Vega AHRS-1 User manual

Introduction
The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 is a 2 1/4” sunlight readable color display instru ent providing a display for an artificial horizon
reference syste (AHRS), an advanced digital co pass, or both depending on which sensor packages is connected.
The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 can be setup to display the following:
•Co pass with optional slip indicator (requires MGL Avionics SP-6 sensor package)
•Horizon with optional slip, turn indicator & G-Force (requires MGL Avionics SP-7/9 sensor package)
•Turn and bank indicator (requires MGL Avionics SP-7/9 sensor package)
•Co bined co pass and horizon display with bank indicator, optional slip indicator & G-Force (requires MGL
Avionics SP6 & SP-7/9 sensor packages)
1 Features
•Large 1.8” high resolution 160x128, sunlight readable, wide viewing angle, 1000 cd/m2 T T LCD display
• Artificial horizon reference system (AHRS) display unit with slip indication, turn and ank and G-Force
indication
• Advanced magnetic compass with a course steering feature and slip indication
• Can e setup as an individual compass display, artificial horizon or oth
• The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 is connected to the AHRS / Compass sensor packages y a simple CAN us
interface. This allows for the optimum placement of the sensor packages in the aircraft
• More then one AHRS-1 / MAG-1 unit can e connected onto the CAN us. This allows the compass,
artificial horizon and the turn and ank indicator to e displayed on different units
• G-Force indicator (MGL Avionics SP7 required)
• Standard 2 1/4” aircraft enclosure (can e front or rear mounted)
• Rotary control plus 2 independent uttons for easy menu navigation and user input
• An external output activates when a high alarm condition has een reached
• Wide input supply voltage range of 8 to 30V DC with uilt in voltage reversal and over voltage protection
for harsh electrical environments
• 1 year limited warranty
Vega AHRS-1 / MAG-1
AHRS-1: Artificial Horizon and Magnetic
Compass indicator
MAG-1: Magnetic Compass Indicator
Operating Manual – English 1.01

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2 AHRS-1 / MAG-1 Layout
2.1 AHRS-1 Layout
2.2 MAG-1 Layout
F2 / Down Button:
Menu Syste : Softkey button
Fast level function
Sunlight reada le color
graphic display:
Backlight can be adjusted in the
enu syste
Rotary Control (Up/Down) & Enter Button:
Press the rotary control during the nor al display screens to access the enu syste .
Rotate anti/clockwise for up/down enu scrolling. During nor al ode turning the rotary control
anti/clockwise will scroll through the ain displays (Artificial horizon, co pass and turn and bank
indicator).
F1 / Up Button:
Menu Syste : Softkey button
Pitch level function
2 1/4” enclosure.
Can be front or rear ounted
Rotary Control (Up/Down) & Enter Button:
Press the rotary control during the nor al display screens to access the enu syste .
Rotate anti/clockwise for up/down enu scrolling.
F1 / Up Button:
Menu Syste : Softkey button
Enable coarse steering display
F2 / Down Button:
Menu Syste : Softkey button
Enable the reverse coarse display
2 1/4” enclosure.
Can be front or rear ounted
Sunlight reada le color
graphic display:
Backlight can be adjusted in the
enu syste

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3 Main Displays
The AHRS-1 can be set up to show 3 different display screens. Turning the rotary control either clockwise or anti-
clockwise allows you to select the operation of the AHRS-1 as an artificial horizon with ini co pass and a ini turn and
bank indicator, turn and bank indicator, and a digital co pass.
The MAG-1 only displays the co pass display.
Note: If you have purchased the artificial horizon and co pass sensor packages with two or three AHRS-1 / MAG-1
displays, it is possible to setup either of the units to display either the artificial horizon, turn and bank indicator or the
co pass.
3.1 Artificial Horizon with Compass
Pitch level function
Should your aircraft fly “nose up” or “nose down” due to tri , then you can press the F1 key to level the pitch as displayed
on the horizon.
3.2 Turn and Bank Indicator
Slip indicator
A “step on the ball” slip indicator can be enabled to appear below the horizon and co pass displays. The source of
infor ation for this indicator is derived fro the accelero eter aligned with the pitch axis of the aircraft, i.e. the
acceleration forces acting in the direction of the wings.
G-Force display
10 degree pitchbars
5 degree pitchbars
Slip indicator can be turned on or off in the enu syste
Esti ate Horizon
Magnetic or true heading reading
(co pass can be switched off
in the enu syste )
Mini turn and bank indicator
(can be switched off in the
enu syste )
Slip indicator
Marker description

