Using FortiusANT directly on a RaspberryPi without a head-unit

[Gunzo182]

I obtained a non functioning Fortius Trainer (T1932 blue-ring, T1941 motor brake) a good while back. At that stage I tried to get it running through GoldenCheetah and some old Tacx software with no luck.

The current "Lock-down" rekindled my interest to get it running . A few searches later I found FortiusANT, installed it and connected the trainer. When I "start to pedal" the motor starts running forever, but I get no sensor feedback to FortiusANT. My suspicion is that there is an issue with the rx signal. I did open the head-unit and found a lot of corrosion and oxidation. *Note that I don't have the cadence sensor, is this required?

Upon your reference to "totalreverse/ttyT1941" it got me thinking to get FortiusANT running without a head-unit, using serial communication. Now here comes my questions:

• Will this be possible?
• How could I achieve this technically?
• Will an old RPi model B be sufficient? (Processing power, single core, ram ect...)

My end goal is to have FortiusANT running on the Pi, and to transmit and receive an ANT+ signal that I can use with Zwift.

I am more mechanically inclined, but I can help myself around electronics and coding with the help of google. If you can give me some guidance it will be greatly appreciated.

I did note that @Alanimus uses a RPi Zero. I'm not sure about how he's using it on his system.

Thank you

[WouterJD]

Let's answer some questions

• If Zwift works in ERGmode (fixed power) the resistance is calculated using the wheelspeed. Cadence is used to detect that the users stops pedalling. If you add a simple ANT+ cadence sensor on your system, we could pair with that one and use it. That's an hour work.

• I do NOT know whether the Fortius hardware use the cadense sensor itself.

• FortiusANT communicates through USB cable to Fortius; if you have a module to address the serial communication it could be integrated. @totalreverse has more knowledge in that area than I do. It would require a revision of usbTrainer.py.

• I have no experience whatsoever with "RPi"; please send a link to what device you use. I did not hear from @Alanimus since the comms you found.

In this lockdown period, I still like to introduce myself. I'm Wouter from the Netherlands and like to know who I chat with; you also find me on Strava.

[Gunzo182]

Hi Wouter,

Of course. Excuse my perceived rudeness. I appreciate a proper introduction myself. I'm Richard from South Africa.

Thanks for your reply. And for all the hard work you've put into FortiusANT.

I do have an ant+ cadence sensor. I just wanted to be sure that the missing sensor is not the cause of FortuisANT not receiving sensor data.

I think as a start I'm going to try @totalreverse's "ttyT1941.py" and a usb-ttl module to communicate to my Fortius T1941. If i'm able to get instructions to; and messages back from the trainer I'll start bothering you again about the required changes to "usbTrainer.py".

The Rasberry Pi model B RPi is an older Raspberry Pi computer. I don't have use for mine right now, and this can be perfect. Again I'll test drive it and report on the performance.

Thank you.

[WouterJD]

Hi Richard, no offense at all, great to be able to make people sport in this lockdown period!

As soon as you're ready for it we will work together to get this working. Currently pretty occupied integrating Tacx i-Vortex. As soon as that's done, some code cleanup work to be done. Adding a cadense sensor would be a small job.

Have a lot of fun, hardware, software and cycling - it will all be there!

[mattipee]

@Gunzo182 I have a hunch, which is worth ruling out.

What command line options are you providing on the Raspberry Pi? Specifically, are you running the GUI with -g? I'm at the very early stages of playing with FortiusANT on Linux, and I believe the GUI is unstable. I was seeing the calibration routine, after I find HW, click Start and then kick the pedal to initiate calibration, it starts to run the motor at 20km/h, but no values were appearing in the GUI and the motor would continue to run.

You could try "-d 1" which should enable some debug on the console, either with or without "-g", and watch the output. What I'm saying is there's a chance that you could in fact have a functioning head unit and be able to use FortiusANT with USB mode.

Can you let us know what you find out trying the above?

[Gunzo182]

Hi @mattipee ,

I am yet to run it on my RPi. I see you are also trying to get a headless (or rather head replaced by a Raspberry Pi) system running. Like I've stated earlier, I'm no software or electronic specialist, so hardware hacking is very much just a hobby.

