Firmware Updates
TetraSkis and remotes manufactured in 2023 and forward use a different microcontroller architecture and require a different firmware file from previous TetraSkis. When downloading, make sure you choose the correct firmware file for your ski/remote. Be especially careful if you have received replacement parts that may have been manufactured at a later date.
Device types can be easily identified in the following ways:
Remotes: The color of the charge LED indicates which version of the firmware you need. A red LED indicates the old hardware version, and a blue/green LED indicates the new version.
TetraSki: On the boot screen, look at the “FW ver. ” and note the value. Firmware with a ‘b’ at the end (ex. 2.3.0b) indicates the new hardware version. If there is no letter, or the letter ‘a’ at the end, you have the old hardware.
Once you have the correct version(s) downloaded, visit this page for instructions on Updating the TetraSki.
Latest Firmware Releases (2.3.0)
TetraSki_2.3.0a.hex (old hardware, pre-2023 TetraSkis)
TetraSki_2.3.0b.hex (new hardware, 2023+ TetraSkis)
TetraRemote_1.3.0a.hex (old remotes, RED charge LED)
TetraRemote_1.3.0b.hex (new remotes, BLUE charge LED)
Please read the following update notes and be sure you understand the update process before continuing. The remote requires a quick thumbstick calibration after updating to v1.3.0 before it will work correctly.
TetraSki v2.3.0 Release Notes
Firmware version 2.3.0 is the biggest update the TetraSki has ever received and adds several new features along with many under-the-hood fixes and performance improvements. Major changes are listed below:
Joystick Control Modes: Beginner/Advanced mode has been renamed to ‘I’ and ‘O’ (think about the area-of-control, ‘O’ for full circle, ‘I’ for linear left/right only). The display readout for control mode now shows current status, along with the set actuator speed (more on that explained below). Control mode is still cycled by a double-press of the TetraSki power button, and until actuator speed is manually configured, cycling between will default to ‘I - SLOW’ and ‘O - FAST’
To clarify the controls, the wedge position readout on the screen will now show a big ‘O’ while in O Control Mode. Wedge position does not matter when the skier is in this mode, so displaying the numbers was causing confusion.
Sip and Puff Changes: Sip and Puff is now only enabled while in ‘I’ control mode, and is turned off completely while in ‘O’. The old experimental ‘Advanced Sip & Puff’ has been removed in favor of a new dual straw system currently in development. All TetraSkis shipping from 2023 forward have the hardware included for the new dual straw system, and a software update will be sent out sometime in 2024 to enable this functionality. We are considering offering a retrofit of this new system to old skis if there is interest. Stay tuned!
Streamlined Exit of Chairlift Mode: To make handoff of control easier after offloading from a chairlift, a single press of any remote button will now exit lift mode. This eliminates the tricky triple-press of the remote button during critical unload procedures.
Options Menu and Configurable Settings: Most new features are configured in the new options menu. This menu is accessed by rapidly pressing the TetraSki power button FOUR times. This will bring up a new screen that looks like the following:
Each option is then selected by pressing the button X times corresponding to the option number (single, double, triple press). From there, you can scroll through each option’s settings with a single press. This menu will timeout and return to the main screen after 10 seconds and each selection is ‘confirmed’ by letting the menu timeout.
Actuator Speed: For version 2.3.0, actuator speed has been decoupled from the control mode and is its own configurable setting. This enables the instructor to set up ‘O’ joystick control at a slow actuator speed, or run ‘I’ or Sip & Puff at the fastest.
Starting at a baseline ‘SLOW’ speed, ‘MEDIUM’ and ‘FAST’ are 1.5x and 2x faster respectively.
The perfect combination of control mode and actuator speed will vary depending on the skier’s motor control abilities and reaction times. A general progression would be to start in ‘I - SLOW’, moving to ‘I - FAST’ before switching to ‘O’.
Sip & Puff Wedge Change: This is a JOYSTICK ONLY option that allows the skier to change wedge position using the Sip & Puff Straw. A single puff will decrease the wedge angle (puff - forward- fast) and a single sip will increase it (sip - backward - slow). Wedge position will not cycle and functions like the button presses on the remote control.
