Release 0.12.0

Battery "Bars" display mode: a battery-shaped icon with up to four 25%
segments as a third status-bar option alongside % and voltage, with a
localised menu label. Docs (README, MANUAL, CHANGELOG) updated.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -9,6 +9,14 @@ single running list until the first versioned release.
 
 _Nothing yet._
 
+## 0.12.0
+
+- **Battery "Bars" display** — a third battery status option in the top status
+  bar alongside **%** and **V**: a battery-shaped icon holding up to **four
+  segments**, each representing **25 %** of charge, with the fill blinking when
+  the battery is low. Cycle the mode with ◀/▶ at **Menu → Options → Display
+  Options → Battery**. The "Bars" menu label is localised (German: *Balken*).
+
 ## 0.11.0
 
 - **CRT-style shut-off animation** — when powering off, the current screen

MANUAL.md

@@ -59,6 +59,18 @@ Optionally dims the backlight after inactivity to **100 / 50 / 30 / 15 %** of th
 configured brightness (only in **Auto** backlight mode). Any activity restores full
 brightness. Set it in **Menu → Options → Display Options → Screen Dim**.
 
+### Battery display mode — 🟢 [FreeTRX]
+The battery level in the top status bar can be shown three ways, cycled with
+◀/▶ at **Menu → Options → Display Options → Battery**:
+
+- **%** — remaining charge as a percentage.
+- **V** — the measured battery voltage.
+- **Bars** — a battery-shaped icon with up to **four segments**, each worth
+  **25 %** of charge. The fill blinks when the battery is low.
+
+The **%** and **V** options are inherited from OpenGD77; **Bars** is the new
+addition. In every mode the low-battery warning still blinks the reading.
+
 ### Shut-off animation — 🟢 [FreeTRX]
 Powering off collapses whatever is on screen towards the middle — squeezed to a
 line, then a dot — like an old CRT switching off, in place of the "Power Off"

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/freetrxVersion.h

@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@
 #define _FREETRX_VERSION_H_
 
 #define FREETRX_VERSION_MAJOR   0
-#define FREETRX_VERSION_MINOR   11
+#define FREETRX_VERSION_MINOR   12
 #define FREETRX_VERSION_PATCH   0
 
-#define FREETRX_VERSION         "0.11.0"
+#define FREETRX_VERSION         "0.12.0"
 
 #endif // _FREETRX_VERSION_H_

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/functions/settings.h

@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ typedef enum
 {
 	BIT_INVERSE_VIDEO               = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 0)),
 	BIT_PTT_LATCH                   = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 1)),
-	BIT_UNUSED_2                    = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 2)),
+	BIT_BATTERY_BARS_IN_HEADER      = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 2)), // companion to BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER: encodes the "Bars" battery display mode
 	BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER   = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 3)),
 	BIT_SETTINGS_UPDATED            = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 4)),
 	BIT_TX_RX_FREQ_LOCK             = (SETTINGS_BITS_BANK_0 | (1 << 5)),
@@ -411,6 +411,20 @@ void settingsSetOptionBit(bitfieldOptions_t bit, bool set);
 bool settingsIsOptionBitSetFromSettings(settingsStruct_t *sets, bitfieldOptions_t bit);
 bool settingsIsOptionBitSet(bitfieldOptions_t bit);
 
+// How the battery level is shown in the header. Encoded across two option bits
+// (BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER / BIT_BATTERY_BARS_IN_HEADER) for backwards
+// compatibility: an unset pair reads as PERCENTAGE, matching legacy behaviour.
+typedef enum
+{
+	BATTERY_UNIT_PERCENTAGE = 0,
+	BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE,
+	BATTERY_UNIT_BARS,
+	NUM_BATTERY_UNIT_DISPLAY
+} batteryUnitDisplay_t;
+
+batteryUnitDisplay_t settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay(void);
+void settingsSetBatteryUnitDisplay(batteryUnitDisplay_t mode);
+
 void settingsSetDirty(void);
 void settingsSetVFODirty(void);
 void settingsSaveIfNeeded(bool immediately);

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/catalan.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t catalanLanguage=
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Barres", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/croatian.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t croatianLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Trake", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/czech.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t czechLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Pruhy", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/danish.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t danishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Bjælker", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/dutch.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t dutchLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Alleen mijn ID", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Bericht van", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Bericht wissen?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Balken", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/english.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t englishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Bars", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/finnish.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t finnishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Palkit", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/french.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t frenchLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Mon ID seul", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message de", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Suppr. message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Barres", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/german.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t germanLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Nur eigene ID", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Nachricht von", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Nachricht lösch.", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Balken", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/hungarian.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t hungarianLanguage=
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Sávok", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/italian.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t italianLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Solo mio ID", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Messaggio da", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Elimina msg?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Barre", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/japanese.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t japaneseLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Bar", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/polish.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t polishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Paski", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/portugues_brazil.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t portuguesBrazilLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Só meu ID", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Mensagem de", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Apagar msg?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Barras", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /*********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/portuguese.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t portuguesLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Só meu ID", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Mensagem de", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Apagar msg?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Barras", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/romanian.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t romanianLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Bare", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/slovenian.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t slovenianLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Stolpci", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/spanish.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t spanishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "Solo mi ID", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Mensaje de", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "¿Borrar mensaje?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Barras", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/swedish.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t swedishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Staplar", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/turkish.h

