/vSpeed-Vario

vSpeed Vario - DIY Paragliding Variometer

Primary LanguageC++OtherNOASSERTION

This repository contains all previous prototypes.

Click here for the final product repository.

v^Speed Vario

Contents:
v^SPEED VARIO mini
Compare
Android App
iPhone App
3D Printing
Arduino Code
Custom Circuit Board
Parts List

DIY Paragliding Variometer

(Vertical Speed Indicator)

v^SPEED VARIO mini

$99


Email vSpeedVario@gmail.com to purchase
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    SPECS:

  • Ultra-high precision barometric pressure sensor detects altitude changes as small as 10cm
  • Lowest priced Bluetooth Variometer on the market
  • iPhone users: Fully compatible with FlySkyHy app
  • Android users: v^SPEED app new in Google Play Store
  • Fully compatiple with Arduino IDE to easily change custom settings
  • Mounts on risers with velcro
    • (leash, and velcro for both riser and vario included)
  • Tiny Size: 68x25x10mm (about the size of a man's thumb)
  • 3D printed cover screws onto circuit board
    • (black, white, yellow, or light blue)
  • Power switch, and volume buttons
  • 100mAh lipo battery with microUSB charging port
  • 7hr battery life while streaming bluetooth data
  • 1hr charging time
  • Sale price: $99 each (subject to change)

    • OR -- DIY! --

    (assuming you have a 3D printer, an SWD programmer, and a reflow oven)
  • 1 hand assembled: ~ $70 each
  • 10 hand assembled: ~ $38 each
  • 10 machine assembled: ~ $89 each
  • 100 machine assembled: ~ $59 each

v^SPEED Vario

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    Android App--

    I have modified Adafruit's "Bluefruit LE Connect" for Android and the source code can be found in the Android folder. Now published to Google Play!

    This app will give you a better image of what your v^SPEED Vario is doing as it transmits live bluetooth data of barometric altitude, vertical speed, and battery level. Other features include implemented GPS for GPS altitude, ground speed, and heading. The implemented Audio beeps are helpful for listening to each foot of climb as well as a variable sink tone. An implemented accelerometer is for keeping track of max G-force during a hard turn or spiral. The visual display includes a line chart of vertical speed, as well as scrolling altitude numbers so you can see your precise vertical velocity. The climb and sink thresholds are adjustable within the app, which also change the thresholds on the external vario automatically.

Flyskyhy

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    iOS App by Renevision--

    I've been working with Rene to get v^SPEED VARIO compatible with the World's most popular Paragliding app! He's been very helpful throughout the process, and Flyskyhy is an unbeatable iPhone application when it comes to flying. v^Speed Vario is currently using the same protocol as SkyDrop variometers, so in the app when selecting your device, you must choose SkyDrop for the time being.

Prior Prototypes:

PROTOTYPE5

(In Progress)

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    IMPROVEMENTS:

  • Nokia 5110 LCD is much cheaper
  • 2.9" e-Paper display was having interference issues
  • Three buttons used for interfacing with menu
  • Screw-together 3D printed case is much more printer friendly
  • Size: 97x47x18mm
  • Material cost for ten: ~ $54 each
  • Material cost for one: ~ $96 each

PROTOTYPE4

(Aborted)

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    IMPROVEMENTS:

  • Bluetooth compatible with:
    • iPhone: Flyskyhy
    • Android: v^Speed (soon to be published)
  • 2.9" e-Paper display is much larger
  • Amplified electromagnetic buzzer is much louder
  • Micro SD saves settings and any desired flight data
  • Single Button power-on also used for interfacing with menu
  • Machine assembly potential: All SMD components, except the switch
  • Size: 100x40x30mm
  • Material cost for ten: $69 each
  • Material cost for one: $111 each

PROTOTYPE3

(Fully Working)

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    IMPROVEMENTS:

  • Bluetooth compatible with:
    • iPhone: Flyskyhy
    • Android: v^SPEED (soon to be published)
  • Adafruit Feather Bluefruit M0
  • MS5611 Barometric Pressure/Temperature Sensor (SPI mode)
  • Less than several INCHES of altitude noise with a simple averaging filter
  • 37 Altitude samples per second with the display screen ON
  • 56 Altitude samples per second while connected to your phone with the display screen OFF
  • Size: 60x28x20mm (perfect for wrist watch, or riser mounting)
  • 0.66" OLED display (SPI mode)
  • PS1740 Piezo Buzzer
  • 3D Printed Case
  • Custom designed PCB
  • Audio and a handful of widgets are implemented in each app
  • Material cost for ten: $45 each
  • Material cost for one: $77 each

PROTOTYPE2

(Discontinued)

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    IMPROVEMENTS:

  • Bluetooth compatible with:
    • iPhone: (Not yet compatible)
    • Android: v^SPEED (soon to be published)
  • Adafruit Feather Bluefruit 32u4
  • MS5611 Barometric Pressure/Temperature Sensor (SPI mode)
  • Less than several INCHES of altitude noise with a simple averaging filter
  • 21 Altitude samples per second with the display screen ON
  • 49 Altitude samples per second while connected to your phone with the display screen OFF
  • Size: 60x20x28mm (perfect for wrist watch, or riser mounting)
  • 0.66" OLED display (SPI mode)
  • PS1740 Piezo Buzzer
  • 3D Printed Case
  • Custom designed PCB
  • Audio and a handful of widgets are implemented in the v^SPEED app
  • Material cost for ten: $45 each
  • Material cost for one: $77 each

