Setting up data transmission for penguin trackers

1. Principle

The Penguin Locator integrates multiple functions including 4G locator, 4G buzzer, GPS module, 4G telemetry, speedometer, and remote voltage monitoring. Among these, the 4G telemetry function can be used for remote data transmission, establishing a wireless connection between the flight controller and ground control station (Mission Planner / QGroundControl), enabling remote monitoring, tuning, and waypoint setting.

2. Equipment Preparation

1) Flight Controller: Any of the following flight controllers are suitable for this tutorial: SpeedyBee F405 WING APP / SpeedyBee F405 WING MINI / CoreWing F405 WING V2.

2) Penguin Locator

3) SIM Card: Compatible SIM card

4) Ground Control Station: Mission Planner ground control station

III. Specific Operations

3.1 Penguin Locator Activation

3.1.1 Top-up and Power-on

1. Complete SIM card top-up according to the official Penguin Locator instructions: Link .

Important

Insert SIM card (⚠ Must insert SIM card before powering on, otherwise the device cannot be properly recognized).

2. Briefly press the power button and wait for the device to connect to the network:

• Green light blinks twice per second, indicating successful network connection.

3.1.2 Binding the Penguin Locator

（1）Mobile Binding

1. Scan the QR code on the device with WeChat to enter the Penguin Locator Mini Program.

2. Add the device within the Mini Program

• After completing binding, you can perform the following operations within the Mini Program:

• Real-time location viewing

• Remote buzzer control

• Device parameter configuration

• Unbinding and data clearing and other operations.

（2）Apply for Port Number on Computer

1. Register and log in to https://www.xfpv.cn/#/registe.

2. Access the Penguin Locator Console.

3. Enter a port number between 20000~20500 (e.g., 20001) below the console. If the port is occupied, please change it until the application is successful.

4. Remember the assigned port number and ensure the port status is "On", otherwise you cannot connect to the ground control station.

（3）Bind Port to Penguin Locator

• Open the mobile Mini Program and enter the Operations Menu.

• Click Device Configuration

• Enter the port number applied for in the console and click Save Configuration.

• Pop-up window indicates successful configuration.

3.1.3 Wiring Between Penguin Locator and Flight Controller

Penguin Locator Pin	Flight Controller Port	Description
Telemetry RX	TX4	Data reception (FC → Locator)
Telemetry TX	RX4	Data transmission (Locator → FC)
GPS_RX	TX2	GPS data (optional)
GPS_TX	RX2	GPS data (optional)
5V	4V5	Power supply (recommended connection for stability)
GND	G	Ground (must be connected)

3.1.4 Flight Controller Parameter Settings

• Enter the All Parameters table;

• Search for SERIAL4;

• Set the value of SERIAL4_BAUD to 57, and set the value of SERIAL4_PROTOCOL to 2;

• Click Write Parameters.

• Disconnect the flight controller and power it back on.

• Observe the telemetry indicator light on the Penguin Locator. If it flashes rapidly, it indicates normal communication between the flight controller and locator.

• At this point, you can see on the console page that the aircraft is online, and you can view some basic information about the aircraft.

3.1.5 Ground Control Station Connection

Important

The computer must be connected to the network to establish a ground control station connection!

Mission Planner Connection:

• Select TCP Mode, baud rate 115200, and click Connect.

• A pop-up window will appear, enter www.xfpv.cn, and click OK.

• A pop-up window will appear, enter the port number previously applied for, and click OK.

• After successful connection, you can click Link Statistics to view the data.

QGroundControl (QGC) Connection:

1. Click the QGC icon.

2. Click Application Settings.

3. Click Communication Connection.

4. Click Add.

5. Configure according to the diagram.

6. Click Confirm.

7. Select QIER.

8. Click Connect.

4. Q&A

Q: Flight controller cannot connect to ground control station via telemetry

A:

First, check if the telemetry indicator light is flashing rapidly. If not, please check:

1. Check the wiring to ensure it is correct and there are no poor connections.

2. Check if the locator is properly connected to the network: if connected normally, the network indicator light will flash twice per second; if abnormally connected, please change the locator antenna position or check if the account balance is sufficient.

3. If the above are normal, check the flight controller configuration settings:

• The telemetry serial port baud rate must match the baud rate configuration of the telemetry serial port on the mobile end. The default is 57600. If they don't match, adjust them to be consistent first, then restart the locator and flight controller for the changes to take effect.

• Check if the flight controller parameter configuration is set correctly.

• If the flight controller has a compass but it hasn't been calibrated, the flight controller will not output telemetry data. Please calibrate the compass. For reference:

If the telemetry indicator light is already flashing rapidly, but there is still no connection:

1. On the PC console, check if the port status is open.

2. Check if the port number requested by the computer matches the transparent transmission port number on the mobile app side.

3. Check if the network signal of the device (phone or computer) at the ground control station end is good: the 4G telemetry of the penguin locator is based on network communication. If there is no network or the network signal is poor, it will cause slow connection, severe delay, or even inability to connect.

Technical Support QR Code