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Solaris Edition

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Linar Yusupov edited this page Jul 24, 2026 · 51 revisions


Solaris Edition is a variant of SoftRF DIY GA proximity awareness device been implemented in an IP65 weatherproof, solar panel form factor.

Solaris employs a concept of "once installed on an aircraft - it runs forever". Air traffic data gets delivered to a user by means of a wireless Bluetooth LE connection. Device settings are accessible by the Bluetooth LE as well. A data transfer over wired connection is also available as an alternative method.

There is an option to connect an external air pressure sensor by means of I2C bus.

This device is supposed to require minimal skills from a user to begin with and gives an opportunity to evaluate if the SoftRF technology is appropriate for your needs.

Solaris is based on third-party's hardware - Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 product, which is available for direct purchase from manufacturer at more or less reasonable price (80+ USD).


Compatibility 1

Type Protocol FLARM OGN tracker PilotAware Skytraxx SoftRF
Radio FLARM AIR V7

 

OGNTP

 

P3I

 

FANET+

 

SRD 860
ADS-L

Data FLARM NMEA

  Garmin GDL90

 

Dump1090  

1 - it is necessary for a reader to feel the difference between statement "compatible" and statement "fully compatible".
     SoftRF implements only a reasonable minimum of the protocols specs. No "bells and whistles" so far.


Certificates

Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 has the following certificates of compliance :

It means that this device is approved by corresponding agencies for:

  • land use and
  • with genuine factory firmware.

Disclaimer

SoftRF firmware for Solaris Edition is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

In general a lot of Chinese DIY electronics manufacturers are known to behave this way:

  • sometimes they may not apply necessary Q.C. before releasing of a product from factory ;
  • they may arbitrary change schematics and electronic components from one batch to the next one.

Author of SoftRF firmware:

  • will reject any hardware related claims associated with Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 product. Ask for support from seller or manufacturer ;
  • reserves the right to suspend or terminate support of Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 in the firmware at any time.

For the time being ( Sep'25 ) there were no critical hardware issues reported for current version of the ThinkNode M6 product. However things my change over the time...
If you have issues with bringing up your new Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 or just not happy with the product - be prepared to execute your Purchase Protection plan.


Bill of materials

Required

Number Part Qty Picture Source
1 Elecrow®
ThinkNode M6 2 		1 Elecrow Store
1 2
AliExpress
1 2 3

2 - 868 MHz variant is applicable for these world regions: EU, RU, NZ, SA, IN ;
     915 MHz - US, CA, AU, KR, IL.

Recommended

Number Part Qty Picture Source
2 SP11 male connector 2 TBD

Optional

Number Part Qty Picture Source
3 Bosch BMP280 pressure sensor 1 AliExpress

Quick start

  1. follow these instructions to install the firmware ;
  2. use instructions for Card Edition to start operating with your delivered Solaris device.
    Begin with Step 9.

Settings



Procedure of settings change is explained on this page.

Basic (radio) settings description is located here.

Important

EASA ADS-L radio protocols selection is not applicable with current version of SoftRF Tool app for Android - use

If you are an application developer and you think about to add the Solaris configuration menu into your software, please, use:


LEDs

Red LED indicates unit power on status.
Flashing red LED indicates low battery charge level.

Blue LED has no function at this time.

Buttons

When unit is Off:

  • press and release FUNCTION button to turn the unit On.

When unit is On:

Button(s) Operation
FUNCTION press and keep holding FUNCTION button for 2-3 seconds to turn the unit Off
RESET (once) reboot the device
RESET (twice) enter into bootloader mode

Bluetooth LE

Factory default data output setting is to deliver GNSS and air traffic information over Bluetooth LE in NMEA plain-text format.


This data is sufficient for an app (such as XCSoar) to facilitate a Radar view:



These Bluetooth LE services are available:

  • UART
  • Battery
  • Bluefruit device information
  • OTA firmware update


This is a list of mobile applications that are known good to operate with the Solaris Edition over Bluetooth LE:

Please, use the Bluetooth LE page for Badge Edition to get more information.


Device Id

When a user wants to register a SoftRF device in OGN or other aircrafts database - it's Id can be obtained with assistance of SoftRF Tool application.

Protocol Id
OGNTP
Legacy
P3I
ADS-L
PRoL
FANET

Battery life

Current consumption from 3.7 Volt battery:

Mode Average current
Active

70 mA

Operating time from a full charge depends on your actual battery capacity.

When battery charge level is getting low - the red LED will start flashing to indicate that charging is necessary.
When battery charge level is almost "zero" - the Solaris will enter into low power (deep sleep) mode.

Charging

  • device is ON

Use a Bluetooth LE app, such as SoftRF Configurator, to monitor charging progress / battery voltage.




  • device is in Sleep

A tool like that can help to realize when charging process is complete.


Optional equipment

Sensor wiring

Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 BMP280
3V3

VCC
GND

GND
P0.08

SCL
P1.09

SDA

Warning

Reported pressure altitude value may deviate from true value at any time.


Serial port

There is an option to connect an external RS-232C device to UART pins of the Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 MCU.

Function Elecrow® TN-M6 RS-232 adapter
TxD

P0.24

RxD
RxD

P0.22

TxD
Power

3V3

VCC
Ground

GND

GND

Signal levels: 3.3 Volt
Transfer settings: 38400 bps, 8N1


Use the SoftRF Configuration Tool to alter direction of data output.


SkyView

SkyView EZ is a DIY companion device for SoftRF Solaris Edition.

   


SkyView Pico

   


Additional information on ThinkNode M6

  1. Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 Wiki
  2. User Manual
  3. Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 on GitHub
  4. A review of Elecrow® ThinkNode M6 on CNX Software

Troubleshooting

  1. If you are in doubts that your device powers up properly - you can monitor the boot sequence with USB cable connection ( 38400, 8N1 ).
    This is how a good boot log looks like:

Hardware

SoftRF

SkyView

Flight Recorder

Adapters

Software

Firmware

Tools

Protocols

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