@@ -345,6 +345,7 @@ const stringsTable_t turkishLanguage =
 .sms_own_id_only				= "My ID only", // MaxLen: 16
 .message_from					= "Message from", // MaxLen: 16
 .delete_message				= "Delete message?", // MaxLen: 16
+.battery_bars				= "Çubuklar", // MaxLen: 16
 };
 /********************************************************************
  *

MDUV380_firmware/application/include/user_interface/languages/uiLanguage.h

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 #else
 #define LANGUAGE_TAG_MAGIC_NUMBER { 'G', 'D', '7', '7' }, { 'L', 'A', 'N', 'G' } // Never change this tag.
 #endif
-#define LANGUAGE_TAG_VERSION      { 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x06 } // Bump the version each time the language struct is changed
+#define LANGUAGE_TAG_VERSION      { 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x07 } // Bump the version each time the language struct is changed
 
 typedef struct
 {
@@ -353,6 +353,7 @@ typedef struct
    const char sms_own_id_only[LANGUAGE_TEXTS_LENGTH];
    const char message_from[LANGUAGE_TEXTS_LENGTH];
    const char delete_message[LANGUAGE_TEXTS_LENGTH];
+   const char battery_bars[LANGUAGE_TEXTS_LENGTH];       // "Bars" battery header display mode
 } stringsTable_t;
 
 #endif // _OPENGD77_UILANGUAGE_H_

MDUV380_firmware/application/source/functions/settings.c

@@ -619,6 +619,27 @@ void settingsSetScreenDimLevel(uint8_t level)
 	settingsSetOptionBit(BIT_SCREEN_DIM_2, ((level & 4) != 0));
 }
 
+// Battery header display mode is stored across two option bits so existing
+// codeplugs (both bits clear) keep reading as BATTERY_UNIT_PERCENTAGE.
+batteryUnitDisplay_t settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay(void)
+{
+	if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_BARS_IN_HEADER))
+	{
+		return BATTERY_UNIT_BARS;
+	}
+	if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER))
+	{
+		return BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE;
+	}
+	return BATTERY_UNIT_PERCENTAGE;
+}
+
+void settingsSetBatteryUnitDisplay(batteryUnitDisplay_t mode)
+{
+	settingsSetOptionBit(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER, (mode == BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE));
+	settingsSetOptionBit(BIT_BATTERY_BARS_IN_HEADER, (mode == BATTERY_UNIT_BARS));
+}
+
 void settingsSetDirty(void)
 {
 	settingsDirty = true;

MDUV380_firmware/application/source/user_interface/menuDisplayOptions.c

@@ -314,15 +314,19 @@ static void updateScreen(bool isFirstRun)
 #if ! defined(PLATFORM_MD9600)
 				case DISPLAY_BATTERY_UNIT_IN_HEADER:
 					leftSide = currentLanguage->battery;
-					if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER))
+					switch (settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay())
 					{
+						case BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE:
 							rightSideUnitsPrompt = PROMPT_VOLTS;
 							rightSideUnitsStr = "V";
-					}
-					else
-					{
+							break;
+						case BATTERY_UNIT_BARS:
+							rightSideConst = currentLanguage->battery_bars;
+							break;
+						default: // BATTERY_UNIT_PERCENTAGE
 							rightSideUnitsPrompt = PROMPT_PERCENT;
 							rightSideUnitsStr = "%";
+							break;
 					}
 					break;
 #endif
@@ -705,9 +709,12 @@ static void handleEvent(uiEvent_t *ev)
 
 #if ! defined(PLATFORM_MD9600)
 				case DISPLAY_BATTERY_UNIT_IN_HEADER:
-					if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER) == false)
 					{
-						settingsSetOptionBit(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER, true);
+						batteryUnitDisplay_t batteryUnit = settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay();
+						if (batteryUnit < (NUM_BATTERY_UNIT_DISPLAY - 1))
+						{
+							settingsSetBatteryUnitDisplay(batteryUnit + 1);
+						}
 					}
 					break;
 #endif
@@ -928,9 +935,12 @@ static void handleEvent(uiEvent_t *ev)
 
 #if ! defined(PLATFORM_MD9600)
 				case DISPLAY_BATTERY_UNIT_IN_HEADER:
-					if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER))
 					{
-						settingsSetOptionBit(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER, false);
+						batteryUnitDisplay_t batteryUnit = settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay();
+						if (batteryUnit > BATTERY_UNIT_PERCENTAGE)
+						{
+							settingsSetBatteryUnitDisplay(batteryUnit - 1);
+						}
 					}
 					break;
 #endif
@@ -1182,6 +1192,7 @@ static void exitCallback(void *data)
 #endif
 #if ! defined(PLATFORM_MD9600)
 				BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER,
+				BIT_BATTERY_BARS_IN_HEADER,
 #endif
 #if defined(HAS_SOFT_VOLUME)
 				BIT_VISUAL_VOLUME,

