Originally written in English
Design
TotalVario has been designed with the major goal to provide all essential information on one screen and to achieve the best possible visibility and readability on a standard 5'' to 6'' smartphone.
The need of manual interaction in flight is minimized.
The layout is optimized for portrait mode, but a dedicated layout for landscape orientation is provided as well.
Airspeed,
Thermal Finder and Target Guide can be enabled or disabled separately
depending on personal preferences / needs. The picture shows how the
main screen looks in paraglider mode without Airspeed.
The current version does not focus on waypoint navigation, and it does not focus on competition. However there is support for a target waypoint, which can be either the location of the takeoff, or a user-selected waypoint from a waypoint file. This is a useful feature to have whenever you make round trips from your flying site.
The instruments on the main screen are described here.
Standalone Vario
If your phone is equipped with a responsive, precise pressure sensor, it can be used as stand-alone flight instrument.
Note that many devices have basically good hardware sensors, but internal data processing (below the Android layer) is poor/slow, or the device is waterproof and airflow is bad, thus preventing a fast response required for flying.
Parallel Application
TotalVario can run in parallel with, and provide data for well known apps like XCSoar, Tophat, XCTrack and also LK8000.
If you require a navigation computer and a moving map, you can try this feature. TotalVario can forward all relevant flight data to the secondary app using TCP or UDP and the NMEA-like protocol $PDGFTL1.
In this case it is very convenient to have a device with proximity sensor. If you enable the option cover sensor, you can switch between the apps just by holding your hand over the sensor.
Note: Some Smartphones (specifically Samsung) have a built-in flaw that prevents apps from getting proximity data when there is no active phone call. There is no workaround.
BlueflyVario
TotalVario works with BlueflyVario V10, V11 and V12. The new Bluefly versions (V2*) should work as well.
For Pitot airspeed you need Bluefly Version 12, Firmware 12.M25 with the Bluefly airspeed extension. Other versions can be used without Pitot.
Unfortunately there is no airspeed extension option for the new V2* models. BlueflyVario V12 is no longer available from the web shop because the production of the processor chip has stopped.
XCTracer
- TotalVario works perfectly with the XCTracer using the $XCTRC protocol.
- An extra option to calm the acoustic signal is provided.
- If desired, the GPS information sent by XCTracer can also be used by TotalVario.
Other Bluetooth Sensors
Please be aware that the Compass C-Probe sensor and several Bluetooth mini-varios available on the market should work, but have not been tested with real hardware.
TotalVario offers two own, streamlined protocols, $PTVSOAR and $PTV, which comprise all relevant data sources. Refer to the specification for more details.
A new, high-precision BLE sensor device providing pitot airspeed, pressure, temperature and humidity is currently under development. Check the FlyingSilicon blog for news.
Just contact me for support.
Airspeed with Pitot or vane wheel
TotalVario can process and display airspeed transmitted by an external sensor via Bluetooth, or coming from a vane wheel sensor via the microphone input. With airspeed, the wind calculation is more precise and responsive. In addition TotalVario can calculate the recommended speed to fly for best glide and the McCready speed to fly.
TotalVario has a built-in automatic GPS-based calibration which is running continously while you are flying. If you mount the airspeed sensor with some error in the angle, this will be compensated after flying circles or any non-straight paths for some time.
There are currently following solutions to get airspeed:
- a Bluefly Vario with Pitot extension
- a Flytec vane wheel sensor
- a C-Probe Bluetooth sensor (still in beta, see above)
Bluefly Vario V12 with Pitot
C-Probe Bluetooth SensorIf you want to use a Bluefly V12 with airspeed sensor, please check first the BlueflyVario blog. With a bit of tinkering, this is a cheap and robust way to use a Pitot sensor with TotalVario. Please check also the technical information about the temperature compensation procedure required in this case.
Flytec Vane WheelThe Compass C-Probe sensor is a sophisticated but rather expensive device to provide pressure and airspeed data.
The sensor has its own Pitot and built-in processing, including Pitot zeroing, temperature compensation and automatic speed calibration. Because the interface has not been tested with a real device, please contact me for support.
Depending on your smartphone model, you may be able to use a Flytec vane wheel sensor for precision airspeed.
Note: I do not know if these sensors are still available from Naviter or elsewhere after Flytec sadly stopped their business. These sensors were very precise but rather expensive. If you already own one, or if you can get a cheap, used one, you can give it a try.
The sensor is connected to the headset/microphone input. For this, an adapter cable is needed, or the original connector must be replaced. Please read the technical information about using a vane wheel sensor.
Hanggliding Pod with Smartphone
I have bought an Altair smartphone pod available from Delta Goodies with built-in power bank, and integrated the Bluefly Vario with Pitot sensor into the pod.
Many thanks go to Oleg Matvieiev and Evgen Lysenko for their support!
I am using a Galaxy Note 3 smartphone which has a bright display. The smartphone sits in a rubber case (extra slim). The rubber case is mounted with velcro, as recommended by Oleg. The inner USB cable for the power supply is invisible. The pod has an external standard USB connector for charging. The (double wall) Pitot tube is mounted with silicone hoses so that it does not break and can easily be replaced. The vario sound produced by the Note 3 smartphone is very loud.
The display has an effective anti-reflex protection. Furthermore the pod is mounted at an angle of 80 degrees at the side of the control bar, so that I just need to turn my head a bit to see the display. The operating time is about 13 hours at full brightness and volume when the batteries (Powerbank, Note 3, Bluefly) are 100% charged.
View an early prototype in action here
Copyright (c) 2023, Bernd Wing*. All rights reserved.