Even though I did not run FortiusAnt on a RPi, I am running it on a Linux system. I did get it to run in the terminal and gui. But like I said, I could only get my wheel turning. I split my serial cable to get a logic analyzer attached and I tried to clean al of the oxidation off the head unit's circuit board. Now I cant access my head unit anymore, so I'm depending on a headless system.

I'm following your progress with great interest, and I am still trying to get something running from my side. I am able to pick up communication using ttyT1941.py and a CP2102 Module. But I'm not getting the communication I'm suppose to have.

Excited about this!

[Alanimus]

I did get it working nicely with a Raspberry Pi Zero. Sorry been very busy with school but I use it every day. Basically I made my own smart trainer using a Pi Zero and some sensors and servo. It works well but since I am using a mag trainer the lack of gears means you basically run into the same issues as if you were using Zwift Power (like no ability to change gears and ramp up your difficulty manually). I don't have any familiarity with the actual Fortius trainer funnily enough as I am not using that code at all but I would imagine it's no different than using something like GPIO Zero to control a servo with Zwift resistance. The reason I found this program so useful is I had no idea at the time how to interface with ANT+ but have since then learned a lot.

So let me try to make sure I understand, are you trying to connect the Fortius trainer motor to a Raspberry PI and then use Fortius Ant program to connect to Zwift and control the trainer's motor? Where does the Fortius part come in?

On Tue, Apr 21, 2020 at 12:32 AM Gunzo182 notifications@github.com wrote:

I obtained a non functioning Fortius Trainer (T1932 blue-ring, T1941 motor brake) a good while back. At that stage I tried to get it running through GoldenCheetah and some old Tacx software with no luck.

The current "Lock-down" rekindled my interest to get it running . A few searches later I found FortiusANT, installed it and connected the trainer. When I "start to pedal" the motor starts running forever, but I get no sensor feedback to FortiusANT. My suspicion is that there is an issue with the rx signal. I did open the head-unit and found a lot of corrosion and oxidation. *Note that I don't have the cadence sensor, is this required?

Upon your reference to "totalreverse/ttyT1941" it got me thinking to get FortiusANT running without a head-unit, using serial communication. Now here comes my questions:

• Will this be possible?
• How could I achieve this technically?
• Will an old RPi model B be sufficient? (Processing power, single core, ram ect...)

My end goal is to have FortiusANT running on the Pi, and to transmit and receive an ANT+ signal that I can use with Zwift.

I am more mechanically inclined, but I can help myself around electronics and coding with the help of google. If you can give me some guidance it will be greatly appreciated.

I did note that @Alanimus https://github.com/Alanimus uses a RPi Zero. I'm not sure about how he's using it on his system.

Thank you

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/WouterJD/FortiusANT/issues/57, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAOSTRJWFMLPOFERJI5IFITRNVDZNANCNFSM4MNCA7WA .

[mattipee]

I am yet to run it on my RPi. I see you are also trying to get a headless (or rather head replaced by a Raspberry Pi) system running.

@Gunzo182 I did write in another issue about intending to run headless on a Raspberry PI, t which I assume you are referring. Unfortunately, I think there are two definitions of the word "headless" - running without the "head" unit of the Fortius (the handlebar mounted blue/green/white unit) and interfacing with the motor controller directly, and running without a monitor or FortiusANT GUI.

I just meant the latter, sorry. Until my head unit dies, I'll probably not be doing much otherwise. It's definitely possible, and would be happy enough to assist code-wise.

[Gunzo182]

I did get it working nicely with a Raspberry Pi Zero. Sorry been very busy with school but I use it every day. Basically I made my own smart trainer using a Pi Zero and some sensors and servo. It works well but since I am using a mag trainer the lack of gears means you basically run into the same issues as if you were using Zwift Power (like no ability to change gears and ramp up your difficulty manually). I don't have any familiarity with the actual Fortius trainer funnily enough as I am not using that code at all but I would imagine it's no different than using something like GPIO Zero to control a servo with Zwift resistance. The reason I found this program so useful is I had no idea at the time how to interface with ANT+ but have since then learned a lot. So let me try to make sure I understand, are you trying to connect the Fortius trainer motor to a Raspberry PI and then use Fortius Ant program to connect to Zwift and control the trainer's motor? Where does the Fortius part come in? …

Just for clarity, The Fortius system I have has a brush-less motor to generate resistance.

