Thomas Scherrer OZ2CPU UHF RC system, LRS, long range

Thomas Scherrer OZ2CPU UHF RC system, LRS, long range

Older Discontinued versions Still supported and still fully compatible offcourse
Explain all names on my pages and about FPV please read this one first before asking questions
MCX wire antenna detailed for the receiver
Antenna Plane Install Recommendations
Video clips from customers
Pictures from customers 2008-2009
Pictures from customers 2010
Pictures from customers 2011 NEW
see also 30W PA stage for ultra long range
see also old version 2, we have test flown V2 for over 3yrs now
see also 30W booster-in-action, test flight with video goggles and long range receiver antenna
The 7W booster for trible range is also avaiable NEW Version 4 released December 17 !!
The 7W booster for trible range is also avaiable NEW Version 4 PRO released Jan 19 2010 !!
Customer Radio Range Competition
Customer Survey NEW
The new PRO versions
RCgroups forum thread about this system alot of good information to read here, #1 post about purchase and order and prices

How to Purchase

DISTRIBUTORS:
Electronicarc.com SPAIN Distributor, both local sales and local support
ReadyMadeRc.com USA Distributor, both local sales and local support
TrueRC.net CANADA Distributor, both local sales and local support
shyau.com.tw TAIWAN Distributor
Estore Rotterdam FPV systems & R/C electronics Rotterdam the Netherlands Distributor and local support

MIRROR SITE:
http://www.readymaderc.com/lrs_mirror/uhf-link3.htm MIRROR SITE ONLY TO BE USED IF MAIN PAGE IS DOWN, BOOKMARK

Different kits exist: the more you purchase the more you save, here shown SET 1 LR and SET 2 LR

Here shown SET 1 NR Tiny slim 8ch, and SET 1 NR 12ch (this receiver will soon be phased out)

This RC control system is specially designed for RC model planes that need extreamly long range and safety, like: FPV/UAV, large models, and expensive models.
The TX unit samples PPM frames from a normal RC TX unit, with up to 4-12 servo information's, and encode this digitally with a complicated checksum,
the receiver part decode it and generate up to 12 servo pulses, this gives a jitter free system known from all PCM systems.
at the same time this system uses a complex wide band multi frequency hopping (FHSS), makes it virtually imune to jamming,
the ultra fast diversity antenna switching system removes all dark-holes when the angle of the plane to the transmitter changes.

In many contries frequencies in the 433, 434MHz and 444 MHz band have been legally assigned to be used for RC control of models.
it is legal to own and use transmitters with up to 500mW without any license or approval.

(I am not alone on this hardware/software project, Daniel Wee is in charge of the microcontroller SW)

Transmitter board inside the case, NEW version 4.00 released Dec 15 2009

The transmitter board is 45x68mm. Now using 4 layer special burried via PCB for better cooling, mounting and grounding
Possibility for more output power: constantly if needed, improved
Safety ! fly using the low power setting, and in case loss of signal activate the powerup feature
The unit is shipped with a 3 way switch so the user can fast and easy change the level while flying
0.5W / 1W / 2W power out, the 2W setting can now be used as long as you like.
RF Power output: 0.5W or 1W or 2W use selectable
Supply Voltage : 6-25V using internal switchmode converter improved power handeling
Supply current : depends on input voltage, input supply power is 3-4 times of RF output power
Spurs : 60dB and 80dB under carrier, improved new double low pass filter
Temperature range: -40C to +70C tested
more pictures see here : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
The new PRO version
WARNING FUTABA owners must read post 1573-1574

Receiver 3.30 NR Normal Range (for visual non FPV flights)

The receiver board is 32 x 54mm, weight: 10.5 gr.
Receiver 12ch, uptimized input filter so it can co-exist with strong 2.4Ghz on board video transmitters.
Wire antenna mounted directly on the rx.
the extra pin in ch 12 connector is rssi out, ch 12 connector is also ppm out when < 12ch are used
PPM out is the same as sum-signal and this is offcourse fully compatible with mikrocopter controller board, all RX have this.
Servo pins how to connect explained see this so you connect it all right.
Sensitivity: -102dBm
Input voltage range: 4-10V
Servo signal pulse output: 3.3V positive
Radio band: 433 & 444Mhz multi band and multi frequency hopping system.
Temperature range: -40C to +70C tested
Price 120 $ normal, (still on sale intro price for only 80 $)

Receiver 3.30D NR Normal Range TINY SLIM (for visual non FPV flights)

