Instructions on modifying the

Turnigy/Eurgle/Imax/FlySky
9ch Tx to flash new Software
Johannes Wagner, 20.06.2010
Author takes no responsibility

Why new firmware?

This transmitter is as cheap as a couple of upgrade switches for common brand name
Txʼs, inherits a large display and comes already fully upgraded with switches and potiʼs.
Solely the software is a bit frustrating, i.e. it has bugs and an incoherent handling
concept.
The new software alters the handling concept fundamentally and attests this Tx a
unique programming approach which easily competes with some high end Tx.

All functions, informations and the code can be found here, a brief summary of some
major alterations are the following:
"
custom low voltage alarm since the Tx only needs 5V (2.4Ghz), you can
now use 5/6/7 cell NiMHʼs, 2S LiPo and even 2S
LiFePo4

servos can be randomly plugged all Rx outputs can be freely assigned to every
in stick, switch and poti

completely customizable mixer all functions can be freely mixed

bigger model memory dynamical number until memory full

You need
- Transmitter (Turnigy/Eurgle/Imax/FlySky)
- Soldering iron
- AVR Programmer
- Computer with Linux/Mac Os/Windows
Which programmer?
Basically every AVR compatible ISP (AVR ISP, In-System Programmer) is suitable.
Personally I only can recommend ones that are compatible with AVRdude! Why?

AVRdude is Open Source, available for Windows, Linux&Mac, supports COM/

LPT&USB, is widely supported and being actively developed.

There are programmers for the serial, parallel and USB interface.
The advantage of serial and parallel port programmer are the lack necessary drivers.
Disadvantages are the availability of those interfaces on new computers and the
sometimes necessary external power supply of the ISPʼs.

USB ISPʼs are fed by the USB port and can even power the target (i.e. the Tx).
However, it has to be obeyed that for windows necessary drivers are provided .

A list of programmers supported by AVRdude can be found here. You can purchase
those on eBay or electronic retailers, costs vary between $5 and $30.
Users on rclineforum.de have tested a couple of ISPʼs:

USB LPT

successfully AVR ISP MKII AVR Atmel ISP parallel Programmer

USBtinyISP

MySmartUSB MK2

problematic USB-AVRlab Primitiv Parallelport programmer

Since you probably want to use a USB programmer, the instructions are focused on
those. However, apart from the power supply of the Tx and the interface selection in
AVRdude everything else should be equal.

Connecting the Th9x with the Programmer

The pins of the programmer have to be connected to the microcontroller in the Tx
(ATmega64). Atmel has two standard connectors, a 6- or 10pin connector. The standard
pin assignment of the 6pin connector looks as follows:
 1 MISO Master In, Slave Out
VCC 2 1 MISO
2 VCC Voltage Common Collector
3 SCK Serial Clock
MOSI 4 3 SCK
4 MOSI Master Out, Slave In
5 RST Reset
GND 6 5 RST
6 GND Ground

these have to be connected to the Tx as in the following picture. The Turnigy 9ch Tx is
available in two versions. Depicted is v1, if you got v2 please notice that the SCK pin
now has a pad for easier soldering (red circle).

It is recommended to use a thin, flexible cable (e.g. braid from a Cat5 cable). Otherwise
the leads could come of the PCB. It is further recommended to use a hot glue gun to
secure the soldered spots. Hot glue can easily be applied and also removed!
Usually most programmers already come with a 6pin connector and plug. After
soldering, check if there is a connection from the plug of the programmer up to the pins
of the mico processor (see arrows pin assignment processor). If not, see
troubleshooting.

With removed back of the Tx and disconnected 12pin connector you can now check the
connection from programmer to the Tx. If Vcc is connected and target power supply
jumper is closed (on), the Tx should now turn itself on and return a SwitchError. This is
normal since most switches are disconnected by the 12 pin connector.

Note that most parallel port programmer require the Vcc pin to be connected to power
the programmer itself, hence the batterie must be connected. USB programmer on the
other hand are fed by the USB port and can power the Tx with the Vcc pin such that no
battery is required for flashing the firmware.
Setting up the Software
All words written in small letters are console commands, meaning in windows enter
them in Start -> run -> cmd, in Mac OS open applications/utilities/Terminal.

