Interesting things to note with Futaba updates, PowerBox Updates and registration.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/futa...erbox-ect.html

Hi Jason,

I've been using the telemetry for a while now on the 18MZ (using, of course, the Sbus2). I was delighted to see that Powerbox is now supporting it and I am going to get one of the adapters from them to play with.

So far I've used a number of the Futaba sensors (GPS, vario), the CB airspeed system, Carsten's ASSI device, Carsten's pressure sensor, and the Xicoy adapter for turbine parameters. Really a nice system. I've sent a number of suggestions to Futaba on how to add what I think would be useful capabilities but so far no reply and no implementation. At least Carsten listens and innovates rapidly :-)

In the latest 18MZ update they mention a new telemetry device that looks like it's an adapter for Sbus2 servos. When I started seeing Sbus2 on servos I wondered . .what info would they send back to the RX .. and reading the 18MZ release docs it looks like you will be able to read current draw and arm position and a few other items. This actually might be pretty interesting for jets. For example, when I fly my larger faster jets, I use the Robbe 2018 power box, and I get a max current of about 7A which happens at about the time in the flight where I go to full flaps on final approach. With the new adapter (the TX supports it but I have not seen it for sale yet...), I could get telemetry for the flap servo position and current to see "blowback" and current draw per servo. Neat.

What I have tried to convince Futaba is that they should be friendly to third parties who are implementing compatible sensors, which increases the utility of their system and benefits them as well as the third parties. For example allowing customizable units so you don't have to read pressure as "degrees C" in a third party pressure sensor. Or set a flight mode based on pitot-static airspeed. Many other possibilities.. Again they have not ever replied to my communications, so maybe they agree and maybe they don't.

What I'd really like to see is some way to use the telemetry data to interact with things that can go back and make some impact on the TX channels .. for example I can set an alarm for low air pressure with Carsten's pressure sensor and have the TX buzz or beep and then I am the human "gear fail safe"., Wouldn't it be nice to be able to not just ring an alarm but "virtually" throw a switch so you could implement a gear fail safe from the TX. On a few planes I do the gear/door sequencing with the TX but to get a proper failsafe you have to put the sequencer in the plane.

So far I've been working on ways to use the alarms to assist the pilot, since it is totally unrealistic for the pilot to look at any parameters on the TX. I did get one of the Robbe telemetry boxes so my spotter can look at parameters. The ultimate device for this at the moment is Carsten's stand-alone telemetry system with the Android app. I got one of these recently and look forward to flying with it in the spring. Hoping that the new OLED displays on the Samsung tablet are readable by spotters out in the sun :-)

Dave

+1 Dave across the board.

I did have to roll back the last software update as it didn't play nice with my airspeed sensors. I'm guessing they will come up with a new update soon to fix it. Other than that the system has been flawless.

Just like Dave said, Futaba should hire a few programmers to keep their platform ahead of the other guys.

You absolutely right the Emcotec 2018 is small miracle in the box. I never consider S.Bus servos for my large projects and now I do not want to use anything else. Finally one common power line for 6 servos inside of my wing and I can set different voltages for servos all around my models.

I fully agree let third party developers help you.

Zb/Jeti USA

We just finished video that explains how the system works, one click and your model is ready to go.
With 18MZ you can tape directly to the data stream and get the telemetry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmbH0j6CvQA http://www.espritmodel.com/emcotec-p...s-systems.aspx

Emcotec DPSI 2018 Power Distribution System S.Bus w/Telemetry

The innovative Futaba S.Bus system lets you unleash your flight system's full potential and cut down on cable clutter at the same time. Emcotec DPSI 2018 uses digital serial data communication technology to transmit control signals between your receiver and standard or S.Bus/Sbus2 servos. A single S.Bus cable can carry signals to as many channels as your transmitter can handle. You no longer have to worry about plugging in the wrong servo to the wrong channel, because each servo knows what channel it is dedicated to in advance. The Emcotec 2018 power distribution system can manage up to four different power servo lines as well as additional 10 standard PWM channel and fully supports Jeti and other telemetry systems. Up to two receivers with serial (UDI, EX Bus, XBus, HoTT, DSMX) output as well as two power batteries can be connected at the same time to the DPSI 2018 unit for complete Power & Signal redundancy.