It is recommended to turn this option on for joystick users once they have grasped the concept of wedge position but before progressing to full ‘O’ control. The instructor will retain wedge position control from the remote and can assist or correct as needed.
Remote Override Chime - This option will cause the TetraSki to emit a continuous audible chime whenever the instructor is overriding the TetraSki using the remote control. The chime will only sound with inputs to the remote thumbstick (not wedge changes).
This option gives more 1-to-1 feedback between the instructor and skier, and can be used as a teaching feature or in situations where the skier is trying to gauge their performance and improve their overall control abilities and independence.
Actuator Retraction on TetraSki Power-Down: To further protect the actuators during transportation and prolonged storage, they will now slowly retract all the way in when the TetraSki is powered down. This is their strongest position and ensures that the extending rod is wiped clean of snow and debris.
In situations where the TetraSki needs to be powered down with the skis parallel (commonly fittings/repairs/display), the joystick can be held forward during power-down to override this function.
Remote v1.3.0 Release Notes
Remote firmware version 1.3.0 adds several features that may be useful in specific situations, but is not as significant an update as the newest TetraSki firmware. Nonetheless, it is recommended to update both for best compatibility.
This version of the firmware incorporates a calibration function for the joystick that measures the thumbstick sensor and optimizes the measurements for max control. If this is your first time updating the remote to this version, you will need to perform an initial calibration before the remote will function correctly.
Upon first power-on of the remote after updating, you will see the LED light up purple indicating a calibration request. This calibration is performed exactly like the joystick on the TetraSki. The calibration will start when the thumbstick is first moved, and will continue for 8 seconds. The goal is to slowly circle the joystick around the entire range of motion; you want to find the max/min values of the X and Y axis of the joystick.
You can check for correct calibration by turning on the TetraSki and going to the debug screen (5x quick presses of TetraSki power button) and looking at the RemX and RemY values at the bottom of this screen. They should read from -100 to 100 (or close) for each when the thumbstick is circled around.
If the calibration goes incorrectly, see the below section for redoing it.
New Advanced Settings
These settings generally shouldn’t be changed without consulting Tetradapt support.
The remote now contains a hidden menu designed to streamline initial configuration and troubleshoot certain issues. This menu is accessed by pressing-and-holding both the power and trigger buttons for 5 seconds. The remote will emit an audible chime for confirmation. The default option is TetraSki pairing, and further settings are then selected by quickly pressing the trigger button 2x or 3x times.
TetraSki Pairing: This configuration option is the default selection after entering the advanced settings menu.This allows the remote to be paired to different TetraSkis, and could be useful for programs that run multiple TetraSkis by allowing remotes to be swapped if necessary.
To pair to a TetraSki, quickly press the power button the number of times matching your HW#. For example, if your ski is TS005, rapidly press the power button five times. The LED should light up yellow as the remote is programming itself, then green upon success. The remote will emit an ascending chime to confirm.
Disable Thumbstick: 2x press of trigger button. Situations where the thumbstick gets physically broken can cause a constant override of the TetraSki, resulting in a total loss of control for the skier while the remote is powered on and forcing the instructor to power down the remote to continue the lesson.
This option allows you to disable the thumbstick while maintaining instructor control of wedge position and chairlift loading functionality. The remote LED will light up BLUE with an ascending chime to confirm. This setting will persist as long as the remote is powered on and must be re-performed after every power cycle.
Thumbstick Calibration: 3x press of trigger button. This setting will generally not be necessary except for redoing a botched initial calibration after the v1.3.0 update. The remote LED will light up PURPLE and the remote will wait for initial input from the thumbstick. Calibration can be canceled by a single press of either button.
This calibration is performed exactly like the joystick on the TetraSki. The calibration will start when the thumbstick is first moved, and will continue for 8 seconds. The goal is to slowly circle the joystick around the entire range of motion; you want to find the max/min values of the X and Y axis of the joystick.
You can check for correct calibration by turning on the TetraSki and going to the debug screen (5x quick presses of TetraSki power button) and looking at the RemX and RemY values at the bottom of this screen. They should read from -100 to 100 (or close) for each when the thumbstick is circled around.