System Build Instructions and Beta Software/Firmware

 

 

NOTE: The CL Software and STMicro MCU card firmware available on this page for the STMicro hardware based CL Demonstrator should be treated as Beta, released for testing purposes.

 

The micro-controller beta firmware has a built-in 90 minute demo runtime limit. When the 90 minute demo runtime elapses the loading demand output from the drive cards will be cut. The demo run time can be restarted by re-setting or power-cycling the cards.

 

The instructions on this page refer only to the wiring and setup of the drive hardware and CL software. For information on the mechanical and electrical build of the physical flight controls please see the other pages of the web site - for example here.

 

CL Software and Firmware Package: (Change_log)

 

27th June '25 - Control_Loader_V3_10_Release_1_Beta (Dropbox Link)

 

16th June '25 - Control_Loader_V3_09_Release_2_Beta

 

31st May '25 - Control_Loader_V3_09_Release_1_Beta

 

24th April '25 - Control_Loader_V3_08_Release_1_Beta

 

16th April '25 - Control_Loader_V3_07_Release_2_Beta

 

April '25 - Control_Loader_V3_07_Release_1_Beta

 

March '25 - Control_Loader_V3_06_Release_1_Beta

 

The zip package contains the CL software (including CL Controller test app and the Configuration Manager) which will run with MSFS and XP based flight sims. It also contains the drive card firmware with which the STMicro MCU board is programmed to give the Control Loader drive functions.

 

FSUIPC & XPUIPC

If you are already a BFF CL system user then this version of the software will probably run with your existing setup. Note however for use with X-Plane your XPUIPC_offsets.cfg file will need to be updated with the new version contained in the zip package.

 

If you are not a previous user then to use the CL software with FS9/X/2020 or P3D, FSUIPC needs to be installed. Use the correct version for the flight sim software you have and follow carefully Pete Dowson's installation instructions. See http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html

 

A registered version of FSUIPC is not required, however please consider registering your FSUIPC - it helps keep this valuable utility going.

 

To use with X-Plane, XPUIPC v1.9.0 or later needs to be installed and the customised XPUIPC_offsets.cfg file in the zip package should be copied to the correct X-Plane XPUIPC folder. Follow the instructions in the XPUIPC documentation.

 

If you can't get to the XPUIPC website here's DropBox links for XPUIPC - V1.9 and V2.0

XPUIPC versions are also available here.

 

 

 

Drive Setup Instructions:

 

CL Drive Setup (pdf) (3rd release June '25)

 

 

In summary the overall steps for the drive setup are:

1. Download and install the V3 CL Software (see above).
2. Download and install the STM32Cube Programmer Software.
3. Program the NUCLEO-F446RE boards with the BFF CL Drive Firmware provided in the software zip package.
4. Install the USB/UART Isolated Converters to provide comms with the boards.
5. Complete the system wiring – motor, power supply, UART.
6. Install a USB Game-controller card for trim inputs (if not already present).
7. Complete the drive board CL configuration jumper settings.
8. Run the CL Controller App for initial drive configuration & testing.
9. Configure and run the main CL Software for normal flight operation with your chosen flight sim.

 

For more details read the Setup pdf linked above.....

 

Many of the software features are the same as in previous versions - see here for the on-line user guide for the previous version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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