ILEC SN10 Flight-Computer Resources

In the unlikely event your ILEC instrument needs to be returned to ILEC for service, please carefully follow these shipping instructions to avoid delays in service:
Checklist for ILEC Instrument Shipping.pdf

Many ILEC SN10 pilots like to have a large moving map in addition to the SN10.
The TopHat open-source project provides a great moving map, and SN10 software 2.41 onwards provides the following features:

• The task you enter on the SN10 is displayed on TopHat, including AAT areas and target point within a turn area. As you update the task and/or round turnpoints the task on TopHat is updated.
• TopHat uses the SN10 current wind and other info.
• You'll have a nice large map with alternates always visible while you use other SN10 pages (you will have to load a database into TopHat).

Here are a few snapshots of TopHat running on a Kobo Glo in the ArcusM (click on thumbnail for larger image):

Quick movie showing TopHat receiving updated task from SN10.

Connecting TopHat to your ILEC SN10

Typical SN10 installations use PowerFLARM to provide both GPS and FLARM input to the SN10. The SN10 serial output echoes FLARM messages and adds information about the current task, wind, etc. The SN10 serial output is connected to both the FLARM serial input and the TopHat serial input (note the FLARM serial output is connected only to the SN10 input). A USB-serial converter converts the SN10 NMEA RS-232 output to USB for the Kobo, and a 12v-to-5v supply powers the Kobo (and USB converter).

Details about how to set this up:
Diagram for SN10-to-Kobo connection.
USB Power Supply from Aircraft Spruce (no RF noise like cheapo parts on Amazon)
Complete Amazon shopping list for EVERYTHING you'll need (but skip cheapo USB power supply).
See the TopHat website for details on TopHat Kobo setup, but note the SN10 output replaces the GPS puck shown in the TopHat illustrations.
Warning: Do not directly connect a USB-serial-adapter to any SN10 port or cable except via SN10-PC cable. Follow the wiring diagram above for Kobo/PDA hookup!
Warning: Do not connect any USB device except a USB memory stick to the SN10's USB adapter!

Pilots world-wide use FLARM to provide GPS and traffic info to the SN10.
Enable the optional FLARM support features on the "SN10 Options 2" page:

• FLARM collision warning page (pops up graphic for collision warning)
• FLARM neighbors moving map display page

Make sure you set both FLARM and ILEC SN10 GPS baud rates to 19200 !
Your ILEC SN10 will optionally declare your task from the SN10 into the FLARM (only works for IGC-approved versions of FLARM).

Connecting a PowerFLARM® brick to your ILEC SN10

PowerFLARM brick is supplied with a DB-9 cable to ease connections. This cable is color-coded but please double-check the pin connection of each DB-9 wire before soldering.

Note: The PowerFLARM serial port in the DB-9 connector must be enabled (by default it sends no output).
Please create a FLARMCFG.TXT file on a USB-memory stick and configure your brick to enable serial port #2.
Download FLARM manuals and firmware here

The SN10 provides an output stream that echoes input data from your GPS or FLARM, and adds additional information for use by PDA programs.
A number of pilots have damaged their SN10s by making unfortunate wiring connections...
Please, to avoid damage and expensive repairs, do not do what some pilots have done:

• DO NOT connect the switched 12v output from the SN10 to a PDA (or anything other than a Volkslogger).
  The SN10 switched output cannot provide enough power!
  Use a separate power supply for your PDA!
• DO NOT connect the 5v output from the SN10 to a PDA! This SN10 output can only power an SN10 remote!
  Use a separate power supply for your PDA!
• DO NOT connect anything to the SN10 "A"/"B" ports.
  These are not serial connections!
• DO NOT connect the PDA output to the SN10. The SN10 has only one available serial port input which must receive data from a GPS or FLARM.
• DO NOT connect the output of your GPS/FLARM to any other output (for example the PDA output).
• DO NOT connect a PDA input that only accepts 3v or 5v to the SN10 output (the SN10 outputs higher voltage RS-232 levels);
  You will damage the SN10 and/or the PDA!
• DO NOT connect a "standard serial" cable to the panel cable or the connectors on the back of an SN10!
  Some customers have even destroyed the serial port on their PC doing this.
  Only use cables specifically designed to work with the SN10!

Here's a diagram showing how to hook a PDA and GPS/FLARM to the panel cable.

There are a lot of misconceptions and myths about Total Energy compensation.
Faster is not better ! Rudy Brozel (designer of the ILEC TE probes used world-wide) wrote this classic paper explaining TE, and how to test your installation:
Brozel article on TE_Compensation
Note: Needs an update to properly explain V^2 problem with gusts.

