FETTEC FC G4-N v1.7 KISS Firmware Flight Controller User Manual

June 10, 2024
FETTEC

FETTEC FC G4-N v1.7 KISS Firmware Flight Controller

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Thank you for purchasing the FETtec FC G4-N v1.7. This product is a flight controller designed for use in FPV drones and provides a range of features for connecting various components.

Features

  • Mounting hole arrangement: 20 x 20mm with M2 mounting hole (expandable to M3), 30 x 30mm with M3 mounting hole, 30 x 30mm mounting hole tips are removable to reduce overall FC size
  • Combines all necessary connections for analog or digital VTX and camera
  • Provides 4 ESC signal pads for solder connection of single ESCs
  • Receivers can be connected via receiver connector (on bottom side of FC) or receiver solder pads (on top side of FC)
  • Supports DJI/Caddx/Runcam Vista and Fatshark Shark Byte FPV systems

Safety Warning
Before installing or using this product, please read the safety warning section in the user manual carefully to ensure safe usage and operation.

Installation

To install the FETtec FC G4-N v1.7, follow the recommended steps  in the user manual. The product can be mounted using the provided  mounting holes with M2 or M3 screws depending on the size of the mounting holes. The FC can also be connected to ESCs, receivers, and FPV components using the appropriate connectors or solder pads.

Firmware Updates
To update the firmware on the FETtec FC G4-N v1.7, connect the FC via USB and open the FETtec Toolset. Choose the ALPHA Configurator and select open port. Choose the serial port on which the FC shows up and press connect. Select new firmware to flash and confirm to flash FETtec ALPHA firmware by pressing OK.

Usage
The FETtec FC G4-N v1.7 is designed to be used as a flight controller in FPV drones. It provides connections for various components including VTX, camera, ESCs, and receivers. Follow the connection diagrams in the user manual to connect the components to the FC.

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the FETtec FC G4-N v1.7.

Product Features

  • Latest STM32G473 Processor
    • 180Mhz + Math accelerator
    • Gyro IIM-42652 SPI
  • Supply voltage 6-27V (2S-6S Lipo)
  • 2x dedicated onboard BEC (2A each)
    • 5V BEC for RX
    • 5V/16V BEC for VTX (switchable and real Pit*)
  • Improved IO protection
    • All IOs of the microcontroller e.g. in connectors or solder pads are protected against voltage or current spikes
  • 2x 8 pin connector for solder free ESC connection
    • Connector 1: ESC signal 1-4, telemetry, VCC, GND
    • Connector 2: ESC signal 5-8 (depending on UAV type 1-4), telemetry, VCC, GND
  • 1x 8 pin connector for solder free VTX, cam connection and OSD or digital systems
    • real Pit* VCC, GND, Video in, Video out, BEC 5V/16V, VCS/TX3, RX3
  • 2x 6 pin connectors for serials
    • RX1, TX1, 3.3V, VCC, 5V, GND
    • RX3, VCS/TX3, RGB LED, VCC, 5V, GND
  • 1x 4 pin connector for receiver
    • Signal, TLM, 5V, GND
  • 5 UART serials
    • UART 1 free
    • UART 2 used for Receiver
    • UART 3 free
    • UART 4 free
    • UART 5 used for ESCs / TLM / Onewire
  • 4 ESC solder pads (Signal/GND) in each corner
  • Buzzer pads
  • 4 tiny RGB LEDs (selectable color)
  • Supported ESC protocols
    • PWM, Oneshot125, Oneshot42, Dshot150/300/600/1200/2400, FETtec Onewire
  • FETtec Alpha FC firmware (KISS FC firmware 1.3RC48g or later flashable)
  • Maximum outside dimensions: 37,2 x 37,2mm, without outside tips 30 x 30mm
  • Mounting hole arrangement:
    • 20 x 20mm with M2 mounting hole (expandable to M3)
    • 30 x 30mm with M3 mounting hole
    • 30 x 30mm mounting hole tips are removable to reduce overall FC size
  • Overall height: 7,9mm
  • Weight: 5,37g
  • Connector type: JST-SH-1mm

*real Pit-Mode: A power supply pin which is remotely switchable

Safety warning

  • Remove propeller before flashing and configuration
  • Warning! → default prop run direction is “out”!
  • always flash latest firmware before operation
  • keep distance from your quad when you arm it after you changed something
  • don’t fly close to people!

