The Team Blacksheep Cloud connects a number of TBS products using WIFI. You can now make almost all settings via screen or LUA script for all those connected devices. New features like TBS Fusion Goggle Modules will follow the VTX channel have also been introduced. In this article, you will learn how to configure and use the new Team Blacksheep Cloud.

Requirements

• TBS Crossfire TX module
  • Firmware 3.24 or higher
  • integrated WiFi module
  • WiFi module with Firmware 1.08 or higher (Download)

• TBS Fusion FPV Goggle module
  • Firmware 1.0 or higher
  • WiFi module with Firmware 1.08 or higher (Download)
  • external/additional power for goggle module when using no Fatshark HDO2

• TBS Agent X version 2.0.25 or higher
  • TBS Agent X – Windows
  • TBS Agent X – mac OS X
  • logged in with you TBS Account
• an internet connection (use your smartphone as hotspot)

Do I have a WiFi module?

First of all, you should check if you have a WiFi module in your Crossfire transmitter module. Not all modules have a WiFi modules installed.

• TBS Crossfire TX – (does not always have a WiFi module)
• TBS Crossfire TX Lite – (has a WiFi module)
• TBS Crossfire Micro TX – (has a WiFi module)

To check whether a WiFi module is installed, you can simply update to Crossfire version 3.24 or higher and see whether one of the following WiFi networks appears after the firmware update (the name of the wifi may vary).
Thanks Marc (kamikatze-fpv.de) for the hint.

Alternatively, you can simply open up the module and look for the following component: (this is a Micro TX, don’t open it, it has always a WiFi module, this is just to show you how the WiFi module looks like)

If you don’t have a WiFi module, you can buy it from Team Blacksheep to retrofit it.

Check firmware versions

First you should check all firmwares and update them if necessary.

Here is a list of the required firmware:

• TBS Crossfire TX: Version 3.24 or higher
• TBS Crossfire TX WiFi module: Version 1.08 or higher
• TBS Fusion FPV goggle module: Version 1.0 or higher
• TBS Fusion FPV WiFi module: version 1.08 or higher
• TBS Agent X version 2.0.25 or higher

To do this, open the TBS Agent X and connect your Fusion module or Crossfire module via USB.

The following „cards“ should appear. Now check the version. At least the versions as mentioned above should be installed.

Update firmware

If one or more firmwares are not up to date or if the „XF Wifi“ or „Fusion WiFi“ card is not displayed, firmware updates are required.

Firmware update – TBS Crossfire Micro TX

About the Team Blacksheep Cloud synchronization:
There is a dot in the top right corner of each card. This point can have 3 different colors.

• gray – The device is offline, i.e. not connected via USB
  orange – The device is connected but not synchronized with the Team Blacksheep Cloud
  green – The device is connected and successfully synchronized with the Team Blacksheep Cloud

As soon as the device is synchronized with the cloud, it is on the TBS server and assigned to the email address you used to log into TBS Agent X.

First, let’s uodate the Crossfire Micro TX module. To do this, connect the module to the TBS Agent X via USB and click on „MANAGE„.

Now click on „FIRMWARE“ and you will get the following list:

Firmware meaning

• Beta firmwares that have been released for testing by the public. Most of these firmwares are already relatively well tested/stable. Please use with caution in daily use (use at your own risk)
• no name – These firmware are  „stable“ (i.e. sufficiently tested) and can be flashed in any case.

Firmware update types

• UPDATE – Updates to a higher firmware version
• REFRESH – Updates the current firmware version („CURRENT“ marks the current firmware version installed on your device)
• DOWNGRADE – Updates to a lower firmware version

With a click on „RELEASE NOTE“ you can find out what has changed in this firmware, such as which bugs have been fixed or which new functions have been added.

If you don’t see any beta firmware, you have to activate it first. To do this, click on the three dots at the top right.

Now check „Include beta firmware„, press „SAVE“ and then „RELOAD PRODUCT FIRMWARE„. Then you should see the beta firmware.

With a click on „UPDATE“ you inititate the firmware update. Wait until 100% is reached (the percentage can go from 0-100% several times) and a check mark appears above „Complete„. Then you can go back with the arrow at the top left next to „Devices„.

