Turbotronic

Hi,
A while ago I mentioned this new device as being in the design stage. Well I just completed the first prototype. The connectors for the RX is not yet delivered so some cheapo strips were modded for the first test. Basically this device allows for 2 direct battery inputs to two sets of 14 channel outputs ampified to 5V PPM pulses with a low impedance driver suitable for long servo leads. The RX itself is powered by 2 low dropout regulators and supplies 5V to the RX. The best feature is the capability of the dual regulators to BOOST the supply voltage via an integrated SWITCHING regulator when the battery volatge drops under the load of multiple digital servos. This feature maintains 5V from input voltages as low as 1 volt! This eliminates the dreaded BROWNOUTs.... The battery inputs are spike protected with 400W TVS diodes and the servo drivers have noise filters. Supply to the RX is also filtered via a common mode transformer that eliminates EMI via the battery supply/servos.
The RX itself fits directly between the 2 connector rows. A metal alu case is being designed to contain everything.
Andre Baird

kelly vallee

It's has already been on sale for over a year from Ordit Electronics.

Turbotronic

I dont think so. This device can work at 1 Volt, handles 28 servos, supports the RX within a secure box.

olnico

Nice idea Andre.
I like the brownout protection feature.

This system would be highly regarded by Spektrum/JR users since their product is more sensitive to voltage fluctuation.

olnico

As far as I understand your description, you provide:
5V regulated input to the Rx supply
5V amplified output on the servo pulse line ( white/orange servo cable )
Unregulated power supply to the 28 servos ( red servo cable )

Can each bank be powered by a different battery ?
For example: right bank on A123 direct supply for standard servos
left bank on 2S Lipo direct supply for high voltage servos

Turbotronic

Hi Olivier,
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">As far as I understand your description, you provide:
5V regulated input to the Rx supply
5V amplified output on the servo pulse line ( white/orange servo cable )
Unregulated power supply to the 28 servos ( red servo cable )</span>
Yes, correct.
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Can each bank be powered by a different battery ?</span>
Not on this model but it can be seperated easily. I understand your question though, My Spektrum version has 4 independant battery inputs for 6 outputs each (24 servos total). Any combo can be paralled of course for max flexibility, including regulated inputs from external regulator, So you could use a
LliPO direct on one input, regulate from same pack to another input and have a123 packs on the other. This is on the drawing board still and will include a comprehensive set of mixers as well and will feature a data bus for additional servo decoders. This will allow for a single connection to a wing with multiple servos.
BRG
Andre

quist

My Feedback: (198)

I have never heard of Futaba equipment suffering from Brownouts.

Turbotronic

Me neither, but I have heard about battery packs failing one cell or more. This usually causes a complete power fail for the RX under load and does not qualify as a "brownout" I suppose. My design overcomes this problem. This technology is common on cars as well. When a car is started in cold weather the electronics controlling the start could reset. But automotive and other real engineers know better, so they impliment buck/boost regulators to overcome this problem. Also used in full size avionics. Also used this since 1998 on my Turbine ECU's.

Guillermo Ibanez

My Feedback: (1)

Hi:

What about the temperature issue of Futaba FS6014 receiver?

I understand that above 60&deg;C those receivers can have a borwnout? Or a reset?

Do your device handle this issue?

Do a Powerbox give the same protection as your device?<br type="_moz" />

Turbotronic

<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hi Guillermo,
I do not manage the temp issue but supplying the RX with 5V as opposed to 6V or more could reduce the power disipation of the RX regulator reducing temp slightly. I am not sure but did Futaba not address this issue?
None of the other brands of RX signal/power processors use buck/boost as far as I am aware. All use normal linear regulators which, since they also introduce a voltage drop of their own, will make it worse under very low voltage condition. In other words if your RX resets at 3.4V with a normal regulator it will stop at 3.6 - 4V.
Andre
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