iHUD

iHUD Remote operating manual

text under development

iHUD Remote is an app that turns the iPhone into an aerospace inspired glass cockpit for motion visualization and situational awareness on an animated graphical display. iHUD Remote takes advantage of remote (external) AHRS sensor modules by Levil Technology that have the capability of transmitting serial data wirelessly through an ad hoc Wi-Fi interface.

iHUD Remote EFIS representation is based on the basic iHUD (known as iHUD) available on the app store since October 2008

TERMINOLOGY

AHRS - Attitude and Heading Reference System
AD - Air Data provided by AHRS (AD)AHRS
HUD - Head Up Display
EFIS - Electronic Flight Information System
MFD - Multi Function Display
AR - Augmented Reality
M - Magnetic heading (AHRS)
T - True heading (GPS)
IAS - Indicated Air Speed


DISPLAY

iHUD Remote EFIS Screen
Pitch and bank from external (remote) AHRS module (like Levil's AHRS-G mini.
Heading on a compass rose with user selectable heading bug,
toggle between GPS true heading (T GPS) or magnetic heading (M AHRS)
select heading source by double tapping on the compass rose (GPS or AHRS)
Airspeed (AD) or GPS speed on a moving Speed Ribbon with a digital speed window
Airspeed shows altimeter setting as input in SETTINGS
Pressure altitude (AD) or GPS altitude on the animates Altitude Ribbon
Vertical Speed (VS) on a fixed scale with a moving VS-indicator window (AD or GPS)
G-load positive or negative with respect to gravity (AHRS)
Ball shows slip/skid, cornering g-load for cars (AHRS)
Red crosses across selected graphical MFD displays depict unavailable signals and sources

iHUD Remote Status Indicators
SPD - Speed
ALT - Altitude
HDG - Heading
AHRS - AHRS module availability
Indicator is green - signal available
Indicator is yellow - signal strength marginal
Indicator is red - signal or sensor not available or not responding

MODE button
-Toggle between EFIS view (standard), Reflective iHUD for windshield projection, Augmented reality with camera (AR) - (iHUD )

INFO button
-Link to the Warning screen, Description Page, Quick Start Briefing, Terms of Use / EULA

SETTINGS button
Display Option - Compass bug and speed ribbon range color selection
Units - Speed, Altitude, Vertical Rate -> common unit selection
AHRS / GPS Compass Options - AHRS or GPS selection for heading and altitude and speed
Pitch Calibration - AHRS module installation pitch correction angle input, Set in position
Altimeter Settings - input reference pressure in inch Hg or hPA


START and USAGE

Initialization
Before starting iHUD Remote, the AHRS module with the Wi-Fi converter has to be switched on or has to be running. This will provide iHUD Remote to 'see' and identify the Wi-Fi signal.

On your iDevice (iPhone, iPod, iPad) go to Settings in the iOS (not in iHUD Remote !!) . Look for 'Wi-Fi and press the button. Now under 'Choose a Network', you will see the network WiFly-GSX-bb if Levil AHRS-G mini is used. Press on this network. Once selected, it will be checkmarked.

Wait and look for the Wi-Fi icon on top of the iDevice to appear. Now (and not before), start iHUD Remote.

The AHRS is connected and ready to be used., shown by the green AHRS indicator. All other indicators depend on the settings. If AHRS is red , check the Wi-Fi connection and restart iHUD Remote. In case of troubles, see web site at http://www,i-hud.com for more information and/or consult the AHRS manuaL.


Usage
The factory calibrated AHRS has to be placed at a preselected position with the orientation as recommended. It is recommended to leave the module untouched for two minutes before the vehicle is moved. Pitch angle depends on the installation and can be corrected within iHUD Remote, the pitch correction angle will be stored (Settings) and is still available even after closing iHUD Remote.

iHUD Remote allows to swap apps without loosing connectivity to the AHRS provided that the Wi-Fi network has not been changed. If the network has been changed for any reason then proceed as described under 'Initialization'

iHUD Remote is very flexible in regards to the signal source selection and provide optional (AD)AHRS source or the onboard GPS for speed, heading, altitude, and vertical speed. Those selections can be made under 'Settings' and is immediately shown on the main EFIS screen and the status indicators. The hading selection can even be done on the fly by double tapping inside the compass rose.

iHUD Remote offers standard USA and metric units.  Under ‘Units’ select and combine frequently used units of your preference.

iHUD allows you to select four speed ranges displayed in the speed ribbon as white/green, green, yellow, and red moving ribbons with white/green as the lowest. You find this under ‘Display Options’.

