Releases: ExpressLRS/Backpack
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.5.1
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.5.0
Who should update from V1.4?
- MAVLink users
- Anyone looking to use Backpack for the MFD antenna trackers, or the DIY tracker
- Race timer backpack users
- Anyone with a ESP32C3 based backpack
New Features
MAVLink via WiFi for Backpack #141 #154
- Details: This update introduces MAVLink via UDP forwarding, along with a number of other flexible telemetry options. Telemetry mode is now configurable via LUA script with three states:
- Off: Disables telemetry forwarding.
- ESPNOW: Forwards telemetry (CRSF for now, MAVLink coming soon) via ESPNOW to the receiver, bypassing WiFi.
- WiFi: Triggers WiFi on the Backpack for UDP forwarding of MAVLink telemetry to the Ground Control Station (GCS).
Support for ESP32C3 Based Backpacks #133
- Details: Backpack firmware can now run on the ESP32C3 microcontrollers. The ESP32C3 is a replacement for the end-of-life ESP8285 chip and offers other advantages.
Race Timer Backpack #114
- Details: Adds a backpack target for a generic race timer with the following features:
- Ability to configure itself for sending messages to multiple pilot's backpacks as directed from the connected race timer.
- Ability to start and stop races by monitoring for the MSP_ELRS_BACKPACK_SET_RECORDING_STATE only from the bound backpack (assuming race director's backpack)
- The backpack was built to pair with this RotorHazard Plugin for sending OSD messages throughout the race to pilots with hardware to support it (HDZero goggles).
Automatic Antenna Tracker (AAT) backpack #126
- Details: Use an ESP8266/8285 backpack receiver, a couple of servos, and an optional screen, to build your own DIY antenna tracker that receives wireless telemetry data from an ExpressLRS TX module (assuming the TX has an onboard Backpack).
MFD Crossbow tracker integration #150
- Details: Introduces an integration with the MFD Crossbow and mini Crossbow antenna trackers, which wirelessly forwards the telemetry from an ELRS TX module to the Crossbow in order to track the craft. More details here: https://www.expresslrs.org/software/mfd-crossbow/
Other notable features
Bug Fixes
- Use the flashed bind phrase correctly #116
- Various build / flashing fixes
Targets
- RadioMaster Bandit TX backpacks
- BETAFPV SuperG backpack
- BetaFPV V2 Nano TX backpack
- iFlight V2 Commando 8 backpack
- Jumper T12 Max, T15 and T20 backpacks
- Race timer backpack receiver
- DIY AAT backpack receiver
- MFD Crossbow backpack receiver
A note on versioning
The versioning scheme chosen by the ExpressLRS devs is based on the semantic versioning scheme.
Where a version is defined as “major.minor.patch”
major = major new feature and/or incompatible changes
minor = minor features or enhancements and/or new targets
patch = bug-fixes
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.4.1
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.4.0
Who should update from V1.3?
- HDZero users
- EdgeTX 2.9.X users
Targets
- Fix naming of Skyzone targets #108
New Features
Cloud Builds
“ELRS is great, but the first-time setup was a PITA!”
This is one of the main complaints we see across the groups about ExpressLRS.
We understand the challenges faced during the initial setup process of ExpressLRS, with many users expressing their frustration. In version 1.4, we are doing something to improve this, starting with the introduction of pre-compiled builds.
While our "just-in-time" firmware compilation approach has served us well in the past, it has also caused inconvenience and frustration. Various factors, some of which were completely out of our control (e.g. updates to the Platformio framework), have resulted in failed configurator builds, leading to user dissatisfaction.
To overcome these challenges, we have made a significant change in v1.4. Instead of relying on local compilation for release versions, the configurator will now seamlessly retrieve pre-built firmware from the cloud and flash it onto your device. This shift not only drastically reduces firmware update times from minutes to seconds but also eliminates many annoying build issues, where users are faced with the dreaded red "failed build" error message in the Configurator.
Make sure you have updated to version 1.6.0 the Configurator to take advantage of this awesome new feature: https://github.com/ExpressLRS/ExpressLRS-Configurator/releases
Other notable features
- Add Fusion OSD link & battery #103
- Enable MSP_SET_VTX_CONFIG ESP-NOW input message #95
- Update ETX flashing #97
Fixes
- Don't leak msppacket every Get on HDZero/Skyzone #100
A note on versioning
The versioning scheme chosen by the ExpressLRS devs is based on the semantic versioning scheme.
Where a version is defined as “major.minor.patch”
major = major new feature and/or incompatible changes
minor = minor features or enhancements and/or new targets
patch = bug-fixes
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.3
Who should update from V1.2?
- Rapidfire users
- Owners of the new hardware listed below
New Targets
- HDZero goggles
New Features
- Wireless head tracking support #83
- Support has been added into VRx backpack, TX backpack and the main ELRS TX firmware to allow head tracking information wirelessly from the goggles to the TX module and then mixed into the channel output. Currently only supported by HDZero goggles but we are hopeful that other goggle manufacturers will add support
- OSD overlay support #72, #84
- HDZero goggle NTP clock update #86
- Update the RTC clock on the HDZero goggles using NTP via the VRx backpack!