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Fast level function
Press the F2 key should the horizon display be toppled (i.e. indicating incorrectly by a large a ount) due to excessive
aneuvering or by exceeding the axi u bank, pitch or yaw rates. This will indicate to the instru ent that you are
flying straight and level and that gravity tracking ay be accelerated to ensure rapid realign ent of the horizon.
Extended range of operation
Please see the corresponding MGL sensor docu entation for axi u rate specifications.
Depending on conditions axi u rates ay reach 180 degrees per second. No caging of the electronic gyro syste is
required during excessive aneuvering, unlike syste s based on echanical gyros. Si ply correct the horizon when you
are finished or let the horizon right itself which will happen during straight and level flight.
Message displayed when the axi u bank, pitch or yaw rates have been exceeded
3.3 Digital Compass
3.3.1 Compass Tape
The digital co pass tape can be displayed in 3 different ways. The way the co pass is displayed can be setup in the
enu syste under “COMPASS SETUP”
Numeric compass display
The heading tape shows headings as nu bers in degrees.
Mixed compass display
The heading tape shows headings as nu ber in degrees except for the four ajor
cardinal points which are shown as N, S, E and W.
Cardinal compass displayThe heading tape shows headings as ajor and
inter ediate cardinal points: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW.
Magnetic (M) or true
(T) North indicator
Slip indicator can be turned on or off in the enu syste
Course steering Indicator

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3.3.2 Using the course steering indicator
To activate the course steering indicator, steer the required heading and then press the F1 key. The co pass will display:
The F1 key pressed at a heading of 176 degrees. Currently the heading equals the
course to steer as shown below the heading tape. No course steering indicators are
shown.
The current heading is 169 degrees; course steering indicators show the need to steer
slightly to the right to intercept the course.
The current heading is 218 degrees; course steering indicators show that a large
correction to the right is required to intercept the course.
Each “>” or “<” equals 2 degrees of heading error. To cancel the course steering function, si ply press the F1 key again.
3.3.3 The reverse course (from heading) display
Press the F2 key to activate the reverse course display. This display re ains active for
about 5 seconds before reverting back to the nor al heading display.
3.3.4 Heading sta ility issues
You ay find short ter fluctuations of the heading occurring. These tend to be very s all and are typically less than one
degree. This could still cause the heading to fluctuate occasionally by a single degree. These fluctuations occur naturally
in the earth’s agnetic field and can also be caused by nearby electrical equip ent such as radios, la ps, electronic
instru entation or co puters, even the ignition syste s of engines. The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 has a co pass filter setting
which can be set to filter out so e of these s all fluctuations.

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4 Menu System
Press the rotary control button during the nor al display ode to enter the enu syste . Use the rotary control to
navigate through the enu syste .
4.1 Exiting the menu system
Press the F1/Up button to exit the enu syste when the “EXIT” soft key is shown. All changes ade during navigation
of the enu syste will be saved in non-volatile e ory upon exiting. The instru ent will not save any changes if you
re ove power before exiting the enu syste .
4.2 Horizon Setup
Compass:
Select “ON” if you would like to see the co pass box on the horizon display.

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Numeric:
Select “ON” if you would like to see a nu eric display of bank and pitch angles superi posed on the horizon display.
G-Force:
Select “ON” if you would like to see the G-Force displayed on the horizon display.
Ground :
Select the ground color of the horizon. A selection between "BROWN" (default) or "GREEN" can be ade.
Turn:
Select whether you want the turn indicator to be shown on the horizon display screen.
Turn Rate:
Select whether you want the turn and bank indicators to show a 1 in/rotation or 2 in/rotation turn.
Slip:
Select if you would like to enable the slip indicator to be shown underneath the horizon display. The slip indicator
operates in the sa e fashion as the well known “step on the ball” indicator in traditional cockpits.
Note: The slip indicator is always enabled in the turn and bank indicator ode.
Slip Sense:
Select if you want the slip to have a high sensitivity or a low sensitivity setting.
Slip Zero:
This function allows you to set your slip indicator to exactly zero even if your aircraft tends to fly slightly wing down. The
procedure is to place the aircraft in a stable, straight and level attitude during cal flight conditions and then select this
function. To cancel the correction, place your sensor absolutely horizontal (use a spirit level) and select the function
again.
Speed Unit:
Select the speed unit.
Speed:
Enter the cruising speed of your aircraft. This speed is trans itted to the attitude sensor for aiding purposes if the GPS
speed is not available.
NMEA Baud:
Select the Baud rate of your NMEA GPS receiver
NMEA Speed:
The NMEA speed will be displayed if a NMEA co patible GPS receiver is connected to the AHRS-1.
Pitc Marker:
This enables or disables the pitch arkers on the horizon display.
CAN Address:
Select the CAN address of the SP-X attitude sensor.