PROTOTYPE1

(One of a kind)

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    SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Arduino Nano
  • BMP180 Barometric Pressure/Temperature Sensor (I2C mode)
  • Just about a foot of altitude noise with a simple averaging filter
  • 13 Altitude samples per second
  • Size: 60x20x28mm (perfect for wrist watch, or riser mounting)
  • NOKIA5110 LCD Display (SPI mode)
  • Backlight Control
  • Volume Control
  • PS1240 Piezo Buzzer
  • Material cost for one: $20

COMPARE:


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Model PROTOTYPE1 PROTOTYPE2 PROTOTYPE3 PROTOTYPE4 PROTOTYPE5 PROTOTYPE6
Height x Width x Thickness (mm) 100 x 70 x 20 60 x 28 x 20 60 x 28 x 20 100 x 40 x 30 97 x 47 x 18 68 x 25 x 10
Controller Arduino Nano Bluefruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit Feather M0 Bluefruit Feather M0 Bluefruit Feather M0 ATSAMD21G18A-MU
Barometer BMP180 MS5611 MS5611 MS5611 MS5611 MS5611
Altitude Sample Rate (Hz) 13 21-49 37-56 (Not Tested Yet) ~ 60 ~ 80
Altitude Precision (cm) 35 11 10 (Not Tested Yet) 10 ~ 8
Android App Compatibility - v^SPEED v^SPEED v^SPEED v^SPEED v^SPEED
iPhone App Compatibility - - Flyskyhy Flyskyhy Flyskyhy Flyskyhy
Battery 9V BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V BTG 150 mAh Li-Po 3.7V Adafruit 100 mAh Li-Po 3.7V
Battery Life w/ Full Function (Hasn't Died Yet) (Approx 8 hr) (Approx 8 hr) (Not Tested Yet) (Not Tested Yet) (Not Tested Yet)
Buzzer PS1240 PS1740 PS1740 BOT-03D-BUJEON BOT-03D-BUJEON SMT-1127-S-R
Amplification - - - Yes Yes Yes
Volume Control Thumbwheel Thumbwheel Thumbwheel Digital Digital Digital
Display Nokia5110 LCD 0.66" OLED 0.66" OLED 2.9" e-Paper Nokia5110 LCD (Use Bluetooth)
Micro SD Slot - - - Yes Yes -
User Control Volume, Brightness, Power Volume, Power Volume, Power Single Button Three Button, Power Two Button, Power
Custom Settings Arduino Upload Arduino Upload Arduino Upload Settings Menu Settings Menu Arduino Upload
Mounting Leg Strap Riser, Wrist Riser, Wrist Riser Leg Strap Leg Strap, Riser
Assembly Cardboard, Protoboard, Wire Custom PCB Through-hole Custom PCB Through-hole Custom PCB Surface Mount Custom PCB Surface Mount 100% machine assembly potential
Qty 10 Unit Material Cost (USD) $20 $45 $45 $69 $54 $37
Qty 1 Unit Material Cost (USD) $20 $77 $77 $111 $96 $70

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Footage:

Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFNgn0X94sw
In-Flight Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXyAx8dpHaY

The only footage I have for the app is during an Imagine Dragons concert in a low averaging setting--
Android App: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcBOBjCzPE&t=4s
(At about 1:20 the heavy base ramps up during the song and makes the barometric sensor data go nuts!)

Contact with questions or concerns:

Contact: vSpeedVario@gmail.com

This is an open-source project

SolidWorks

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    3D Printing--

    Printing the cases for each variometer should be quite a bit cheaper now that my dad purchased a Prusa i3 MK3 3D printer. SOLIDWORKS is my software of choice, but if it's not available for you, I would suggest OnShape.com for designing your 3D printed parts.

Arduino IDE

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    Programing Code--

    The Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) is the free software and programming language compatible with this device. Paul McWhorter got me hooked on his YouTube video series of lessons for learning Arduino. Before the summer of 2017, I had no interest in electronics, until I realized you can do almost anything when you combine it with computer programming. I ended up pulling an all nighter as I watched every single one of those videos, and suddenly I knew how electronics worked, and I knew how to implement my own ideas in the Arduino Software.

Eagle CAD

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    Custom PCB--

    A Custom PCB is designed in the free Eagle CAD software and ordered through SEEED Studios.

Bill of Materials

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Where Did I Learn All This?--

Besides the fact that I've been teaching myself all this stuff,
HUGE bragging rights within this project can be claimed by:
Paul Butler ( my Dad )
Paul McWhorter ( http://toptechboy.com )
Adafruit Industries ( https://www.adafruit.com/ )
Sparkfun Electronics ( https://www.sparkfun.com/ )
BlueFlyVario ( http://blueflyvario.blogspot.com.au/ )