The firmware was updated successfully! =)

Firmware update – TBS Fusion Module

The firmware update of the Fusion module is done in exactly the same way. Make sure that your USB port provides enough power for the module. If this is not the case, the module can shut down during the process. For safety’s sake, insert the module into your FPV goggle and supply the module with voltage via the goggle and / or external power supply.

Hint: TBS Fusion Manual

Firmware update – WiFi module

Now we need to update both WiFi modules. For this we need the following firmware: tbs-cloud-activation.zip
Unzip the zip archive on your computer or smartphone and you will get the following two files:

• Crossfire_WiFi_V0108.bin – Firmware for the Crossfire WiFi module
• Fusion_WiFi_V0108.bin – Firmware for the Fusion WiFi module

Info: The firmware version can of course be higher than 108 (1.08) if you read this article at a later date.

First we flash the TBS Crossfire Micro TX module. Provide it with a safe power source. Either via USB or in a remote control.

Important: The power supply must not be interrupted during the entire flash process, as the module may otherwise be damaged and may no longer be possible to flash via the TBS Agent X. Interrupting/stopping before the update is finished, leads to the same result! So please wait!

Now one of these hotspots should be created.

Connect to the wifi „tbs_crossfire_XXXXXX“ either with your smartphone or computer.
Now type the following IP address into your Internet browser: 192.168.4.1

You should see a web interface with a choice between „Upgrade“ and „Wifi“

On the „Wifi“ page you can see which WiFi the module is connected to. You can search for new WiFi networks by clicking on „Scan“ and connect to it. You will also find out which IP address the Wifi module has been assigned in the current WiFi network. In our case this is 192.168.0.66 (is always different). With this IP address you can access the web interface with any other device from the WiFi. If you log into the own Network of the WiFi module with a smartphone, you can reach the same interface via the IP address 192.168.4.1.

On the page „Upgrade„, you can update the firmware. Simply select the appropriate firmware file.

• Crossfire_WiFi_V0108.bin – Firmware for the Crossfire WiFi module
• Fusion_WiFi_V0108.bin – Firmware for the Fusion WiFi module

Upload the appropriate file to the module by selecting it and click on „Upgrade„. Please wait until the process is complete.

Once you see this message, the firmware of the WiFi module is then updated.

Please note: Please never disconnect the power or try to „reboot“ the module. The module restarts on its own and then goes online again on its own.

By the way, the Wifi module from the Fusion and the Crossfire are updated in the same way. For the sake of completeness, here are two screenshots of the Crossfire module.

Now all firmwares are up to date!

Check Team Blacksheep Cloud registration

Now connect the Fusion module as well as the Crossfire module to your TBS agent. You should see the following 4 cards. All cards must show a green dot in the top right corner.

Team Blacksheep check cloud connection

Nearly finished, now only check if both WiFi modules are connected to the TBS server.

In the Fusion module: Go to the menu „Settings“ -> „CRSF“ -> „Fusion Wifi“ -> „About„. You should see: „Server Online„.

Check the same with the Crossfire module.

In meinem Fall über die Tango 1: „Devices“ -> „XF Wifi“ -> „About„. Dort muss „Server Online“ stehen.

In my case, the Tango 1: „Devices“ -> „XF Wifi“ -> „About„. You should see: „Server Online„.

Done!

Now you can configure the Fusion module with your Tango 1 via the Team Blacksheep Cloud. Here are a few photos of the settings that can be made.

The Team Blacksheep Cloud offers manny features, like if you change the Channel on the Fusion module, the video transmitter on the copter / wing also switches to this channel. Also, for example, you can simply switch the channel during the flight without interrupting the transmission (ok, there will be a short break;) ). It is also possible to configure the Fusion module to follow the video channel of the video transmitter. For example, if you have two copters with different video channels, the Fusion module will always switch to the correct channel of the aircraft.

My personal experience with the Team Blacksheep Cloud

I am currently having some difficulties getting the Team Blacksheep Cloud 100% up and running. Very often the modules are not connected to the TBS server and when I change the settings they are often not saved. Likewise, loading the settings often takes a long time or the screen simply remains blank. Because the system is very new, I don’t mind and I give TBS some time to add all the functions that were promised. Of course I am in contact with TBS and share all my problems, experiences and bugs to improve the system.

All in all, the Team Blacksheep Cloud is a great addition and now connects almost all hardware components (Crossfire, video transmitter, glasses module) from TBS.

Credits: Infographic vector created by freepik – www.freepik.com