The Fortius trainer consists out of effectively 4 parts. The Pc that runs the virtualization software and drivers. This is connected to the head unit/controller (attached to the bicycle handlebar) through USB. On the head unit you have 4 buttons to control the system and a microprocessor to communicate. The head unit is connected in turn to the "Power Back" motor controller through a serial interface. The "Power Back" controller control's the resistance (or assistance) the motor generates. The motor is just a brushless DC motor.

*BTW the "Power Back" feature as far as I understand it, takes the excess energy created by pedaling against resistance and pushes it back into the power grid. This is a nice feature!

So to answer your last question: I want to use a Pi (or any computer) to talk to my Fortius motor controller without the head unit, and then use the ANT+ part to connect to Zwift.

[Gunzo182]

@Gunzo182 I did write in another issue about intending to run headless on a Raspberry PI, t which I assume you are referring. Unfortunately, I think there are two definitions of the word "headless" - running without the "head" unit of the Fortius (the handlebar mounted blue/green/white unit) and interfacing with the motor controller directly, and running without a monitor or FortiusANT GUI.

I just meant the latter, sorry. Until my head unit dies, I'll probably not be doing much otherwise. It's definitely possible, and would be happy enough to assist code-wise.

No Problem, I understand now what you're trying to achieve. Thanks for the offer of help. I'll see where I can get at, and then might press on your button.

Thanks!

[WouterJD]

The Fortius trainer consists out of effectively 4 parts.

• Cadence sensor
• ANT heart rate monitor Both devices are passed on the USB but functionally not used by the headunit, I think.

[Alanimus]

So what you are trying to do seems pretty complex. @WouterJD does Fortius Ant completely take over the duties of the head unit or does it just send it signals to the firmware still on the head unit? I'm guessing you would have to simulate the firmware on the Pi to use it in this way. The other option would be to ignore all that and just connect the actual sensors to the Pi and re-code them.

Anyway, I can help with getting Fortius Ant itself running on Pi and using ANT+ on the Pi instead of a USB interface along with the Zwift data to control something, but the rest I would probably have to have a trainer to mess with.

[WouterJD]

FortiusANT communicates thru USB with the headunit (or thru ANT+ with iVortex, but that's offtopic here).

[WouterJD]

Hey guys ... any news on this implementation?

[StFalagar]

Hi @WouterJD and everyone else...

I have been looking all over but not sure if anyone got this working as yet...

I have my trainer connected to my Raspberry Pi 3 and it is working using @totalreverse 's ttyT1941... this is without any headunit... just the brake connected directly to the RPi. I get readings coming from the T1941 trainer into the Raspberry Pi and can set erg and grade and send through info... Is there a way to take these values and connect to Fortius Ant (possibly on the same Raspberry Pi) and create a BLE signal from there to Zwift?

Thanks a lot...

Sarel

[WouterJD]

Since there is more interest, I reopen. Will be a next-winter-time topic to see to integrate @TotalReverse option into FortiusAnt.

[StFalagar]

Thanks Wouter.... I will try and see if I can get it working.... doesn't look too complicated... Basically use @totalreverse's code in new SendToTrainer and ReceiveFromTrainer Methods I am not a Python developer but will try... :)

[WouterJD]

@StFalagar a new class should be created, implementing the new SendToTrainer and ReceiveFromTrainer methods.

[StFalagar]

Thanks @WouterJD... I am still working through all the code to get my head around how FortiusAnt is structured etc. Will do once I start writing code.... unfortunately.... I can't focus on this full time...

[WouterJD]

Just a quick question: what physical/logical interface is used between PC and brake? (I did not study @TotalReverse 's material yet)

[StFalagar]

Either a Raspberry Pi GPIO connection or a TTL to USB Converter. In my case I have connected the brake to a Pi3b's GPIO and ran @totalreverse's program. It caters for calibration and returns cadence, speed, power etc. from the brake in much the same way as when you run FortiusANT without GUI.

I suppose in the case of a PC it would be the same scenario where you use the TTL to USB Converter to connect the brake to USB and then run the Python Program to read the info from the brake.

