The device described in the manual is the MultiWiicopter.com PNP PARIS v4r6 Flight Control Board, a flight controller designed for various multi-rotor aircraft configurations, including Bi-copter, TriiKopta (or Avatar), Quad X, Quad +Plus, Y4, Y6 YSiix, HexiiKopta, and HexiiKopta X. It functions as the central processing unit and sensor hub for these unmanned aerial vehicles, managing flight stability, control inputs, and various auxiliary functions.

Function Description:

The PARIS v4r6 board operates by receiving control signals from a Radio Control (RC) receiver, processing sensor data (Gyro, Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Barometer), and sending commands to Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) to control motor speeds, thereby stabilizing and maneuvering the aircraft. It is designed to run the MultiWii software, specifically versions 2.2p, 2.2p Config, or 2.2p Application/program, which requires Java to run on a PC or Mac.

Key functions include:

Calibration: The board requires initial calibration of the transmitter (Tx) sticks (Throttle, Pitch, Roll, Yaw, Aux1, Aux2) to ensure the correct uSEC readings (1095 for low, 1500 for mid, 1905 for high) are recognized. This is crucial for accurate flight control, arming, and disarming. ESC throttle learning is also a critical calibration step, performed one by one for each ESC.
Power Management: The PARIS v4.0 boards feature a split DC bus to prevent noise from entering the CPU and sensor section. A noise bridge, supplied soldered closed, can be opened if using a separate switching UBEC for bigger copters. The manual outlines four power options:
1. Separate switching UBEC: All ESC red wires isolated, bridge closed, external UBEC powers all.
2. No external UBEC: HobbyWing ESC linear BECs red wires connected, bridge closed, power supplied by FlyFun ESC linear BECs in parallel. (Recommended for most copters with HobbyWing ESCs, not running high-current gimbal servos).
3. Separate switching UBEC with power split: Bridge open, CPU/Sensors fed by switching UBEC, ESC/Servos fed by ESC BECs (all ESC red wires connected in parallel). (Recommended for bigger copters with a gimbal).
4. Separate switching UBEC with power split: Bridge open, CPU/Sensors fed by switching UBEC, ESC/Servos fed by ESC BECs (ONLY one ESC red wire connected in parallel). The board operates on 5V DC; connecting 12V or exceeding 6V will damage it.
Arming/Disarming: A specific stick combination (Throttle OFF, Yaw LEFT for 1 sec) is required to arm the motors, indicated by a solid green LED. Disarming uses the same stick combination, turning off the green LED. TriCopters have an alternate arming procedure (Throttle OFF, Cyclic-right for 1 sec).
Flight Modes & Stabilization: The board supports ACRO mode for manual flight and AUTO LEVEL mode for self-leveling. Gyro calibration (placing the copter on a level surface, Throttle OFF, Yaw LEFT, Cyclic stick Back for 1 sec) calibrates for drift. Accelerometer (Acc) calibration (Disarmed, on a level surface, Full THRO/YAW LEFT, Cyclic stick Back for 1 sec) calibrates for LEVEL mode. Acc trimming (auto-LEVEL trimming) is performed after Gyro and Acc calibrations by flying in LEVEL mode, noting drift, landing, disarming, moving Throttle to 'Learn Position' (full up), and using stick-banging (moving cyclic stick up/left) to save corrections.
Failsafe: The software has failsafe disabled, emphasizing the use of Tx failsafe. Users are instructed to bind their Tx failsafe condition with Throttle set to OFF (or 1/3 power for a controlled descent) to protect people and property in case of radio signal loss.
LED Indicators: The board features a red LED (power to 328 CPU, always ON) and a green SMD LED (UltraBright White LED) that indicate various states:
- Solid ON: Armed.
- OFF: Disarmed.
- Rapidly blinking 5 times: Cal.Sticks.Gyro.
- Medium blinking: Cal.Sticks.Acc.
- Slow blinking: Problem detected (start-up code error, calibration not done), after loading software, or if the board is tilted >20° (goes off when leveled).
- Rapidly blinking for 30 secs: MAG calibration.
- Once blinking: CPU computes a leveling correction.
- Rapidly blinking 5 times for each stick-banging throw in ACC trimming "learning" mode.
Connectivity: USB (via FTDI-USB) for configuration and power, RC receiver inputs (Throttle, Aileron, Elevator, Rudder, Aux1, Aux2), and various sensor connections. The board also supports Bluetooth mini USB, RS232 USB MINI, 3v3 GPS, LV GPS, or LCD.

