Vector 2.3 Release Notes

Overview

Release Date: 2/16/23

Starting Serial Number: 20169

Vector 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, and user experience.

What’s New

Secondary Vibration Damping

• Secondary ball dampers are now standard equipment on all units to ensure vibration is mitigated for a wider variety of payloads. These are in addition to the primary wire damping system.

Top mounting plate

• Now standard equipment on all units for additional, custom mounting options.

Remote Identification (RID)

• Added Remote ID capabilities to meet FAA requirements. Equipment added includes a computer & antenna mounted on the ventral side of the airframe to broadcast the drone and operators location. 
• Update flight computer firmware to Arducopter 4.3.3 (See below)
• Note: Both the drone and operator need a clear view of the sky to acquire a GPS lock prior to allowing aircraft to arm.

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.

Retractable Landing Gear

• Landing gear retracts are now field serviceable. Users can also replace landing gear 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

• New foam will help increase energy absorption during violent shipping handling.
• Added holders for XT-90 colored battery status indicator caps to signify battery charge status.
• Universal interchangeable payload inserts added to support storage of a wider variety of optional payloads.
• Improved decal quality to increase damage tolerance.

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.
• Created adapter kit for modifying old payloads to work with the new EPS.

Electrical

• Voltage level shifter added to navigation light circuitry to improve signal clarity to each LED assembly.
• Upgraded voltage regulator will improve power-up speed with certain voltage sensitive Gremsy gimbals. 
• Battery connector strain relief added to improve user ergonomics.

Firmware

• Flight computer firmware updated to ArduCopter 4.3.3
  • Includes new parameters and tuning for drivetrain & RID upgrades.
  • Includes NMEA data fix for better GPS position tagging to convert decimal GPS to degrees.
  • See ArduCopter Release Notes: https://github.com/ArduPilot/ardupilot/blob/master/ArduCopter/ReleaseNotes.txt
  • As a result of parameter updates, the IMUs require a longer boot time to warm up in cold weather.
• Updated Herelink firmware to support Remote ID.

Software

• Updated to Flight Deck 2.3.0 (See Release Notes)

Top Resolved Issues

• FAA Remote ID compliance added.
• 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 new drivetrain updates.
• Altitude hold mode removed to prevent pilot error (see Flight Deck Release Notes).
• Issues with intermittent retract failures have been resolved.
• Eliminated and/or reduced amount of “jello” in video feeds.
• Parameter updates can now be pushed to deployed systems in the field.
• Increased granular resolution of GPS accuracy. 
• Case foam improvements allow for more protection during shipping. Stickers and serial numbers improved so they don’t fall off.
• Mechanical portion of the payload connection system allows users to more easily attach payloads.
• Moving to Herelink 1.1 resolved an issue with HDMI video priority. Allows you to use HDM1 or 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.

General Advisories

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.