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4.3 Compass Setup
Display:
Select the style of the co pass tape as in section display ode as described in section 3.3 above
Heading:
Select whether you would like the instru ent to display agnetic or true heading. If you select true heading, you need to
enter the correct agnetic variation for your location. You can find your local variation on aeronautical or ariti e
charts. The heading displays will be aug ented with °M or °T depending on the ode you have selected.
Variation:
Enter the agnetic variation of your location. This is only used if you would like the instru ent to display true heading.
True heading is the heading relative to the geographic North Pole. Magnetic heading is the heading relative to the
agnetic North Pole. Variation is expressed in degrees east or west. Please note that should you ove a long distance,
you ay have to update the variation setting. This setting ay be ignored if you only use the agnetic heading display
option.
Filter:
Select the filter factor for the co pass heading. A selection of "NONE", "LOW", "MED" or "HIGH" can be ade. This can
i prove the stability of the co pass.
Slip:
Select if you would like to enable the slip indicator to be shown underneath the horizon display. The slip indicator
operates in the sa e fashion as the well known “step on the ball” indicator in traditional cockpits.
Slip Sense:
Select if you want the slip to have a high sensitivity or a low sensitivity setting.
Slip Zero:
This function allows you to set your slip indicator to exactly zero even if your aircraft tends to fly slightly wing down. The
procedure is to place the aircraft in a stable, straight and level attitude during cal flight conditions and then select this
function. To cancel the correction, place your sensor absolutely horizontal (use a spirit level) and select the function
again.
Can Address:
Select the CAN address of the SP-X co pass sensor.
Calibrate
This allows calibration of the agnetic sensor.

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In-Flight cali ration Procedure
Please see docu entation supplied with the SP-6 for ore infor ation.
Fly the aircraft in safe area where you can perfor rando banked turns. Do not exceed the safety li its of the aircraft
during the calibration flight.
Start the calibration in the Co pass setup enu by selecting “Calibrate”. The AHRS-1 /
MAG-1 will display the co pass calibration screen. You should see the co pass heading
change to “111” to confir that calibration has started.
Fly a nu ber of banked 180 or 360 degree turns at different bank angles - i.e. shallow, ediu and steep turns. Try to
add any different pitch attitudes in various orientations relative to the field direction. It does not atter in what order you
fly the aneuvers. A typical, good calibration tends to take 5-10 inutes of flight.
Do not activate any electrical equip ent that creates large agnetic fields during the calibration process (for exa ple
starter otors, autopilot servos, landing lights etc). The heading starts reading 111 after you start calibration. After 36
initial sa ples have been collected this changes to 222. This should take approxi ately one turn. Continue the flight
while aneuvering until the heading starts reading nor ally. This happens once the SP-6 has collected 100 distinctly
different agnetic sa ples. At this point the heading should start showing reasonable nu bers. Continue the calibration
flight, settling into straight and level at intervals on different headings and verify the heading readout against an
ACCURATE reference. Continue the flight until you find heading errors that are within 1 to 2 degrees, about the li it one
can reasonably expect.
When satisfied, end the calibration by selecting “DONE” in the co pass calibration enu. This will save the calibration to
per anent e ory in the SP-6. Should you not be able to achieve a good heading readout, please locate the co pass to
a better location in the aircraft.
The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 displays the calibration sa ple count and fit percentage during calibration. The sa ple count will
count up to 150 after which new sa ples replace the oldest sa ples stored. The fit percentage is a value fro 0% to
100%. The ai is to get to a value as close as possible to 100%. The fit starts displaying other than 0% after the first 36
sa ples. Fit values of 98% and higher are considered good. If you cannot achieve this you do not have a good
installation location for your co pass. You ay still get reasonably good heading accuracy despite a lower fit. However,
to ensure long ter accuracy please consider locating the SP-6 in a better area in your aircraft.
If the readout decreases suddenly by a large a ount (for exa ple fro 85% to 42%), this is typically caused by a
strong ti e-variant agnetic field such as can be created by electrical equip ent ( otors, relays, current flow in cables).
In such a case please either end and restart the calibration or continue the calibration flight until the fit error is acceptable
again (the incorrect agnetic sa ple(s) will eventually be re oved). It is advised to locate the interference source and
either ove this or the SP-6 to a better location in the aircraft.
Note: should you ove the SP-6 to a new location or fit new equip ent close to the SP-6 you will have to perfor the
calibration again. There is no practical li it as to how any ti es you can perfor and save a new calibration.