1. If you are using windows: install the provided driver for the ISP, on Mac OS und Linux
you usually donʼt need an extra driver.
2. Install AVRdude:
• windows user download WinAVR, which includes AVRdude.
• Mac OS user install MacPorts (requires Xcode, found on the Mac OS installer
DVD). Open a Terminal windows and enter the following: sudo port install
avrdude now have a coffee and wait until MacPorts finishes the installation of
AVRdude and everything else it requires to run it.
• Linux users probably know how to get a current version of AVRdude :)
• The current version of AVRdude ist 5.10
• Optional GUIʼs (graphical user interfaces) are available for AVRdude for
Windows & Mac OS (e.g. AVR Burn-O-Mat, AVRFuses) as well as for
Windows & Linux (e.g. AVRBurner)
3. Required parameter for avrdude:
• -c xxxx -> xxxx states the programmer used, see list
• -p m64 -> states the target processor (ATmega64)
• -P xxx -> xxx states the port, e.g. com1,lpt1,usb not required for most USB
ISP
• -B xx -> xx states the duration of one cycle in uS, higher values indicate lower
programming frequency
4. Checking the connection with AVRdude:
• run avrdude -c xxxx -p m64. If everything has been set up properly the output
should then show something including the ATmega64 signature:
" "
" " " avrdude: Device signature = 0x1e9602

5. download binary (th9x.bin): http://code.google.com/p/th9x/

Backup old and flash new Software

Prior flashing the new software you probably want to backup the original one. In case
you forgot that, the original images can be found in the internet, check [5,6]

ATTENTION: If the EEPROM is flashed, all model data will be lost! This is inevitable,
thus note all your settings.

Following commands back up the current flash and eeprom content in *.bin:
avrdude -c xxxx -p m64 -U flash:r:backupflash.bin:a

avrdude -c xxxx -p m64 -U eeprom:r:"backupeeprom.bin":a

To upload the new software, i.e. the image th9x.bin from [1] enter the following:

avrdude -c xxxx -p m64 -U flash:w:th9x.bin:a

(memory typ = flash/eeprom,

operation = r/w (read/write),
format = a/r (autodetect/raw binary)

Well, thats it. You could optionally use a GUI, however the only thing these do is just
starting AVRdude with your selected parameters. Mostly, GUIʼs are only more
convenient in selecting files and folders.

ATTENTION: If a GUI is used, DO NOT touch fuses settings!

Troubleshooting
Many things can go wrong. However up to date there is no known issue of total Tx
failure due to the modification.
Common problems and solution can be found in the table below. In case you run into
other troubles, check the forum [5,6] and describe you problem! Usually youʼll be helped
quickly!
Have fun!

message problem -> solution picture

Setting mode and device possible destroyed PCB track -> bridge
parameters.. OK!
Entering programming mode.. with braid from pad to pin on processor
FAILED! (yeap, has been done before :) )
Leaving programming mode..
OK!

AVRdude message:
avrdude: Error: Could
not find xxxx device
- unplug and plug the ISP into the USB
port
- power supply of the USB port is
insufficient on some notebooks -> try
different port or use desktop pc
 message problem -> solution picture

AVRdude message: - some cables are mixed up -> check

them and get them in order
initialization failed, rc=-1
: AVR device initialized and
ready to accept instructions - Ail D/R switch has to be off
: Device signature = 0x000000
: Yikes! Invalid device
signature.
- decrease programming frequency by:
: Expected signature for -P xx, increase xx, e.g. 20)
ATMEGA64 is 1E 96 02

- if RST level is below 5V Volt (double

check) -> connect a pull up resistor
from RST to Vcc at input of ISP (e.g.
start at 1kOhm, if not sufficient lower
until 200Ohm)

- remove yellow 10/46uF Tantal

Elektrolytkondensator above RST Pad

Links
[1] Th9x on Google Code: http://code.google.com/p/th9x/
[2] docu for AVRdude: www.nongnu.org/avrdude/user-manual/
[3] info for AVR: http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/AVR-Tutorial
[4] good electronics tutorial: http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/Elektronik_Allgemein
[5] thread on rclineforum.de: Link
[6] thread on rcgroups.com: Link
[7] alternative software: http://radioclone.org/, http://sourceforge.net/projects/radioclone/