Important Technical Specifications:

Power Input: 5V DC (USB or UBEC/ESC BECs). Max 6V.
Processor: 328CPU (likely an ATmega328, common in Arduino-based flight controllers).
Sensors: Gyro, Accelerometer (Acc), Magnetometer (Mag), Barometer (Baro). The Acc is based on the Nunchuk®.
Interface: Digital PWM uSEC numbers (1095/1500mid/1905) for Tx input.
Software: MultiWii software (versions 2.2p, 2.2p Config, or 2.2p Application/program), requiring Java.
Connectivity Ports: COM (serial) ports for GUI connection.
DC Bus: Split DC bus with a noise bridge (can be opened or closed).

Usage Features:

PNP (Plug-and-Play) Ready: The board comes pre-tested and calibrated from the factory, with code installed. Users are warned against loading default/new code, which can wipe existing configurations.
GUI Configuration: The MultiWiiConf GUI (Java-based) provides a visual interface for monitoring sensor data, Tx inputs, and configuring various parameters (PIDs, flight modes, etc.).
Tx Calibration: Detailed instructions for calibrating Tx stick travel (end points) and mid-points using the Tx's own menus (e.g., TRAV ADJ for JR, END POINTMENU for Futaba) are provided.
Orientation: Light blue bars in the GUI must move in the same direction as the stick movement. If not, the Tx channel needs to be reversed.
Propeller Configurations: The manual illustrates wiring diagrams for various multi-rotor types, showing motor numbers and their corresponding connections to the flight controller.
PID Tuning: Users are advised not to alter PIDs like a "madman" if the copter isn't stable on default PIDs. Instead, focus on airframe rigidity, weight, balanced props, ESCs, motors, and smooth pilot inputs. Small changes (e.g., 0.1) can significantly affect flight characteristics.
Saving Settings: WinGUI saves all settings. Users are recommended to save the Arduino Sketch in a new folder each time it's loaded and to screen capture the GUI settings as a backup.

Maintenance Features:

Static Safety: Ground yourself/the board to the airframe to reduce static risk.
Environmental Protection: Keep the PARIS board dry. The BARO sensor is sensitive to light and airflow, so it should be kept shaded, preferably with a dome cover (not foam).
Propeller Balancing: Balance props on a magnetic balancer until silky smooth, then dynamically balance them on a hand-rig with a motor on a boom, using electrical tape.
Pre/Post-Flight Inspections: Conduct full pre-flight and post-flight inspections, grounding the multicopter if any risk hazards (e.g., hot components) are noticed.
Software Updates: Only use fully approved MultiWii software from the master coder AlexinParis. Using Dev or hacked software is explicitly forbidden and voids the warranty. Users assume full responsibility for any changes made in the Config section.
Warranty: A 90-day repair/replacement warranty is provided, covering hardware defects. It excludes damage from fusion, reverse polarity, over-voltage, short-circuit, static charge, incorrect wiring, flood, crash, impact, incorrect tools, reflashing CPU comms/boot files, software hacks, moisture ingress, trauma, and misuse. Returns require an RMA number and detailed photo/video evidence of the fault. A 7-day refund is offered for DOA items due to shipping/manufacturing fault, provided the item is returned in original, un-used, un-modified condition.

MultiWii PARIS - Page 6

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