The receiver board is 26 x 54mm, weight: 8.5 gr.
Receiver 8ch, uptimized input filter so it can co-exist with strong 2.4Ghz on board video transmitters.
Wire antenna mounted directly on the rx.
the extra pin in ch 12 connector is rssi out, ch 12 connector is also ppm out when < 12ch are used
PPM out is the same as sum-signal and this is offcourse fully compatible with mikrocopter controller board, all RX have this.
SUM and RSSI out
Sensitivity: -102dBm
Input voltage range: 4-10V
Servo signal pulse output: 3.3V positive
Radio band: 433 & 444Mhz multi band and multi frequency hopping system.
Temperature range: -40C to +70C tested
Price 120 $ normal, (still on sale intro price for only 80 $)
trick to get more chennels

Receiver 4.02 LR Long Range Diversity, (The current version of february 2010)

Improved input filter, now even better attenuation for 900 - 1300 - 2400 video transmitters, virtually impossible to jamm.
Improved distance of the servo connectors, now all 12 can be mounted at the same time and no bending or problems.
The receiver board is 34 mm width, 53mm long, (8mm longer when angled connector option as shown) 12mm height, weight: 19.4 gr.
Receiver 12ch with DIVERSITY ! and LNA Low Noise Amplifier, uptimized input filter so it can co-exist with strong 2.4Ghz on board video transmitters.
Two MCX connector coax dipole wire antennas come with each RX this type, weight 5.4 gr each.
The extra pin in ch 12 connector is rssi out, it is now buffered so loading of the RSSI out is uncritical, 1k ohm Zout, It is also filtered to avoid less jumpy OSD readings
ch 12 connector is also ppm out when < 12ch are used
PPM out is the same as sum-signal and this is offcourse fully compatible with mikrocopter controller board, all RX types and models have this.
Sensitivity: -113dBm to -114dBm IMPROVED NEW LNA with less noise factor
Input voltage range: 4-6V (rx uses 134mA at 5V)
Servo signal pulse output: 3.3V positive
Radio band: 433 & 444Mhz multi band and multi frequency hopping system.
Temperature range: -40C to +70C tested
Price 140 $
more pictures see here : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14

DOCUMENTATION

MANUAL ENGLISH old software pre feb 2009
MANUAL ENGLISH HARDWARE 3.00 and 3.10 Manual about all hardware related things, March 20 2009
MANUAL ENGLISH HARDWARE 3.30 RX 3.31 RX Manual about all hardware related things, April 24 2009
MANUAL ENGLISH HARDWARE 3.30 RX 3.31B RX 3.32TX New Manual about all hardware related things, June 22 2009
MANUAL ENGLISH HARDWARE 4.02 RX 4.00 TX New Manual about all hardware related things, June 2010
MANUAL ENGLISH SOFTWARE 307 New Manual about all software features, February 25 2009
MANUAL ENGLISH SOFTWARE 308 New Manual about all software features, March 15 2009
How to bootload/upgrade firmware of UHF RC TX and RX unit 3.00 and 3.10
How to bootload/upgrade firmware of UHF RC TX and RX unit 3.30 and 3.31

