RFC Avare Add-On Apps (Plugin / Bluetooth)

[John SB]

We've recently added to our Apps4Av website some introduction and details about the Avare AddOn Apps. Currently this includes the Bluetooth GPS for Avare app with with both intro and directions on the AddOn page, and the Avare External I/O Plugin app intro on the AddOn page with more detailed directions linked from there to this separate Using the Avare External I/O Plugin app article.

It would be very helpful for the doc team and of course for all users of these AddOn apps, if users of the AddOn apps would read these pages and comment here on any errors, corrections or additions. Our goal is to provide a clear intro on the purpose of these AddOns, along with directions on how to use them and some technical details.

All comments on this documentation here in the Forum, are both welcome and much appreciated.

[avco...@gmail.com]

Hi John, and everyone.

An easier way to get the FSX to work with Avare, in the article "Connecting to MS Flight Simulator" would be to switch step 2 instruction with step 3.

Exists:

2) Start FSX.

3) Start XConn and verify IP 192.168.0.6 and 49002.

Can be:

2) Start XConn and verify IP 192.168.0.6 and 49002.

3) Start FSX.

The reason for it being that there are some hidden steps, described in the XConn instructions but some may not know / read. They are that to get the XConn started, after you start FSX, you have to go in Window mode-Alt+Enter and start XConn. After some more testing I found that XConn will synchronize with FSX even  if the FSX is running before XConn is started. It will basically save one step / confusion for some users. TV

[John SB]

An easier way to get the FSX to work with Avare, in the article "Connecting to MS Flight Simulator" would be to switch step 2 instruction with step 3.

Thanks very much for the quick response, TV.  Thanks also for your post here that formed the basis of this HowTo. I've just now made the switch as suggested, and added a note about the XConn directions as an alternative in case it works differently for some.

I also added a note about checking here for the latest on getting older versions of MSFS working, because I'm not clear on whether or how that's been done.

As always, any and all feedback and suggestions are most welcome.

Individual commitment to a group effort — that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.  -Vince Lombardi

[avco...@gmail.com]

Hi John and everyone.

 

>>I also added a note about checking here for the latest on getting older versions of MSFS working, because I'm not clear on whether or how that's been done.<<

 

At this time I do not have / know a solution for the MS FS9. I know that there is a way to connect FS9 (Fs2004) to the Serial RS232 deices by using an app called "GPSOut" and a free portion of FSUIPC, but no WIFI and or USB.

 If we can scan the USB / hardware / wired port I may be able to get something to work. At one time I had Palm / Pocket PC running on wired USB with a moving map app. I do not think at this time we are scanning the Hardware USB in the External I/O app.? TV

[Steve At Chartbundle]

If Avare supports Bluetooth GPS, and FS9 can send to serial and the PC has a Bluetooth adapter(easily gotten USB adapters for a couple dollars if not) then setup a Bluetooth serial port on the PC and send the data that way. There looks to be plenty of references on the PC side if you search for FS9 gpsout bluetooth. I don't have any notes but I did this with other Android apps and X-Plane which can do it the same way.

[John SB]

Thanks for these replies. They're bound to be helpful for anyone trying to get an older MSFS working, and might lead to someone coding an addition to the plugin app. If anyone does get it working, it would be helpful if you'd post a how-to that we could point to from the website article.

Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.  -Henry Ford

[avco...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve and everyone.

>>If Avare supports Bluetooth GPS, and FS9 can send to serial and the PC has a Bluetooth adapter(easily gotten USB adapters for a couple dollars if not) then setup a Bluetooth serial port on the PC and send the data that way.<<

That does sound simple. I tried that route but the best I could get was a Connected between Avare's External I/O, only at 9600 Baud, and my PC, but No data transfer.
The problem, for me, is that I know that there are a lot of things / settings / attributes that have to be correct, Baud, Start/Stop, Bits, Flow control, Buffer settings, How Phrases are being handled, etc. that can affect success. I do not know what they are on the Avare + my SM-T210 device. I know one thing, the simple approach, Pair devices, Start external I/O and send to background, Connect, Start Avare, or start Avare, External I/O, does not work.

>> I don't have any notes but I did this with other Android apps and X-Plane which can do it the same way.<<

I was not aware that XPlane can connect via Bluetooth, I know it does WiFi. I will keep looking, but before I try again, I need to more info. about Avare's code and see what settings they are using. TV

[John SB]

settings / attributes that have to be correct, Baud, Start/Stop, Bits, Flow control, Buffer settings, How Phrases are being handled, etc.

My impression is that USB may also be device-dependent. I've read that my 1st gen Nexus 7 has a crippled USB port because Google wants me to do everything in the cloud. I gather that many other devices have full standard USB, such that when plugged into the USB port on my laptop they automatically show up as a drive. Both the N7 and my new S4 needed an app to allow that convenience, and I seem to recall that there was also a special adapter plug required for the N7. Presumably most devices can be configured by an app to appear as a webcam or most any other USB device, but any instructions we create would need to address potential hardware limitations?

[avco...@gmail.com]

Hi John.
Yes, USB is another issue we may have to work on, later. For now the Bluetooth / virtual Serial from the "GPSout" and the older sims I am having trouble with. The Bluetooth connection between devices is somewhat transparent, at the top level. When the data gets sent from the GPSout / FS9 to the virtual serial port that the Bluetooth uses is what we have to make sure use the same settings, anything that is off will make it fail. At this time I do not know what the Avare uses. I looked at the code and I could not find what Baudrate, bit setting etc. is expected. TV

My impression is that USB may also be device-dependent. I've read that my 1st gen Nexus 7 has a crippled USB port because Google wants me to do everything in the cloud. Presumably most devices can be configured by an app to appear as a webcam or most any other USB device, but any instructions we create would need to address potential hardware limitations?

[Steve At Chartbundle]

As I recall Bluetooth Serial Profile doesn't actually care about any of the speed,parity, stop settings as it isn't 'really' serial, control lines might matter as might buffer. I'd start with using a Bluetooth terminal program on Android and on the PC to verify connection. Then have the PC send the GPS data to the terminal program on android, and then move on to Avare. Or try one of the Bluetooth GPS programs that provides a mock location and see if it understands the data stream. With X-Plane as I recall it just worked(tm). Told the PC to make a fake serial port, pointed X-Plane at COMwhateverIjustMade and paired it with my phone.

-Steve

[avco...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve and everyone.
Yes, I am aware, and you are correct that the Bluetooth does not care about the Baudrate etc., see my text above, but the GPSout does, and it has to match what is expected at the receiving end.

Part of the problem with getting Bluetooth   to work with Avare External I/O may be in the SPP Galaxy Tab devices. It appears that there may be an additional security measure where some of the socket software does not take into account?

I get the "Failed! connecting socket" error and I cannot seem to get past it. Will try again later. TV