It only works with the Motorbrake though and not with Eddy Current Brakes.

[WouterJD]

Thanks

[StFalagar]

Wow this is more challenging than I thought it would be hehe.... Massive learning curve for me here.... Just a quick update...

1. I get the readings from the T1941 into the RPi and into FortiusAnt.
2. Created a new Class specifically for Direct Serial Connections as you said and call that from usbTrainer.py's GetTrainer using clv's.
3. According to @totalreverse's github I had to disable onboard bluetooth on the Pi for GPIO to use the serial connection
4. So... readings coming into FortiusAnt... Calibration working (sort of) and able to get Power, Cadence Etc. coming into FortiusAnt when pedalling.
5. Using a Bluetooth Dongle I was able to connect to Zwift although Zwift only picks up the Power device and no Cadence or Controllable devices as yet...
6. Also... Zwift states "No Signal" so still some work to do there... This happens for the T1941 Serial connection as well as in Simulation Mode so not sure if anything else might be the problem...
7. If I can get this working, I will have to clean up everything.... I still use @totalreverse's decryption etc. and suppose I'll have to learn how struct work to do that...

"Quick Change" now turning into a project lol

Cheers :)

[planetSammy]

Hello, I try to install FortiusAnt on a RPi Zero WH and follow the instructions from the current manual. Step 1 and 2 (BLE-Support) works fine. I want to install the Package for the Ant+ Dongle (for Genius), but in the destination folder "raspberry" on my RPi 0 is no 02_InstallPackagesANT.sh?

Did i something wrong, must I insert the Dongle during the Download process?

Best regards, Torsten

[WouterJD]

I will respond later (>16th), not at home nowSomebody else can help? Met vriendelijke groetWouter Dubbeldam 

[planetSammy]

Hello Wouter, thanks for your quick reply, I found the solution here: https://gist.github.com/martin-vi/5206b6b26faf6f2d6121f6c8f300e44d#usb-ant-module

I followed the instructions from @martin-vi and the discussions between @YDA94 and @Meanhat. Next step is to finalize the installation and test the raspberry pi zero wh with the TACX Genius trainer.

Best regards, Torsten

[planetSammy]

Hello Wouter, I finalized the installation on my "raspberry pi zero wh" with TACX Genius Powerback.

First of all, thank you for this great project and quick response when needed!

Connecting to Genius and calibration works fine...after calibration I want to connect to RGT-Cycling with my iPhone 8.

Now, I have a little problem between my Smartphone (iPhone 8) and the raspberry pi bluetooth BLE signal.

After a few seconds I lost the signal between raspberry pi and Smartphone.

Connected:

And then disconnected:

Bluetooth on Smartphone always said disconnected:

Do I have to establish a constant pairing first?

Best regards from Germany,

Sammy

PS: I also use your Project and sometimes the original "Antifier" (debugging) with an Tacx I-magic and two ANT+ Dongles, the Smarthpone (iPhone 8) is the same, there is no problem between Device and FortiusAnt Software / BLE on the PC (Windows 10)...

[WouterJD]

I have the impression this occurs more often but have no explanation. A full log would be required, but I doubt whether it would reveal the issue; actually the RGTlog should reveal the problem.

What do you mean with last phrase?

[MeanHat]

Hi @planetSammy - without cutting across the reply from @WouterJD I experienced a similar problem, albeit with Android phones. The problem was other apps periodically trying to take over the Bluetooth connection. I solved it by removing the apps and later by using an old phone with no other apps installed.

Hope this helps a little Cheers

[WouterJD]

Wauw interesting Would there be an option to disallow them to be active in background?

OR: Set phone in battery saving mode and allow RGT to be [the only one being] active

[MeanHat]

That's an interesting question. My neighbour recently had the same problem with ANT rather than Bluetooth when Garmin Connect tried to take over the connection during a Zwift ride.

I'm not sure how easy it would be to provide this option as it would depend on the platform (Win, iOS, Android). Did you have an idea for how to do this Wouter?

On Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 11:03 AM Wouter Dubbeldam @.***> wrote:

Wauw interesting Would there be an option to disallow them to be active in background?

