of settings change is explained here.
Settings description is located there.

If you are an application developer and you think about to add the Bracelet configuration menu into your software, please, use:

Buttons

Touch button function

When unit is Off:

  • touch and release Touch button to turn the unit On.

When unit is On:

  • touch and release Touch button to cycle between display view modes, or
  • touch and keep holding Touch button for 2-3 seconds to turn the unit Off.

Reset button function

  • press and release Reset button one time to restart the SoftRF unit.

Boot button function

  • press and keep holding Reset button, then
  • press and keep holding Boot button, then
  • release Reset button, then
  • release Boot button, to enter the device into programming mode.

Battery life

Current consumption from 3.7 Volt battery:

Mode Average current
Active
receive OFF

25 mA

Active
receive ON

35 mA

Sleep

0.1 mA

Operating time from a full charge depends on your actual battery capacity.

Optional equipment

  1. SoftRF Badge Edition is a companion device for the Bracelet.

Additional information on T-Impulse wristband

  1. LilyGO® T-Impulse product support pages on GitHub
  2. touch sensor function video

Hardware

SoftRF

SkyView

Flight Recorder

Adapters

Software

Firmware

Tools

Protocols

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