SkyView EZ - alex-43/SoftRF GitHub Wiki

SkyView EZ shows traffic information provided by a FLARM NMEA or Garmin GDL90 data source device.

It is best suited to operate as a companion device for SoftRF hardware and it helps to visualize nearby traffic in a user friendly manner. It was also reported by builders that it operates with SkyEcho, Stratux and PilotAware as well.

Data input is accepted over:

"classic" serial interface ;
Wi-Fi UDP connection ;
Bluetooth SPP ;
Bluetooth LE

This in-flight illustration shows one traffic object 5+ km left, behind and below of SoftRF & SkyView carrier aircraft:

The EZ is considered as a "quick build kit" that requires very basic skills from a builder to assemble a complete unit.

This SkyView's variant is based on third-party's hardware - TTGO T5S board, which is available for direct purchase from manufacturer at more or less reasonable price (30+ USD).

Disclaimer

In general a lot of Chinese DIY electronics manufacturers are known to behave this way:

sometimes they may not apply necessary Q.C. before releasing of a product from factory ;
they may arbitrary change schematics and electronic components from one batch to the next one ;
they may terminate manufacturing of a board just few month after initial production.

Because of that, author of SkyView:

will reject any hardware related claims associated with TTGO T5S board. Ask for support from seller or manufacturer ;
reserves the right to suspend or terminate support of TTGO T5S in the firmware at any time.

For the time being ( May '19 ) there were no critical hardware issues reported for current version of the T5S board. However things my change over the time...
If you have issues with bringing up your new TTGO T5S or just not happy with the board - be prepared to execute your Purchase Protection plan.

Bill of materials

Required

Number	Part	Qty	Picture	Source
1	TTGO T5S B&W ²	1		AliExpress 1 2 3
2	62x35x6 mm Li-Po battery 1450 mAh	1		AliExpress 1

² - 2-color (black and white) version of the T5S is the only one supported by SkyView's firmware.

Number	Part	Qty	Picture	Source
3	micro SD card	1		Local
4	4 Ohm speaker	1		TBD

Optional

When wired RS232 connection to some legacy NMEA or GDL90 equipment is necessary - one may consider to use this type of adapters.

It is also worth to mention, that with use of provided connection wires, SkyView EZ is able to operate together with a Bluetooth module.

Number	Part	Qty	Picture	Source
5	MAX3232 RS232 TTL adapter	1		AliExpress
6	Bluetooth HC-05	1		AliExpress

Quick start

Use these instructions to start operating with your delivered SkyView EZ board.

Firmware

Firmware binaries for the EZ can be downloaded from this location.
Please, read Release Notes to keep track of every new update.

Settings

Description of Web UI settings is located here.

Buttons

MODE
Short press and release - change view mode
Long press ( >2 sec. ) and release - soft power off

UP
Radar view - zoom out
Text view - previous aircraft info

DOWN
Radar view - zoom in
Text view - next aircraft info

RESET ³

³ - T5S V2.8: ON/OFF function is not applicable for this revision of the board;
T5S V1.9 and V2.1: do not press and hold RESET button down for 2 seconds or more - ON/OFF feature will no longer function until you disconnect/reconnect battery. Watch this video as an illustration.