ESC Calibration and Dshot Protocol Setup

I. Principle

What is an ESC?
ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) is an electronic device used to regulate motor speed. It adjusts motor speed by receiving signals from the RC transmitter or flight controller system. ESCs typically use different protocols to communicate with the flight controller system or RC transmitter. Common protocols include PWM (analog signal) and Dshot (digital signal).

Difference Between Digital and Analog ESC Protocols
Analog Protocol (PWM):

• Oneshot and Multishot use PWM signals to control motor speed, changing motor speed by adjusting the PWM signal's duty cycle.
• ESCs using PWM protocol require calibration to ensure the clock synchronization between the flight controller and ESC.
  
  Digital Protocol (Dshot):
  Dshot protocol transmits via digital signals, avoiding the clock synchronization issues of analog signals, and therefore does not require ESC calibration.
  Common Dshot protocols include Dshot150, Dshot300, Dshot600, and Dshot1200, with different transmission rates. The choice can be adjusted based on flight controller performance:
• Dshot300 is the most commonly used protocol and suitable for most situations.
• Dshot150 is suitable for situations where reducing the flight controller's load is needed, and is appropriate for multi-motor configurations.
• BLHeli32 supports Dshot1200, while BLHeli_S supports Dshot600.
  

II. Equipment Preparation

Hardware
1) Flight Controller: This tutorial is applicable to any of the following flight controllers: SpeedyBee F405 WING APP / SpeedyBee F405 WING MINI / CoreWing F405 WING V2.
2) RC Transmitter: Using Radiomaster TX16S / Radiomaster Boxer as examples.
3) Receiver: Using SpeedyBee ELRS Nano 2.4G as an example.
5) ESC: Most ESCs available on the market are compatible with this tutorial.
4) Computer: Used for configuring parameters using a computer ground control station.
Software
INAV Ground Control Station

III. Specific Operations

1. How to check which protocols the ESC supports?
Check the sticker on the ESC, which usually indicates the supported protocols and maximum transmission rate. For example:

• FLYCOLOR 45A ESC is labeled with BL-32(BLHeli32), supporting up to Dshot1200.
• LANRC 45A ESC is labeled with BLHeli_S, supporting up to Dshot600
• HOBBYWING SKYWALKER 40A, if no firmware type is labeled on the sticker, use PWM protocol directly.
  
  2. How to enable Dshot protocol?

1. Connect the flight controller to the computer using a USB data cable.
2. Open INAV Ground Control Station:
      ① Go to the Outputs page;
      ② Select Dshot300 protocol;
      ③ Enable the Enable motor and servo output option;
      ④ Click Save and Reboot.
   
3. Perform motor test:

Important

Do not install propellers during motor testing!!

① Power the flight controller with a battery.
   ② Go to the Outputs page.
   ③ Check the risk acknowledgment option.
   ④ Drag the slider to test the motors.

3. ESC Calibration (Using PWM Protocol)

Important

Do not install propellers during motor testing!!

1. Connect the flight controller to the computer using a USB data cable.
2. Open INAV Ground Control Station:
      ① Go to the Outputs page;
      ② Pull the throttle slider to maximum (100%).
   BLHeli32/BLHeli_S ESC Calibration Sounds:
   Connect the battery and wait 2 seconds → "Play a song" is the throttle maximum confirmation sound → Wait for the song to finish → Push the throttle to minimum and wait 1 second → "Play another song, dee-dee" is the throttle minimum confirmation sound → Calibration complete.
   PWM ESC Calibration Sounds:
   Connect the battery and wait 2 seconds → "Beep-beep" is the throttle maximum confirmation sound → Push the throttle to minimum and wait 1 second, N beeps indicate the number of LiPo cells → "Beep" is the throttle minimum confirmation sound → Calibration complete.
      ③ While the throttle is at maximum, connect the battery power. At this point, the motor should emit "beep-beep" sounds, indicating calibration mode has been entered.
      ④ Pull the throttle slider to minimum (0%). The motor should emit "beep-beep" sounds, indicating calibration is complete.
      ⑤ Disconnect the battery power and reconnect it.
      ⑥ Adjust the throttle slider and observe if the motor response matches the throttle input.

IV. Q&A

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