MDUV380_firmware/application/source/user_interface/uiUtilities.c

@@ -1897,7 +1897,7 @@ void uiUtilityRenderHeader(bool isVFODualWatchScanning, bool isVFOSweepScanning,
 	UNUSED_PARAMETER(forceBatteryDisplay);
 #endif
 
-	if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER))
+	if (settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay() == BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE)
 	{
 		getBatteryVoltage(&volts, &mvolts);
 
@@ -1911,6 +1911,7 @@ void uiUtilityRenderHeader(bool isVFODualWatchScanning, bool isVFOSweepScanning,
 	}
 	else
 	{
+		// Both the percentage and bars display modes need the battery percentage.
 		batteryPercentage = getBatteryPercentage();
 
 		if (batteryPercentage < 100)
@@ -2207,7 +2208,9 @@ void uiUtilityRenderHeader(bool isVFODualWatchScanning, bool isVFOSweepScanning,
 	else
 #endif
 	{
-		if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER))
+		batteryUnitDisplay_t batteryUnit = settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay();
+
+		if (batteryUnit == BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE)
 		{
 			int16_t xV = (DISPLAY_SIZE_X - ((4 * 6) + 3));
 
@@ -2219,6 +2222,41 @@ void uiUtilityRenderHeader(bool isVFODualWatchScanning, bool isVFOSweepScanning,
 			snprintf(buffer, SCREEN_LINE_BUFFER_SIZE, "%1dV", mvolts);
 			displayPrintCore(xV + (6 * 2) + 3, DISPLAY_Y_POS_HEADER, buffer, (apoEnabled ? FONT_SIZE_1_BOLD : FONT_SIZE_1), TEXT_ALIGN_LEFT, ((batteryIsLow ? scanBlinkPhase : false)));
 		}
+		else if (batteryUnit == BATTERY_UNIT_BARS)
+		{
+			// Battery-shaped icon, right-aligned in the header: an outlined body with a
+			// terminal nub, holding up to 4 segments each representing 25% of charge.
+			const int16_t bodyW = 24;
+			const int16_t bodyH = 7;
+			const int16_t nubW = 2;
+			const int16_t nubH = 3;
+			const int16_t barW = 4;
+			const int16_t barGap = 1;
+			int16_t bx = (DISPLAY_SIZE_X - bodyW - nubW);
+			int16_t by = DISPLAY_Y_POS_HEADER;
+
+			// 0..4 filled segments (rounded to the nearest quarter).
+			int16_t filledBars = ((batteryPercentage + 12) / 25);
+			if (filledBars > 4)
+			{
+				filledBars = 4;
+			}
+			else if (filledBars < 0)
+			{
+				filledBars = 0;
+			}
+
+			// Body outline and terminal nub stay solid; only the fill blinks when low.
+			// NOTE: displayDrawRect uses isInverted==true for foreground (visible), whereas
+			// displayFillRect is the opposite (isInverted==false draws the foreground).
+			displayDrawRect(bx, by, bodyW, bodyH, true);
+			displayFillRect(bx + bodyW, by + ((bodyH - nubH) / 2), nubW, nubH, false);
+
+			for (int16_t b = 0; b < filledBars; b++)
+			{
+				displayFillRect(bx + 2 + (b * (barW + barGap)), by + 2, barW, (bodyH - 4), ((batteryIsLow ? scanBlinkPhase : false)));
+			}
+		}
 		else
 		{
 			snprintf(buffer, SCREEN_LINE_BUFFER_SIZE, "%d%%", batteryPercentage);
@@ -3149,12 +3187,13 @@ void announceItemWithInit(bool init, voicePromptItem_t item, audioPromptThreshol
 			break;
 
 		case PROMPT_SEQUENCE_BATTERY:
-			if (settingsIsOptionBitSet(BIT_BATTERY_VOLTAGE_IN_HEADER))
+			if (settingsGetBatteryUnitDisplay() == BATTERY_UNIT_VOLTAGE)
 			{
 				announceBatteryVoltage();
 			}
 			else
 			{
+				// Bars mode maps to a charge percentage, so announce it as a percentage.
 				announceBatteryPercentage();
 			}
 			break;

README.md

@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ FreeTRX keeps OpenGD77's core (DMR/FM, hotspot, CPS compatibility) and adds:
   Channel quick menu, no PC/CPS required (see [Managing channels](#managing-channels-on-the-radio)).
 - **CRT-style shut-off animation** — the current screen collapses to a line and
   then a dot, like an old CRT switching off (replaces the "Power Off" message).
+- **Battery bars display** — a third battery status option alongside % and
+  voltage: a battery-shaped icon with up to four 25 % segments (Display Options →
+  Battery).
 - **DMR reliability fix** — resolves a hard-fault (freeze needing a battery pull)
   on the DMR path that affected recent self-built OpenGD77 revisions.