Recommended steps for installation of the FETtec FC G4-N v1.7

  • Connect to FETtec Configurator and update to the latest firmware (see FC firmware update)
  • Install the FC in your copter (see Connection diagrams for correct wiring and installation)
  • Make sure everything is connected properly and check without propellers
  • Connect to FETtec Configurator to proceed with final configuration of the FETtec FC G4-N v1.7

Connection Diagram

Connection Layout top

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-1

The 8 pin connector combines all necessary connections for analog or digital VTX and camera. It includes:

  • Real Pit VCC (Lipo+)
  • GND for cam and VTX
  • Video in: Analog video signal from cam
  • Video out: Analog video to VTX
  • BEC 5V/16V: power supply for cam and/or VTX, switchable voltage, real Pit capable
  • VCS/TX3: for smart audio / tramp configuration or TX for digital FPV systems
  • RX3: for digital FPV systems

6 pin connector (SER3):

  • RX3: for digital FPV systems or other functions configurable in GUI (same for VCS/TX3)
  • VCS/TX3: for smart audio / tramp configuration or TX for digital FPV systems
  • RGB LED: PWM signal pin to control WS2812 LEDs or similar (configurable in GUI)
  • VCC: Battery voltage
  • 5V
  • GND

Connection Layout bottom

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-2

8 pin ESC connector 1:

  • VCC: Battery voltage out to supply FC power
  • GND
  • TLM/Onewire: ESC Telemetry signal to FC or Onewire signal pin (depending on configuration)
  • ESC signal 1-4: ESC signal output for each ESC

8 pin ESC connector 2:

  • VCC: Battery voltage out to supply FC power
  • GND
  • TLM/Onewire: ESC Telemetry signal to FC or Onewire signal pin (depending on configuration)
  • ESC signal 5-8: ESC signal output for each ESC (outputs ESC signal 1-4 if UAV type is configured as BI, TRI, QUAD)

Receiver connector:

  • GND
  • 5V
  • TLM: Telemetry signal to receiver (see page 10 receiver connection diagram for further information)
  • Signal: Receiver signal to FC (see page 10 receiver connection diagram for further information)

6 pin connector (SER1):

  • RX1: function configurable in GUI
  • TX1: function configurable in GUI
  • 3,3V
  • VCC: Battery voltage
  • 5V
  • GND

Acronym explanation:

  • BEC 5V/16V: switchable voltage (in GUI) and real Pit capable
  • GND: Reference Signal Ground
  • Real Pit VCC: real Pit capable VCC pin
  • Reset: Reset button to force the FC in bootloader mode, not needed for normal operation
  • SIG.: receiver signal (serial)
  • TLM: Telemetry signal output for receiver (Serial)
  • TLM / Onewire: ESC telemetry input or Onewire signal depending on configuration
  • VCC: Battery input voltage (6V-27V)
  • VCS: Video control signal (smart audio/tramp)
  • VID. in: Analog video signal to OSD
  • VID. out: Analog video signal from OSD

ESC connection diagram

ESC connection via 8 pin connector
For easy ESC connection via 8 pin cable
FETtec FC G4-N v1.7 to FETtec 4in1 ESC 45A (same for FETtec 4in1 ESC 35A), cable included with FETtec ESCs.
Any other ESC is usable (please make sure the signal pinout is correct, otherwise change accordingly

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-3

Single ESC connection diagram
The FETtec FC G4-N v1.7 provides 4 ESC signal pads for solder connection of single ESCs

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-4

Receiver connection diagram
Receivers can be connected via receiver connector (on bottom side of FC) or receiver solder pads (on top side of FC)

TBS Crossfire

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-5

SBUS receiver / FrSky R-XSR

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-6

Analog FPV connection diagram
VTX and cam can be connected via FPV connector (on top side of FC) or FPV solder pads (on top side of FC)

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-7

Notes:
RX and TX connection is only used for cameras which support serial connection.
A unit’s transmit signal (TX) must match the corresponding receiver (RX) at the other end. It must therefore be wired crosswise in order to transmit a signal.