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4.4 MISC Setup (Miscellaneous Setup)
Backlig t:
Select this enu option to adjust the backlight brightness.
Security Setup:
Select this enu option if you want to password protect the enu syste .
Information:
This enu option displays infor ation about the unit.

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Default Settings:
Select this enu option to reset all the settings to factory defaults.
Model:
This enu option is used to select which odel of display you have. Select MAG-1 if you
only want a co pass display as then all enus pertaining to the AHRS-1 will be hidden.
5 Using the AHRS-1 / MAG-1 and SP-X sensor packages
in flight
The pilot in co and of the aircraft has to be aware of the following:
The SP-X sensor packages are not certified y the FAA or any other agency for use during IFR (instrument flight
rules). This implies that any such flight that uses the SP-X sensor packages as reference for either heading, turn
and ank or horizon is illegal.
6 RS232 NMEA ena led GPS receiver message
The AHRS-1 has the ability to be connected to a NMEA enabled RS232 GPS receiver to allow the AHRS-1 to use the
actual ground speed in the attitude aiding algorith s.
The NMEA enabled RS232 GPS receiver ust be able to output a GPRMC essage (The Reco ended Mini u
sentence defined by NMEA for GPS/Transit syste data.) This essage is defined as:
$GPRMC,hh ss,status,latitude,N,longitude,E,spd,cog,dd yy, v, vE, ode*cs<CR><LF>
Example: $GPRMC,083559.00,A,4717.11437,N,00833.91522,E,0.004,77.52,091202,,,A*57
7 Loading factory default settings
Press and hold the F1/Up button and rotary control during power up to load the pre-
progra ed factory default settings. The following screen will be displayed:
Factory default settings can also be loaded in the Miscellaneous setup enu.

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8 Error Messages
Unit settings CRC error. Load default settings to restore to factory defaults. If the error
essage still persists then it could possibly be a non-volatile e ory failure in which
case the instru ent will then have to be returned to the factory.
Max Values CRC error. Load default settings to restore to factory defaults. If the error
essage still persists then it could possibly be a non-volatile e ory failure in which
case the instru ent will then have to be returned to the factory.
The display will have a red cross over the indicators to signal a SP-X sensor
co unication or sensor failure. Check the co unication link between the AHRS-1 /
MAG-1 and the SP-X sensors and that the SP-X sensors the selves are functional.
9 AHRS-1 / MAG-1 Specifications
Operating Temperature Range -10ºC to 60ºC (14ºF to 140ºF)
Storage Temperature Range -20ºC to 80ºC (-4ºF to 176ºF)
Humidity <85% non-condensing
Power Supply 8 to 30Vdc SMPS (switch ode power supply) with built in 33V over
voltage and reverse voltage protection
Current Consumption Approx. 73 A @ 13.8V (backlight highest setting), 33 A @13.8V
(backlight lowest setting)
Display
1.8” 160x128 pixel active atrix TFT display.
1000 cd/ 2
Sunlight readable with anti-glare coating
LED Backlight is user configurable
Alarm Output Open collector transistor switch to ground
Maxi u rating 0.5A
Dimensions see Vega series di ensional drawing
Enclosure 2 1/4” ABS, black in color, front or rear ounting. Fla e retardant.
Weight Approx. 120 gra s (Instru ent excluding cables)
Non-volatile memory storage 100000 write cycles
NMEA Supported Message GPRMC (Reco ended Mini u Sentence)
NMEA Supported Baud rate 1200 to 115200