The Emcotec DPSI 2018 power and signal distribution system provides servo management for two S.Bus (A1 + A2, B1 + B2) and one PWM (Channel 1-8/9-16 and 17, 18) output channel lines using independent, voltage selectable regulators. Each one of the output channel lines can be independently set for 5.4, 6, 6.6 or 7.4V. Dual receivers (Spektrum 4x) are connected to the PWM (C) line sharing same voltage as PWM channels 1-8/9-16 (Programmable) and channels 17 and 18 for complete signal redundancy.

Compatible Radio Systems (Communication Protocols)
Jeti PPM/UDI with Telemetry (Jeti Cable EMCA12105)
Futaba FASST, FASSTest
Multiplex M-Link
JR XBus Serial Bus
Graupner/SJ HoTT
Spektrum DSM2/DSMX

When using Jeti Duplex 2.4GHz system Emcotec DPSI 2018 sends up to 15 individual Telemetry Data Streams. All data are viewable and recordable using one of the Jeti DS/DC Transmitters.
Battery 1 and 2 Input Voltage (V)
Battery 1 and 2 Current (A)
Current Total (A)
Voltage Line A, B, C (V)
Receiver Quality Signal 1 and 2 (%)
Temperature (F)
Battery Capacity 1 and 2 (mAh)
Total Battery Capacity (mAh)
Residual Battery Energy (mAh)

I have been using the Robbe version for a few years its nice to see this version that offers the pwm conversion for the connection slots

"Keep" would imply that they are still in the lead and as an 18MZ user, I feel they have fallen a few places back. In the two and a half years I've had the radio, I haven't seen Futaba responsive to our "new feature requests" and I doubt that will change. I hope I'm wrong.

Afterburner I agree I have been very upset with futabas development rate with respect to telemetry and integration with current products.

Does anybody know if the Futaba Robbe PSS 2018 can be updated to the latest specs of the Emcotech DPSI 2018? I have a brand new one in the box and may be switch radios and would like the option for telemetry which I don't believe the PSS is capable of in current form. I do know the firmware can be updated.

Thanks,
PaulP

Dave + 1, absolutely agree with your centiments. Really would be nice if Futaba would give their longtime loyalists some feedback on all these well meant suggestions.

Cheers,

Jan

PaulP I have both versions and I can notice no difference. That's not to say some of the specs and features aren't different, just that operational wise they are identical.

I have run the 2018s for years now. Great unit, however, I have one HUGE concern when using them for SBUS and with a Powerbox Igyro SRS.

Forgive some of my explanations as I'm not as electronically clever as some of you.

Using the 2018 without a gyro, the receivers go directly to the 2018. You get an accurate % readout on the 2018 screen as to the signal strength for both receivers. There is no other device between the receiver and the 2018. Enter the Igyro SRS. This unit is placed between the receivers and the 2018. Regardless of what the signal strength is it reads 100% on the 2018 screen for both receivers which is a false reading.

Now the big problem. Recently I was taxing back to the pits with my F16. I shut the turbine down and the 2018 was yelling at me. Looking at the 2018 screen it said RX1 fail. Seconds later it said RX2 fail and the plane went into failsafe. If it happened 1 min earlier I was gone. Turned out there was corrosion on the circuit board of the Igyro which failed and took both receiver signals out with it. Scary stuff.

Now I'm not blaming Powerbox as it was an isolated incident and could even have something to do with the coastal climate I live in. I'm not blaming Robbe, Futaba or Emcotech either. It was a freak thing that hopefully won't happen again. It did scare me though so I did some experiments.

I installed two Igyros on board. One for each receiver. I set them up identical and turned them both on. For testing I moved the control surfaces and while doing that I pulled out the active receiver promoting the change to receiver 2. The change worked well except there was a 1 second failsafe delay between the change. Not acceptable.

Long story short I still haven't solved the redundancy issue of having an SBUS set up with a gyro. I guess any gyro failure SBUS or not could take a plane down though. I am a big fan of gyros. But is it worth introducing another potential failure point?

Keen to hear your thoughts.

Cheers
Levi