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SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 Release Notes

4 min read

Overview

Release Date: 12/15/2022

Starting Serial Number: 20161

SwitchBlade-Elite 2.3 is now available for general use. This minor update includes equipment for FAA Remote ID compliance and improvements to various components for reliability, durability, performance, supply chain stability, transport case aesthetics, and user experience.

What’s New

Drivetrain

  • Drivetrain upgrades improve reliability, flight performance and flight time, as well as increase supply chain stability for these components. 
  • Modified motor mounts and cradles with updated bolt patterns.

General

Maximum payload capacity recommendations reduced to 2.0 kg to compensate for additional vehicle mass.

Remote Identification (RID)

  • Added Remote ID capabilities to meet FAA requirements. Equipment includes a computer & antenna mounted on the ventral side of the airframe to broadcast the drone and operator’s location. 
  • Update flight computer firmware to Arducopter 4.3.0 (See below)

Gimbal Control

  • Dual operator control support added.
  • Added ability to pan and yaw gimbal using a single scroll wheel and using the A button to select between functions.
  • Long press on the A button centers the gimbal so it points forward.

Optional Camera Control Support

  • Optional feature to support camera control using Airpixel AIR Commander ENTIRE R3.
  • Functions user can control include:
    • For Sony A7X and A9X: Trigger Photo, Trigger Video, Zoom (motorized zoom only), Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Exposure correction, Trigger AF, Camera power toggle.
    • For the Sony A6xxx, A5xxx series, RX1 series: Trigger Photo, Trigger Video, Zoom, Trigger AF, Camera power toggle.
  • Support for in-image geotagging and location of gimbal angle.

Ground Control Station 

  • Upgrade to Herelink 1.1
    • Brighter screen (600 nit to 1000 nit)
  • Removed joystick jack screws to prevent occasional physical jamming
  • Updated Herelink firmware for Remote ID support.
    • Remote ID status indicator
    • Ability to enter Remote ID operator information

Retractable Landing Gear

  • Landing gear retracts are now field serviceable. Users can also upgrade their retracts from manual to powered at their discretion without the need for Vision Aerial Service assistance.
  • Provisional wire routing added to allow for field servicing.
  • Larger and more powerful servo improves retract reliability and lifting power.
  • Foot attachment geometry has been standardized between aircraft.
  • All sheet metal parts have been updated for servo compatibility.
  • Linkages, servo horn, and servo have been updated for supply chain stability and longevity. 

Transport Case

  • Denser foam will help prevent damage during violent shipping handling.
  • Payload compartment has been converted to accept a standardized, interchangeable insert for a wide variety of payload options.
  • Serial numbers now laser engraved to improve damage tolerance.
  • Battery Charge Indicator: Colored rubber bands changed to blue, green, and red connector caps. Added a battery cap rack inside the case. Changed for aesthetic purposes.

Electronic Payload Connection System (EPCS)

  • Added a magnetic housing to the primary (Gecko) connector to provide an easier and more robust connection. Removed snap fit feature.
  • Altered HDMI cable slot geometry to improve connection ergonomics.
  • XT-30 pack power connection added to support high power demand payloads
  • Added SMA connector for Remote ID antenna.
  • Created adapter kit for modifying old payloads to work with the new EPS.

Mechanical Payload Connection System (PCS)

  • Ridges added to base to remove play.
  • Cover plate changed to aluminum for improved damage tolerance..
  • Bump stop added to base to retain PCS lock ring when in open position. Prevents the ring from rattling when there is no payload.
  • Wire Payload Safety Strap added to catch the payload in the event that the PCS fails.

Payload Damping 

  • Ventral cover, ventral dust plate, and floating plate modified to increase the quantity of damper balls and range of vibration frequency absorption. This will reduce / eliminate the amount of “Jello” seen in video feeds.

Tail Mechanism

  • More durable servo horn and linkages have been added.
  • Updated keel to improve ground handling damage tolerance.
  • Tail light geometry now a vertical slot shape for aesthetic purposes.

Electrical

  • Nav lights, wiring, and connectors updated for compatibility and reliability.
  • Voltage level shifter added to navigation light circuitry to improve voltage level to the first LED assembly, for Blue Cube compatibility. 
  • Voltage level shifter added to retract circuitry to increase drive voltage to retract servos.
  • Upgraded voltage regulator to improve power-up speed with certain voltage sensitive Gremsy gimbals. 
  • Provisional 5 volt wiring ran to nose mount for provisional accessories.
  • Battery connector strain relief added to improve user ergonomics.

Firmware

Software

Top Resolved Issues

  • FAA Remote ID compliance added.
  • Parameter updates can now be pushed to systems deployed in the field.
  • Resolved issues with some Gremsy gimbals that failed to power on during startup.
  • Increased flight times and improved stability in corners of the flight envelope. Manual mode top speed increased from 12.5 m/s to 15 m/s with drivetrain updates.
  • Altitude Hold mode removed to prevent pilot error (see Flight Deck 2.3 Release Notes).
  • Issues with intermittent retract failures have been resolved.
  • Eliminated and/or reduced amount of “Jello” in video feeds.
  • Increased granular resolution of GPS accuracy. 
  • Case improvements allow for more protection during shipping.
  • Updates to the mechanical and electronic portion of the Payload Connection System allow users to attach payloads more easily.
  • Moving to Herelink 1.1 resolved an issue with HDMI video priority. Allows use of HDM 1 or HDMI 2 regardless of the order.
     

Open Issues

  • During flight, battery percentage remaining is sometimes inaccurate. When the drone lands, if it sits, the battery percentage remaining will climb back up.
  • Remote ID requires that the user activate the radio status menu in order to wake up the remote ID functionality.
  • GoPro FPV cameras have inconsistent user controls between camera generations.
  • Android OS updates may uninstall Flight Deck software on the Herelink.

General Advisories

  • Payload capacity reduced to 2.0 kg.
  • Warning sign WARNING: Battery percentage remaining calculation is no longer being supported for legacy LiPo batteries. Inaccurate battery remaining percentage may occur if a LiPo battery is being used. Users should use the voltage remaining number instead.
  • Drone and operator’s location is now viewable to others with Remote ID phone apps.

How to Upgrade Your Unit

Contact Vision Aerial’s Service Department at (406) 518-1302 or email [email protected] to receive an estimate and schedule an appointment. 

The cost to upgrade from a SwitchBlade-Elite 2.0 or higher with Solid State batteries is $4950.