This guide aims to give you a basic understanding of how 2.4GHz radio systems work.
With the advances and lower cost in production of digital microprocessors, the ability to produce a cost effective digital signal based radio system has now become common place.
The use of the 2.4GHz radio band and digital signals addresses some of the problems faced with analog systems:
- Little to no problems with radio interference and "glitches" caused by motors, speed controls and other radio generating sources.
- No risk of another flyer using your frequency channel.
- No more hunting for another radio crystal or having to frequency share.
- Strict frequency control processes are no longer required for the modeller where several flyers are operating in one location
such as at a club.
For digital systems a signal is made by the flyer on their transmitter which is split up into small "packets" of digital information and is sent repeatedly at a high time interval to the receiver by the transmitter. Included in the data packet is the unique identifier of the transmitter which sent the packet, so the receiver knows where this packet of information is being sent from.
To manage the packets of data being transmitted on the 2.4GHz band, manufactures have adopted spread spectrum broadcasting. There are two main methods in common use:
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) is where the transmitter broadcasts its packets on a narrow band frequency for a small amount of time then switches to another for another period of time. This can occur hundreds of times
per a second depending on the microprocessors used in the transmitter and receiver. Futaba has based their FASST range of products around this method.
Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) is where the transmitter broadcasts its packets on a single selected frequency within the wide band. Spektrum has based their range DSM and DSM2 range of products on this system.
All of the radio system manufacturers quote benefits of their system and competitor pitfalls. Whichever 2.4GHz system you opt for you'll remove all the problems associated with 27MHz to 75MHz based systems.
For the receiver to only respond to the signals sent from the appropriate transmitter, a relationship must be created between the two. The process of teaching the receiver the unique transmitter code is called binding or linking.
The process of binding/linking the receiver is dependent on the manufacturer, but
it is a simple process of putting the receiver into a binding/linking mode either by pressing a button or using a special bind key supplied with the receiver with the tranmistter turned on.
Have a browse of our 2.4GHz radio systems by clicking here. If you need any help, just call us on 0845 539 2103 (local rate) or email us at Shop@TopProps.co.uk where we'll be glad to advise you.
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