3p Toolbox & Calibration
You will need the 3p Toolbox App, available on analytics.slantrange.com, along with SlantView to setup your 3p or 3px system.
One major change from the 2p to 3p/3PX SLANTRANGE systems is the improved calibration hardware and procedure. To facilitate this improvement, the 3p/3PX system requires a manual Compass Calibration whenever the sensor is mounted to a new aircraft, relocated over 1000 miles from the location of its previous calibration, or new hardware is mounted to the aircraft along with your sensor. In certain circumstances, the SLANTRANGE support team may ask you to perform Gyroscope or Accelerometer Calibration as well. Each calibration only takes a few minutes with the help of the 3p Toolbox Windows app.
After mounting your sensor and before your first flight, download the 3p Toolbox app from analytics.slantrange.com and perform the Compass Calibration. Currently, the app is for Windows operating systems version 7 and later, so you will not be able to perform the calibrations using Android or iOS devices.
Before performing any calibrations and collecting any data, power up the sensor outdoors for 10 minutes to allow the sensor to acquire GPS in your region. Do not press the button on the AIS to begin collecting data, just leave the sensor on in any LED state.
Sensor Compass Calibration
IMPORTANT - Perform the compass calibration outdoors, away from metal objects or structures.
Open the 3p Toolbox and you will see menu screen:
Power on the sensor by plugging in an external battery or turning on the aircraft. Once the 3p/3PX is booted and displays a solid green LED open your computer's WiFi settings and connect to the sensor via WiFi in the same way you would connect a wireless network. Select the network displaying your sensor serial number "0003SL3P####" (we do not recommend checking the "connect automatically box") and use "slantrange3p" for the password.
When connected the Windows WiFi icon may show a yellow triangle with an exclamation point. This just indicates that there is no internet connection and it is ok to proceed. Select the Sensor Calibration option, and you will see the calibration menu with instructions. Read the instructions and then continue.
Select Compass, verify that you are connected to the sensor by selecting Start, and follow the on screen instructions. Any pop-up warning messages during calibrations can be ignored.
The six calibration sequences can be performed in any order. Hold the aircraft and sensor in one of the six orientations shown. After a few seconds the software will recognize the orientation; the box's border will turn from red to yellow and display an arrow around the aircraft to start rotation. Begin rotating the aircraft and sensor (clockwise or counter-clockwise rotations are okay) for about 10 seconds. Once a calibration sequence is complete, you will see the box turn green. Repeat these steps for each orientation of the aircraft.
After the all six orientations are completed you will see a prompt asking you to confirm orientation of the external compass (AIS). Please verify ROTATION_NONE is selected and click ok.
When you're back at the calibration menu, it is safe to reboot the sensor.
Format SD card
Note - Running the Format SD card tool erases all data from the SD card! Make sure you have the data saved in another location before reformatting.
To format the SD card power on the sensor and wait for the LEDs to settle. A full or new SD card will cause an immediate solid red LED. Connect your computer to the 3p/3PX system's WiFi and run the Format SD card tool. On completion, power cycle your sensor.
Additional SD cards can be purchased online at any major retailer. Please use the following guidelines when selecting a card.
- Micro SD card form factor
- 64GB or larger capacity card
- Class 10 UHS 3 (U3) - 100MB/s speed rating
IMPORTANT - SD cards used with the 3p/3PX system must be formatted as FAT32. Most new SD cards must be formatted using the Format SD card tool before use with the 3p/3PX sensor.
On occasion, you may you see a memory corrupted message when the SD card is connected to your computer asking you to repair it. This is safe to do as this will not remove the data or change the SD card's file system.
Firmware Update
To perform a firmware update, first you must be connected to the internet so the 3p Toolbox app can download the latest firmware from the SLANTRANGE server.
Once the firmware is downloaded, you will be prompted to connect to the sensor via WiFi, as was done when calibrating the compass, and begin the update.
The current firmware version and available updates will be displayed as seen below.
System Log
For troubleshooting purposes, SLANTRANGE support may request a system log file. To generate the log file, power on the sensor, open the 3p/3PX Toolbox, click System Log, connect via WiFi, and start the process to write the system log file to the sd card.
The file can be relatively large, so wait 30 seconds after running before shutting the sensor down. Once powered down, remove the SD card from the sensor, and insert into your computer. Please send the system.log.tar.gz file to SLANTRANGE support.