Maintenance
- TX Backpack reports version to TX module #75
- Shows that the backpack is functioning and the version it is running
Fixes
- Fix for rapidfire module not entering into SPI mode #82
- Remove
.from target names #88- This broke the standalone HDZero VRx, thanks PlatformIO 😭!
A note on versioning
The versioning scheme chosen by the ExpressLRS devs is based on the semantic versioning scheme.
Where a version is defined as “major.minor.patch”
major = major new feature and/or incompatible changes
minor = minor features or enhancements and/or new targets
patch = bug-fixes
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.2
Demo video: https://youtu.be/hu_Xt1rrgfo
New Targets
A note on versioning
The versioning scheme chosen by the ExpressLRS devs is based on the semantic versioning scheme.
Where a version is defined as “major.minor.patch”
major = major new feature and/or incompatible changes
minor = minor features or enhancements and/or new targets
patch = bug-fixes
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.1.0
Demo video: https://youtu.be/hu_Xt1rrgfo
Enhancements
- Passthrough flashing of backpack for S.PORT modules #66
Bug fixes
- Fix broken Namimno STM32 backpack firmware upload #64
- Re-enable SPI Mode on boot for Rapidfire #65
- Fix dependency issue that was causing builds to fail #67
- Fix failing builds caused by a breaking change in PlatformIO (src_filter to build_src_filter) #69
A note on versioning
The versioning scheme chosen by the ExpressLRS devs is based on the semantic versioning scheme.
Where a version is defined as “major.minor.patch”
major = major new feature and/or incompatible changes
minor = minor features or enhancements and/or new targets
patch = bug-fixes
ExpressLRS Backpack V1.0
Demo video: https://youtu.be/hu_Xt1rrgfo
Enhancements
The first major release version for backpack! Lots of new VRX targets, and a swag of other features and bugfixes...
The ExpressLRS team would like to thank Divimath / HDZero for their support and collaboration on an integration between ExpressLRS, and the HDZero Video Receiver (VRX).
What does the ELRS + HDZero integration provide?
Currently, the high level feature set allows a user to:
- Change the band (R-band, F-band) and channel (1 to 8) that the VRX is receiving on from the VTX Administrator menu within the ELRS LUA,
- At the same time, change the band and channel that a HDZero VTX is transmitting on, assuming it has been configured to use Smartaudio control, and is connected to a Betaflight FC,
- Start and stop the DVR recording on a HDZero VRX based on the state of an AUX channel,
- Delay the start or stop of DVR recording by a configurable timespan, when using the AUX control described in item 3 above.
- There may be more features introduced in future to further extend this integration.
For more information, see the Manual for the HDZero Backpack here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L4U4uEqYhuwCww_RxSpavNetltbHMvLAknhM0HjRnwE/edit?usp=sharing
Bug fixes
- WiFi SSID/Password character escaping #54
- Don't init SPI on Rapidfire & 5808 until the first VRX command #44 #52
- Drop renaming of firmware.bin for Gen1 Namimno TX Backpack #59
New Hardware Targets
TX Backpack
- RadioMaster Zorro
- Namimno FLASH OLED
- BETAFPV Module
VRX Backpack
- HDZero RX5.1
- Happy Model EP82 (for rapidfire)
- TBS Fusion
- RX5808 Diversity ESP01F
- ESP12F
For a full list of compatible hardware targets, see: https://www.expresslrs.org/2.0/hardware/backpack/esp-backpack/#supported-tx-backpack-targets
A note on versioning
The versioning scheme chosen by the ExpressLRS devs is based on the semantic versioning scheme.
Where a version is defined as “major.minor.patch”
major = major new feature and/or incompatible changes
minor = minor features or enhancements and/or new targets
patch = bug-fixes
ExpressLRS Backpack V0.2.0
This release includes new targets for Axisflying, NamimnoRC, and the Steadyview VRx module.
Flashing can be done through the ExpressLRS Configurator, or by starting the Backpack WiFi and uploading a precompiled binary found below.
Be sure to checkout the wiki for information about the Backpack communication system, flashing, building, and setup. There is also a section on how to bind your Backpacks which will be required when using these precompiled binary releases... Dont worry, its painless 😃
https://github.com/ExpressLRS/Backpack/wiki
https://github.com/ExpressLRS/Backpack/wiki#binding
VTx Administrator Demo - https://youtu.be/nlhu4gW8kkw
Rapidfire Backpack Demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh3Ifj95WCI
RX5808 Backpack Demo - https://youtu.be/IEEZkeIJ1OU
ExpressLRS Backpack V0.1.0
Welcome to the first release of ExpressLRS Backpacks!
This initial release includes firmware for...
- Tx Backpacks found on all Happymodel modules (except ES915TX) and DIY builds.
- Rapidfire control through an ELRS ESP based Rx or DIY ESP01F Backpack.
- Direct RX5808 module control.
Be sure to checkout the wiki for information about the Backpack communication system, flashing, building, and setup. There is also a section on how to bind your Backpacks which we be required when using these precompiled binary releases... Dont worry, its painless 😃
https://github.com/ExpressLRS/Backpack/wiki
https://github.com/ExpressLRS/Backpack/wiki#binding
ExpressLRS V2 - VTx Administrator Demo - https://youtu.be/nlhu4gW8kkw
ExpressLRS V2 - RX5808 Backpack Demo - https://youtu.be/IEEZkeIJ1OU