Cheap Speedy Bee Bluetooth Module

Speedy Bee is an app for IOS/Android for checking/configuring Flight Control Boards .

Find out all about it here : SpeedyBee link

It provides easy acces to Flight controllers without the use of a computer or laptop , very handy when your out in the fields . It uses Bluetooth for the wireless communication , you can buy Speedybee hardware or use an "El Cheapo" as I did . But it needs a bit of tampering :-)

Here's the stuff we need to talk to our flight controller :

Cable , USB to serial : Cable-link

Bluetooth module from Banggood :AT-09 module

Computer or laptop , terminal software ( eg Arduino IDE , Putty , picocom ...)installed

I assume basic knowledge of R/C drones and flight controllers ( Betaflight configurator and firmware) . SpeedyBee also works with iNav and ButterFlight , check out their site .

The AT-09 module from Banggood works perfect for SpeedyBee but we need to change some settings .I found a lot of datasheets and docs but while testing the module I had several errors ...

So I tried and tried until ... it worked so let's share it !

Fire up your computer and start the terminal software ( I used Arduino IDE ).Start the serial monitor . Connect the serial-to-USB cable to the module as follows :

--Red female from cable to module VCC

--Black female from cable to module GND

--White female from cable to module TXD

--Green female from cable to module RXD

STATE and EN on module are not connected.

Check and doublecheck your connections and plug the USB-side of the cable into your computer .

Verify if your terminal baudrate is 9600 baud and NL/CR ( newline carriage return) are selected as seen on the pictures ( sorry it's in Dutch ...) .

Type "AT" and Enter , module should respond "OK". Now type "AT+HELP" and Enter , module will show a listing as seen on the pics .

Type "AT+NAME" followed by a name you choose , module will reply "NAME= ....".

Now it's time to put the module's serial output at 19200 baud as needed by SpeedyBee app .

Type "AT+BAUD5" and Enter . Module answers "+BAUD=5" and OK .

Change the baudrate of the serial monitor to 19200 (or you'll see garbage or nothing at all :-) )

Type "AT" and Enter , if the module says "OK" you're done !

To test the Bluetooth module with SpeedyBee I needed a Flight Control Board . I had an F3 evo Brushed on my shelf that needs repair , the boost converter was dead but it worked fine when connected to USB . It's a very silly setup as the Bluetooth module has the same size and weigt as the F3 evo but it's OK for testing :-).

The Flight Controller must have BetaFlight version 3.1.0 or above , if needed update your Flight controller .

We'll need our computer or laptop one more time before we can use the SpeedyBee app : we need to configure a free UART port at 19200 baud for communication with the Bluetooth module .

This is very well explained in the SB-BUA manual . Startup the Betaflight Configurator , connect your board and go to the Ports Tab . Select a UART ( I picked 2 ) and set the Baudrate to 19200 .

Save and reboot and you're done !

Find the PCB layout of your board and find the choosen UART . Connect the module to your Flight controller ( soldering , wire wrapping to the module) . Refer to the SB-BUA manual . Verify your job , very important !

Launch the app and power the flight contoller . The app will aks you " Tap to start scanning".

I named my module "BLOETOET" .

When you do this the name you've chosen in the previous steps should appear , when it connects you're in ! Configure/Test but most of all : Have Big Fun !

If not successfull refer to the SB-BUA manual it provides a good troubleshooting procedure !

Good Luck and Happy Flying !

Bob