Context: Use these instructions to reset your UXV Samsung Tablet if you have forgotten your password and are locked out.
Please Note:
Freefly recommends that you follow these steps only in an emergency, and if you cannot ship the unit back to Freefly for a factory reset.
Performing this process will result in tablet data loss and the tablet also won’t be configured exactly the same way as it ships from Freefly Systems.
These instructions are for UXV Controller only. The instructions will be similar for Pilot Pro with modifications on what apps to install (the Pilot Pro instructions may be posted at a later date)
Reminder- you will lose any data you have saved on the tablet, including any apps you have installed. Freefly recommends fully charging the controller and tablet and keeping it connected to charger the entire process.
Turn off your tablet.
Then press Volume up button, Home button and Power button simultaneously to enter into Stock Recovery mode.
If you are facing difficulty in turning off your device, then press the power button and volume down button simultaneously on your Tab Active3 LTE. Release the volume down button as soon as your device turned off and immediately press Volume up button, Home button and Power button simultaneously.
Release Volume up button, Home button and Power button after you see Logo on screen. Your Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 (SM-T577U) will enter into Stock Recovery mode after a few seconds. Select 'wipe data/factory reset" option. You can use volume button to select this option.
Use power button to confirm "wipe data/factory reset" option.
Select "YES" option using Tab Active3 volume button. Then, press power button to confirm "YES" option.
You have to select "Reboot system now" option using volume button.
Press power button to confirm "Reboot system now"
Wait for ~10 minutes and it should enter the device setup mode.
Follow these instructions to set up the general table settings starting with Step 3 below.
Step 4: Setup Wifi if you have access
Obtain the Freefly APK file from Freefly Systems. You must contact Support@freeflysystems.com to run through troubleshooting steps before obtaining this file
Insert a USB-C thumb drive into your laptop and then put the apk in the thumb drive.
Insert the thumb drive to the tablet (directly).
Go to the My Files app, and open the USB thumb drive.
Tap on the APK file to install.
It will likely ask for you to go to Settings to allow your tablet to install the app. Proceed to give it permissions to Install Unknown apps. Ignore warnings and click Install anyway.
Install other apps
Open the just installed Freefly App Manager.
Tap on the Apps tab at the bottom.
Make sure you are connected to Wifi.
It should show a few apps on the page.
Go ahead and install the apps like QGroundControl, Radio Configurator, NavSuite, etc. You need to tap on them and then hit the INSTALL button that shows up.
You will also have to allow permissions for Freefly App Manager to install apps.
Blue boom LED and loud motor beeping
Parameter structure is corrupted
QGC has a lot of red tabs. Aircraft profile seems to be deleted.
Parameter structure is corrupted
Preflight Fail: High Accelerometer Bias
If you fly around with no issues, and then land and then get this error, then its most likely a bug in PX4 Software.
Reboot/power cycle the aircraft
If you get this error with a fresh boot before taking off and doing accelerometer calibration does not make the issue go away, then its most likely that the temp cal of the aircraft is not present
Abrupt motions in autonomous missions, causing problem in capturing Lidar data
Lack of smooth mission execution in flight controller
What is it? — There is a hardware defect combined with a PX4 bug that applies to all blue and black cube flight controllers where a very specific set of power conditions can occur within the memory chip of the flight controller, causing it to become corrupted. When this happens, the parameters become reset.
How to prevent? — Make sure that the unit never gets a quick power on/off, but whenever you connect the unit to USB power, etc, to always allow sufficient time for it to boot. Then if you power it off, wait 10-30 seconds before re-starting to avoid the issue.
How to fix? Follow Alta X Recovery Instructions to reset back to default firmware and parameter profiles.
Issue: The PX4 version that is used with the Alta X does not have smooth motion planning for autonomous missions. This can lead to sudden jerky movements that make capturing data with Lidars very challenging.
Solution: Actual solution to this requires a major upgrade for the PX4 firmware for Alta X. This has been in our roadmap and we are still working on it.
Workaround:
Survey missions in QGC creates waypoints that have sharp turns. Combined with the lack of smoothing at motion execution of the flight controller, it creates abrupt motions.
Potential workaround for this issue is to manually create waypoint missions with some segments to create curves. See the image below. You can test the following with your setup:
Create a waypoint mission that has straight segments, 90 degree turns, and then another straight segment, like a normal survey, pic attached. Make sure the short segments are at least 20m apart.
Set the MIS_YAW_ERR parameter to 90, and setting NAV_ACC_RAD to 3. You can increase NAV_ACC_RAD to see how it affects the flight behavior.
! As always take extreme caution when adjusting parameter settings. !
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Context: Use this process when an Alta X flight controller profile gets deleted and the aircraft needs to be reprogrammed with the Alta X OEM profile, firmware, and parameters. A symptom of this usually is Blue boom LED's and loud motor beeping.
Before proceeding with the steps below, ensure you have downloaded the required files:
Download the latest Alta X QGC Version:
Go to the designated source and download the latest version of Alta X QGC onto your laptop or desktop.
Prepare the Drone for Parameter Loading:
Without batteries plugged in, connect your Alta X to the computer using a USB-C cable via the expansion port and use MSC mode to connect.
Once connected, the drone should appear on your computer's desktop as a hard drive.
Download any existing Tempcal and Parameter Alta X Files from the aircraft:
From your drone's hard drive in the computer, locate the Tempcal file (e.g., 491625-tempcal.params) and the AltaX.Params file
Download both these files to your desktop for easy access during the configuration process.
Update Firmware with Alta X Firmware:
NOTE: Alta X and Alta X Blue get different parameters. Ensure you download the correct firmware for your hardware version
Follow the instructions provided in the Wiki to update your drone's firmware.
Standard Alta X firmware as applicable
Blue Alta X firmware as applicable
Once the firmware update is complete, reboot the drone before proceeding.
Reset Alta X Parameters using the guide in #loading-default-parameters
Load Tempcal File (e.g., 491625-tempcal.params):
Access the parameter settings on your drone control software once more.
Use the tool button to load the Tempcal file (e.g., 491625-tempcal.params) to your drone.
After loading, reboot the aircraft to apply the Tempcal file settings.
Recalibrate All Sensors:
Now that all files have been uploaded, it's essential to recalibrate all sensors for accuracy.
Follow the Sensor Calibration Procedures provided in your drone's manual or the QGroundControl software.
Always remember to select "No Rotation" for your External Compass Orientation.
Final Reboot:
After recalibrating the sensors, perform a final reboot of the aircraft to ensure all changes take effect.
Your Alta X should now be configured back to normal with the updated parameters and firmware. Always double-check the settings and ensure the calibration process is done correctly for safe and optimal flight performance.
