Difference between revisions of "Modems"

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Radio modems allow for a digital uplink and downlink from the aircraft.
Please see: http://www.recherche.enac.fr/paparazzi/doc/moin.cgi/UserManual
During development a downlink was established with the video transmitter, and an uplink using spare channels on the RC transmitter.
Now with a Radio modem changes to gains and waypoint positions can be made on the laptop during flight.
Initial testing was done using a Coronis Wavecard which showed very good results.  Testing has now begun using a Maxstream 9Xtend, which has shown great range and reliability.  Waypoint moving, as well as flight plan block changes have been done.  Gains have been adjusted as well. 
 
== Aerocomm AC4868-250M ==
{|
|-valign="top"
|
[[Image:ConnexLink_USB_RF_Modem.jpg|thumb|Aerocomm USB Stand-alone Modem]]
|
* Frequency Band 868MHz.
* Output Power (w/ 2dBi antenna) 250 mW
* Sensitivity (@ full RF data rate) -103 dB
* RF Data Rate Up to 28.8 Kbps
* INterface Data Rate Up to 57.6 Kbps
* Power Draw (typical) 240 mA TX / 36 mA RX
* Supply Voltage 3.3v & 5V or 3.3v only
* Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 15 kilometers line-of-sight
* Dimensions 49 x 42 x 5mm
* Weight < 21 grams
* Interface 20-pin mini connector 
* Antenna MMCX jack Connector
* price : ~80$
|
[[Image:ac4868_transceiver.jpg|thumb|left|AC4868 OEM Modem]]
|}
 
=== Pinout ===
 
[[Image:Aerocomm_AC4868_pinout.jpg|thumb|left|Aerocomm AC4868 Modem Pinout]]
<br style="clear:both">
 
{| border="1"
|+ Wiring the Aerocomm AC4868 to the Tiny
|-valign="top"
||'''''AC4868 20-pin Header'''''||'''''Name'''''||'''''Color'''''||'''''Tiny Serial-1'''''||'''''Notes'''''
|-
||2||Tx||green||7||''(Note 1)''
|-
||3||Rx||blue||8||''(Note 1)''
|-
||5||GND||black||1|| -
|-
||10+11||VCC||red||2||+3.3v
|-
||17||C/D||white||3||Low = Command High = Data
|}
''Note 1 : names are specified with respect to the AEROCOMM module''
 
=== Documentation ===
 
* [http://www.aerocomm.com/rf_transceiver_modules/ac4868_868mhz_rf_transceiver.htm product page]
* [http://www.aerocomm.com/docs/Datasheet_AC4490_HI.pdf datasheet]
* [http://www.aerocomm.com/docs/User_Manual_AC4868.pdf user manual]
 
== Maxstream XBee Pro ==
 
These relatively cheap and light modules implement the [http://www.zigbee.org/en/index.asp ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4] norme. They allow up to 1 mile range(Paparazzi tested to 2.5km). The main drawback of using such 2.4Ghz modules for datalink is that it will interfere with the 2.4Ghz analog video transmitters and a inevidable decrease in range when in proximity to any wifi devices.
 
{|
|-valign="top"
|[[Image:Xbee_Pro_USB_RF_Modem.jpg|thumb|left|XBee Pro USB Stand-alone Modem]]
|
* Frequency Band 2.4Ghz
* Output Power 100mW (Xbee Pro)
* Sensitivity  -100 dBm
* RF Data Rate Up to 250 Kbps
* Interface data rate Up to 115.2 Kbps
* Power Draw (typical) 214 mA TX / 55 mA RX
* Supply Voltage 3.3v
* Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 1500m line-of-sight
* Dimensions 24 x 33mm
* Weight 4 grams
* Interface 20-pin mini connector 
* Chip antenna, ¼ monopole integrated whip antenna or a U.FL antenna connector (3 versions)
* price : ~32$
|
[[Image:XBee_pro.jpg|thumb|left|XBee Pro OEM Modem]]
|}
 
=== Pinout ===
 
[[Image:Maxstream_Xbee_pinout.jpg|left|thumb|Maxstream XBee pinout]]
<br style="clear:both">
 
=== Documentation ===
 
* [http://www.maxstream.net/products/xbee/xbee-pro-oem-rf-module-zigbee.php  product page]
* [http://www.maxstream.net/products/xbee/datasheet_XBee_OEM_RF-Modules.pdf  datasheet]
* [http://www.maxstream.net/products/xbee/product-manual_XBee_OEM_RF-Modules.pdf  user manual]
 
== Maxstream 9XTend ==
 
These larger units have been tested on the 900Mhz band, but are also available in 2.4Ghz.  They are a bit on the heavy side(~20grams) but give good performance at range.  They have adjustable power settings from 100mW to 1W.  Testing has shown range up to 2 miles with 100mW.
 
