ASP 2.5 Intro and Development
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 10:43 pm
This topic is to provide the latest updates on Asp2.5 development and for any feedback.
In summary the 2.5 version of Asp is designed to be a smaller, lower cost unit that still includes all of the ASP features and IR functions but excludes "direct" airsoft support. Much of the reduction of cost have been met under the assumption that the end user possesses above entry level R/C knowledge and skills. Basically if you have R/C tank experience you are rewarded in lower costs. To minimise the PCB footprint, 2.5 requires the use of S.Bus & CPPM receivers. Asp 2.5 also requires a good programmable radio with telemetry functions. Again, if you have already purchased such a radio, Asp2.5 does not penalise you again in cost by duplicating already existing radio functions. Why not just buy these functions once with a good radio rather than buying them several times over in several control units?
Another important design goal for Asp 2.5 was simplicity. I felt that Asp 2 was going down a Tiger 1 - Tiger II road of increasing complexity, increasing cost and increasing difficulty for repair or modification. I wanted Asp 2.5 to be more T-34ish. Indeed, even though Asp2.5 has a smaller pcb footprint the components used are actually bigger. Meaning if something does go wrong on 2.5 then any bad component is easily replaced.
As of 1st March 2018, the first run of 2.5 are here and programming has been underway for a while. However, there was a design issue with the PCB which means that only one machine gun is operable. Hence, they will not be made generally available. If only one MG is fine with you then let us know and you can get yourself a bargain.
There are no physical switches on the PCB all setup is done either using IR (Sony TV Remote) or using a config file stored on an OpenLog board. A modified Piranha top pcb is used to interface OpenLog with Asp and hence all setup can be done WITHOUT opening up your tank once Asp2.5 is installed.
More pics and vids to follow shortly.....
In summary the 2.5 version of Asp is designed to be a smaller, lower cost unit that still includes all of the ASP features and IR functions but excludes "direct" airsoft support. Much of the reduction of cost have been met under the assumption that the end user possesses above entry level R/C knowledge and skills. Basically if you have R/C tank experience you are rewarded in lower costs. To minimise the PCB footprint, 2.5 requires the use of S.Bus & CPPM receivers. Asp 2.5 also requires a good programmable radio with telemetry functions. Again, if you have already purchased such a radio, Asp2.5 does not penalise you again in cost by duplicating already existing radio functions. Why not just buy these functions once with a good radio rather than buying them several times over in several control units?
Another important design goal for Asp 2.5 was simplicity. I felt that Asp 2 was going down a Tiger 1 - Tiger II road of increasing complexity, increasing cost and increasing difficulty for repair or modification. I wanted Asp 2.5 to be more T-34ish. Indeed, even though Asp2.5 has a smaller pcb footprint the components used are actually bigger. Meaning if something does go wrong on 2.5 then any bad component is easily replaced.
As of 1st March 2018, the first run of 2.5 are here and programming has been underway for a while. However, there was a design issue with the PCB which means that only one machine gun is operable. Hence, they will not be made generally available. If only one MG is fine with you then let us know and you can get yourself a bargain.
There are no physical switches on the PCB all setup is done either using IR (Sony TV Remote) or using a config file stored on an OpenLog board. A modified Piranha top pcb is used to interface OpenLog with Asp and hence all setup can be done WITHOUT opening up your tank once Asp2.5 is installed.
More pics and vids to follow shortly.....