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10 Operating the alarms
The alar output can be used to switch an external alar indicator. The external alar switch is an open collector
transistor switch to ground with a axi u rating of 0.5A DC. It is possible to wire the alar contacts of several
Strato aster instru ents in parallel should this be desired. To avoid false activation of the alar s, the alar function is
only active 10 seconds after the instru ent has powered up.
11 Firmware Upgrading
The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 can be upgraded in the field by connecting the RS232 port to a PC and running the fir ware
update progra . Note that only the RS232 port can e used to upgrade the firmware.
Please see the Vega firmware upgrading document for more information.
12 Installation
12.1 AHRS-1 / MAG-1 Ca le connections
Main connector (D15 connector: Unit Female, Ca le Male)
D15 Pin Color Function
1 Red 8-30Vdc power via power switch / circuit
reaker and fuse.
2 Black Ground
3 - RS232 Transmit data (Firmware upgrading)
4 - RS232 Receive data (Firmware upgrading /
NMEA GPS Input)
12 Purple CAN Low
13 Pink CAN High
15 White Alarm Output (Open collector)
Note: Please see corresponding SP-X sensor package anuals for ore infor ation about the
installation and use of the artificial horizon and co pass.

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12.2 Connection Diagram
The use of an external 1A fuse is reco ended. Connect the supply ter inals to your aircrafts power supply. The AHRS-
1 / MAG-1 can be used on both 12V and 24V without the use of any pre-regulators. Ensure that the supply voltage will not
drop below 8V during operation as this ay result in incorrect readings.

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13 Cleaning
The unit should not be cleaned with any abrasive substances. The screen is very sensitive to certain cleaning aterials
and should only be cleaned using a clean, da p cloth.
14 Warranty
This product carries a warranty for a period of one year fro date of purchase against faulty work anship or defective
aterials, provided there is no evidence that the unit has been ishandled or isused. Warranty is li ited to the
replace ent of faulty co ponents and includes the cost of labor. Shipping costs are for the account of the purchaser.
15 Disclaimer
Operation of this instru ent is the sole responsibility of the purchaser of the unit. The user ust ake the selves fa iliar
with the operation of this instru ent and the effect of any possible failure or alfunction.
This instru ent is not certified by the FAA. Fitting of this instru ent to certified aircraft is subject to the rules and
conditions pertaining to such in your country. Please check with your local aviation authorities if in doubt. This instru ent
is intended for ultralight, icrolight, ho ebuilt and experi ental aircraft. Operation of this instru ent is the sole
responsibility of the pilot in co and (PIC) of the aircraft. This person ust be proficient and carry a valid and relevant
pilot’s license. This person has to ake the selves fa iliar with the operation of this instru ent and the effect of any
possible failure or alfunction. Under no circu stances does the anufacturer condone usage of this instru ent for IFR
flights.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
You ust ake your own deter ination if the products sold by MGL Avionics are safe and effective for your intended
applications. MGL Avionics akes no representations or warranties as to either the suitability of any of the products we
sell as to your particular application or the co patibility of any of the products we sell with other products you ay buy
fro us or anywhere else, and we disclai any warranties or representations that ay otherwise arise by law. Also, we
offer no specific advice on how to install any of the products we sell other than passing along anything that ay have
been provided to us by the anufacturer or other issues. If you are in need of further infor ation or guidance, please turn
to the anufacturer, FAA Advisory Circulars and guidance aterials, the Experi ental Aircraft Association, or other
reputable sources.
Note: Product warranty excludes da ages caused by unprotected, unsuitable or incorrectly wired
electrical supplies and or sensors, and da age caused by inductive loads.
The anufacturer reserves the right to alter any specification without notice.
Warning: The AHRS-1 / MAG-1 is not waterproof, serious da age could occur if the unit is
exposed to water and/or spray jets.

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Other instruments in the Stratomaster Vega series
AHRS-1 Artificial Horizon and Magnetic Co pass Indicator
ALT-5 Alti eter and Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
ASI-4 Airspeed Indicator (ASI)
ASV-1 Alti eter, Airspeed (ASI) and Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
EMS-1 Engine Monitoring Syste
FF-4 Fuel Co puter
INFO-1 Infor ation Display (G-force eter, RTC, Outside Air Te perature (OAT), Volts and
Current display)
MAG-1 Magnetic Co pass Indicator
MAP-3 Manifold Pressure and RPM Indicator
RPM-1 Universal Engine / Rotor RPM Indicator
TC-4 4-Channel Ther ocouple (EGT/CHT) Indicator
TP-3 Universal Te perature and Pressure Indicator