{|
|-valign="top"
|
[[Image:XTend_USB_RF_Modem.jpg|frame|left|9XTend USB Modem]]
|
* Frequency Band 900Mhz and 2.4Ghz (2 versions)
* Output Power 1mW to 1W software selectable
* Sensitivity  -110 dBm (@ 9600 bps)
* RF Data Rate 9.6 or 115.2 Kbps
* Interface data rate up to 230.4 Kbps
* Power Draw (typical) 730 mA TX / 80 mA RX
* Supply Voltage 2.8 to 5.5v
* Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 64km line-of-sight
* Dimensions 36 x 60 x 5mm
* Weight 18 grams
* Interface 20-pin mini connector 
* RF connector RPSMA (Reverse-polarity SMA) or MMCX (2 versions)
* price : ~179$
|
[[Image:Xtend_module.jpg|frame|left|9XTend OEM Modem]]
|}
 
=== Pinout ===
 
[[Image:Maxstream_9XTend_Pinout.gif|thumb|left|Maxstream 9XTend Pinout]]
<br style="clear:both">
 
=== Documentation ===
 
* [http://www.maxstream.net/products/xtend/oem-rf-module.php product page]
* [http://www.maxstream.net/products/xtend/datasheet_XTend_OEM_RF-Module.pdf datasheet]
* [http://www.maxstream.net/products/xtend/product-manual_XTend_OEM_RF-Module.pdf user manual]
 
== Coronis WaveCard ==
 
These relatively inexpensive and light modules implement a Coronis proprietary protocol. Low power consumption - high latency - I would not recommend these modules mostly because of the low quality of the distribution and support. The documentation is rather poor and not easily available.
{|
|-valign="top"
|
* Frequency Band 400MHz, 868Mhz and 915MHz (3 versions)
* Output Power 25mW and 500mW (2 versions)
* Sensitivity  -110 dBm (@ 9600 bps)
* Data Rate 100 Kbps
* Power Draw (typical) 45mA (25mW), 450mA (500mW) TX / 15 mA RX
* Supply Voltage ...
* Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 1km (25mW) , 5km (500mW) line-of-sight
* Dimensions 30 x 28 x 7mm (25mW), 37 x 30 x 7mm (500mW)
* 50 ohm RF port for antenna connection
|
[[Image:wavecard.jpg|Coronis Wavecard]]
|}
 
=== Documentation ===
 
* [http://www.coronis-systems.com/produit.php?lang=EN&id=WCA  www.coronis-systems.com]
* [[Media:CS-COM-SPRD-WAVECARD-E03B.pdf|Wavecard datasheet]]
 
== Video Transmitter Telemetry ==
 
[[Image:video_tx_small.jpg|thumb|2.4GHz Video Transmitter]]
In order for the UAV to transmit video from an onboard camera, a video transmitter is needed.  The paparazzi AP sends all telemetry data down with the video on the audio channel portion of the transmitter.  This means that the transmitter must have an audio channel.  These vary in power, and thus range, and run normally on 2.4Ghz.  Small UAVs can get about 600m of range from the 50mW version, and extended range can be achieved using units up to 1W.  Weight for these units varies from a couple grams to about 30 for the 1W with shielding.  Please check for your countries regulations on 2.4Ghz transmission, as each is different. 
<br style="clear:both">
 
== Antennas ==
 
Here are some examples of lightweight and efficient 868MHz antennas developped by the RF laboratory at ENAC.
[[Image:868mhz_twinstar_antenna_1.jpg|thumb|left|868MHz copper foil antenna attached to the aircraft tail]]
[[Image:868mhz_twinstar_antenna_2.jpg|thumb|left|868MHz copper foil antenna bottom view]]
[[Image:868mhz_ground_antenna.jpg|thumb|left|868MHz ground antenna]]
<br style="clear:both">

Revision as of 19:51, 10 December 2006

Radio modems allow for a digital uplink and downlink from the aircraft. During development a downlink was established with the video transmitter, and an uplink using spare channels on the RC transmitter. Now with a Radio modem changes to gains and waypoint positions can be made on the laptop during flight. Initial testing was done using a Coronis Wavecard which showed very good results. Testing has now begun using a Maxstream 9Xtend, which has shown great range and reliability. Waypoint moving, as well as flight plan block changes have been done. Gains have been adjusted as well.