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/WouterJD/FortiusANT/issues/57#issuecomment-952753166, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ARS665DV2KUE7NP4MEQMIG3UI7L63ANCNFSM4MNCA7WA .

[WouterJD]

I did quick check.

Instead of disabling "ALL OTHERS" it might be easy to put Android in energy-saving mode and enable your CTP only

[planetSammy]

I think there is a problem with the UART Bus hci0...if it's UP and I type the command:

• sudo hciconfig hci0 leadv 0 I can establish a stable connection to my iPhone (see pictures below)

And here the connection to my iPhone:

When I start the Application over FortiusAnt.sh the Application wants to establish a new connection "FortiusANT Trainer"...

If I skip the two steps "sudo service bluetooth stop" and "sudo hciconfig hci0 up" the old connection "GeniusSmart" is available and the new "FortiusANT Trainer" cannot connect...

Maybe it is possible to insert the command for "FortiusANT Trainer" in the FortiusAnt.py skript, but I didn't find the right step/line, yet 😵‍💫

Best regards, Torsten

Update: I have to Check the bleno commands and the Connection to my mobile phone.

[planetSammy]

Hi, short Update...when I start the "server.js" under ~/FortiusANT/node with the following lines: I can establish a stable connection!

But when I start the with "sh FortiusANT.sh" i can't get a connection with bleno (i think bleno is bypassed in this moment)...any ideas, help?

Best regards Sammy

[planetSammy]

Hello, for everybody who runs into the errors above! There is a bug in the last build of bluetooth-hci-socket@0.5.3-8, but you can fix it with the previous Version.

Run this command in the ~/FortiusANT/node folder, after that it works! --> npm install @abandonware/bluetooth-hci-socket@0.5.3-7

See also the original post: https://github.com/abandonware/bleno/issues/30#issuecomment-960316742

Best regards
Sammy

[MeanHat]

Thanks @planetSammy - I also suddenly experienced BLE disconnects when running Zwift with FortiusANT. Your fix has worked - though I used both commands in the link you posted: npm install bleno@npm:@abandonware/bleno npm install @abandonware/bluetooth-hci-socket@0.5.3-7

[planetSammy]

Hi @Meanhat, there is another point, not really an issue. When I start FortiusAnt.sh, the first step is to delete the old log-files in the "trashcan", but the script cannot find the folder:$"/home/pi/.local/share/Trash".

To fix it I manually installed the "trash-cli" package, but no "default" trash folder appears...do you know why or have any idea?

Best regards Sammy

[planetSammy]

Fixed it 😁

[MeanHat]

Hi @planetSammy - sorry not to have replied sooner but really pleased you have fixed your problem. Happy riding!

[WouterJD]

It seems this issue is solved, I assume can be closed. If not happy to reopen

[WouterJD]

Note: the issue "Using FortiusANT directly on a RaspberryPi without a head-unit" has diverted in another discussion. @StFalagar how far are you and is the development still ongoing?

[StFalagar]

Hi Wouter

I got it to a point where I can't get the bluetooth working and I think the problem is that the trainer's connection to the pins uses the same ports as the bluetooth. This means I have to now start playing with Ant+ and I have become very busy with work etc. I have put this on hold for now. I would like to pursue it again later but for the time being cannot get to it...

I do get readings into FortiusAnt from the trainer through the RPi but also still have to do a lot of cleanup on my code and functions etc.

Riding with an old flow and blue and white headunit at the moment so at least I am able to ride.

S.

[WouterJD]

OK @StFalagar as soon as you have time, I will see the reopen. Let's keep closed for now, that's easier to keep track on current issues. Succes!

[StFalagar]

No problem... thanks Wouter

[erik-groen]

Sorry to barge in on this discussion, but it seems almost to adres the answers i am looking for. Is it possible to use the fortius just as an adjustable generator? I am verry much into generating electricity. https://groeninnovaties.nl/groene-stroom/ Preferably i would connect the T1941 motor brake directly to an arduino with potentiometer. Has somebody the pin layout of the connector and the brake commands for the T1941? It would be great, thanks and i'll keep you posted.

[StFalagar]

Hi... Yes... You can find the information here https://github.com/totalreverse/ttyT1941