This tutorial demonstrates a universal connection method that does not rely on the USB simulator mode of the remote control: use an aircraft receiver that has been linked to the remote control, connect the F4/F7 flight control to the computer via USB, enable USB HID CDC on the Betaflight or Cleanflight command line, let the flight control use the receiver channel as a computer input device, then select the device in the simulator and calibrate it. This method has wider compatibility, but the channel accuracy and refresh rate during video recording are lower than OpenTX remote control direct connection. It is more suitable for universal access or flower flying practice, and is not the first choice for low-latency racing.
How this link works
The connection path is "Remote controller wireless signal → Banded aircraft receiver → Flight control → USB → Computer → Simulator". Therefore, even if the remote controller itself does not have OpenTX or USB Joystick mode available, as long as it can normally control an aircraft that supports the corresponding firmware, the flight controller can be used to convert the channel to a HID input.
The video explains that this method is used for the F4 and F7 flight control of Betaflight/Cleanflight. The introduction clearly indicates that H7 has not been verified. Before operation, you should confirm that the aircraft has been correctly frequency-linked, remove the propellers, and avoid accidental starting of the motor; only the receiver channel is required here, and there is no need to make the aircraft ready for flight.
Enable USB HID in flight controller
Plug the flight controller into the computer and connect the corresponding STM32 device in Betaflight Configurator or a compatible command line tool. Enter the CLI, enter "set usb_hid_cdc = ON", then enter "save" to save and restart. The firmware will then provide the flight controller to the system as a HID input device.
After entering the simulator's remote control settings, switch from compatibility mode to high-speed mode; if you are already in high-speed mode, you can first switch back to compatibility mode and then switch to re-trigger the device selection window. Find the input device representing the flight control in the dialog box. After connecting, follow the wizard to complete the joystick range, direction and channel calibration.
Shutdown function and connection failure
When HID mode is no longer needed, reconnect to the flight control CLI, change the same item to "set usb_hid_cdc = OFF", and then execute "save". Video reminder: Betaflight Configurator sometimes has difficulty reconnecting while HID is on; in this case, you can use a command line tool that can still connect to the device to turn off HID first, and then return to Configurator.
If the channel cannot be seen in the simulator, check step by step: whether the remote control is linked to the receiver, whether the receiver channel is changed in the firmware, whether the CLI settings are saved, whether a new HID device appears in the system, and whether the simulator retriggers device selection. Do not repeatedly change flight control parameters when the device cannot be found.
Understand the trade-off between accuracy and refresh rate
During video recording, the author observed that this flight control HID link has about 8 bits per channel and a refresh rate of about 125 Hz; the OpenTX remote controller USB direct connection can achieve higher accuracy and about 500 Hz. The numbers reflect the firmware implementation at that time and should not be directly applied to all new versions, but illustrate the accuracy and delay costs that may be incurred by an additional layer of flight control conversion.
This general solution is very practical for Hua Fei to practice or solve the problem of "the remote controller cannot be directly connected to the simulator"; for racing training that pursues the lowest delay and the smallest input, the video recommends giving priority to using the remote controller USB direct connection. Ultimately you should perform actual measurements and test flights on your own firmware, device and simulator versions.
Operation steps
- Prepare the linked aircraft and remove the blades
Confirm that the remote control can drive the flight control through the receiver, and then connect the flight control to the computer via USB; do not install propellers during the entire setup process.
- Enable flight control USB HID
Execute "set usb_hid_cdc = ON" in Betaflight/Cleanflight CLI, and then execute "save".
- Let the emulator rediscover the device
Switch from compatibility mode to high-speed mode in the remote control settings; switch back and forth if necessary to pop up the device selection window again.
- Select flight control and calibrate
Select the HID device representing the flight control in the input device list. After connecting, follow the wizard to calibrate each joystick channel.
- Close HID when not in use
Re-enter the CLI, execute "set usb_hid_cdc = OFF" and "save" to restore the normal connection mode.
- Select the connection scheme according to the purpose
For general practice, you can use the flight control HID; if you are pursuing low latency and high accuracy for racing, give priority to the USB direct connection of the remote control.
FAQ
Why does this method work for many different remote controls?
The computer reads the HID channel converted by the flight controller, not the USB mode of the remote controller itself; as long as the remote controller can control the compatible flight controller through the receiver, there is a chance to use this link.
Can the H7 flight control be used?
The video introduction only confirms F4/F7 and clearly states that H7 has not been tested. You should check USB HID support for the firmware version you are using before verifying it yourself.
What should I do if Betaflight Configurator cannot connect after HID is turned on?
The video recommends using a command line tool that can still connect to the device to set usb_hid_cdc back to OFF and save it, then connect to the Configurator.
Is it suitable for racing training?
It can work, but the flight control HID accuracy and refresh rate during video recording are lower than OpenTX USB direct connection. If minimum latency and fine input are important, direct connection is usually more suitable.
Full timeline transcript
Transcripts are arranged according to video time, making it easy to quickly locate the explanation content. Transcript language: Simplified Chinese.
Hello everyone, I am Quarang. Today I will introduce to you a universal remote control method to connect to the simulator. There are many remote controls on the market now, and the systems used by different remote controls may be different. After OpenTX, all remote controls in China use OpenTX. This is more convenient to support in the simulator, but there are also some remote controls that are not OpenTX systems. So today I will introduce to you a universal method. Whether you use CleanFlight or Betaflight, this method is supported.
How to do it? First, we find a drone that has been paired with the remote control, and then plug it into the computer. After connecting to the computer, we find a command line. I am using this Chinese command line here, and you can also use this Betaflight command line, which is the same. We connect to the charge controller we just plugged in, which is the STM32, and then open the command line. What do we enter after opening the command line? This Set USB.
HID CDC is equal to ON, enter this mini-set, USB HID CDC. This function opens the HID input device that comes with Betaflight, which is the input device function. Then we type SAVE to save this configuration. After saving, go to the simulator, and then we enter the remote control master interface.
This place jumps from compatibility mode to high-speed mode. If it is already in high-speed mode, you jump to compatibility mode first and then jump to high-speed mode. Then a pairing dialog box will pop up in this place. In the pairing dialog box, select the flight control device that represents the flight control. My place only has flight control devices. There may be other devices in your interface. Find which one corresponds to the flight control. Then click on it and connect it to enter the professor mode. Enter the professor mode according to this guide.
Because all its remote controls are as long as you can connect to Betaflight, you can use this Betaflight to fly the simulator. If you need to turn off this function, you can find a command line and use this decoration. Both people and Betaflight can contact this device. After contacting this device, go to the command line and set the USB, HID, and CDC just now to OFF and click ESC. Then this function will be turned off.
Sometimes it may be difficult to connect to the Configurator of Betaflight when this function is turned on. You can use this decorated fan to turn it off first and then connect to the Configurator of Betaflight. This function is suitable for friends who are interested in spending money. For friends who are racing, it is best to use this USB to limit the connection. Why? Because Betaflight is not particularly good at playing this function at present. Its accuracy for each channel is only eight bits.
The progress of our OpenTX direct connection can reach 10 bits, and it may reach 11 bits in the future. Then the refresh rate, USB direct connection can also reach 500Hz, but currently this non-empty function is only 125Hz. I briefly looked at this in the firmware code, and it was just a matter of a few parameters. It is not particularly difficult to raise it to 500Hz or 1000Hz, and then increase the progress of each channel.
Friends who are interested in developing the Betaflight function can also contact me, and I can share the information I have with you. Thank you all. I'm Kuran, see you in the next video.