Digital FPV connection diagram
Choose MSP Port on serial 3 in the FETtec ALPHA Configurator → Settings → FC setup → Serial or KISS GUI

DJI/Caddx/Runcam Vista FPV system

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Fatshark Shark Byte system

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Caddx Walksnail

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FC configuration
The FETtec FC G4-N v1.7 is preflashed with FETtec Alpha FC firmware.

  1. Open FETtec Toolset https://gui.fettec.net and choose ALPHA Configurator.

  2. Connect the FETtec FC via USB.

  3. Open the ALPHA Configurator and select open port. Choose the serial port on which the FC shows up and press connect.
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-11

  4. If you have KISS FC firmware running on your FC, you will get a warning if you want to flash FETtec Alpha FC firmware. Press “OK”
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-12
    Select serial port again

  5. “Select new firmware to flash”.
    We always recommend flashing the latest available firmware.
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-13

  6. Confirm to flash FETtec ALPHA firmware by pressing “OK”
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-14

  7. FC firmware update is done!
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-15

The FC needs a restart after that, therefore the com port is requested to be selected and connected again
Now you can customize everything in the GUI according to your wishes.
Please connect everything like described in the manual of the FC.
A unit’s transmit signal (TX) must match the corresponding receiver (RX) at the other end. It must therefore be wired crosswise in order to transmit a signal.
The receiver signal will get auto detected (supported systems are Frsky Sbus+S-Port, CRSFv2 and CRSFv3 and Ghost).

Get back to KISS
If the FETtec Alpha FC firmware is flashed on your FC and you want to get back to KISS firmware, follow these steps:

  1. Open FETtec Toolset https://gui.fettec.net/

  2. Connect the FETtec FC via USB.

  3. Press the reset button once

  4. Open the FETtec ESC Configurator and select “USB” and connect.

  5. Choose the serial port on which the FC shows up and press connect.
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-16

  6. Now the FC shows up and you can select KISS Firmware (FETtec FC G4 1.3-RC48g or later) in “Remote Firmware” and press “Flash selected!”
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-18

  7. Flashing to KISS FC firmware done.
    FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-17

Firmware updates
For firmware updates it is the same procedure as flashing the FETtec Alpha FC firmware. Connect FC via open port and choose “Firmware”.

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Now you can flash the latest firmware update via “Select new firmware to flash” or choose
“Flash local file”.
We always recommend to use the latest available firmware to get the best user experience.
If you like to try new features and firmware developments you can join our Discord channel to be always up to date (https://discord.gg/pfHAbahzRp).

Settings
You can set up the FC according to your wishes in the ALPHA Configurator. .

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All functions are explained in the respective category.
For more information and help use the FETtec Alpha FC firmware manual available at www.fettec.net/download

Display connection
I2C O-LED to FETtec FC G4-N v1.7
I2C O-LED display can be used to show the OSD menu and telemetry in order to be able to set up settings without computer or FPV goggles (FPV OSD).
The I2C connection will block serial 3 which is mostly used for digital OSD or analog VTX control (VCS).
The O-LED must be connected on power up to initialize but can be unplugged after set up is done.
Supported display types:

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-21

Required resolution 128 x 64px
We recommend the 1,3” (SSH1106) version as the text size will be very small on the 0,96” (SSD1306) display.

Dimensions

FETTEC-FC-G4-N-v1.7-KISS-Firmware-Flight-Controller-22

Maximum outside dimensions: 37,2 x 37,2mm, without outside tips 30 x 30mm Mounting hole arrangement:

  • 20 x 20mm with M2 mounting hole (expandable to M3)
  • 30 x 30mm with M3 mounting hole
  • 30 x 30mm mounting hole tips are removable to reduce overall FC size
  • Overall height: 7,9mm
  • Highest part on each PCB side: 3,2mm
  • Weight: 5,37g

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>

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