Aerocomm AC4868-250M

Aerocomm USB Stand-alone Modem
  • Frequency Band 868MHz.
  • Output Power (w/ 2dBi antenna) 250 mW
  • Sensitivity (@ full RF data rate) -103 dB
  • RF Data Rate Up to 28.8 Kbps
  • INterface Data Rate Up to 57.6 Kbps
  • Power Draw (typical) 240 mA TX / 36 mA RX
  • Supply Voltage 3.3v & 5V or 3.3v only
  • Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 15 kilometers line-of-sight
  • Dimensions 49 x 42 x 5mm
  • Weight < 21 grams
  • Interface 20-pin mini connector
  • Antenna MMCX jack Connector
  • price : ~80$
AC4868 OEM Modem

Pinout

Aerocomm AC4868 Modem Pinout


Wiring the Aerocomm AC4868 to the Tiny
AC4868 20-pin Header Name Color Tiny Serial-1 Notes
2 Tx green 7 (Note 1)
3 Rx blue 8 (Note 1)
5 GND black 1 -
10+11 VCC red 2 +3.3v
17 C/D white 3 Low = Command High = Data

Note 1 : names are specified with respect to the AEROCOMM module

Documentation

Maxstream XBee Pro

These relatively cheap and light modules implement the ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 norme. They allow up to 1 mile range(Paparazzi tested to 2.5km). The main drawback of using such 2.4Ghz modules for datalink is that it will interfere with the 2.4Ghz analog video transmitters and a inevidable decrease in range when in proximity to any wifi devices.

XBee Pro USB Stand-alone Modem
  • Frequency Band 2.4Ghz
  • Output Power 100mW (Xbee Pro)
  • Sensitivity -100 dBm
  • RF Data Rate Up to 250 Kbps
  • Interface data rate Up to 115.2 Kbps
  • Power Draw (typical) 214 mA TX / 55 mA RX
  • Supply Voltage 3.3v
  • Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 1500m line-of-sight
  • Dimensions 24 x 33mm
  • Weight 4 grams
  • Interface 20-pin mini connector
  • Chip antenna, ¼ monopole integrated whip antenna or a U.FL antenna connector (3 versions)
  • price : ~32$
XBee Pro OEM Modem

Pinout

Maxstream XBee pinout


Documentation

Maxstream 9XTend

These larger units have been tested on the 900Mhz band, but are also available in 2.4Ghz. They are a bit on the heavy side(~20grams) but give good performance at range. They have adjustable power settings from 100mW to 1W. Testing has shown range up to 2 miles with 100mW.

9XTend USB Modem
  • Frequency Band 900Mhz and 2.4Ghz (2 versions)
  • Output Power 1mW to 1W software selectable
  • Sensitivity -110 dBm (@ 9600 bps)
  • RF Data Rate 9.6 or 115.2 Kbps
  • Interface data rate up to 230.4 Kbps
  • Power Draw (typical) 730 mA TX / 80 mA RX
  • Supply Voltage 2.8 to 5.5v
  • Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 64km line-of-sight
  • Dimensions 36 x 60 x 5mm
  • Weight 18 grams
  • Interface 20-pin mini connector
  • RF connector RPSMA (Reverse-polarity SMA) or MMCX (2 versions)
  • price : ~179$
9XTend OEM Modem

Pinout

Maxstream 9XTend Pinout


Documentation

Coronis WaveCard

These relatively inexpensive and light modules implement a Coronis proprietary protocol. Low power consumption - high latency - I would not recommend these modules mostly because of the low quality of the distribution and support. The documentation is rather poor and not easily available.

  • Frequency Band 400MHz, 868Mhz and 915MHz (3 versions)
  • Output Power 25mW and 500mW (2 versions)
  • Sensitivity -110 dBm (@ 9600 bps)
  • Data Rate 100 Kbps
  • Power Draw (typical) 45mA (25mW), 450mA (500mW) TX / 15 mA RX
  • Supply Voltage ...
  • Range (typical, depends on antenna & environment) Up to 1km (25mW) , 5km (500mW) line-of-sight
  • Dimensions 30 x 28 x 7mm (25mW), 37 x 30 x 7mm (500mW)
  • 50 ohm RF port for antenna connection

Coronis Wavecard

Documentation

Video Transmitter Telemetry

2.4GHz Video Transmitter

In order for the UAV to transmit video from an onboard camera, a video transmitter is needed. The paparazzi AP sends all telemetry data down with the video on the audio channel portion of the transmitter. This means that the transmitter must have an audio channel. These vary in power, and thus range, and run normally on 2.4Ghz. Small UAVs can get about 600m of range from the 50mW version, and extended range can be achieved using units up to 1W. Weight for these units varies from a couple grams to about 30 for the 1W with shielding. Please check for your countries regulations on 2.4Ghz transmission, as each is different.

Antennas

Here are some examples of lightweight and efficient 868MHz antennas developped by the RF laboratory at ENAC.

868MHz copper foil antenna attached to the aircraft tail
868MHz copper foil antenna bottom view
868MHz ground antenna