The Heading Bug or compass bug can be set to show the desired heading (track). On the EFIS/AHRS screen, touch the yellow bug (double triangle) and drag it around the compass to set the desired heading. Alternatively, set the heading bug in the provided data field in SETTINGS under ‘Display Options’.


IMPORTANT NOTES

AHRS performance and limitations (use of AHRS-G mini by Levil Technology)
When the AHRS is turned on, it requires a two minute interval to calibrate itself. To achieve better performance, it is recommended that the aircraft stays in a steady position (or taxing) during this two minute period. During flight, the instrument utilizes the indicated airspeed from the pitot-static for roll and pitch calculations. If your instrument is not connected to the dynamic pressure, the AHRS will “estimate” the speed of the aircraft. In order to better estimate the speed, a +15 deg bank turn to the left for 10 seconds, then a +15 deg bank turn to the right is recommended at the beginning of each flight. Power off/on during flight will not damage the instrument even at an unusual attitude.

There are no flight limitations to the AHRS Series. The instrument will operate in a full 360 degrees of turn and may be
used in light aerobatic type maneuvers. Extreme turns may cause the instrument to temporarily disable itself (200 degrees/sec max turn rate). This is indicated by a “flashing” behavior (pitch goes from 0-90 degrees). The instrument automatically resets itself within 3 to 10 seconds if kept steady during that time. This will not cause any harm to the instrument. The AHRS-G mini by Levil shows a flashing alternating color swapping of the sky/earth when the module has exceeded the jerky movement limits. It will settle after some seconds and will be usable again. Otherwise there are no limitations .

The external AHRS / WiFi module connectivity is an important aspect. Its reliability and safe operation is an integral part of iHUD Remote: Color coded status indicator, in addition to red crosses that individually mark unusable sensor and sensor source on the display give the user a detailed picture of the usability of the EFIS information. If iHUD Remote AHRS senses data errors and/or the Wi-Fi connection is lost, an alert message covering the display is generated (after a 10 s sampling delay) and will need to be acknowledged by the user with the suggested proper actions. Thereafter, corresponding display data are crossed out in red color until the problem has been addressed. iHUD Remote works properly without the AHRS connected or (temporarily) lost by using the iDevice internal GPS data, if available..

The AHRS-G provides Roll, Pitch, Yaw, Ball angle, Yaw Rate, and G force; and - if pitot/static ports are connected - AD (air data ) for airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed. Alternatively, iDevices with integrated GPS can be selected for ground speed, altitude, vertical speed, and heading. This allows iHUD Remote to be used without the AHRS connected (or temporarily lost), with the sole limitation of not having attitude information available.


GPS reception
GPS satellites in line of sight and more than 4 satellites (more is better) in view will give the best accuracy of approx. 60 feet on the iDevice. On the ground, this might not be achievable everywhere. We found that 60 feet to 600 feet threshold works quite well in most cases. If no GPS is available, then it is best to set the threshold to ''All" We recommend to play with these settings.


Ad Hoc Wi-Fi interface
iHUD Remote has been thoroughly tested with the AHRS-G mini by Levil Technology. The AHRS-G mini has an integrated RS232 serial interface together with a WiFly adapter. The RS232 communication protocol by Levil Technology is open source for developers. iHUD Remote accepts TCP connections from WiFly and WiSnap, but should work for any other serial Wi-Fi converters providing the identical serial communication protocol. The TCP Wi-Fi ad hoc connection parameters implemented in iHUD Remote are:

Only one connection can be established at a time. In case another iDevice display is chosen, close the current connection before connecting to the new one.

Warning:
- Never use the iHUD Remote as a primary flight instrument or as backup for IFR flights.
- Ferrous materials in the vicinity of to the AHRS can affect the magnetic compass reading.

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