Aura User Guide

Aura AFCS User Guide

Manuals and Documents

Aura Manuals

• Aura User Guide - English
• Aura User Guide - German
• Aura Quick Start Guide - English
• Aura Quick Start Guide - German
• Important Aura Open Stock Addendum

Product Pages

• Aura 8 Open Stock
• Aura 8 QQ Extra 300

High Level Aura Concepts

Aura Configurations

The Aura is currently available for sale in 2 configurations: Aura 8 QQ Extra 300 and Aura 8 Open Stock.

The Aura 8 QQ Extra 300 configuration comes installed in our Premier Aircraft QQ Extra 300. It is also available as a replacement part. In both cases, it comes programmed/configured for optimal flight with dual rates, expo, gains specifically designed for the Premier Aircraft QQ Extra 300.

The Aura 8 Open Stock configuration comes with a blank configuration that can be configured to virtually any fixed wing aircraft. The Aura 8 Open Stock must be configured for your aircraft. We have built-in features such as Quick Setup and Quick Trim to allow common aircraft (up to 2 Aileron, 2 Elevator, and 1 Rudder) to be initially setup quickly with only a "digital data" receiver connection (Spektrum DSM2/DSMX, Spektrum SRXL, Futaba S.Bus, Graupner SumD, JR Mode B) and a transmitter.

Onboard Configuration

The Aura Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) is designed to offer an optimum flying experience when installed properly. For optimal flying experience, the Aura does a few things different than traditional flight controller and handles some duties that are traditionally handled by the transmitter. The concept of an onboard configuration means the best flying experience is achieved when parameters are set on the Aura, rather than in the transmitter.

For best results the following are best configured in Aura: Wing and Tail types, Servo Reversing, Servo Travels, Subtrims, Trims, Dual Rates, Exponential Setting.

An additional benefit of onboard configuration is that it allows simpler radios (DX6, etc) to have features of more advanced/expensive transmitters.

Transmitters/Receiver Types

Aura AFCS was designed to communicate easily with major transmitter/receiver brands.

• Aura currently supports "digital" data connections such as Spektrum DSM2/DSMX, Spektrum SRXL, Futaba S.Bus, Graupner SumD, and JR Mode B.
• Aura also supports "analog" connections such as traditional PWM (servo ports) and PPM.

For ease of use, precision and robustness, we encourage use the "digital" data connections. Digital data connections are easier to connect and may offer additional features/robustness.

Auto-Detect

Auto-Detect is a feature that will scan any connected data connection and setup the correct sign conventions and channel order. For example, if the Aura detects a Futaba S.Bus receiver connected to Servo Port B, the channel order and directions will be configured to match a default Futaba transmitter model.

• The Aura 8 QQ Extra 300 will attempt to Auto-Detect the signal out of the box, or if it is powered on and no signal is detected for 15 seconds. Be aware that changing radios, and/or allowing Auto-Detect to re-run may overwrite (reset to default) custom programming changes inside Aura including Channel inputs and outputs assignment, servo reversing, etc. See the QQ Extra 300 Manual for additional details.

• The Aura 8 Open Stock will attempt to Auto-Detect the until the first receiver is found. By default, The Auto-Detect feature will not be started in subsequent power-ups if no signal is seen for 15 seconds (this behavior can be changed using the Aura Config Tool). This is done to prevent the Aura from unintentionally changing any custom programming changes the pilot may have made in the Aura 8 Open Stock.

Flight Modes

The Aura AFCS uses a Flight Mode concept to tune the aircraft. A Transmitter/Receiver Channel (Ch5/Gear by default) is assigned as the "Flight Mode Switch" (a 3 position switch is ideal). Each Aura Flight Mode is configured to control the Dual Rates, Exponential, and the specific Control Mode algorithm.

Using Flight Modes on the Aura allows changes the configuration of the aircraft to have it fly differently with only flipping a single switch. A typical example of 3 flight modes is:

Flight Mode 1: Gyro Gain Off/Low Rate/Middle Expo (Cruising/test)

Flight Mode 2: Gyro Gain Moderate/Low Rates/Low Expo (Precision Aerobatics)

Flight Mode 3: Gyro Gain High/High Rates/High Expo (3D Aerobatics)

The presence of these Aura Flight Modes means that you should not set-up Dual Rates and Expos in your transmitter in the normal way. It is possible to apply some transmitter adjustments to 'modify' a flight mode or to create a sub-mode. The Aura FAQ has additional insights on this topic.

Control Modes

A Control Mode selects a specific control algorithm (such as Gyro Off, Rate Dampener, Rate Command, Stabilization, etc) and sets the specific control parameters such as Gain or Stick Priority.

Because a variety of control algorithms are used now and in the future, it is important that the Flight Controller know 'Stick Center'. A traditional transmitter combines the pilot's stick position with trim and subtrim in the channel data. Since the Aura has no knowledge of the trim or subtrim in the transmitter, the 'Stick Center' position may be offset. For this reason, transmitter trim and subtrim should be avoided. Any needed trim/subtrim offsets should made inside the Aura (or mechanically). Aura contains special routines such as Quick Trim to allow you to easily set your trim/subtrim in the Aura without a PC application.

Similarly, Control algorithms such as 'Rate Dampener' are best optimized for each flight mode if Dual Rates are done in Aura, not the transmitter.

Wing and Tail Mixers

In general, Aura combines 3-axis sensor data and 3-axis transmitter input commands (from Aileron, Elevator, Rudder channels) to calculate servo positions. For wing/tail types that mix multiple axis together (Elevons, V-Tail, etc), it is far better (and therefore required) to have the Aura 'mix' the transmitter commands with the sensor data directly on the Aura. This allows the each axis of transmitter commands and sensor data to mixed cleanly and provides the best flight experience for nearly any type of aircraft.