The UHF RC LRS system is tested so far with those RC units:
NOTE a new firmware for the TX units was released DEC 2012, this new 309 firmware handle all ppm modes
even variable frame rates, and alle graupner and Futaba special ppm modes too
Multiplex Royal Evo series 7/9/12 (5 pin DIN 2=supply out, 4=ppm out, 3&5=gnd & must be jumped together)
Multiplex Royal Evo Pro series 7/9/12 (5 pin DIN 2=supply out, 4=ppm out, 3&5=gnd & must be jumped together)
Multiplex Cockpit SX (5 pin DIN 2=supply out, 4=ppm out, 3&5=gnd & must be jumped together)
Multiplex Profi MC3010/3030/4000 (5 pin DIN 2=supply out, 4=ppm out, 3&5=gnd & must be jumped together)
Hitech Aurora 9, take out normal RF module and use module pins from left : 1=ppm, 2=supply, 3=GND (4 and 5 are not used)
Hitech Eclipse 7 (it works fine, see post 5797 and a bit more)
Futaba 6EX 2.4GHz version, is ok (6 pin square)
Futaba 6EX 72MHz version, is ok (6 pin square)
Futaba T7CAP (6 pin square)
Futaba FF7 (6 pin square)
Futaba 8FG
Futaba T9CP (6 pin square) same as T9CHP
Futaba T9ZHP (6 pin round DIN)
Futaba T9ZAP
Futaba 10C (6 pin square)
Futaba 10CG (6 pin square), Sensitive to RF levels, not good to mount LRS TX directly on its back
Futaba 10CP (6 pin square), Sensitive to RF levels, not good to mount LRS TX directly on its back
Futaba 10CAP (6 pin square), Sensitive to RF levels, not good to mount LRS TX directly on its back
Futaba 12ZAP ok in PPM8 & PPM12 no power out in trainer connector (WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes)
Futaba 12FGA fine in 8ch mode,(WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes)
Futaba 12FG fine in 8ch mode, (WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes)
Futaba 14MZ ok in PPM8 mode, (WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes)
Futaba 14MZP (WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes)
Futaba FX18
Futaba FX30
Robbe Futaba FC28
Hitec Aurora 9X (more details forum post#12412)
Hitec Optic 6
Spectrum DX5e - DX6i - DX7 (3.5mm jack) see note 1
Spectrum DX7SE DO NOT WORK, ONLY DSM MODE; NO PPM OUT MODE NOT EVEN INTERNALLY
Spectrum DX8 - a little bit of EMC jamming at 2W and if the TX antenna is close to the spectrum (3.5mm jack)
SANWA RD8000 - (5 pin DIN 1=supply out, 2=gnd, 3=ppm out) all 8ch ppm out of the sanwa is ok
Graupner MX12 - MX16S (3.5mm jack) see note 1
Graupner MC22 - MX22 - MC24 - MX24 (3.5mm jack) see note 1B
Graupner 2011 HOTT (3.5mm jack mono 2 contacts, front is PPM and shaft is gnd)
JR 3810 see note 1
JR 9303 see note 2
JR 11x zero (asia version) in ppm8 mode ok, (WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes), 3.5mm jack or module bay ok
X 9303 the special 2.4GHz version, problem solved see note 3
Turnigy 9X, some seems to handle strong RF signals poorly, like cell phone too close and LRS TX too close, affect display first
ArtTech E-Fly100C, same 3.5mm jack as Graupner, this radio is only 6ch but works fine
Mile High Wings USB interface (a PPM generator) fully compatible
Endurance PCTx (a USB PPM generator.) fully compatible
More planned to be listed here soon, if you test the LRS with an RC system that is not mentioned here,
please inform me so I can add it to the list

WARNING FUTABA owners must read post 1573-1574

note 1:
all LRS TX units shipped after 1 sep 2008 will be compatible
pre 1 sep units can be modified with a resistor, ask me for instructions if needed.

note 1B:
All Graupner (WORKS with 309 FIRMWARE in all modes)

note 2:
all LRS TX units shipped after 1 dec 2008 will be compatible
pre 1 dec units can be upgraded with a firmware file, ask me for instructions if needed.

note 3:
all LRS TX units shipped after 26 march 2009 will be compatible
pre 26 marts units can be modified by changing SMD resistor size 0603 R19 from 68k to 10k, ask me for instructions if needed.
This mod might also work with other JR type of transmitters

More Pictures

Bad Antenna position

Good Antenna position, 90 deg angled

ALL receiver types and versions have GROUND signal near end egde of the board

When ordering, inform me about if you like servo connectors ANGLED or UP
ALL receiver types can have this option, it is no extra cost
If unspecified by you, I will ask or maybe pack what I have available
The UP version: ch12 is mounted with 4 pins for easy access to the RSSI signal
The ANGLED version: ch12 is mounted with 3 pins like all other, RSSI out is in free unsoldered pad

The LRS TX box with antenna

The LRS TX box fit perfectly on the back side of Multiplex Royal Evo 7-9-12 and the Pro types too.

------

PPM signal input demand, to be compatible

The repeat time MUST be constant no matter sticks positions
IF you change number of channels the repeat time will change.
a PPM frame must have at least 4 servo informations. This example have 8ch of servoes:

PPM signal, note the repeat time 22.6mS marked with cursors

PPM signal, see same REPEAT time even if sticks are moved

PPM signal, the marked area is the dead-time, it will vary depending on sticks position

Video clips:
http://www.vimeo.com/3794673 show how the diversity system select the best antenna signal,
TX side run a servo test program so we can see all updates go fine while shifting antenna.

http://www.vimeo.com/3794162 Instruction video how to bind and store failsafe.

-Thomas Scherrer OZ2CPU. this page was last updated: Oct 2013