How To Guide
Here is how to use the PippyG and PiPistrelle for the first time!
USB Microphone
Out of the box, the PippyG works as a USB microphone, outputting 384KHz/16 bit data out of the micro USB port located on one edge of the unit. The PiPistrelle will need reprogramming.
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This works well with the iPhone app created by Phil Atkin, and can be found here
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To connect to an iphone, you will require at least one cable. If IPhone 15 or later, with a USB C plug, you will require a USB C to Micro USB
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If it has a lightning port, you will require the apple USB breakout, or a similar aftermarket alternative. You will still require a cable to go from this adaptor to USB micro.
Passive Detector
PippyG or PiPistrelle
SD Card
Three AA batteries
(we recommend rechargeable)
Things you will need;
Out of the box PiPistrelle works as a passive detector. The PippyG can work as a passive detector but requires reprogramming, to see more about this please go to the 'Reprogramming the PippyG/ PiPistrelle' section'
Make sure the device has batteries and is on. If not on, check batteries are the correct way round, and the small white switch is to on. On both devices, the red LEDs will flash to signify power on.
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How to use the app​
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Set a device ID, this is just an easy way to distinguish between devices.
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Location should be automatically set, else allow GPS function to the app in settings
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Set a time for the device to wake up, I usually choose just before dusk.
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Set a time for the device to go back to sleep, I usually choose just after dawn.
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You can choose different sized recordings, but the most common, and easiest for BTO pipeline use is to use the 4M size.
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Then make sure the sound is up on your phone, and press the “Press to play configuration sound” button. A small chirp will be heard.
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If the chirp is successful then the red light will flash a number of times.
PippyG will automatically go into recording mode, but the PiPistrelle needs to be put into this mode manually, else it will act as the default mode.
To put the PiPistrelle into recorder mode, after chirping, press the middle button three times. The red lights will flash multiple times to show it recorded a touch. If successful the green light will flash in a 1 1 2 configuration. To check it works, click multiple times near the device, and the green light should go off for 5 seconds. If it does not, try and reconfigure again.
This is not as difficult as it first seems! Firstly download the deliverables package and save them in a safe place where you can find them in the future. The ones you will likely need will end in .uf2 found in the firmware folder.
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Pipistrelle.uf2 is for the passive detector (both PippyG an PiPistrelle) and the main firmware for PiPistrelle.
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Pipistrelle-usb-microphone.uf2 is to reprogram a device into USB microphone mode.
While unpowered find the reprogramming button on the device. The easiest way to know it is unpowered is to remove the batteries and unplug the USB cable. To find the reprogramming button, look at these images:
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Press the reprogramming button, and then insert the USB cable, often your PC will make a sound to signify something has connected. On Windows, go to this PC and find a device called Pico and open it.
Copy the file you want to upload into this window, and once uploaded, the device will disconnect, and start working! A good sign is that the green LED lights up.
That’s it! your device is reprogrammed. Now look at the instructions for how to use the mode you require.
Reprogramming the PippyG and PiPistrelle
If you have any problems or further questions, please email admin@smithrobotics.co.uk