With the ILEC SN10 USB adapter, a USB "thumb-drive" "memory-stick" can be used to save flight logs, load new site information into the SN10, and load new SN10 software versions - no more carrying a laptop to the glider, searching for the SN10 PC-cable, or fighting with cranky USB-to-serial adapters. See:
ILEC SN10 Manual supplement for USB adapter

Updating the USB adapter software

Download the file ILEC SN10 USB adapter software ZIP and unzip it onto a memory stick (you should see ILECUSBA.HEX). Follow the update instructions in section 10.5 of the USB manual supplement above. The link above points to the most version of ILECUSBA.HEX. Updates to the USB software are detailed below.

USB adapter software update 19-September-2022

- reduce network load (speeds 2nd seat display, also helps SN10C)

USB adapter software update 11-April-2020

- Better special character support and error checking
- Supports exFAT formatted sticks (except for loading new USB firmware)
- Adds LFN support (but NDB names must be unique first 8-chars)

ILEC SN10 pilots who haven't yet installed an SN10 USB adapter use a laptop to upload turnpoint and map data to the SN10, and to download flight logs from the SN10.
Most pilots have no problems, however...

Use the ILEC PC-cable !!

You must use the ILEC PC-cable to connect a PC to the SN10.
The wrong cable will typically short out various SN10 signals and power supplies, cause the knobs and buttons to stop working, and possibly damage the SN10 and/or the PC.
The ILEC PC-cable looks like the picture at left.

Do not plug a USB-serial adapter directly into the SN10 or panel cable.

Do not use a "standard" serial cable, or the cable you found underneath the desk in your clubhouse, or you will have problems.

My PC doesn't have a serial port...

We really suggest you get an ILEC USB-adapter to avoid needing a PC at the glider.
However, if you must use a PC, find an FTDI USB-to-serial adapter (beware of clones; buy from a reputable source). Older details on which USB-to-RS232 solutions work, how to use a Mac instead of a PC, and what to avoid here:
Talking to your SN10 via a USB Port (old)

For help in using a PocketPC/PDA instead of a PC, Paul Remde has provided assistance here (Thanks Paul !):
ILEC SN10 Transfers with PocketDOS

Note: In 2020 IGC reduced Volkslogger to "Level 2 security" (no world records), but it is still OK for all badges and distance diplomas. Several people have had badge applications denied because of a missing aircraft registration in a Volkslogger flight log. If you are still(!) using a Volkslogger with an ILEC SN10, please follow the instructions below.

IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE THE "AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION" WILL BE BLANK IN YOUR VOLKSLOGGER LOG FILE, AND YOUR BADGE OR RECORD CLAIM MAY BE REJECTED.

To declare a flight for an IGC badge or record, you will need to fill in the "Aircraft Registration". While the ILEC SN10 can declare the task, pilot, and contest ID to a Volkslogger, you must fill in the aircraft registration (N number) using the Volkslogger directly.

(1) Using the 3-buttons on the Volkslogger, enter your aircraft registration number. This is under the menu:
FAI > EDIT > INFO > AIRCRAFT-REG
(2) IMMEDIATELY erase the flight recorder memory:
ACT > MEMCLR

Paradoxically, erasing the Volkslogger's memory is what permanently saves the current FAI info.
If you do not erase the memory after entering the registration, the next time you declare a task from the SN10, the aircraft registration field will be BLANK !

Note: "Declare Task" does NOT save the aircraft registration permanently ! You must ACT > MEMCLR !

Once you've performed this procedure, you will never need to re-enter the aircraft registration in the Volkslogger - it will be permanently saved.

Please lobby your SSA Regional Director and our IGC representative to use common sense when homologating badge and record claims.
The aircraft, pilot and competition ID in the flight log, plus an official observer's signature should be enough !

The following are technical notes to help create software and services that work with the ILEC SN10.

ILEC SN10 PDA Support

The ILEC SN10 optionally produces output to drive an in-cockpit PDA. This output is used by some popular PDA software. Here's how it works:
ILEC SN10 PDA Support (documentation needs update for latest task output as used by TopHat)

ILEC SN10 Airspace Support

The ILEC SN10 displays a moving map including airspace features. Starting with airspace information in Tim Newport-Peace's format, the information is translated into the SN10's internal format and appended to the NDB file. Using utility software we provide, this is performed automatically by some popular PC programs and web sites, including StrePla and John Leibacher's World-Wide Turnpoint Exchange. Here's how the process works:
SN10 Airspace Support