Hacking Naza M lite into Naza V2

Post date: Oct 19, 2015 1:42:32 AM

Introduction:

I know, i know, it's very bad to hack the hardware from DJI...Intellectual property copyright, R&D etc etc...

But first of all, i have spend enough money the last 3 years with DJI to offer me this little pleasure.

2nd point, The hardware between the NAZA lite and the NAZA V2 is exactly the same, so from a microelectronic point of view the nazaV2 is just a firmware update of the naza lite or the difference of price from Lite to V2 is around 150USD. which is little bit too much for only a software upgrade that improve and debug the naza lite firmware.

for this price DJI should have lock better their firmware upgrade process instead of making easy money on our back.

This commercial strategy from DJI is not much better than the hack itself.

Are you not fade up to spend every two years few thousands of dollars for unfinished software and OS? Me, i am....

We have fantastic hardware platforms which are not deserved by the software we buy.......

Why Upgrading my naza lite to naza V2:

First of all, for the sake of it as explained in the introduction.

The upgrade will give you access to the" advanced IMU calibration" versus basic calibration with naza lite.

The idle motor speed run smoother and the take of too. it correct some drift in GPS mode and manual mode.

I will try all of this on a maiden flight.

Other advantage it give you access to CAN bus and therefore to all the modules compatible with CAN bus.. Wokong GPS, BT2.4 module for ground station link etc etc...

Upgrade process:

Thanks to [udnham] over the http://naza-upgrade.com/ who had figured out a way to load the more capable Naza V2 firmware on the Naza Light.

"All upgrade is made through a standard Naza USB connection.

With support of R/C community we created simple and free software that allows any user to upgrade firmware in few clicks.

Version 1.0.1 (Windows XP/7/8): download (16.5 Mb)

Upgrade tool use 80 port and modify hosts file to create local upgrade server on your PC, some antivirus and firewall will block it. So if you have problem with upgrade, try to disable antivirus/firewall and shut down all programs that can use 80 port (such as webservers, Skype etc).

How to downgrade to original Naza-m lite firmware?

To downgrade back to 1.00 lite firmware, you need to connect F1 and F2 ports with any servo cable, connect to USB and power on your Naza, start Naza LITE Assistant, go to upgrade page and confirm upgrading to 1.00. After upgrade disconnect F1 and F2 connection, power cycle your Naza. Now you have default Naza-m lite firmware."

Conclusion:

The upgrade process work fine on my config and was straightforward.

The idle speed of the motors run much smoother and the take of is softer too.

The GPS position hold mode seem to be more stable and no more drift of the quad in all the mode.

I did a advanced IMU calibration form the Naza 2.2 Assistant software and a new "Compass Dance" before take off.

I notice during flight test today that you can't arm the motors without having a GPS lock i have yellow light flashing 3 times before the GPS lock ,

I'll try to unplug the gps to check if ican arm the motors for indoor flight without having GPS lock.

I attached bellow the 2 software needed for the upgrade as archive just in case DJI manage to close down the http://naza-upgrade.com/ project or remove the naza assistant software V2.2 from their website.